Reading for December 16th

 Read 2 Corinthians 13.1-13. In verses 1-4: Final warnings. In verse 1: Third time: 12.14; the quotation is from Deut 19.15. In verse 2: Paul resumes the tone of a stern father (1 Cor 4.18-21). In verse 3: Again, the tone is sarcastic. They could have asked: How do we know your apostolic call is legitimate? In verse 4: Like 4.7-12, Paul's lifestyle bears the stamp of Christ's death and resurrection. Defining the resurrection power as the power to discipline is a new wrinkle.  In verses 5-10: Parting advice. In verse 5: Such advice, taken seriously, makes them less vulnerable to the pressures of outside teachers. The presence of Christ within them should give them confidence to chart their own course (Rom 8.10). In verses 6-10: These are the words of an anxious father-self-doubts, fear that his children will never grow up, willingness to be weak as long as the children are strong. In verse 10: He closes with a father's threat (10.8; 12.19. In verses 11-13: Farewell and benediction. In verse11: Such advice brings harmony. In verse 12: The holy kiss was a form of liturgical greeting that may have originated in early Christian circles (Rom 16.16; 1 Cor 16.20). In verse 13: The trinitarian form of the benediction is distinctive. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 15th

Read 2 Corinthians 12.14-21. In 12.14-21: Fatherly love and anxiety. In verse 14: Third time: The founding visit (Acts 18) was followed by the painful visit (12.1), which prompted this severe letter. Writing from Macedonia, he now ready to come a third time (13.1). What is yours; He did not wait for their money. The parent-child image extends through both letters (11.2; 1 Cor 4.14-15). In verse 16: Crafty explains his denials in 2.17 and 4.2. In verses 17-18: The sending of Titus and the brother described in 8.16-24 appears to be in view. Taking advantage could be applying pressure to participate in the collection. In verse 19: His self-defense has occurred under oath. Building up defines the purpose and limits of Paul's use of authority ( 10.8). In verse 20: Some of these vices of social disorder have been present for a long time (1 Cor 1-4). In verse 21: Sexual sins have not figured prominently in 2 Corinthians, although they are included in the warnings of 6.14-7.1. These fears may go back to the first letter (1 Cor 5.7). Comments or Questions..  

Reading for December 14th

 Read 2 Cor 12.1-13. In verses 1-10: Experiencing visions and revelations of the Lord. In verse 1: Paul now moves to a different order of boasting. In verse 2: The person in Christ is surely Paul himself . Fourteen years ago would put it shortly after his conversion, probably in the 30's In verse 3: The language suggests an ecstatic experience, in which he was taken out of the body. In verse 4: Paradise is where God dwells (Lk 23.43; Rev 2.7). Hearing unrepeatable things describes the revelations in greater detail (v.1). What he saw is emphasized less. In verse 5: Such an experience enabled Paul to distinguish his ordinary self from the one caught up into heaven. In verses 6-7: In talking about such experiences, less is better. In verse 7: What this thorn in the flesh was no one knows, though many guesses have been made. Messenger of Satan is literally "angel of Satan." In verse 8: The Lord can be either God (1 Cor 1.2) or Christ (13.14). In verse 9: Power of Christ: Christ transmits the power he experienced in the resurrection (4.11; 1 Cor 6.14). In verse 10: Weak ... strong expresses the paradox of the cross (1 Cor 1.25). In verses 11-13: Concluding the fool's speech. In verse 11: Super-apostles: 11.5. I am nothing: Again Paul speaks sarcastically. Mimicking the opponents (10.7).In verse 12: Paul occasionally refers to his wonder-working ability (Rom 15.19). It is developed more fully in Acts. In verse 13: Their argument could have run: You were much closer to Philippi; they supported you financially (Phil 4.15). Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 13th

 Read 2 Corinthians 11.16-33. In 11.16-33: A fool speaks! In verse 18:They boast in self achievements (10.2-4). In verse 19: This recalls Paul's description of the "spiritual people" in 1 Cor 4.10. In verse 20: They submit to false apostles' demand for money. In verse 22: These labels identify them as Jewish Christians. Unlike Paul's opponents in Galatia, they do not require circumcision and observance of the law (Gal 5.2-6).  In verse 23: Ministers of Christ: Their language is Christian (11.4). Madman: 5.13. In verses 23-27: This list of hardships is longer and more detailed than others (6.4-10). Acts 13-28 confirms many of these details. In verse 24: This indicates Paul was under synagogue jurisdiction. In verse 28: Anxiety: This was especially seen in the way he awaited Titus' report (2.12-13; 7.5, 13; 1 Thess 2). In verses 30-33: This episode caps the list of hardships. In verse 31: The use of the oath underscores that the claims that follow the claims will be hard to believe (Gal 1.20). In verses 32-33: This may be the escape referred to in Acts 9. 23-25. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 12th

 Read 2 Corinthians 11.1-15. In 11.1-15: Paul's love for the Corinthians. In verse 1: Foolishness: this anticipates the fool's speech that follows (11.16-29). In verse 2: The image is a father whose daughter has deeply disappointed him. In verse 3: Gen 3.3. Led astray suggest sexual seduction. In verse 4: The opponents are obviously Christian. Another Jesus probably means an understanding of Christ completely different from Paul's, perhaps one emphasizing Jesus' miracle-working power and resurrection to the neglect of his human limitations and crucifixion. Different spirit is possibly different understanding of the Holy Spirit. Their different gospel certainly placed them at odds with Paul (Gal.6-9). In verse 5: Super-apostles: This is doubtless Paul's label for his opponents (12.11). It need not refer to the twelve apostles, but could be a derisive way of referring to competing missionaries. In verse 6; He echoes their criticisms of him. In verses 7-9: In keeping with the policy outlined in 1 Cor 9, he preached without pay. Humbling myself refers to working to support himself. Other churches: He received financial support from the Philippians (Phil 4.15).In verse 11: His opponents might have argued: If he loved you, he would accept your money. In verse 12: Equals: They wanted to have equal claim on the church. In verse 13: The language is unusually harsh. Apostles probably means "missionaries," rather than some of the twelve apostles (8.23; 12.11-13). In verses 14-15: Calling them ministers of satan intensifies the criticism. Comments or Questions...

