Comments for February 28

3 v. 9 - The rump of a sheep was an eastern delicacy, and the temptation would be to leave a little bit and keep it for yourself. The concept of sacrifice was, and still is, an absolute affair - even a 99% sacrifice is not enough, and so they were told to take it 'hard off by the backbone - remove every little bit and give it all to God. This 100% sacrifice runs right through - and ultimately of course to the one who gave his all and didn't deserve to die. Isa.53:10, Rom.12:1, Heb.12:2,3.

3:1 The peace-offering. The whole work of Christ in relation to the believer's peace is here in type.
He made peace, Colossians 1:20
proclaimed peace, Ephesians 2:17
and is our peace, Ephesians 2:14
Colossians 3:15 draws together both aspects of the peace offering which was also a thank offering - see Revised Version margin.
3:2 'lay hands' a mark of association with the sacrifice.
3:6 That the offering from the flock could be male or female shows that either a man or woman can be at peace with God.

4:2 If a soul sin through ignorance
4:3 If a priest that is anointed sin
4:13 If the whole congregation sin through ignorance
4:22 When a ruler hath sinned through ignorance
4:27 When any one of the common people sin through ignorance
Notice that of the five categories covered in this chapter the priest is singled out as different. It seems that he is unable to sin through ignorance. This is because he was the mouthpiece of God as far as the law was concerned. He should know what was required. Therefore he could not sin through ignorance. We are a 'holy priesthood' 1 Peter 2:5 so we cannot plead ignorance for our sins. It is our obligation, as it was the priests, to know the law of Christ and apply it.
4:21 'without the camp' Jesus suffered 'without the camp' Hebrews 13:13 showing that 'without the camp' actually is signifying that these things portray the future work of Jesus outside the scope of the Law of Moses.

4 v 3 - It seems that the sin referred to here to which the anointed priest might fall is the one of a sin of ignorance mentioned in the previous verse. These sacrifices took place for specific sins it seems, rather than for a 'blanket forgiveness'. Maybe we should bear this in mind in our prayers as we ask God for forgiveness. God requires us to recognise and correct specific sins, and confess them, not just to Him, but to each other, which I suspect we find much harder. Sharing problems together is one thing, but sharing our own knowledge of our own faults is quite another. Jas.5:16 says we should do this that we might be saved by the prayers of those righteous men that we tell.

ch 3 - There were different peace offerings that could be offered. They are listed as:
:7 a lamb
:12 a goat.
The basic instructions are contained in vs1-5 and then the specific details for the different animals are listed under the heading for the animal.

ch 4 - Consider the different types of sin categories that are listed in this chapter and reflect on how the categories might fit into our way of living today. It is not that we have different offerings but it is valuable to think about the different situations that we might find ourselves in and the different types of sin that we may commit.

FACE UP TO SIN

We all sin. The Bible tells us quite plainly that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3 v 23). But when we sin it can be hard to own up to it, to admit that we have done wrong. Human nature dictates that we try to cover up our sin, make excuses or even hide from it and convince ourselves that it is alright or that we haven't done anything wrong.

The sin offering cuts right through all those feelings of denial. It puts the responsibility right back onto us as the offering is carried out. "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness," we read in Hebrews 9 v 22. And so the sinner had to provide a live female goat or lamb in perfect condition for the sin offering. He then had to lay his hand on the head of the animal. This was to acknowledge that the animal and he were united - the lamb represented the sinner. Then the lamb was to be slaughtered taking the fate that we deserve. It was a perfect animal and did not deserve to die, but it bore the sin of the one who offered it and it's life was taken.

The sin offering, then, emphasised the fact that we do sin, that we must face up to and acknowledge our sin and that we deserve to die. But thanks be to God who has given the Lord Jesus Christ to be the perfect offering for sin: "The lamb that takes away the sin of the world." (John 1 v 29).

3:7 & 12 Often the offerer is given a choice as to what he offers. Likewise with us. We do not all have to do the same things in service to our God. We can all make our own sacrifice in service - but whatever we do it has to be perfect.

4:2 The ignorant sin was when the person did not realise what they had done. It maybe answers to those times when we on the spur of the moment do something wrong and then immediately repent - in contrast to the sin which is carefully planned and executed.

3:17 In saying that the burning of the animal sacrifice was a ‘perpetual statute’ we learn that destroying our flesh is not a ‘one off event’ it has unchanging principles which determine that our will must be changed to that of the Father.

4:13 The offering of sacrifice for sins of ignorance by the people has its counterpart in Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple.  Solomon prayed asking that when the people turned to God He would hear (1Kin 8:34)

Lev 3  In the wilderness, probably every animal killed for food had to be a peace offering, even though it was a voluntary offering. It could have also been associated with the making of a vow. Being able to eat the meat of the offering suggests the idea of fellowship. 1Cor 10:16-18

Lev. 3 deals with the peace offering, while Lev. 4 addresses the sin offering.
 
Yesterday, we read about the burnt offering (the only offering, incidentally, in which non-Jews could participate).

Some commonalities between the burnt, peace, and sin offerings are that various animals (bullock, sheep, goat), fowl (pigeon, turtledove), and grain (flour) could be used.
The best of the produce had to be used in all cases.
 
The peace offering could either be public or private.  They were used for giving thanks, dedicating a vow, or just as a freewill gesture.  Public offerings took place as a matter of voluntary communal celebration or by command (see Lev.23). Private offerings could occur at any time.
 
The sin offering was made on behalf of either the community at specific times (New Moon, Passover,  Day of Atonement, Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets, Feast of Booths (Succoth)), or for an individual. In the case of the individual, it addressed specific sins.
 
Christ is central to all these offerings.  We tend to dwell on the animal sacrifices when we think of Christ, but let us not forget that the offerings of fowl (Psa 74:19) and grain (John 6:35) are also indicative of Him.

