GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

Scripture Reading        : 1 Corinthians 6

Theme                            : Following the Old Ways    

The Corinthians believers were so taken with human philosophy and insistent in doing what they wanted that they had allowed their old ways of thinking and acting to reinvade their lives, as seen in this passage.

1. Old way #1: Lawsuits against one another (6:1-11). Paul’s grief and concern for the Corinthians believers who were bringing lawsuit against one another before unbelievers was not that believers will get an unfair hearing in the public courts, but that they had so little respect for the church’s authority and ability to settle its own disputes. In doing so, they had become more concerned with revenge and gain than with the unity of the Body and the glory of Jesus Christ. Hence, disputes between Christians must be settled by and among Christians. Besides, these Christians had already lost spiritually before the case is heard. Hence if a brother has wronged us in any way, it is better to lose financially and forgive him (cf. Matt. 18:21-22) in order to protect our relationship with our Lord and with our fellow believers.

2. Old way #2: Sexual immorality (6:12-20). A Christian has freedom in Christ (cf. Gal. 5:1, 13; Rom. 8:21) and can commit no sin that is not already covered by God’s grace. Yet the Corinthians had perverted this truth to justify their sexual sins, that sex is just a biological function like eating, just as food was used to satisfy their appetites. Here, Paul shows the three evils of sexual sin: it is harmful to everyone involved; it gains control over those who indulge in it; and it perverts God’s purpose for the body. Therefore, Christians are to flee sexual immorality continually rather than rationalising it, and to use our body to bring honor to God, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Praying the Scripture

1. When Jesus Christ returns to set up His millennial kingdom, believers from throughout all of history will be His coregents, sitting with Him on His throne (cf. Rev. 3:21, Dan. 7:22). Therefore, if we are to judge and rule over the world and over angels in the age to come, we are surely able, under the guidance of Scriptures and the Holy Spirit, to settle any matters of disagreements among ourselves today. As long as we are faithful to seek the counsel of God’s Word and Spirit, the poorest equipped believer is much more competent to settle disagreements between fellow believers than is the most highly trained and experienced unbelieving judge devoid of divine truth. Let us learn to settle our own disputes and give testimony of our resources, unity and harmony before the world.

2. Sexual allurement is extremely enticing and powerful, promising pleasure and satisfaction. Yet there is no sin that has more destructiveness than sexual sin. God is not against sex. He created and blessed it when used exclusively within marriage as He intends. Therefore God looks on sexual immorality with extreme seriousness and severely judges all who commit it (cf. 1 Cor. 10:8, 2 Sam. 12:10-11, 14). Let pray that we will be sanctified by abstaining from sexual immorality and learn to possess our own body in sanctification and honor (1 Thess. 4:3-5).

经文：哥林多前书6

主题：跟从旧形式

哥林多信徒对人类哲学如此着迷，如此执意做他们想做的事，以致容许他们过去的行为思想再次占据了自己的生命。

Scripture Reading        : 1 Corinthians 5

Theme                            : Immorality in the Church

Paul now moves on to the next issue of sexual immorality. This is not directed at the “so-called” believers who were committing it, but at the rest of the church who stood by simply watching. Paul wanted to confront such tolerance of sins, which is as serious as the sins itself.

1. The need for discipline (5:1-2a). The first thing that the Corinthians needed to see was the need for discipline because they apparently had rationalized or minimised the immorality in their midst. Paul’s first step was to show them that the immorality was serious and should not be tolerated (Eph. 5:3, 11), especially when such sin was not even tolerated by pagans.

2. The mode of discipline (5:2b-8). To the man who refused to repent of his blatant immorality, Paul makes it clear that he should be excommunicated (cf. Matt. 18:15-17). Discipline sometimes must be severe because the consequences of not doing so are much worse. Unless removed, sin will spread its infection until the whole fellowship of believers is diseased. Not only that, discipline is also done in hope that the pain of isolation will drive a true believer to repentance. And when they do, we should gladly welcomed them back into the fellowship (2 Cor. 2:7).