Reading for December 11th

 Read 2 Corinthians 10.1-18. In 10.1-13.10: Paul defends his ministry. In 10.1-11: Taking the offensive. In verse 1; The character of Christ figures prominently in chs. 10-13 (11.4; Mt 11.29). Humble ... bold: paul mimics his opponents' description of him (v. 10). In verses 2-4: Human translates "sarx," literally flesh. It denotes an outlook opposed to God and concerned primarily with oneself. In verses 4-6:  The military imagery serves to draw the battle lines between Paul and his opponents. He sees the controversy as more a battle or words; it is a conflict of a much higher order (Rom 13.12; Eph 6.10-17). In verse 7: Paul's fidelity to Christ was an issue. In verses 8-9: The source and nature of Paul's authority are concerns throughout this section (13.10). In verses 10: This identifies two important criticisms: inconsistent behavior (1.15-22) and poor speaking ability (4.2; 11.6). In verses 12-18: Limits of self-promotion. In verse 12: Commend themselves: Paul was probably accused of making himself the center of his preaching (3.1-3; 4.5; 5.12). Now he criticizes his opponents for promoting themselves as a way of gaining favor. in verses 13-16: Paul regarded Achaia as the region God assigned him. He thinks the "super-apostles" (12.111) have invaded his territory. He preferred to work where no one else had been (Rom 15.20). In verse 17: Jer 9.23-24: see 1 Cor 1.31. In verse 18: Paul consistently defers to God's judgment (1 Cor 4.3-4). Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 10th

 Read 2 Corinthians 9.1-15. In verses 1-5: Paul explains the purpose of the delegation. In verse 1: Ministry to the saints is another name for the collection (8.4, 20). In verse 2: Last year: 8.10. In verse 3: The brothers are those mentioned in 8.18, 22. In verse 5: Voluntary gift: It should be like Christ's gift. In verses 6-15: Reasons to give. In verse 6: The proverb expresses general experience (Job 4.8; Prov 11.24-25). In verse 7: The gift should be deliberate and voluntary (Philem 14). God loves a cheerful giver: This quotation is based upon the Septuagint version (the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures) of Prov 22.8a (see Sir 35.9). In verse 8: God's generosity toward human beings is a recurrent biblical theme (Deut 30.9-10; Lk 1.53). For Paul, it especially enables human generosity. In verse 9: Ps 112.9. In verse 10: Based on Isa 55.10. In verses 11-12: The more blessings, the more prayers of thanksgiving offered. In verse 13: Willingness to give is seen as an expression (and test) of one's faith. In verses 14-15: God's graciousness is the ultimate reason to give. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 9th

 Read 2 Corinthians 8.16-24. In 8.16-24: Plans for collecting and delivering the funds.  As Paul's partner and co-worker (v. 23), Titus played a key role in getting the collection started in Corinth (v. 6). In verses 18-19: The identity of this famous preacher is unknown. Because of his eloquence and close association with Corinth, Apollos is a possibility (Acts 18.24-19.1; 1 Cor 1-4). In verses 20-21: Whether the blame related to how the money was being collected and handled in transit, or how it was to be used, is not clear. As with many projects involving money, it was controversial (Rom 15.30-33). In verse 22: Our brother is possibly Timothy (see comment in 1.1). In verse 23: Messengers translates "apostoloi," literally "ones sent" for a particular purpose (Rom 16.7). In verse 24: The other churches in Macedonia and Achaia are in view. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 8th

 Read 2 Corinthians 8.1-15. In 8.1-9.15: The collection. In 8.1-7: Macedonian generosity. In verse 1: Churches of Macedonia probably means Philippi, Thessalonica, and Beroea (Acts 16-17). In verse 2: Severe ordeal: The founding of these churches had met stiff resistance (1 Thess 1.6; 3.1-5; Phil 1.29-30). In verses 5-6: Privilege translates: "charis," used several times in chs. 8-9, for collection itself (vv. 6-7 and v. 19). Since it designates both God's generosity (8.1; 9.14) and Christ's generous act (8.9), it properly describes the collection as a concrete expression of good will toward others. In verse 7: Earlier Paul commended their possession of these gifts (1 Cor 1.5-7). In verses 8-15: Christ's generosity. Genuineness of your love maybe their love for Christ (5.14; Rom 12.9). In verse 9: Christ is similarly portrayed in the early Christian hymn in Phil 2.5-11, where he also serves as an example for Christian behavior. In verses 10-11: Paul had given instructions about the collection in 1 Cor 16.1-4. In verses 12-14: The principle of fair balance can be expressed another way: Since the Jews have bestowed a spiritual blessing on gentiles, they are entitled to receive a physical blessing (financial support) from gentiles (Rom 15.27). In verse 15: Ex 16.18. Comments or Questions.. 

Reading for December 7th

 Read 2 Cor 7.2-16. In 7.2-16: Paul rejoices over the church's repentance. In verse 2: These charges explain his defense in 2.17 and 4.2. In verse 3: I said before: When is not certain; possibly 4.12. In verse 5: This resumes the discussion in 2.12-13. In verses 6-7: The consolation Paul received from Titus' good report about Corinth is expressed in the opening prayer (1.3-7). In verse 8: This the "tearful letter" mentioned earlier (2.3-4, 9), probably chs. 10-13. In verses 9-13: Godly grief, literally "grief according to God," results in God's reconciling love (5.18-21). Either the congregations repentance is in view-they finally sided with Paul (v. 12)--or the individual who did the wrong admitted it (2.7). This is one of the few times repentance occurs in Paul's letters (12.21; Rom 2.4). In verses 13b-16: These remarks confirm Titus' pivotal role in the crisis. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 6th

 Read 2 Corinthians 6.14-7.1. In 6.14-7.1: Separating from evil. This section interrupts the train of thought (compare 7.2 and 6.13). Most likely it was a separate letter composed on another occasion. Some scholars this is the "previous letter" of 1 Cor 5.9. In verse 14: Good and evil are seen as absolute opposites in separatist communities like Qumran and parts of early Christianity (1 Thess 5.4-5; Jn 3.19-21), but moral choices are often presented as clearly opposed options (Deut 30.15; Mt 7.13-14). In verse 15: Beliar, also Belial occurs often in non-biblical literature, especially that from Qumran, to describe the leader of the forces of darkness, Satan. It only occurs here in the New Testament. In verse 16: Idols and Temple are incompatible (1 Cor 10.20-22). Combines Lev 26.11-12 and Ezek 37.27. In verse 17: Combines Isa 52.11 and Ezek 20.34. In verse 18: Paraphrases 2 Sam 7.14, drawing on Isa 43.6 (see Jer 31.9). Lord Almighty reflects 2 sam 7.8 (see Am 3.13). In 7.1: 1 Thess 4.1-6. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 5th

 Read 2 Corinthians 6.1-13. In 6.1-13: Working together with God. In verse 1: 1 Cor 3.9 confirms with him as a correct rendering of the Greek. In verse 2: Isa 49.8. In verse 3: This echoes the defensive tone of chs. 10-13. In verse 4: Servants of God: ("theou diakonoi") should be rendered "ministers of God" for consistency. In verses 4-10: Paul's lists of commendations includes hardships (vv. 4b-5) and virtuous behavior (vv. 6-7) lived out among life's contradictions and puzzles (vv. 8-10). Many elements of this self-portrait are confirmed in Acts 13-28, as well as Paul's other descriptions of his ministry (1 Thess 2). The paradoxes of vv. 8-10 specify the ways he has embodied the dying and rising of Christ (4.10-12). In verses 11-12: This final appeal indicates experienced (11.1-6). It continues in 7.2-4. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 4th