Sins had to be covered.  God did not allow sinners to ignore their sin. They had to make the prescribed offering, so that the atonement, or covering, then covered over their sin.  The blood of animals could not take away sins (Heb 10:4).  But the blood of Jesus Christ did. "We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
Heb 10:11

3:12     For a sacrifice to actually be a sacrifice – that is that it actually caused a loss to the person making the sacrifice – the animal offered had to have a practical use to the offerer. Lamb was used for food and for clothing. The same was true of the goat.  Likewise we can hardly say we have given God something unless it has ‘cost’ us something. Now this is not necessarily money.

4:2        We may feel that when we sin ‘in ignorance’ that really there is no sin as we did not intend to do wrong. However it is clear that whenever we do wrong, either willingly or otherwise, God is affronted by our actions.  Forgiveness is always required which can only come after repentance.

The fat portions of the animal (e.g. 3:9-11) were Yahweh's.  This is the bread (food) that He designated for Himself (Num 28:2).  Fat is synonymous with richness, and, therefore, only the richest parts were good enough for Him.  The organs are the portions with the most fat.  Yahweh seeks the fatness of the inner man to please Him.  David implored Yahweh to examine his reins (kidneys) and heart (synonymous with heart and mind) (Psa 26:2).  And so when we offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1), we are offering the fatness (richness) of the inner (spiritual) man. 

3:16 Whilst there are similarities between the offering of the goat and all the other thank offerings in this chapter there is an additional element in this sacrifice. ‘all the fat is the Lord’s’.

4:2 All sins may be considered, in a certain sense, as committed "through ignorance" error or misapprehension of ones true interests. Another area may be when sins are committed in haste. (we all do things without thinking, that we later regret.)

4:15    Notice that if the ‘whole congregation sin’ 13 – then the elders, ones presumes all of them, put their hands on the head of the sacrifice. This demonstrates that the elders are responsible for the education of the nation.

3:1 ‘without blemish’ is a phrase we read so often when dealing with the sacrifices that we almost take it for granted. However it is a fundamental thing about that which we offer to God. Malachi rebuked the leaders after the exile -Mal 1:8 - with a suggestion that they reflect upon how their governor would respond to the offering that they were asking if it was something that he required of them. We should do likewise.

4:2 That an offering had to be made when a sin was done ‘through ignorance’ highlights the fact that we must know clearly what the will of the Father is. It is not good enough to say ‘I didn’t understand that was wrong’. Therefore it behoves us to familiarise ourselves with the character of God. So if a situation rises to which we do not know the answer we should investigate Scripture fully before acting.

These two chapters are about the "blood of the sprinkling", by which sins could be forgiven, and peace made with God. This is taken as the main thrust of Paul's argument in Hebrews when he explains that in Christ is "the blood of sprinkling that speaks of better things" (Heb 12:24). What's so much better for us in Christ is that his blood can cleanse the inner heart and mind. The conscience, which is after all where the defilement comes from when we sin. See Heb 10:19-24. It's the conscience that has to be clear before we approach God, so it's extremely important that we follow the principles of Lev 3 & 4 about recognition and confession of wrongs. Hebrews phrases it: "let us draw near with a true heart".

4:14   Notice that whereas it was common to specify that the sacrifice was to be ‘without blemish’ see Lev 4:3that requirement is not mentioned here.

4:7       There is no record anywhere indicating that the blood that was put on the horns of the altar of incense was ever cleaned off. So over time, we have to assume, the horns of the altar, which were of gold, would become more and more caked with blood. Over time this would be a timely reminder to the priest of the ongoing sacrifices for sin – he may even wonder when it would stop.

Leviticus 3 –Introduces us to the peace offering. The offerer was able to voluntarily make this food offering (v.11).   The purpose was to express fellowship and thanks through giving to God.

The animal may be male or female and may be from the cattle (v.1), sheep (v.7) or goats (v.12).

The main feature of the peace offering was the fat of the animal (see, vs.3,-4, 9, 14-15). 

This was to rise “for a sweet savour: all the fat is the Lord’s” (Lev 3:16).

The peace offering is the mostly likely sacrifice that Abel offered when he offered some of his sheep to the Lord (Gen 4:4). The fat was the essential feature of this offering and the phrase “the fat thereof” is quoted in Lev 3:9.

Paul appreciated the material giving to him, through Epaphroditus.  It is expressed in terms of the Leviticus Peace Offering. 

Philippians 4:18

“But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.”

Jesus gave himself for us, as a peace offering to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:2

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

4:13-14 Notice how involved the anointed priest is in the sacrifice he offers. No one else can make the offering for him. A little like Jesus – Heb 5:3.

4:4  The repeated phrase in this chapter “before the Lord” whilst being a description of where the sacrifice was to be offered is primarily making the point that God is the one who requested the sacrifice. The sacrifice was not to be offered at the convenience of the offerer. 

3:6     The sin offering had been made and offered exactly as God required. However, despite the required ordinance being observed, the blood could not enter into the most holy place. This limitation was to teach Israel that an animal sacrifice could not take away sins.

4:12  the “clean place” without the camp must have been a specifically designated place. The camp was “clean” and, in contrast, the wilderness was not.

3:1     The word here “oblation” – elsewhere often translated “offering” is the Hebrew word - <7133> - from which the New Testament word “Corban” Mark 7:11 is derived. The wonderful provision by God for His people to offer sacrifices was perverted by the Jewish leaders to help them avoid their obligations.

3:17     We know that the blood was not to be consumed by man because it was the life – Lev 17:11– but why the prohibition on eating the fat? By contrast to the blood strictly speaking the fat was not necessary for life. It was that which was produced by the animal when there was more than enough food. Hence it seems appropriate to offer back to God that which is a consequence of His generosity with the provision of food. Maybe an indication that when we have more than we need – which is most of the time – we should be more generous in our service to our Father.

4:13 If there is a collective sin in which the whole congregation is involved it is reasonable to conclude that the priests had not instructed the people correctly. It was their responsibility to teach the people God’s wisdom – Mal 2:7. So we need to be aware that we are not speaking about a sin of rebellion here for rebellion is opposition to what has been taught but rejected.

3:2 Laying hand on the animal to be sacrificed associated the offerer with the sacrifice. In the same way the one who lays hands on another to give them authority to minister the gospel associates themselves with the work done by the one who has hands laid on him. Hence the warning 1Tim 5:22.

