The Strand Study Bible

Written From Ephesus During Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

I CORINTHIANS

1905

Bible Knowledge Commentary note:

The spirits referred to a prophet’s spiritual gift, which did not control the gifted member, but he controlled it (cf. v. 30). 1

14:33 God is a God of order ( For God is not the author of confusion ); we know that (vs 40). Thus, in order to better understand God and His Word we need to discover God’s order of things ( Prov 9:1 – Pillar #6). To do so is to make God’s Word both understandable ( good – Prov 24:13) and palatable ( sweet to thy taste – Prov 24: 13- 14 ). 14:34,35 According to I Corinthians 11:5, women were permitted to prophesy and to pray publicly. What they weren’t allowed to do is “lead spiritually” ( speak ). Why? Because women can be more easily deceived within the spiritual realm ( I Tim 2:11-14 ). 15:1 Paul Paul “declares” (defines and clarifies) for us here the one and only definition of the Gospel. The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST –plus nothing, minus nothing. The Gospel is not Jesus plus good works, church membership, or baptism. Paul said in I Corinthians 1:17: For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel. According to Paul, baptism is not a part of the Gospel ( Mk 16:16 ). If it were, he would have said so. The Gospel of Christ is not Jesus plus, but Jesus only! Paul’s Gospel is the same Gospel that Abraham believed (Gal 3:6-8 and Jn 8:56), Moses and the Israelites believed (Heb 4:1-2), and Isaiah preached (Rom 10:14-16). Interestingly enough, none of these Old Testament saints were ever baptized. That’s because only the Gospel (or, the “facts” behind the Gospel – Lk 18:34 ) saves. Baptism has absolutely nothing to do with the Gospel. NOTE – There are ten questions concerning the Gospel that every believer needs to be able to answer: 1. What is the Gospel? Answer: The death, burial and resurrection of Christ (I Cor 15:1-4) 2. Is baptism a part of the Gospel? Answer: No (I Cor 1:17) 3. What does the word Gospel mean? Answer: Good News (Rom 10:14-15/Nah 1:15) 4. What does the Gospel do? Answer: It saves (Rom 1:16, I Cor 15:1-2, Eph 1:13 and Isa 52:7). This is why the Gospel is called the ‘Good News’ and not ‘the good advice.’ Good advice to one who is drowning is: “Swim harder.” Good News to one who is drowning is: “I’m coming to get you!” 5. How does the Gospel save? Answer: By understanding the facts of the Gospel and calling on Christ (Rom 10:8-13) 6. How many Gospels are there? Answer: One (Gal 1:6-7) 7. Did the OT saints know about the one and only Gospel? Answer: Yes ( I Pet 1:10a,b -12 and Rom 10:14-16) 8. Does the Gospel save OT saints the same way as NT saints? Answer: Yes (Gal 3:6-8/Jn 8:56, Mt 13:16-17, Lk 1:67-70, Acts 3:20-24 & 7:51-52 & 10:42-43 and Heb 11:13-19,24-26) 9. Who had a better ‘view’ of the Gospel… the OT saints or the NT saints? Answer: NT saints ( Lk 18: 31- 34 and Jn 3: 1- 10 ) 10. What saves a person? The ‘facts’ behind the Gospel or the ‘act’ of the Gospel itself? Answer: The ‘facts’ (Gen 3:21) Anyone can be saved who accepts the ‘facts’ behind the actual death, burial, and resurrection of CHRIST (the Gospel). The ‘facts’ behind the Gospel are: * Christ died (paid) for our sins (vs 3) Meaning: Man cannot save himself via his good works (Eph 2:8-9). Only the promised MESSIAH (God) can pay for man’s sin debt. Although many of the OT saints were not sure whether the promised MESSIAH was ‘bringing’ a sacrifice (like the OT priests did) or ‘being’ the sacrifice (Jn 1:29 and Heb 11:17-19), what every OT saint did understand is that their own sacrifice (their own good works) would never be enough to save them (Rom 4:1-6). While it is true that many of the OT saints may not have fully understood the crucifixion (the cross), it is also true that every OT saint believed in a coming MESSIAH who would either ‘bring’ the ultimate sacrifice or ‘be’ the ultimate sacrifice ( Gen 22:8a and Jn 1:29b ). Which means: They all understood the ‘fact’ behind the point – that someone or something other than man would have to provide salvation . * Christ was buried (vs 4) Meaning: The price for salvation was paid in full. Jesus not only died, He was buried. He was (so to speak) dead-dead! His death for sinners was complete. Seeing that the wages of sin is death (Gen 2:17 and Rom 6:23), Jesus put an exclamation mark on the price that was needed to pay for sin by not only dying on the cross, but by being buried ( Mt 26:13 ). While it is true that many of the OT saints may not have fully understood the crucifixion and eventual death and burial of Jesus, it is also true that every OT saint believed God’s payment for sin was settled ( Job 19:25 -27 and Lk 2:25,38 ). Which means: They all understood the ‘fact’ behind the point – salvation would be complete . * Christ rose from the dead (vs 4)