 Read 2 Corinthians 5.11-21. In 5.11-21: The ministry of reconciliation. In verse 11: Well known: Nothing is hidden in ministry as defined in 4.2. In verses 12-13: The tone is defensive. Commending himself and being beside himself echo his opponents' criticisms (4.5; 10.12; 11.16). In verses 14-15: Love of  Christ: Christ's love is meant (Rom 8.35; Gal 2.20), though love for Christ results. Died for all: Christ's death is a sacrifice with universal benefit (Rom 18-19). All have died: We might expect,"All can live." But v. 15 explains No longer to live for oneself is death to the self (Gal2.20). In verse 16: Human point of view: What it means to see Christ this way is disputed: knowing merely the historical facts about Jesus?trying to understand Christ without seeing God's bigger story? failing to see Christ as the funnel of God's spirit? In verse 17: Christ is the sphere of God's new creation (4.5-6); to enter Christ is to experience old becoming new. In verses 18-20: God as the prime mover continues an earlier theme (2.14; 4.1; 5.5). Reconciliation makes enemies friends (Rom 5.10). Ministry of reconciliation continues God's work (6.1). In verse 21: Rom 8.3 Gal 3.13. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 3rd

 Read 2 Corinthians 5.1-10. In 5.1-10: Looking tot he future with confidence. The perishable body is compared to an earthly tent in Wis 9.15. Building from God may recall Mk 14.58, where Jesus' resurrected body is envisioned as a reconstructed temple not made with hands. Christ's resurrection gives the believer hope of inhabiting a similar dwelling. In verses 2-4: Mixing the image of inhabiting a building with putting on new clothing is awkward, but intelligible. Taken off: this reading makes more sense than the alternative. Dying is like shedding a tent. Burden recalls the affliction in the list of hardships (4.8-9). Resurrection life swallows up mortal existence (1  Cor 15.42-57). In verses 5-6: God's raising Christ begins the preparation (4.14; 1.21-22) and establishes confidence (4.1). In verse 7: Faith in Christ's resurrection changes the way we "see" (4.13-15, 18). In verses 8-9: Phil 1,.23-24. In verse 10: Resurrection faith establishes a time of accountability (Rom 14.10; 1 Cor 15.32-34). Comments or Questions...

Reading for December 2nd

 Read 2 Corinthians 4.1-18. In verses 1-6: Ministering under God's light. These remarks develop 2.17. To stand in God's presence can cause one to lose heart. In verse 2: Paul's language recalls ancient descriptions of false philosophers. Ministry carried out before God in public view requires higher standards than those found among religious impostors. In verse 3: Veiled: Paul admits his teaching can be difficult to understand (2 Pet 3.15-16). In verse 4: God of this world likely describes Satan (2.11; Jn 12.31). Image of God: As God's image, Christ reflects God's dazzling brilliance (3.18; Heb 1.3). In verse 5: The gospel is the message, ministers the messengers (Rom 10.9). In verse 6: The quotation draws on Gen 1.3 and Ps 112.4. Creation has been reenacted in Christ (5.17). In verses 7-12: Embodying Jesus' death and life in ministry. In verse 7: Treasure refers to the gospel (4.3-4). Its source of power is God (Rom 1.16-17). In verses 8-9: This list of hardships echoes the opening prayer (1.3-7; 1 Cor 4.9-13). In verses 10-11: Paul's apostolic lifestyle models the message he preaches: He dies and rises with Christ (Rom 6.8). In verse 12: Paul's experience with death enables him to transmit life to his churches. In verses 13-18: Ministering in the spirit of faith. In verse 13: Ps 115.1 in the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures). Spirit of faith is the capacity to believe. In verse 14: What Christ experienced in his resurrection, ministers will experience along with their churches (Rom 8.11). In verse 15: Grace is spread by those who speak the faith they believe (v. 13). In verse 16: Outer nature and inner nature correspond to body and spirit (1 Cor 5.3; 7.34). Christ's spirit renews the believer's spirit (3.18). In verse 17; Eternal weight of glory is the fullness of God's glory already revealed in Christ (3.18). In verse 18: This aptly summarizes Paul's understanding of hope (Rom 8.24-25; Heb 11.1-3). Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 1st

 Read 2 Corinthians 3.4-18. In 3.4-18: Ministers of the new covenant. Christ inaugurates the new covenant promised by Jeremiah (31.31-34; 1 Cor 11.25). It replaces the Mosaic law, which was written on tablets of stone (v. 3; Ex 31.18). For Paul, letter symbolizes this written law code, which he experienced as death; he found it suffocating (vv. 6, 7; Rom 7.9-10). By contrast, he experienced Christ's life-giving spirit in the new covenant (v. 6; 1.21-22; 1 Cor 15.45). Thus its symbol was spirit ("pneuma"). Paul thinks of each covenant as a ministry ("diakonia") in which one serves. The old covenant of Moses (v. 14) is described negatively: death (v. 7), condemnation (v. 9), fading glory (v. 10), temporary (vv. 7, 11). The new covenant under Christ, by contrast, has positive features: Spirit (v. 8), justification (v. 9), greater glory (v. 10), permanent (v. 11). Paul's discussion draws on Ex 34.29-35, where God gives Moses the law at Sinai. Glory refers to he brightness of Moses' face (Ex 34.30) and throughout the section could be translated "radiance." But Paul experienced Christ as a more dazzling light, a greater glory (v. 10; 4.4, 6). For Paul, the veil that hid the face of Moses from the Israelites at Sinai now hides Moses' meaning when thy read scripture (vv. 14-15). The death of Christ, however, removed the veil, thereby providing a clear view of God (v. 14). Turning to Christ in conversion (v. 16) gives one freedom-unobstructed access to God. Those who view God with unveiled faces gradually acquire God's glory as a gift of the Spirit (v. 18). Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 30th

Read 2 Corinthians 2.14-3.3. In 2.14-6.13: Paul's understanding of ministry. In 2.14-17: Minister's sent from God. The image is a victory march where the conquering general, along with his chief officers, leads his army in triumphal procession, the air filled with his burning incense (1 Cor 4.9). The aroma signifies life to the victors, death to the conquered. In verse 17: Peddlers of God's word: Teachers traveling around the Roman world were frequently accused of being in it for the money (4.2). Persons of sincerity are people with pure motives (1.12). In 3.1-3: Letters written on the heart.  Letters of recommendation: Acts 18.27. A letter of Christ: Christ whose Spirit lives within human hearts is the content of the letter (1.21-22). The image of God's message written on the heart is drawn from Jer 31.33. Paul's best recommendation is the church itself. Comments or Questions.