3:17 The command is clear. One would imagine it would be difficult to fail to observe the requirement.

However people can fall when in great difficulty. But when that difficulty is introduced by men who

should know better then there is a real problem. King Saul, in a time of battle, commanded his army

not to eat! Israel overcame the Philistines and no longer being threatened by them took the spoil.

Nothing wrong with that. However they did kill animals they had captured and in their eagerness to

satisfy their hunger did not follow the injunction not to eat the blood. Seemingly they did not

properly drain the blood out of the animal.

One wonders how often that we, in haste, disregard God’s instructions.

4:10  Probably the ones making the offering that was offered by the priest would not see the intricate and careful way in which the priest would prepare the animal. Removing various body parts and the fat. But God would see.

Like our inward lives of sacrifice are not seen by others However our Father sees.

4:3,13,14  Notice that there is a subtle difference between the requirement for the priest and the “whole congregation”. Whilst the priest has to offer a “young bullock without blemish” the requirement for the “whole congregation” does not include the details “without blemish”. The priest had the greater responsibility than the common people and so there were more constraints on the offering that he had to make.

v.4 - There is a depth of meaning here which is hard to fathom for the human mind. Here are some references that might help - 'Who maketh his angels spirits' - Acts 23:8, quoted in Heb1:7, and also then v.14. - 'ministers a flaming fire' - Ex.3:2, Acts 7:30, 2Kings 2:11, 6:17, Eze.1:13

Psalm 104 :19 this seeming casual comment about the sun and moon is a reflection on the ordered nature of the creation when God set the sun and moon for seasons. Such a seemingly simple thing like the rising of the sun and the course of moon should, as we see them, cause us to appreciate the wisdom of our God.

v.20-23 - We do well to remember that all things are created by the power of God, and this includes the trials and temptations which we might associate with darkness.

The various similes that the Psalmist makes about God and His creation remind us of the greatness of God. That we need things we can see and understand to appreciate our Father, Also in identifying Him with elements of creation we are forced to realise that God is not distant from His creation but intimately tied up with it. So consequently the Psalmists meditation :34 causes him to be 'glad'. Are we 'glad' that God created the world? Or is it simply a doctrine to preach in opposition to the theory of evolution?

:6-9 Here the Psalmist makes a number of references to the flood narrative

Above the mountains Genesis 7:19
At thy rebuke Genesis 8:1
Cover the earth Genesis 9:11

Returning to our first comment on this Psalm – do we think that God created the universe and then left it to run like clockwork? This Psalm makes the point clearly that God continues His work maintaining creation which is consistent with Jesus’ words ‘But   My Father worketh hitherto’ (John 5:17)

Psalm 104 Attributed to David in the Septuagint translation. A review of God's Hand in all creation, His on going providential care, and the enduring purpose of God with man on the earth.

This psalm is a testament to the creative genius and sustaining power of Yahweh.  Creation is a witness of Himself for all to see (Rom 1:19,20).
 
Yahweh has a dwelling place (2Chron 6:21) but travels throughout His creation (v.3).  Because of the brilliance of His light, which no one can abide, He covers Himself with dark clouds.  He did this when he visited Mt. Sinai (Deut 4:11).  He did that when He visited His dying son (Psa 18:9,10, Matt 27:45).

There are those who are not willing to accept the creative evidence that God exists.  They would rather believe that all the beauty and intricacy of the natural world appeared by some cosmic chance.  The Bible comments on these people (Psa 14:1).

I heard someone say that this psalm has all the days of creation in it, as follows:
v2 Day  1 Light
 3          2 Heaven
 6          3 Water and dry land, then vegetation
19         4 Sun, moon and stars
25         5 Fishes and birds
27        6 Animals and man
31        7 The Sabbath
 

104:24             Having spoken at length about creation and then man’s position in it and his work the Psalmist extols God for His ‘wisdom’. His wonderful wisdom is to be seen in the fact that salvation has been offered to mankind who deserves nothing more than death because of sin and disobedience.

V.31-34 While God could equally glorify His power in destruction, that He does it in preservation is of His goodness and mercy, so that we may spend our life in grateful praise, honouring Him (Psa 147:1) until that day when the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.

104:4The earlier part of the Psalm has spoken about how God manifests Himself and work in the world. This comment about the work of the angels, as it is expounded in Heb 1:7,14 shows that all this activity is for those who are the ‘heirs of salvation’.

104:4 As this verse is used in Heb 1:7,14 we should reflect on the way in which God works in our lives through the angels who are ‘ministers for "them who shall be heirs of salvation?" Heb 1:14

104:1 The way in which the Psalmists blesses the Lord and calls upon others to do so is a response to the command – Deut 8:10 – where God expects His subjects to bless Him when they appreciate what He has given them.

104:10 In this description of the activity of God in the way that the countryside is formed we are caused to realise that the landscapes that we see are not haphazard events where ‘nature’ is the thing that produces the things we see. God is claiming, through the Psalmist, that the very layout of the ground around us is God’s making.

104:33   Having reflected upon the way that God is involved in His creation the Psalmists is moved to ‘sing unto the Lord’. Do we take our surroundings for granted or do we see God at work and so praise Him!

104:29 In speaking of the animals who ‘die and return to their dust’ the Psalmist is reflecting on Gen 3:19

Creation:

1. Psa 104:3 - "wind"<7307> - perhaps refers to the spirit of God that moved upon the face of the waters (Gen 1:2).

2. Psa 104:2,20,22 - compare with day one of creation (Gen 1:3-5).

3. Psa 104:2,3,6,7,25 - compare with day two of creation (Gen 1:6-8).

4. Psa 104:5-10,14-16 - compare with day three of creation (Gen 1:9-13).

5. Psa 104:19 - compare with day four of creation (Gen 1:14-19).

6. Psa 104:12,17,25,26 - compare with day five of creation (Gen 1:20-23).

7. Psa 104:11,18,22,23,27 - compare with day six of creation (Gen 1:24-31).

8. Psa 104:29 - compare with the fall of man (Gen 3:19).

9. Psa 104:30-31 - the new creation of the seventh millenial day (1Cor 15:20-23;Gen 2:2-3).

Miscellaneous:

1. Psa 104:4 - "his ministers a flaming fire" - though quoted in Heb 1:7 could this have a possible application to the Cherubim guarding the tree of life (Gen 3:24)?

