Daily Morning Watch

December 28, 2024

Here is a rare chance to see “the rest of the story” in a Bible passage. Remember the man who was sinning in 1 Corinthians 7, and how Paul said to “turn him over to Satan”? Remember how we said he couldn't mean it in the absolute way it sounds to our modern ears? Here is the proof. In verses 5 through 11, Paul makes a great point of saying that now the brothers and sisters must forgive and comfort the man, since he has turned from his sin. Paul believes we must love and forgive as readily as Jesus does. If you were the sinner, and you had been rebuked, what would you need to reassure you? Do that for someone else.

December 27, 2024

According to the Bible Commentary (BC 822) Titus returned to Paul with good news about the Corinthians, that they had accepted his rebuke and instruction. Paul had hoped to visit them himself, but had to leave Ephesus in a hurry, possibly because of the riot of the idol-makers that we learned of in Acts 19. So he sends his encouragement and joy in another letter. It may have only been a few weeks between the first letter and this second one. He apologizes for not coming, and reassures them that even when human plans are contrary, God's word to us is always “yes.”

December 26, 2024

Again, Paul finishes up with farewells, last bits of advice, and hopes of seeing his friends again. He has advice about saving up their offerings until he comes to collect the money for Jerusalem. He mentions certain people by name, and asks them all to be kind to each other. He signs his own name; apparently the letter was written by a scribe, possibly because Paul had poor vision. And he closes, just as we do today, with “love to all of you.” What things can you learn about Paul and his friendships from this final chapter?

December 25, 2024

After the practical advice, rebuke, encouragement, and instruction on gifts that Paul has given in this long letter, he turns the readers' minds back to the thing that is “of first importance”: the resurrection of Jesus. Apparently, some Corinthians are arguing that there is no resurrection for the dead, but Paul says if that's the case, there's no gospel! Why do you think this teaching about Jesus is the most important truth of all truths? Did you know that verses 3 through 8 are sometimes called the earliest “creed,” or statement of belief, of the early church?

December 24, 2024

Paul continues to write about the gifts of the Spirit. In this chapter he concentrates on two that have continued to be problematic for God's people to this day: speaking in tongues, and prophecy. Some Christians believe speaking in an unknown tongue—that is, not a real, earthly language—is the guarantee that one has the Holy Spirit. But Paul clearly sets limits on speaking in tongues (and clearly is speaking of real languages, which have meaning) and sets prophecy above tongues in importance. Again, too many think prophecy is foretelling the future, when prophecy is simply speaking the words of God in a powerful way.

December 23, 2024

Here is one of the favorite Bible chapters of all time! It is easier than you think to memorize the whole thing. Why don't you try it? We often forget that there were no chapter divisions in the Bible until centuries later. This is part of the spiritual gifts dissertation Paul has been giving. He is saying, all of those gifts are important, and the church needs them all. But by far the most important thing is love. True, godly, impartial love for all humanity. We could get by without a preacher, or without a teacher, or without a treasurer. But we can't get by without love! What will you do to show God's love to someone today?

December 22, 2024

Just as he did for the Romans, Paul here explains the concept of spiritual gifts and how important they are to the church. In this chapter, he gives a helpful analogy of the human body. Which parts of you do you think are the most important? Which would you be willing to live without? None, right? It's possible, by God's grace, to live without some parts, and some people do—perhaps you are one of them. But you can't live without your heart and your brain. Those are the parts that represent God in this picture, and we couldn't have a church without Him! Maybe the head could represent Christ and the heart the Holy Spirit? What do you think?

December 21, 2024

Notice in verse 2 that Paul is now talking about traditions, not actual laws of God. The traditions, such as head covering, which he speaks of in the first half of the chapter are no longer relevant in some areas of the world, and are very relevant in others. (Interestingly, among the Jews, it's the men who cover their heads while praying.) What are the underlying principles that are universal, and how do the people where you live honor them? The second half of the chapter is about Communion, which is one of the universal things in Christianity. Different communities have different customs about the Lord's Supper, but we all have the Lord's Supper. Why is that so universal?

December 20, 2024

Paul points back to the history of the people for lessons for today. We have 2,000 more years of history to look back on. We can see the blessings that came when people were faithful and trusting, and the dangers when they weren't. Notice verse 24 and verses 31 to 33. What dangers would it save us from if we kept those principles clearly in our minds, and why?