Reading for November 29th

 Read 2 Corinthians 1.23-2.13. In 1.23-2.13: Painful visit recalled. This visit apparently caused Paul to change the plans mentioned in 1.16. Instead of going from Ephesus to Corinth, he must have gone north to Troas, then on to Macedonia, where he is now writing (2.12-23). In 2.2: this person's identity is not known, but clearly the confrontation was painful for everyone involved-Paul, the person, the whole church (2.5-8). In verses 3, 4, 9: this letter better describes chs. 10-13 than 1 Corinthians, which does not reflect such distress, anguish, and tears. it was apparently written from Ephesus after Paul returned from the painful visit to Corinth. In verses 6-11: How the unnamed person was punished by the majority is not clear. Perhaps the church excluded him from it presence or simply reprimanded him. Paul's call for love and forgiveness and his remarks in v. 9 suggest that the church sided with Paul. In verse 11: Paul sees Satan as an active opponent (11.4; 12.7). In verse 12-13:Troas was located on the northwestern coast of Asia Minor. Titus probably delivered the "tearful letter" to Corinth. Comments or Questions...

Reading for November 28th

 Read 2 Corinthians 1.15--22. In 1.15-22: Paul's change of plans. In verse 15: Double favor refers to Paul's two planned visits. In verse 16: The route implied is Ephesus, Corinth (in Achaia), Macedonia (probably Thessalonica or Philippi), Corinth, Jedea (1 Cor 16.5-8). The trip to Judea would be to deliver the collection for poor Christians in Jerusalem (Rom 15.25-26). In verses 17-20: To identify Christ as God's "Yes" reflects the conviction that God's promises have been fulfilled in him (Gal 3.14-16; Roman 15.8). In verses 21-22: His Spirit maybe Christ's Spirit (Rom, 8.9). First installment is a commercial term, "down payment," a gesture of good faith indicating the balance will follow (Rom 5.5; 8.23). Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 27th

 Read 2 Corinthians 1.8-14. In 1.18-14: Paul's recent despair. Affliction ... in Asia: The circumstances of this crisis are not known. It may refer to the riot described in Acts 19.23-41. In verse 9: Sentence of death need not mean legal punishment. It is probably a figure of speech for a close shave with death. In verse 12: Boast here and in v. 14 is used in a positive sense, meaning "source of pride" (Phil 2.16). Frankness, sometimes rendered "simplicity," is being straightforward in one's dealings. In verses 13-14: End ... day of the Lord Jesus refers to the time of Jesus' return (1 Cor 1.8; Phil 1.6). Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 26th

 Read 2 Corinthians 1.1-7. In verses 1-2: Greeting. This greeting rembles other Pauline greetings (1 Thess.1.1; Phil 1.1-2). Timothy joins Paul in addressing the church. He had participated in the church's founding (1.19; Acts 18.5) and was well known to the church (1 Cor 4.17; 16.10-11). In verses 3-7: Prayer of blessing. Pauline letters usually open with a prayer of thanksgiving (Rom 1.8-15; 1 Cor 1.4-9). Here Paul uses the Jewish prayer of blessing ("berakah") found elsewhere in the New testament (Eph 1.3-14; 1 Pet 1.3-9). Paul had recently experienced great affliction and suffering in his dealings with the church. This has given way to consolation and a sense of relief that a severe crisis has passed. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 25th

 Read Proverbs 31.10-31. In 31.10-31:Praise of the capable wife. An acrostic poem of twenty-two lines, each line beginning with a successive letter of the alphabet. it is an encomium or a hymn praising a capable wife. A hymn does not dwell on inner feelings or the physical appearance of its hero but describes the hero's mighty feats of valor, in this case the wife's extraordinarily wise management of her great household. The narrator first describes the wife's wonderful deeds (vv. 11-27), a description that is completed by her own children and husband (vv. 28-31). In verses 19-20: The chiasmus at the center of the poem (hands ("yad") ... hands ("kap")// hand ("kap") ... hands ("yad") shifts the action from domestic to the public sphere in that the hands that weave the cloth (v. 19) now open wide in largesse to the poor beyond the household gates (v. 20). She is a blessing not only to her family but to the whole community. The hymn to the capable wife includes a metaphorical dimension. The heroic woman evokes Woman Wisdom of chs. 1-9. Her abundantly prosperous household illustrates the result of becoming a disciple of Wisdom (Ch. 8; 9.6, 11). The book began with a young person leaving the parental house to to found and maintain a new one. It ends with a splendid household provided by the wisdom of the capable wife. Visible within the house are all the blessings of wisdom-wealth, justice, generosity to the poor, reputation, children, and, most precious of all (compare 19.14), a good wife (or spouse). The pursuit of wisdom has brought every blessing. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 24th

 Read Proverbs 31.1-9. In verses 1-9: A queen mother's advice to her son, given with wit and style. The queen mother had an important role in the palace because of her insider's knowledge of palace politics and undoubted loyalty to her son. Verses 3-5 Warn the king that abuse of sex and alcohol can lead him him to forget the afflicted. Verses 6-9 Counsel rather than alcohol be used to aid the poor so that those who are afflicted (perishing) can forget their poverty. Verses 8-9 urge the king to open his mouth (speak out) not to drink alcohol but to speak for the voiceless poor. The underlying subject of the poem is the king's duty to bring about justice for the poor. The women referred to in v. 3 are the women of his harem. An example of moral callousness from sexual indulgence is David's adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah (2 Sam 11-12). For the association of liquor with disdain for the poor, see Isa 28.1-8; Am 6.1-7. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 23rd

 Read Proverbs 30.17-33. In verses 18-20: Anaphora (the repetition of way) unites the piece. Each way is wonderous: The effortless flight of the eagle (or vulture), the legless movement of the serpent, the massive progress of a ship. The fourth climatic way is the course of a man and a woman toward each other, the attraction of the sexes. In verses 32-33: The syntax is like 6.1-3: If you have done such and such, then you must now do such and such. It is the mark of wisdom to make peace and avoid strife (15.18). There is wordplay in pressing the nose ("mits ap") and pressing anger ("mits appayim," literally, nostrils; anger). Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 22nd

 Read Proverbs Read Proverbs 30.1-16.  In verses 1-10: This poem is the most puzzling section in Proverbs. Verses 1-6 were the original unit, but later vv. 1-10 were edited to make a new and larger speech. Verses 1-6 evoke old passages such as Ps 18.30 (Prov 30.5), Ps 73.22 (Prov 30.2a), Deut 4.2 (Prov 30.6), Deut 30.11-14 (Prov 30.4a). Also influential are the divine questions beginning with "Who?" in Job 38-41 and Isa 40-45 (see Prov 30.4b-d). In vv. 1-6 Agur delivers an oracle ("ne'um," v. 1) that did not come from his own efforts, for he is worn out, incapable of wisdom, and does not know God (vv. 2-3). In deed no human being can have divine wisdom, for  who is capable of bringing it down from heaven (v.4a)? In fact, no act of wisdom and power is possible for human being (v. 4b-d)! In the process of acknowledging his own impotence and ignorance, Agur finds the assuring word of God, which is reliable and protects him just as it protected the Psalmist in Ps 12 and 18 (v. 5). One should not add to the divine word (v.6). Agur now prays to speak the truth and to have the basic necessities of life (vv. 7-8) lest he offend the God who has rescued him from exhaustion and ignorance (v. 9). Verse 10 concludes vv. 1-9, for Do not resprises v. 6. Curse in verse 10b links to what follows. In verses 11-14: The poem is united by anaphora. there seems to be a progression from disdaining parental advice (v. 11), to overestimating one's situation (v. 12), to arrogance (v. 13), resulting in cruelty directed toward the lowly (v. 14). Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 21st