2. Psa 104:8 - RSV "The mountains rose, the valleys sank down" - could this echo day two of creation plus a detail of the great flood?

3. Psa 104:9 - could this be the rainbow covenant/assurance (Gen 8:21-22;9:9-16)?

4. Psa 104:26 - could the "Leviathan"<3882> refer to a crocodile and/or perhaps sin?

Messianic:

1. Psa 104:1-2 - "thou art clothed with honour and majesty...with light as with a garment" - Adam and Eve were covered by skins which were a symbol of Christ's sacrifice plus it seems there may be a suggestion of the transfiguration with the glory of God seen in the glory of Christ (Gen 3:21;Matt 17:1-5;Luke 9:29;2Pet 1:16-18;2Cor 3:18;2Cor 4:6).

2. Psa 104:15 - "wine...oil...bread" - the bread and wine represent Christ's sacrifice and the oil represents his being anointed (1Cor 11:23-26;John 12:3).

3. Psa 104:27 - Christ is real food.

4. Psa 104:32 - events when Christ returns (Zech 14:3-5;Eze 38:22-23;Zech 14:9).

5. Psa 104:35 - When Christ returns to judge, there will be no eternal torment or immortality for the wicked, rather, the wicked will be done away with (John 5:21,22,27;Psa 145:20;Eze 18:20).

104:2  The way that God is described as was covered with light is echoed in 1Tim 6:16

IN AWE OF GOD

Take a moment to consider how great God is. If I take my kayak out on our local estuary early in the morning, I can be awed at how peaceful and still the morning can be. But when I go out in the afternoon, it can be very different. Then I am awed in a different way as I pit my strength against the wind and waves. There I see the strength of God in just a small and limited way, but it continues to remind me of how small and insignificant I am, compared to the Creator of the earth.

In Psalm 104 the psalmist reminds us time after time of the greatness of God shown in his creative acts. We can't even touch the sky, let alone stretch out the heavens. If I want to light a barbecue, I might blow and blow to get a flame to take, but God "makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants." (Psa 104:4) I can carry a bucket of water to my plants, but at God's word water flows down mountains and into valleys, and springs pour into ravines. (v.7,8)

Take a look at the creation around you and see the amazing hand of God at work. Be awed by him because he is very great. "O LORD my God you are very great; you are clothed with splendour and majesty." (v.1)

104:24  The Psalmist praises God because He has created everything. There is a relationship between the fact that God has created and the fact that men need to praise Him. It is the majesty of creation which evokes the praise. If we diminish the magnitude of the creation with ideas of “theistic evolution” or other such ideas we minimise God and maybe then reduce our appreciation of the need to praise Him. 

I find verse 5 quite instructive. All throughout history there has been debate about the earth: whether it is flat, shaped like a dish, what is at the end of it, and whether one day it will fall off whatever it sits on. When we have no way of seeing, worries creep up on us, which is how it was until the day that rockets were sent up into the sky and photographed the earth. I find this verse wonderful because it doesn't seek to explain the unexplainable, and instead it just reassures us. God has laid the foundations of the earth so that it will never be moved, and perhaps that's the only thing we really need to know.

104:19   In saying that God ‘appointed the moon’ David is reflecting on Gen 1:14

104:9 Here we have one of the many places in the Scriptures where the universality of the flood in the days of Noah is used as the basis for a comment by a later inspired writer.         

104:14  The way in which the Psalmist speaks of God causing the grass to grow is echoed in Jesus’ words – Matt 6:30, Luke 12:28

104:28 Under the Law of Moses the faithful Israelite w to open his hand wide to meet the needs of his poor brother – Deut 15:7-8. He reason for the command to man is that God does just that with His creation. If we want to be like Him we need to be generous like Him. We see a similar idea inPsa 145:16.

GLORY TO GOD

Our God is an amazing creator. Psalm 104 lists off a whole lot of great examples of God's creative work and how everything He made does exactly what He planned for it to do. The earth can never be moved, the waters stay put where they should be, springs keep the animals and plants alive, birds build their nests in trees, the sun and moon keep in their seasons as they were created to, and God gives everything the food, energy or whatever it needs to keep doing what it is supposed to do.

Even people do what they were designed to do: "Man goes out to his work and to his labour until evening." (Psa 104:23).

When all creation does what it is supposed to do, the way God designed it to be, it gives glory to Him. Even you and I, going off to work every morning as we were created to, give Him glory in that way.

But let's do better than that. Verse 31 says, "May the glory of the LORD endure for ever; may the LORD rejoice in his works." You and I are one of His works. Everything in creation works well and gives Him glory. Let's make sure God rejoices in us too and that we give Him glory, not only in what we do, but also in our praise of Him. Let's not be the part of creation that lets him down.

104:6-7 The way in which God’s rebuke affected elements of Creation is seen in Jesus’ words during the storm on the Sea of Galilee – Mark 4:39

104:34We should be meditating on God and His word regularly. Do we see this as a challenge we fail to meet or do we find meditating on His word “sweet”?

104:10-11 the seemingly natural way in which the landscape provides streams and rivers and pastureland is, in fact, part of God’s ongoing activity in creation. He did not stop His work at the end of the sixth day. That work continues today.

104   The various similes that the Psalmist makes about God and His creation remind us of the greatness of God. That we need things we can see and understand to appreciate our Father, Also in identifying Him with elements of creation we are forced to realise that God is not distant from His creation but intimately tied up with it. So consequently the Psalmists meditation :34 causes him to be ‘glad’. Are we ‘glad’ that God created the world? Or is it simply a doctrine to preach in opposition to the theory of evolution?

104:3-5, Heb 1:7,14quote this verse to speak of the contrast between Jesus and the angels. But notice the comment here in the Psalm is sandwiched between two comment about how God created and works in creation. It is inconsistent to both question the literality of Creation whilst accepting that angels work on God’s behalf.