3. The sphere of discipline (5:9-13). The Corinthians had apparently misinterpreted Paul’s previous advice about not associating with immoral people, thus they stopped having contact with unbelievers instead of with unrepentant believers. Discipline must be administered to any who professed to be a Christian, not the unbelievers. They have no responsibility to judge the outsider, rather, they are to witness to them.

Praying the Scripture

1. Instead of mourning over sin, many churches today have become tolerant of immorality in the name of Christian liberty and Christian love. Such tolerance can be seen in the increasing acceptance of homosexuality within the evangelical circles. Yet, a church that does not mourn over sin, especially sin within its own fellowship, is on the edge of spiritual disaster and severely hindered its testimony. Alexander Pope wrote: “Vice is a monster so frightful mien, As to be hated needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace.” When we cease to be shocked by sin, we lose a strong defense against it. God takes the purity of His church seriously and He commands His children to take it equally seriously. Let’s pray that we will be holy as God is holy (1 Pet. 1:16) and not tolerate sin within the church nor in our own lives.

2. Discipline is difficult, painful and often heartrending. It is not that we should not love the offenders, but that we should love Christ, His church and His Word even more. Our love to the offenders is not to be sentimental tolerance, but correcting love (cf. Prov. 27:6). It is essential to realise that in a true believer, the flow of sin will not be uninterrupted, as in one who is unredeemed. Church discipline is hence done in the hope of restoring a straying brother. Let’s pray that we will continue to love a sinning brother and pray that he will return to a pure life. Let us learn to bear one another’s burdens and restore a sinning brother in a spirit of gentleness (Gal. 6:1-2).

经文：哥林多前书5

主题：教会中的淫乱

保罗现在要针对下一个问题：淫乱。他所指责的人并不是犯这罪而宣称自己是信徒的人，而是其余袖手旁观的信徒。保罗想指责的是这容忍罪的态度，因为这与犯罪一样严重。

Scripture Reading        : 1 Corinthians 3

Theme                            : The Cure for Division        

In the previous passage, Paul points out that the Corinthians were divided because of worldliness (i.e. their love for human wisdom). In this passage, he shows that they were also divided because of the flesh. 

1. Identifying the root of division (3:1-4). Division can only occur where there is selfishness. Fleshly, immature people cooperate only with those leaders and fellow believers whom they agree or are pleasing to them. As self-centeredness is at the heart of fleshly behaviour, jealously and strife are always found in an immature congregation.

2. Prescribing the cure for division (3:5-17). The cure for division is turning away from self and setting our eyes on the one God whom we all glorify. All of God’s workers are one in Him and to Him all glory should go. However, God does not fail to recognize the faithful work of His servants (cf. Rev. 11:18). When Christ returns, every believer’s work will be tested by fire and receive reward corresponding to the quality of his building material.

3. Administering the remedy for division (3:18-23). To gain and maintain unity in the church, believers must have the proper view of themselves, of others, of their possessions and of their Possessor. Firstly, a Christian must recognize that his own human wisdom is foolishness. Secondly, Christians should rejoice and profit in all faithful leaders God sends rather than giving honour to one over the other. Thirdly, not only are all godly leaders theirs, everything else from God is theirs as well (cf. Rom. 8:17, John 17:22). Finally, Christians need to turn our eyes unto Christ, the same Lord of all, and know that they are thus one with each other.

Praying the Scripture

1. The Lord’s coming to reward His own was one of Paul’s greatest motivations (cf. Phil 3:13-14). He wanted the Lord’s highest reward because that would be the most pleasing to the Lord Himself and would most graphically demonstrate his grateful love. In speaking about believers’ rewards, Paul was not talking about our judging works or about God’s judging sin. The “judgment seat” before which all believers will one day stand (Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10) is the reward for good works. Every individual life that pleases God must be carefully built on the foundation of God’s kingdom which is Jesus Christ. Let’s pray that we will be careful in representing the Lord and His Word by what we say and do which is a reflection of the gospel.