 Read Proverbs 29.1-27. In verse 1: Remains stubborn is literally,"stiffens the neck." There is a possible play on words: Stiffening one's neck risks having it broken. Suddenly suggests an extraordinary, perhaps divine, intervention. In verse 4: The saying uses the metaphor "high" and "low" for prosperity and decline in order to differentiate between good and bad governance. A just king gives stability, literally, "raises up the land." But a king who raises taxes ruins, literally brings down, a country. In verse 15: As with domestic animals, a staff ("sebet" as in Lev 27.32; Zech 11.7; Ps 23.4) is needed to train and control children. Children (and animals) allowed to run free cannot learn. In verse 18: Prophecy and law are paired in Ezek 7.26 and Lam 2.9. In this saying prophecy has to do with the community and law with the individual. Though a people may be demoralized without credible national guidance, an individual can still find happiness by heeding the instruction of teachers. In verse 24: An aphorism derived from the legal adjuration summoning witnesses to a crime, which is described in Lev 5.1. By not coming forward to testify one becomes an accomplice of the criminal. Moreover, to get mixed up with a crime is to destroy oneself. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 20th

Read Proverbs 28.1-28.  In verse 4: The law ("torah") is taken by some as the Mosaic law but it is better to understand it as the traditional instruction of teachers and parents. To defy such teaching is to promote the designs of the wicked, whereas to heed it is to defeat them. In verse 9: An example of poetic justice: Whoever does not listen to the law (or instruction), which comes ultimately from God, will not be heard by God. In verse 24: Children lived in their parents' home until they were married, and even after marriage could remain under the parental roof. If the parents grew feeble, the children might become the domineering and gradually take over the house and its wealth. The saying declares such usurpation to constitute simple theft. The children have  no more right to their parents' property while the later are living than a brigand does who is outside the family. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 19th

 Read Proverbs 27.1- 27. To correct someone is difficult, but it is better than passing over a fault in silence out of affection (hidden love). In verse 14: Blesses can simply mean "greets" (I Sam 13.10; 2 Kings 4.29) but the word cursing in line C keeps the sense "bless" to the fore. The saying has been interpreted seriously and humorously. If taken humorously, a loud voice and early in the morning describe boorish behavior that provokes a hostile reaction. If it is taken seriously, a loud voice refers to an insincere greeting as in v. 6 and 26.23-25, 28 and early in the morning means "insistently" as in Jer 7.13. In verses 23-27: a traditional poem prizing flocks and fields over hoarded treasure on the grounds of wealth in the form of flocks and fields ever renews itself. Vegetation comes up annually from the earth; sheep and goats are transformed into food and clothing. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 18th

 Read Proverbs 26.1-28. In verses 4-5: Each saying make sense in in its own right. Taken together they show the problem, even the danger, that fools pose to their neighbors. In verses 13-16: Four sayings on the lazy person, whom Proverbs derides on the grounds that this type of person never acts. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 17th

Read Proverbs 25.1-28. Chs.25-29:Proverbs of Solomon. In 25.1-28. In verse 1: An important clue to the composition and date of proverbs. Hezekiah, who was king of Judah from 715-687 BCE, apparently ordered this collection added to an already existing Solomonic collection (perhaps chs. 10-22). In verses 2-3: The world is full of conundrums and puzzles, but the king is there to unravel them and lead people to serve the gods. The affinity between divine and royal wisdom is expressed by the repetition of the first and last word of each phrase (glory and things) and by the rhyme in God and king ("elohim" and "melakim"). In verse 7 See Lk 14.8-10. In verses 21-22: An enemy's vulnerability should be made as occasion for settling old scores (so also Ex 23.4). Allow God's justice its proper scope (compare  20.22 and 24.17-18). Heap coals of fire on their heads alludes to no known practice. It may be hyperbole for punishment. Romans 12.20 cites the Greek version. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 16th

 Read Proverbs 24.23-34. Further words of the wise. A carefully arranged appendix to 22.17-24.22. Two areas of life, law (vv. 23-25, 28-29) and farming (vv. 27, 30-34), are used to illustrate the effects of wisdom in word and action. In verses 30-34: An illustrative story, like those in 6.9-11, ch. 7, and Ps 37. 35-36. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 15th

Read Proverbs 24.1-22. In verses 10-22: The probable meaning of the obscure admonition is that excuses for not aiding one's neighbor will be useless before the all-seeing God. In verses 17-18: Divine retribution works mysteriously. Human beings should stand aside and not anticipate its results. Comments or Questions.. 

Reading for November 14th

 Read Proverbs  23.1-23. In verse 1-3: Dining etiquette, especially moderation with food and drink, is a common topic in Egyptian instructions. Banquets were occasions for young servants to advance themselves, and self-indulgence would leave a bad impression. In verse 1: Observe carefully what is before you refers both to the food and the host. In verse 2: Put a knife to your throat: Put your knife in your jaws rather than in the food, that is, restrain your appetite. In verses 6-7: Don't go to banquets when  you are not invited or wanted. Though courtesy forces the host to say "East and drink!", the words are insincere. The result will be indigestion and frustration for the unwelcomed guest. In verses 13-14: Hyperbole and sardonic humor are used to give advice on raising children. It is not disciplinary blows that will kill a child but uncorrected behavior that will lead to fatal consequences. The humor and hyperbole show the dmonition does not espouse the corporal punishment of children. In verses 17-18: A warning against peer-group pressure, which is especially applicable to the young. Why envy the wicked, for they have no future, no descendents? The warning is repeated in 24.1 and 19-20. In verses 22-23: The two commands in v. 23, buy truth and do not sell it, continue on a metaphorical level in the two commands in v. 22, listen and do not despise. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 13th

 THE WORDS OF THE WISE

In 22.17-24.22: An instruction partly modeled on the thirteenth-century BCE Egyptian "Instruction of Amenemope." Like is Egyptian model, it has thirty sayings (22.20) and is introduced by a preface (22.17-21); its first two admonitions (22.22-25)) resemble the first two in "Amenemope." The words of the wise offer a kind of professional ethics, warning against behavior that can destroy one's humanity and religion (22.22-23.11). It concludes with counsels of a general nature (24.1-22).