104:19-20 We might notice the references to God’s creative actions here but should be aware that the whole of the Psalm is full of Creation language. As you read the Psalm note the different times that acts of Creation as recorded in Genesis 1 are made.

12v.3 - Our ability to understand and confess that Jesus is the Lord comes by the Holy Spirit, we are told here - we learn it from God's breathed-out word. The contrast between the believer and the non-believer is so clear - 1John 4:2,3, 1Co.16:22, Matt.16:16,17, 2Cor.3:5

12 -So, following on from last year's comment, we see that rather than developing unity in the ecclesia the spirit gifts generated envy and dispute. This was because they had their own estimation of the worth of different gifts based on their own wisdom.

13 - So Paul addresses the problem of dispute and human wisdom by saying that the gifts are of no value without the manifestation of Christian 'love'

12:2 'Dumb idols' truly catches the emptiness of idol worship and relies on the Old Testament teaching about the vanity of idols. There are countless times when the Old Testament highlights the folly of idol worship - Paul here seems to be quoting Hab 2:18

13:2 'faith ... remove mountains' quotes Matt 17:20. The context in Matthew is the unbelief of the disciples prevented them performing a miracle. Similarly here the lack of compassion between brethren prevented harmony. Jesus' because he had compassion (Matt 14:14) performed miracles. The Corinthians, because of compassion, should have been united.

1Cor 13:4  Charity envieth not. Since the Spirit gifts were distributed throughout the ecclessia, jealousy over the more esteemed gifts would easily arise. Charity vaunteth not itself. The Greek for "vaunteth" is perpereuomia Strong's # 4068 means to boast. Is not puffed up. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 1Cor 8:2  We clearly see what charity (agape) is not. 

12:8-10 There are many spirit gifts mentioned here:

-wisdom
-knowledge
-faith
-healing
-miracles
-prophecy
-discerning of spirits
-speaking foreign languages
-interpreting foreign languages
 
Those who claim to have spirit gifts today seem to either speak in nonsense utterances or attempt to heal the infirm.

12:28 Notice that apostles, prophets, and teachers rank higher than any of the gifts mentioned in 12:8-10. That means, the preaching and teaching of the Word are more important than healing and speaking foreign languages etc.

13:9,10 The spirit gifts were eliminated when their purpose was fulfilled.  That was when the work of the apostles was completed (their witness, preaching, and completion of the New Testament). The gifts could only be passed on by the apostles through the laying on of hands (Acts 8:18).  When the apostles died, and their work completed, then the spirit gifts ceased.

ACTIONS OF LOVE
 
1 Corinthians 13 was read out at a wedding on Saturday (Philip Nightingale and Catherine Xu).  It was read to encourage the groom and his bride to love one another in the fullest way possible.  Too many marriages in today's world are not built on love.  People "fall in love" and decide to get married, but falling in love is not enough if there is no commitment to be devoted to one another in love.  It is easy to be mistaken and think that love is a feeling.  In one sense it is, but it is much more than a feeling.  Love is an action.  Love is something to do.  Love is not just a description of how we feel.
 
The qualities of love described in 1 Corinthians 13 need to be present in a marriage or that marriage is doomed to failure.  We must have patience, kindness, protection, trust, hope and perseverance in our marriages, or the commitment and bond between the couple will disintegrate and love will die.  In the same way that there are "must have" ingredients in a marriage, so  there are things to avoid.  Envy, boastfulness, pride, rudeness, self seeking, anger, unforgiveness and gloating over misfortune have no place in our marriages.
 
So whether we are considering marriage, are already married, or have been married for some time, let's be sure that the actions of love are the foundations of our relationship together.

13:12 Mirrors were made of polished glass. The contrast is between the inadequate knowledge of an object by seeing it reflected in a dim mirror, compared with the knowledge we will have of it by seeing itself directly. Paul is speaking of a time when his  knowledge would be perfect or complete.

12:1 ‘Now concerning …’ like 8:1 is doubtless raising something raised by the Corinthians, or seen by Paul as a matter that requires specific attention.

13:4  Try to put just one of the attributes into practice in daily living. How about ‘Charity suffered long’. Now that is a hard one – how about just applying it in a relationship with someone we love? But of course we have to show this attitude to all!

12:12-27 Paul talks about the functioning of the Body of Christ here, taking lessons from the natural body. If one part of the body doesn't function correctly, the whole body suffers, eg kidney failure causes toxins & excess water to build up in the body affecting the whole body's functioning. So we too have to function effectively in order to help ensure that the whole Body stays healthy.
We know that the "head" or brain of the Body, is Christ, and we have to develop the mind of Christ, so that communication with each other & with the Head is a healthy functioning nervous system.

We don’t often admit it, but there is a tendency sometimes in the Brotherhood to want the “top jobs”. Some of us get a lot better known than others; some of us lead while others follow; and some of us have our names appearing in magazines, circulars and programmes.  I well remember Bro Harry Whittaker telling the members of a Speakers’ Class he helped to run, “If you do ever find your name appearing on a Fraternal programme, never keep that programme. Throw it away.”  I found this very helpful advice. We should never collect anything which will remind us of our achievements.  This of-course illustrates the wise words of Paul in 1Cor 12:14-27.

12:4-9  Notice the recurring ‘the same spirit’. The emphasis is upon unity.

We observed the use of the word body through the last 3 chapters.  If we recognise that this is the body of believers, as Paul showed us in ch.10 (1Cor 10:17), we are given some food for thought as we read through chs 11 and 12.

12:18   We have seen that we are ‘God’s building’ – 1Cor 3:9 -  and so the emphasis is repeated here. God is working in the ecclesia to build it.

12:14 ‘The body is not one member’ should teach us not to look for uniformity amongst those with whom we worship. We are indeed all different and it is part of God’s plan.