2. Ancient buildings were often built with precious metals and jewels. Similarly, whatever we build on the foundation of Jesus Christ, we build with the best of materials. The building materials mentioned in verse 12 are in two categories. The first category, gold, silver and precious stones, represents high quality materials (i.e. the greatest faithfulness, the most skillful and careful work done for the Lord) while the second category, wood, hay and straw, represents inferior materials. We build for the Lord and use the various materials for the Lord in three basic ways: by our motives, by our conduct and by our service. It is easy to fool ourselves into thinking that anything we do in the Lord’s name is in His service, but only believers who have the right motives, proper conduct and effective service build with gold, silver and precious stones. Let’s pray that we will seek for the greatest reward in our work with pure motives, holy conduct and selfless service.

经文：哥林多前书3

主题：治疗分歧的方案     

在上一段经文中，保罗指出哥林多人之所以会有分歧，是因为他们爱世界（即对人类智慧的爱）。在这段经文中，他向我们显示他们也是因着肉体而起争执的。

Scripture Reading        : 1 Corinthians 2

Theme                            : The Wisdom of God           

This passage continues to deal with the problem of disunity in the church at Corinth, particularly with the continued allegiance to human philosophies and leaders that contributed to the disunity.

1. Preaching the wisdom of God (2:1-5). Just as the gospel of God’s wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption cannot be obtained through human wisdom, it is also not to be presented through human wisdom. When Paul had preached to the Corinthians, he was not interested in discussing men’s ideas or insights. He would proclaim nothing but Jesus Christ, the crucified, risen and redeeming Jesus Christ alone.

2. Understanding the wisdom of God (2:6-16). True believers are the only ones among whom the gospel can be wisdom. To all others it is a stumbling block or foolishness (1:23). Here, Paul emphasized two points: true wisdom is not humanly discovered and true wisdom is divinely revealed. God’s truth is available only to those with a regenerate spirit and in whom His Spirit dwells, for only the Spirit can illumine Scripture. He is the believer’s resident Truth Teacher to enlighten him about all the things of God about which he needs to know (1 John 2:27). Yet the doctrine of illumination does not mean we can know and understand everything (Deut. 29:29), that we do not need human teachers (Eph. 4:11-12), or that study is not hard work (2 Tim. 2:15). But it does mean that Scripture can be understood by every Christian who is diligent and obedient.

Praying the Scripture

1. Paul did not come to Corinth as a philosopher, but as a witness to God’s revelation. Though he had great natural abilities, yet he did not rely on them because he did not want his hearers to identify with his own wisdom. Charles Spurgeon said: “The power that is in the Gospel does not lie in the eloquence of the preacher, otherwise men would be the converters of souls, nor does it lie in the preacher’s learning, otherwise it would consist in the wisdom of men. We might preach until our tongues rotted, till we would exhaust our lungs and die, but never a soul would be converted unless the Holy Spirit be with the Word of God to give it the power to convert the soul.” Let’s pray that we will not rely on calculated theatrics and techniques to manipulate response, but on God’s Spirit and power alone to win man’s soul.

2. It is possible to read the Bible – even many different copies and versions of the Bible – and yet not understand it. Like the scribes and Pharisees who reject God, the natural man had no means and no desire to understand the spiritual nature of God’s Word. Martin Luther said, “The bible cannot be understood simply by study or talent; you must count only on the influence of the Holy Spirit.” God must open the eyes of our understanding before we can truly know and rightly interpret His truth. Let’s pray that we will be diligent to study the Scripture and that God will open our eyes that we may behold wonderful things from thy law (Psalm 119:18).

经文：哥林多前书2

主题：神的智慧     

这段经文继续论述哥林多教会中的分歧，尤其他们对人类哲学及领袖的顽固忠诚，以致教会无法合一。

Scripture Reading        : 1 Corinthians 1

Theme                            : Unity in the Church           

1. The calling and privileges of sainthood (1:1-9). Though the Corinthian church was far from being saintly in light of their worldly and immoral behavior, yet Paul stressed that every one of them who truly believed in Jesus Christ was saved and was a saint. This reminder of their sainthood was important in laying the foundation for the rest of this letter, which is to exhort believers to live a holy life.