Read Proverbs 22.17-29. In 22.22-23: The poor are dangerous to attack, for God will defend them. Comments or Questions...

Reading for November 12th

 Read Proverbs 22.1-16. In verse 8: Both metaphors are agricultural. In line A, bad actions are seed yielding trouble. In line B, the rod is a flail which cannot thresh grain. Evil will be frustrated, it will bear no fruit. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 11th

 Read Proverbs 21.1-31. In verse 14: The wise know the secret of taming anger and strong wrath-a gift of money. The strategy implies a certain disdain for anger, for a seemingly strong passion can be assuage by a little money. In verse 17: Those who desire the trappings of wealth will never get them, for wealth will never come to the idle and those who love pleasure (see 6.6-11; 10.4; 12.24, 27). In verse 19: Living alone is preferable to living in a house spoiled by a spouses anger. In verse 29: The wicked are defiant (put on a bold face) whereas the upright, who give thought to their ways, are willing to conform their actions to the teaching of others. The Hebrew text and the ancient versions transmit another reading in the second line: "the upright person maintains a faithful course." Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 10th

 Read Proverbs 20.1-30. In verse 15: Gold and costly stones must refer to jewelry. The most beautiful adornment of a face is not jewelry but wise lips, that is wise words that show the beauty within. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 9th

 Read Proverbs 19.1--29. In verse 2: Desire (the internal) and movement (the external) without sufficient reflection go nowhere. In verse 13: Another saying on the household (from the male point of view). The two great causes of domestic unhappiness are foolish children and an angry wife or spouse. Wisdom can help one avoid such unhappiness. In verse 14: As if to balance the preceding verse on the angry wife, this saying asserts the greatest cause of domestic happiness is a suitable wife. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 8th

 Read Proverbs 18.1-24. In verse 1: The rabble meaning is that those who do not listen to others cannot grow wise, for wisdom comes through interaction with others-a process of instruction and correction. In verse 4: The deep waters of the mind are revealed by one's words (20.5). The waters become a stream nourishing others. In verse 17: The first speaker in a lawsuit seems entirely in the right. Then the opponent cross-examines. The law court experience teaches a valuable lesson: There are two sides to every question. In verse 19: Ally is a family member, literally, "brother" or "member of the family." An offended family member can be more unyielding than a fortress. In verse 21: Love has the sense of "choose" as in Deut 4.37; 10.15; Isa 41.8. One chooses either life or death by  the words one speaks. One must eat the fruits (consequences) of one's acts. For similar vocabulary, see 30.15-20. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 7th

 Read Proverbs 17.1-28. In verse 2: Wisdom surmounts natural boundaries and limits. Slaves of the time could enter a great household and their conduct, if prudent and trustworthy, would win everyone's respect. A perversely foolish child could lose out to such wise servants. In verse 8: A neutral observation on money. A bribe can seem like a magic stone since it opens doors hitherto closed. In verse 9: A paradox: One finds friendship if one loses or hides (forgives) an affront, and loses (alienates) a friend if one finds or makes public (dwells on) disputes. Friendship has a price-being with the faults of the other. In verse 13: Paradoxically, evil stays in the house of anyone who tries to inflict it on others. In verse 19; Whoever loves an offense in the sense of dwelling on it is equivalently asking for a quarrel in the same way that any one who builds an overly high threshold is asking for injury. Comments or Questions....

Reading for November 6th

 Read Proverbs 16.1-33. In verse 1: The heart (mind) is the organ of planning and the tongue is the organ of speaking and execution. It is not fully in the power of a human being to put plans into effect or control their course. In verse 16: Tradition declares wisdom more precocious than gold and silver (3.14; Job 28). Gold and silver can buy many things, but wisdom invites God to give the priceless gifts of long life, wealth, and honor. In verse 20: The saying declares that sucess and hapiness depend both on God and on our own efforts. It does not explore theological issues arising from such assertion. In verses 27-30: Sayings on three types of wicked people and their speech and demeanor. The first three verses begin with the Hebrew word "ish," translated "man" or   "individual." The second line of each saying states the particular damage a villain's words inflict on others. The final saying (v. 30) sketches the facial mannerisms common to all malefactors; compare 6.12-15. In verse 33: A lot, similar to dice in giving varying results when thrown, was given a designation "yes" and "no" and cast for its answer. See 1 Sam 10.16-26; Num 26.55; Josh 14.2. The answer was believed to be from God. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 5th

 Read Proverbs 15.1-33. In verse 1: In responding to angry people, one might be tempted to use harsh and violent language. The verse states the paradox that when one responds to angry people, soft is strong and harsh is weak. In verse 14: Heart (mind) and mouth are often contrasted as the organ of storage-reflection (mind) and the organ of expression (mouth). Here, the wise use their minds to seek even more knowledge, whereas fools use their mouth only to feed more folly. In verse 26: Abomination, originally a ritual term for unacceptable offering, is here used metaphorically. Pure is this usage means acceptable to God. In verse 33: As one must first be low (humility) in order to be raised up (honor), so fear of the Lord comes before wisdom. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 4th

 Read Proverbs 14.1-35. In verse 5: How to assess a witness in court is a common concern of the book (6.19; 12.17; 19.28). The best criterion is the character of the witness: How does the person ordinarily act? In verse 13: As observed in v. 10, external behavior does not always mirror internal thought and feeling. People are too complex to be known completely from their actions. In verse 28: The glory of a king is not absolute but depends, surprisingly, on the people he rules. A witty critique of royal power. In verse 30: Passion can also be rendered "jealousy." Inner calmness has a beneficial effect on health. Comments or Questions..

Reading for November 3rd

 Read Proverbs 13.1-25. In verse 6: Righteousness and sin are personified as forces affecting those who commit themselves to them. Fundamental options determine one's course. In verse 24: The paradox is that one hates one's children by being tender with them and loves them by being strict, especially at an early age when children can readily change. What is criticized is indulging one's children. The paradoxical language cannot be invoked to justify harsh treatment of children or corporal punishment. proverbs often states the need of parental discipline: 19.18; 23.13-14; Sir 7.23; 30.1-13. Comments or Questions.

Reading for November 2nd

 Read Proverbs 12.1-28. In verse 1: Genuine wisdom is gained through conversation with the wise (discipline) and through being criticized (rebuked). To reject this educational process is to settle for an animal level of consciousness; the Hebrew word for stupid in the second line connotes brutish. In verse 14: Normally, one's mouth is sated from the fruit of the earth, but in this saying one is sated from the words of one's mouth. Words in proverbs are the prime instance of human activity. One will enjoy the benefits of one's conduct. Comments or Questions...