1Cor 13:10 - "...when that which is perfect is come..."(KJV). "...when perfection comes..." (NIV). The word "perfect" (KJV) or "perfection" (NIV) is from the Grk "teleios<5046>" and means "complete (in various applications of labour, growth, mental and moral character, etc.), completeness, of full age, man, perfect, ended".  Some feel the "perfect" refers to the completed Bible and/or spread of the gospel and/or ecclesial maturity (Eph 4:1-16) and note 1Cor 13:8-10 where it mentions prophecies, tongues and knowledge will pass away for we know in part, prophesy in part but when that which is perfect (or complete) comes that which is in part will be done away (prophecies, tongues and knowledge are thought to have been done away by the end of the first century as 1Cor 13:13 seems to infer they were already fading). Some others feel the "perfect" refers to Christ returning with the kingdom and note 1Cor 13:8 with its mention of "Love never fails" and 1Cor 13:12 where it reads "then we shall see face to face...then I shall know fully" - but the gifts disappeared long before Christ's future return. Perhaps the prophecy has several parts to it first refering to the spread of the gospel toward the end of the first century, the completed Bible, and then later the future return of Christ with the kingdom who will be seen face to face.

our character / love - Matt 22:34-40;1Cor 13:1-8;Eph 4:18-19,22-24,29-32;Eph 5:1-9;2Pet 1:5-10;Rom 13:10;Matt 5:17,20,43,44;Gal 5:16-26.

The lesson of Ch.13 is extremely important.  We might be doing the right thing, but unless it is done in the right way, it is unacceptable.  We might serve Yahweh because we know it is right and, therefore, our duty to do so.  But unless we serve in love, we are wasting our time.  Duty is one thing, love another.  And so, let us examine our motives and our attitudes.  Yahweh gave us the opportunity of life through an act of love (John 3:16).  We are to reciprocate by serving Him in love (Matt 22:37-39).  Part of that service is for us to love one another (John 15:12).  Let us not be guilty of acting by duty and not by love, for we do not want to arrive at the judgement seat to be rejected for the wrong attitude (Matt 7:22,23).

Think of the ugliest, smelliest, in-articulate, unfriendly, boring brother or sister you know. If you don't know any like that, then go ahead and imagine them up. Now, that brother or sister could be the most honourable in the body of Christ (12:22-24).

1Cor 12:14-31 First Principles>Discipleship
We are members of the body of Christ 1Cor 12:14-31, 1Cor 10:16-17
"ecclesia" is Greek for "called out ones" and is made up of saints Rom 1:5-7
Its members are picked out by God Acts 15:14, 2Thess 2:14, 1Pet 2:9
Called to be saints 1Cor 1:2
To the saints which are at Ephesus Eph 1:1,13
Baptism says that we have come out of the world and must be separate 1John 2:15-17, John 15:19 but not live by hermits John 17:14-15 (speaks of Jesus praying to God)
We must be separate in the following three ways
1. We must be separate politically - go to Heb 11:8
2. We must be separate religiously - go to 1Cor 3:19
3. We must be separate socially - go to James 4:4
4. Union with Christ involves a life devoted to God's service in love to Him and to one's neighbour - go to Matt 22:37-40
Our helps: The Word of God - 2Tim 3:16-17
Prayer - confess our sins - they will be forgiven
Memorial meeting - Remember whose we are and whom we serve.
First Principles> For more first principle topics, go to Acts 8:12

CONCERN FOR EACH OTHER

The person with a toothache doesn't only have a sore tooth. That person who is normally fit, active intelligent and sociable now just wants to curl up in a corner to nurse their pain. They don't want to talk, can't think, and going to the gym doesn't appeal. Even though the pain is only from one bad tooth, it affects the whole body.

In describing the church, Paul used the illustration of the body. He said that we are the body of Christ. Christ is the head and we are all the different parts of the body: eyes, arms, ears, nose, fingers, feet and toes. Each of us is an indispensable part of the body. As Paul continued his parable, he said, "It's parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it." (1Cor 12:25-26)

Just as a toothache makes our whole physical body feel bad, and winning a race gives our whole body a sense of rejoicing, so it should be between Christians. One person cannot be left to suffer alone. Rejoicing should not be done in our private little corner. We need to show the concern for each other that Paul spoke of. We need to share in the triumphs and sorrows of each other. We need to learn to love one another, and like a body, to be come connected to one another.

So let's show the concern, compassion and love we should toward our brothers and sisters as the body of Christ.

12:21 It is all too easy when a group of believers spend time together for us to form into separate little groups and spend little or no time with others or even look down on those with whom we do not regularly associate. Such thinking is a consequence of not understanding how God has put the ‘body’ together. God sees the value of those we might despise. It is our responsibility to see their qualities rather than denigrate them in our minds.

Try reading Chapter 13 vv 4-8 substituting the word "God" for charity/love. Then re-read it substituting the word "Jesus".

Now try putting your own name there..........

13:4-6 Try to think about how each of these issues about ‘charity’ are relevant in our dealings with our ‘neighbour’ for we must love our neighbour as ourselves – Lev 19:18

A BEAUTIFUL BLEND

Looking around at the congregation we meet with, we could well imagine that they have been called our of our community as a random sample. Not everyone has the same point of view as ourselves. Some personality traits are very different from our own. There are plenty of different ages, occupations, talents, ability, ethnicity and culture. For the most part, the people in our churches are not the people we would have chosen to be God's holy people. No doubt we would have chosen quite a different crowd.

As Paul speaks about us as a body, comparing us to the physical human body, he says, "But God has combined the members of the body and given greater honour to the parts that lacked it." (1Cor 12:24) God has hand picked the members of our congregation and has combined us to become a working body under the guidance of the head - Jesus Christ. The NET Bible puts it this way: "God has blended the body together."

We are a blend of different personalities, talents and all sorts of things that combine us all together as one working unit designed to give glory to God. Let us appreciate the people God has called together with us and make sure we play our part in the body as we should.

12:11-12        There was seen to be a greater degree of importance attached to some gifts rather than others in Corinth. It seems that the gift of tongues was the most desired. Paul here makes the point that there is no real pre-eminence. Rather each gift works together with the others to give a complete body in the same ways that believers are built together into one body.

1Cor 12:13-14 – The believers are all baptized into one body.  The Body comprises many members.  Paul makes many references to the offerings and feasts required under the Law in order to preach to “Jews or Gentiles”, “bond or free”. 