2. Disunity in the church over church leaders (1:10-17). The first thing for which Paul called the Corinthian believers to task was quarreling. Quarreling is a reality in the church because of selfishness and other sins. For a local church to be spiritually healthy, harmonious and effective, there must, above all, be doctrinal unity that is clearly based on God’s Word. No human leader, not even an apostle, should be given the loyalty that belonged only to the Lord. Such elevation of leaders leads only to contention, disputes and a divided church.

3. Disunity in the church over human wisdom (1:18-31). The Corinthian church is not only divided over Christian leaders (v.12), but also regarding philosophical viewpoints which they had brought into the church. As they elevated human wisdom, they automatically lower God’s wisdom, which looks to them like foolishness because it conflicts with their own thinking. But God wisely established it this way, that man could not come to know Him by the wisdom of the world, but He choose to use the foolishness of the cross to save those who would simply believe. The very part of God’s plan that seems most ridiculous from man’s natural viewpoint actually exhibits His greatest power and greatest wisdom.

Praying the Scripture

1. The Greek word translated “saint” is not an especially pious Christian, but one who is set apart from sin and made holy in Christ Jesus. This is the believer’s position in Christ. Despite their sinful living and distorted doctrine, the Corinthian believers were saints because they had been sanctified, set apart from sin and made holy in Christ Jesus. It is hence important for every Christian to keep in mind the great difference between his position and his practice. As Christians, one of the strongest rebukes we can have when we sin is to be reminded of who our Father is. Let’s pray that as we remember our position in Christ, we will also be compelled to improve our practice and walk in Him (Eph. 4:1).

2. Among the Corinthian church’s many sins and shortcomings, quarreling is the one that Paul chose to deal with first. In unity lies the joy of Christian ministry and the credibility of Christian testimony. Because they were one in fellowship with their Lord, they should be one in fellowship with each other. Let’s pray that we will uphold the unity in our church by not insisting on our own way and by putting the interests of our Lord and of His people above all else.

3. God’s Word is the only true wisdom and is all the wisdom that is reliable and needed. It needs no addition of human wisdom, which always falls short of His Word and most often contradicts or distorts it. Unfortunately, just as Paul’s time, the church today continued to fall prey to current trends in human thought. Some Christians frantically look almost everywhere but to God and His Word for values, meaning, guidance and help. Do you trust that Scripture alone is reliable, sufficient and complete? Let’s pray that we will seek after the true wisdom from God’s Word, not from human wisdom.

经文：哥林多前书1

主题：教会的合一 

Scripture Reading        : 1 Corinthians 9

Theme                            : The Illustration of Christian Liberty       

After setting out the limits of Christian liberty in chapter 8, Paul now illustrates how he followed the principle in his own life in chapter 9.

1. Paul’s rights to be supported (9:1-14). As an apostle, Paul had the right to be supported by the churches to whom he ministered. This is a right ordained by Jesus Himself (cf. Luke 10:7). The principle of workers being paid for their work is not merely according to human judgment, but is also taught in God’s law. If God wants to be certain that oxen are “paid” for their work, how much more is He concerned that men be compensated for theirs.
2. Paul’s refusal to be supported (9:15-27). Paul had the right, but he willingly waived his right for the gospel’s sake, for the brethren’s sake and for love’s sake. This is done for two reasons: first, he did not want to lose his reward for preaching the gospel without charge (v.16-18) and secondly, he wanted absolutely nothing to hinder his reaching the lost with that gospel (v.19-27). Therefore, this has become his policy wherever he went (cf. 1 Thess. 2:9, 2 Thess. 3:8) and he gladly modify his habits, his preferences, his lifestyle in order to win people to Jesus Christ. Though Paul’s willing adjustment of his living helped many unbelievers to be more open to receive the gospel, it does not imply that he has compromised the gospel truth to satisfy anyone. But he would condescend in any way for anyone if that would help bring him to Christ.