Reading for November 1st

 Read Proverbs 11.1-31. In verse 4: The day of wrath is any life-threatening disaster as in Job 21.30 and Ezek 7.19. In such mortal danger riches are of no use; value attaches only to that which assures ultimate protection-righteousness. In verse 9; The difference between impiety and righteousness is so great that what is expressed by the godless harms others, whereas what is not expressed (Knowledge here is what is stored in the heart) by the righteous benefits them. In verse 22: A humorous statement that wisdom is more important than beauty in evaluating a woman. Ear and nose rings were common adornments of women. The comparison to a pig seems to have been made on the basis of sound as well as humorous incongruity, for the consonant "z" predominates in the first line; "nezem zahab be'ap hazir," literally " a ring of god in the snout of a pig." In verse 27: The persistent quest for what is good is ultimately a quest that ends in gaining divine favor, perhaps human favor as well. In other words, to seek happiness, seek excellence. to seek evil ("ra'a"), on the other hand, means only that trouble ("ra'a") will seek one out. The same Hebrew word can mean "evil" and "trouble." Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 31st

 Read Probers 10.16-32. In verse19: Ordinarily, abundance is good as in vv. 4, 21 and 27, and scarcity is bad, as in vv.15 and 21. But where words are concerned the situation is reversed. words should be few and well chosen (see 17.27). In verse 26: A lazy person is a common type in Proverbs (mentioned fourteen times in the book) and is often the object of scorn or humor. The lazy are as sure to pain an employer as vinegar and smoke are sure to pain taste buds and eyes, by an almost chemical necessity. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 29th

Read Proverbs 9.1-18. In 9.1-18: The banquets of the two women, plus some aphorisms. Woman Wisdom completes her palace and issues an invitation to the dedicatory banquet (1-6). In vv. 13-18, Woman Folly issues a counter-invitation. verses 7-12 are individual sayings, which echo some verses in ch. 1 (compare 1.7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge," and 1.22, "How long, O simple ones will you love being simple?") and also point ahead to chs. 10-22, where the same two types, the wise and the righteous, are vividly contrasted. In verse 6: Lay aside immaturity, and live: To partake of the banquet creates a bond between Wisdom and her guests, requiring guests to leave behind immaturity and ignorance and to become wise. The imperative verb live here implies enjoyment of such gifts from Wisdom as a family, riches, and reputation. In verse 11: For me your days will be multiplied: Originally, this verse probably immediately followed v.6, for by me has no antecedent in the immediately preceding verses. In verses 16-17: Folly's invitation begins with the same words as Wisdom's (see. v. 16 and v. 4), but in v. 17 diverges radically. In verse 17: In the phrase stolen water, water has the erotic meaning it has in 5.15-16, "Drink water from your own cistern,/flowing water from your own well," that is sexual relations. Stolen implies clandestine and adulterous sex. in secret evokes the furtive meeting of ch 7. In verse 18: The dead in habit the underworld. as in 2.16-18; 5.3-5; 7.24-27, the woman promises life but kills instead. Comments or Questions.. 

Reading for October 28th

 Read Proverbs 8.1-36: In 8.1-36: Woman Wisdom and her blessings for her loyal disciple. The speech of personified Wisdom promising blessings balances her first speech (1.20-33). Threatening those who left her. She appears in the busiest part of the city (vv. 1-3), and addresses the entire populace there, but singles out the simple (vv. 4-5). She establishes her credibility (vv. 6-11), promises her hearers skills in governing along with riches and honor (vv. 12-21), explains her high status by her closeness to God at creation (vv. 22-31), and asks her followers to wait at her door as disciples (vv. 32-36). Unlike the seductive woman in ch.7 who speaks to a single youth in the dark of night, Wisdom addresses everyone in broad daylight, speaks trustworthy words, and grants life rather than death. In verses 22-31: The verses are a cosmogony or creation account, which used in ancient literature to explain and validate important aspects of reality. The first half of the cosmogony (vv. 22-26) emphasizes the birth of Woman Wisdom before all else, thus underlining her unique priority. The second half (vv. 27-31) stresses her presence with God, I was there (v. 27) and I was beside him (v. 30). In verses 30-31: I was daily his delight ... delighting in the human race: The repetition of the words delight and rejoicing establishes a correspondence between Wisdom's delighting in the Lord and her delighting in the human race. She bestows on the human race the wisdom and goodness that God put into creation. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 27th

 Read Proverbs 7.1-27. In 7.1-27: An example of seduction by words. The tenth and final instruction is also the fourth of the four warnings against the seductive woman (2.16-19, 5.1-23; 6.20-35). The preface (vv. 1-5) urges the disciple to become a lover of Wisdom rather than a foolish victim of the lying woman who typical wiles are narrated. The woman is active and aware, speaking and acting decisively, whereas the youth is passive and naive, led in silence like a lamb to slaughter. The images are darkness and night, animals of sacrifice or the hunt, and death. In verse 4: You are my sister: A designation for the beloved used in love poetry (Son 4.9, 10,12; 5.1, 2). Other love terms are let us take our fill of love (v. 18; see Song 5.1) and and the theme of finding and seeking (v.10-15; see Song 3.1-4). In verse 14: Today I have paid my vows: An ambivalent statement, which the youth takes as an invitation to a feast of meat offered in fulfillment of a vow, but which the woman intents as the sacrifice of the youth. Comparison with Jephthah's vow (Jug 11.30-31) is illuminating, for Jephthah also sacrifices an unsuspecting victim. In verse 20: He took a bag of money with him: The wife knows from the amount of money her husband took that he will be good long enough for her to dally with the youth. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 26th

 Read Proverbs 6.20-35. In 6.20-35: The dangers of adultery. The teaching of one's parents, once memoried, becomes a lamp that exposes the danger of an adultress (v. 23). Unlike a liaison with a prostitute, whose hire is only a matter of money, an affair with a married woman can destroy one's life, bringing upon one shame, physical beatings, and an enraged husband. The instruction focuses more on the practical consequences of adultery rather than on its theoretical immorality. In verse 30: Thieves are not despised: A comparison is drawn between getting caught for satisfying one's appetite for food (a euphemism for sexual appetite) and getting caught for adultery. In the first case, a monetary payment makes things right. in the second, money cannot repair the loss of one's position in the community or protect one from the vengeance of a deceived husband. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 25th

 Read Proverbs 1.1-19. In 6.1-19:Four short pieces. The section is often judged to be an addition on the grounds that its topics and style are very different from the surrounding instructions. It is possible, however, that the editors wanted to insert related but miscellaneous material at this point. Thematically, the section is concerned not with external obstacles to acquiring wisdom, such as violent men and seductive women, but with internal obstacles, such as poor judgement (vv. 1-5) and laziness (vv. 6-11). It also sketches an evil character (vv. 12-15), which is wholly unacceptable to the Lord (vv. 16-19). In verses 1-5: Pledge: Proverbs is entirely negative on the legal custom of a third party guaranteeing a loan (11.15; 17.18; 22.26), probably because it endangers the guarantor. In verses 6-11: Lazybones: Proverbs look with disdain, and often humorously, on the lazy person (for example, 10.4; 12.24; 24.30-34), preferring instead the energetic and responsible person. In verses 12-15: A scoundrel and a villian: A proverbs type, who is here described as corrupt externally (mouth or speech, eyes feet, fingers) and internally (perverted mind). An evil destiny hangs over such a type. In verses 16-19: Proverbs often declares certain behavior "an abomination to the Lord" (see 11.1). Six and seven are an instance of ascending parallelism of numbers, like "three" and "four" in 30.18-19, 21-23. The organ such as the eye stands for the entire activity of seeing, an example of metonymy. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 24th