The burnt offering was washed and the whole animal was cut in pieces and laid out on the altar as a burnt offering made by fire.  The sacrifice (of the whole animal) rose as a sweet savour to the Lord (Lev 8:20-21).

Similarly, the ecclesia is one body and it is the whole body that must be offered to the Lord, just like the burnt offering.  Every member has a part to play.  We must have the same care for each other (1Cor 12:25). 

The Lord examines all the members of the body (1Cor 12:18), like the Priest who washes and sets in order each member before they are offered to the Lord.  

1Cor 12:6

"And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all."

E.W. Bullinger in Figures of Speech Used in the Bible writes: "The expression 'all in all' is elliptical: and the sense must be completed according to the nature of the subject and the context, both here, and in other passages where it occurs.

Here, 'it is the same God, which worketh all (these gifts) in all (the members of Christ's body):' what these gifts are, and who these members are, is fully explained in the immediate context. See verses 4-31."

 1Cor 12:7-9.

1Cor 13

A reader writes: “I often wonder what, exactly, will take place at the judgment seat of Christ. If we pray for forgiveness now for every sin we commit, and for all that is unacceptable about us, just what will we experience when we appear before Christ? Will it be to only hear that we are to take place with the sheep or to the goats?  Or, will we still possess something that we need to shed?”

Reply: Regarding the judgment seat of Christ, let us use 1Cor 13 as our guide. It was written because there was a lot of disunity in the ecclesia, the body of Christ, in Corinth (1Cor 11; 1Cor 12:25), and what Paul emphasized in this chapter was how only agape love will bring about unity in the body of Christ.

The Corinthian ecclesia had the gifts of wisdom and knowledge, faith, the gift of healing, they worked miracles, prophesied, spoke in tongues and interpreted tongues, they were apostles, prophets, teachers, and helped the needy (1Cor 12; 1Cor 13:1-3). While all these things are good, they are meaningless if they are not done with agape love one for another and in service for the Lord! Paul showed how agape love (1) excels all these gifts.

In 1Cor 13:4-6, Paul explains how agape love (2) enables us to be patient, kind, not envious, is truly charitable - not just in giving, but of also giving of oneself, is not boastful, controls temper, not egotistical, not selfish, not easily angered, and thinks no evil. It is sympathetic to the injustices of others; it is forgiving.

Agape love enables us not to gossip or listen to gossip. What is speaking in tongues worth if we cannot control the one tongue we have? Before we speak of others, we need to ask ourselves, “Is it true?” “Is it kind?” “Is it necessary?” Knowledge puffs up, but agape love enables us to be humble and courteous, not unseemly. It is the kind of love that will say, “please,” “thank you,” a love that steps back and is not unselfish in seeking its own. This kind of love enables us to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us or spitefully use us (Matt 5:44), to rejoice in the successes of our peers, and not be envious, "which is as the rottenness of bones" (Prov 14:30). Paul raised the issue of pride. Agape love and pride do not mix, and Scripture tells us that, "only by pride cometh contention" (Prov 13:10). It is all about the ego and nothing else! There is no problem big enough to solve, only people too small to solve them.

Then Paul showed in vv. 7-8 how agape love (3) endures. This kind of love never fails, this kind of love puts away "childish things," in that all else is just kids' stuff compared to agape love. Coming to the judgment seat of Christ, this will be our litmus test! The many rejected will answer, "we prophesied in thy name," "I exhorted," "I was a great orator," "I was a philosopher, I was very knowledgeable in the Word," "I spoke in tongues," "I did many charitable works," “I performed miracles in thy name,” but, you see, Paul said these things will cease and will profit nothing if it is not done in agape love (v. 8). Only agape love will go on. The few will answer, "I was filled with agape love for the LORD, and for thee; I agape loved my fellow man (cf. Matt 22:36-40), and agape love enabled me to endure all things. It is to these that Christ will say, “the righteous shall enter into life eternal" (Matt 25:46), while to the others he will say, "... these shall go into every lasting punishment (cf. Matt 7:22).
In that day, our faith will turn to sight; our hope will become a reality, but agape love lasts. So, while all these other gifts cease, our agape love will go on (v. 13). It truly is the greatest! To such mercy and grace will be extended despite the fleshly flaws we bring with us to the judgment.

12:12-14     Whilst the “body of Christ” is one body it is made up of many differing individuals. We should not look for uniformity amongst our fellow believers – actually we should not look for everyone to be like us! God love diversity. This is clear from even a cursory look at nature with all its diversity. Just as the diversity in creation works to ensure than creation works smoothly so should we embrace the diversity in our Christian community.

13:11   What Paul says here seems to be drawing on the ideas in Ecc 11:10

12:23  The “more honour” that should be bestowed is to be on those fellow believers who we think are of little consequence. It is exactly the opposite to the way that human reasoning works. So what Paul’s inspired comment does is to give us an exceeding great challenge.

LOVE IN OUR LIVES

There are a huge number of reasons we could have come to believe in God. We may have been brought up with a believing family, we may have seen God in creation, we may have felt there was something more to life, been convinced of the truth of the Bible, been astounded by prophecy, had a good friend who was a Christian, been convicted by the death and resurrection of Jesus, or believed because of a miracle, healing or answer to prayer.

While it may have been any of those things that brought us to Christ, they should no longer remain our primary focus. Each one of the things we first believed points us in some way toward love: the love of God to us, and the love we should show to each other.

In Corinth people were arguing about which spiritual gifts were the best. None of them were the best, but each of them was a single aspect of love. In the end love is what it's all about."Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." (1Cor 13:8).

In the end it's not how well we know prophecy or can argue creation or who our friends were, or how many miracles we have seen that will count. It's whether all these things have translated into love in our lives. Let's develop love. Love is what the gospel and the kingdom of God are all about.

12:29-30       It is all too easy to see fellow believers doing things that we wish we could do. Maybe, with a degree of application, we could do those things. But rather it is better to focus on the things we know we can do and do them. The body is made up of many parts which work together to allow us to live [that is the human body]. That is true also of  our lives with fellow believers.