Praying the Scripture

1. The Lord’s servants deserve to be supported well. There should not be a lower standard for preachers, missionaries and other Christian ministers than that set for those laboring in the system of man. Obviously, we should give our money only to ministries that are biblically sound and responsible, for being wise in our giving is part of our stewardship. But Christians are also to reflect their heavenly Father’s generosity in supporting the Lord’s servants and give happily, generously and trustingly to a servant who is worthy. Let’s pray that we will follow the model of the Macedonia church in their giving (2 Cor. 8:1-5) and provide generous support to our pastors, our missionaries and leaders of any kind who minister to us, just as God has been so immeasurably generous to us (Phil. 4:19).
2. Liberty cannot be limited without self-control. Our sinfulness resents and resists restrictions, sometimes even in the name of spiritual freedom. However, no Christian will be successful in witnessing, or in anything else worthwhile, without discipline and self-control. Part of Pauls’ fight to win souls for Christ is against his own body. Like an athlete who follows training rules, not his body, in order to win the race, Paul put his body into subjection in order to fulfill his mission. However, many people today, including Christians, are slaves to their own bodies. They start the Christian life with enthusiasm and devotion. They train carefully for a while but soon tire of the effort and begin to “break training”. Before long, they are disqualified from being effective witnesses. They do not have what it takes because they are unwilling to pay the price. The flesh, the world, everyday affairs, personal interests and often simple laziness hinder spiritual growth and preparation for service. Let’s pray that we will learn to develop self-control and discipline in our own life so that we will not be disqualified.

经文：哥林多前书9

主题：运用基督徒自由的例子    

在第八章列出了基督徒自由的范畴后，保罗要在第九章举例自己是如何在生活中遵循这原则的。

Scripture Reading        : 1 Corinthians

Theme                            : Introduction to 1 Corinthian

The letter is named for the city of Corinth, where the church to whom it was written was located. The church was founded by Paul in his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1), where he ministered to them for a year and half (Acts 18:11) before leaving for Ephesus, and Apollos became their second pastor.

Unable to fully break from the culture from which it came, the Corinthian church was exceptionally fractional and worldly, showing its immaturity and carnality. It became necessary for Paul to write this letter to correct these issues, as well as to command the faithful believers to break fellowship with the disobedient and unrepentant members (1 Cor. 5:9-13). 

The major issues covered in this epistle can be seen in the outline as followed:

1. The calling and privilege of sainthood (1:1-9)
2. Disunity in the church (1:10-4:21)
3. Immorality in the church (5:1-6:20)
4. Marriage in the church (7:1-40)
5. Liberty in the church (8:1-11:1)
6. Worship in the church (11:2-14:40)
7. A hope of the church (15:1-58)
8. A charge to the church (16:1-24)

Praying the Scripture

1. Like many Christians today, the Corinthian believers had great difficulty in not mimicking the unbelieving and corrupt society around them. They usually managed to stay a little higher than the world morally, but were also moving downward together with the world. In short, they wanted to be in God’s kingdom while keeping one foot in the world; they wanted blessings of the new life while hanging on to pleasures of the old. Paul plainly warns that this is impossible (6:9-10). Let’s pray that our church will be united in faith and be separated from worldliness.

经文：哥林多前书   

主题：《哥林多前书》的介绍

这封书信命名于哥林多市，即那地方教会的所在；这教会是由保罗在他二次宣教行程中创办的（徒18:1）。他在那里的侍奉为期一年半（徒18:11），才离开到以弗所去。之后，亚波罗成为他们的第二个牧师。

哥林多教会无法完全从他们世俗和分歧的文化中脱离，显示了他们仍不成熟，还属肉体。因此，保罗需要写这封信以纠正这些问题，并命令忠实的信徒要与悖逆和不肯悔改的人断绝相交（林前5:9-13）

这封书信所涵盖的主要内容包括：