1Cor 13:4-6

“Love…. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth…”

Have we ever secretly, or perhaps not so secretly, been glad when misfortune befell those we didn’t like, and thought, “Serves him/her right”? Iniquity, # <93>, adikia, and conveys the idea of “injustice.” What Paul is telling us is, “Love does not feel happy when it sees an injustice, something wrong or bad, done to someone else.” This kind of attitude is completely contrary to the nature of God (cf. Prov 24:17,18)! Our right response is to pray for such, not to condemn, or be indifferent to their hardships.

On the other hand agape love is overjoyed to see others blessed in ways we may have wanted to be blessed. Love does not become envious, jealous, and mean. How we respond to peoples’ problems, or their growth in the Truth reveals a lot about our true level of spiritual maturity.

Having said this, I now quote a brother: “It is not a time for ‘peace, peace’ cries when the truth is in danger; nor a time for love other than that which ‘rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.’ As to aliens, be brave enough to tell them that we hold the truth dearer than either friend or foe; and that we are friends with people on the truth’s basis alone; and that if any assume hostile attitude to this, whether he be within or without he must expect fire and sword. Tell them this, and they will be far more likely to admire your principles than if, while you fought the enemy without, you consented to anything within for the sake of peace.”

13:12   When Paul  is inspired to talk about seeing things in a glass darkly we should not think of a well polished modern glass mirror. Rather it would have been polished brass and the reflection would  be to some extent distorted. The contrast is between that and the realty, not between the image in a modern mirror and reality.

1Cor 13:1-13

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love [agape], I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal…”

The level of spirituality means nothing if not accompanied with love. “Sounding” comes from the Greek word, echeo, # <2278>, and means “to make a loud noise.” “Brass” is chalkos, # <5475>, to “hollow out.” When hollowed out brass is beaten, it makes an echoing, or reverberating sound that is annoying. The Corinthian pagans in a frenzied state incessantly beat and clanged on hollow brass while performing their pagan rituals.

The word, “tinkling” is actually a poor translation of the Greek word, alalazo, # <214>, “to wail.” “Cymbal” is kumbalon, # <2950>, “a cymbal (as hollow).” Together, Paul described a constant, loud clashing of cymbals much like the clashing cymbals done by the Hebrew people before they went to war. It was a call to arms!

Paul had likened these “spiritual” folks who lacked love as 1) irritating and empty, and 2) arousing one to war with a hollow sound won't work (cf. 1Cor 14:8). This is what Paul meant by a “tinkling cymbal.” A person who claimed to be spiritual, but did not demonstrate love was nothing more than an irritant! Harsh words, but true!

It has been said that, “Love is the heartbeat of the Universe.” Love might also be termed as the foundation stone of God’s plan of salvation (cf. John 3:16). God is love, and whoever does not love does not know God (1John 4:8)!

Love is defined for us in this chapter, as the world’s love and God’s love are so different! It is difficult to exemplify love that, “suffereth long,”  “beareth all,” endureth all,” and this is why we must strive, strive, strive toward this kind of spiritual maturity.  We are called to arms, because there is a day coming when we will have to give an account of our stewardship, and those who have dared to hold cheaply the inestimable love of God will do so with great remorse. In that day the love of God and the love of the world will each be placed in their right perspective.  May we be able to put each in its right place that when Christ appears we may not be disappointed.

13:9      Clearly there were those who were puffed up in Corinth because they had “knowledge” but they all needed to know that their knowledge of their God was only partial. Partial due to the limitations of the human mind. We do well to remember the same is true of us also. And what we really need to “know” is the qualities which will please our father.

13:13  We might ask “why is ‘charity’ the greatest virtue spoken of?” Faith and hope are qualities that an individual can possess and yet have no impact on others. However “charity” – Christian love can only be seen when it is expressed towards others. “Faith” and “hope” do not actually help to build relationships in the way that Christian love does.

 

12:24 Notice the composition of the ecclesia is determined by God not by us. Probably a good reason not to seek out necessarily like-minded individuals and join that group. It is evident that God knows the differences between the individuals and has put them together for their eternal well-being. Not necessarily so that they can have a good time now!

13:3 Giving money in particular is easy. “Charity” is not even required for us to make a financial gift, The same is true of other acts of generosity. It might even be that we feel it is our “duty” to give in the way we do. However unless we can get beyond seeing our giving as a “duty” it will never be “charity” in the way Paul speaks of.

12:25  If we consider the impact of cutting off a limb or abusing our own body we maybe see the force of “schism” amongst a group of believers. If we can see the vivid image clearly it would doubtless impact on our behaviour towards our fellow believers.

1Cor 13:4,5

“Love suffereth long… Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.”

“The insertion of this word ‘easily’ by the translators is utterly unwarranted, and takes all the power out of the expression. All other versions correct this. The true translation is, as the Revised Version has it— ‘Love is not provoked.’

When we say ‘I am provoked,’ or ‘That is provoking,’ we are actually saying, ‘I do not love; I am permitting the flesh to rule and not the Spirit; I am not big enough to be on God’s side.’

If we examine ourselves by the light of God’s Spirit-Word, we shall often find that in our fleshly, self-assertion we are declaring our own condemnation, and glorying in our shame. Let us think of this before we blurt out our feelings.

David, in Psalm 119, states this same searching truth that ‘Love is not provoked,’ and, therefore, if we are provoked we have not found the power of love without which all else is hopeless. He says—

‘Great peace have they which love Thy law: and NOTHING shall offend them.’ ‘Love thinketh no evil.’”

Brother G.V. Growcott, Be YeTransformed, Volume 1, p. 9

YOUNG’S LITERAL TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE, Robert Young, also reads thus: Love “doth not act unseemly, doth not seek its own things, is not provoked, doth not impute evil.”

13:8  We may forget what we have been told, even when at the time we are enthused and encouraged by what we are told. We are often encouraged by what we are taught only to forget in a relatively short time. On the other hand we tend not to forget the kindnesses shown to us by other fellow believers. We might remember them for years!  We must blend our talking about scripture with putting that teaching into practice in lives of awareness of the needs of others.

13:3 So now faith, hope and love abide

What is the difference between faith and hope, and how are they connected?