 Read Proverbs 5.1-23. In 5.1-23: Choose the right woman! The teacher exhorts a youth to avoid adulterous liaisons (the "wrong" woman, vv. 3-14) and to enjoy the company of his wife (the "right" woman, vv. 15-19). The poem has four sections (vv. 1-6, 7-14, 15-19, and 20-23), each of the which begins with "my child" (implicit inv. 15). Adulterous consorting with the wrong woman leads to loss of health (v. 9), dissipation of family wealth (v. 10), ruined reputation (vv. 9, 14), and bitter regret (vv. 11-13). The context of Proverbs suggests a metaphorical level of meaning: Seductive and lying word lead one away from one's primary commitment to the tradition and to wisdom. In verse 16: Should your springs be scattered abroad? A disputed phrase. Most probably water is a metaphor for sexual pleasure, as in Song 4.15. The man should exercise his sexuality exclusively with his wife in the context of the household. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 23rd

 Read Proverbs 4.10-27. In verses 10-19: The two ways. The process of gaining wisdom is essentially the same in all instructions: One begins by memorizing the teaching and putting it into practice, then one receives wisdom as a gift. The passage develops the doctrine of the two ways, in which the moral life is dramatized as two competing paths, the way of wisdom and the path of the wicked. Each has its inherent destiny, represented here by the symbols of light and darkness (vv. 18-19). The two ways are not static; one must struggle to stay on the right path. It is possible to leave one path and walk on the other. In verses 20-27: Heed my words. This lecture emphasizes the vigor and sincerity necessary for the pursuit of wisdom. The poem offers a psychological picture of discipleship. One perceives the teacher examples and words through listening and seeing (vv. 20-22) and stores the perceptions in the heart (by memorizing them) where they are pondered (v. 23). One then puts into practice who one "knows," that which is in one's heart or mind. Practicing wisdom means always speaking the truth (v. 24) and acting justly (vv. 25-27). Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 22nd

 Read Proverbs 4.1-9. In 4.1-9: The teacher's life as an example of wisdom. The teacher draws parallel between his teaching his sons now and his father's teaching him as a youth. The authority of the teacher comes from the obedience he showed to his father. The teacher now is a model of the blessings that come with reverence and obedience. In verses 4-9: get wisdom: In vv. 4-6, the disciple is to take in the teacher's words and get wisdom. In vv. 6, 8-9 wisdom herself becomes active, guarding and honoring the disciple. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 21st

 Read Proverbs 3.13-35. In verses 13-20: Wisdom's benefits and prestige. Some scholars believe the poem consists of vv. 13-26 rather than 13-20. The poem praises wisdom by listing her benefits to the human race and explains her power by describing her role in creation. Since the world is made by wisdom, all those who follow wisdom will live well in the world. In verse 18: Tree of life: The tree of life occurs in the Hebrew scriptures only in Proverbs and Gen 2-3. In both books the tree is associated with wisdom. its fruit gives life and prosperity. It is also found in Rev 2.7 and 22.2, 14, 19, where it has been influenced by the picture of the health-giving tree in Ezek 47.12. In verses 21-35: Kindness to the neighbor brings blessing to oneself. Treating others well rings life to oneself. The blessings are portrayed as accruing to one's very body-eyes (sight), throat (soul:The thoat is the source of life-breath), neck, and foot. To put wisdom into practice brings her gifts, life (v. 22a), honor (adornment, v. 22b), and protection from crime and violence (vv. 23-25). Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 20th

 Read Proverbs 3.1-12. In 3.1-12: Trust in God makes one prosperous. The lecture consists of four-line exhortations of a father (or teacher) to a son (or disciple), in each of which a reward is promised. the teacher invites the disciple to memorize the teaching (vv. 1-2) and to be loyal (vv. 3-4), which leads to trust in God, the great teacher (v. 5). Such trust means not relying on oneself (v. 7), honoring God with due worship, and allowing God to become one's teacher and father (vv. 11-12). Considerable trust is necessary, for God reproves when educating disciples, there may be suffering. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 19th

 Read Proverbs 2.1-22. In 2.1-22: Seek wisdom and the lord will keep safe. This form is an acrostic poem of twenty-two lines (the number of consonants in the Hebrew alphabet). The first letter of the Hebrew alphabet ("aleph") dominates the first half (vv. 1-11; "aleph" is the initial letter in vv. 1, 3,4, 5, and 9). The middle letter of the Hebrew alphabet ("Lamed") dominates the second half (vv. 12-22; "lamed" is the initial letter of vv. 12, 16, 20). The main point of the poem is that if you seek wisdom with all of your strength, the Lord will give it to you, and wisdom will safeguard you from wicked men and seductive women with the result that you can walk on the blessed path. Wisdom  will be given to anyone who earnestly seeks it. However, one cannot directly take it, it must be given as a gift. In verses 16-19: The loose woman ... the adultress. Loose is literally "foreign." The figure of the dangerous and seductive woman appears again in 5.1-6; 6.20-35; 7.1-27; 9.13-18. Elsewhere in the Bible, a "foreign woman" can be a woman outside the community who is forbidden as a marriage partner, a prostitute or a woman otherwise dangerous to a man. Proverb's focus is not only on her sexuality but also on her seductive and deceitful speech. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 18th

 Read Proverbs 1.20-33. In 1.20-33: The consequences of not heeding Wisdom. Woman Wisdom warns the simple (who seem to have previously rejected her teaching) that she will not be there when the inevitable disaster comes upon them (vv. 22-32). She nonetheless gives them a last chance to accept her (v. 33). Verses 24-27 and 28-31 are parallel sections. Each gives a reason (because, vv. 25, 29) and announces a disaster, the first section employs the grammatical second person, and the second section employs the grammatical third person. In verses 20-21: The entrance of the city gates is the entrance to the upper city, which was the place of business and government. In verses 22-23a: The best solution to the textual confusion is to drop v. 22b-c as a later insertion and to translate: How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? Its parallel verse is best rendered (differently from the NRSV) "Will you turn away from my reproof?" The translation "Turn away" is preferable to NRSV give heed to and is based on the meaning of the same root in v. 32a (waywardness) and on Hebrew idiom. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 17th

Read Proverbs 1.8-19. In 1.8-19: Parental advice on leaving home.  The opening scene of a youth leaving parents and home to establish his own household sets the scene for the entire book. Every reader must establish a household in the sense of learning to live well as an adult, accepting traditional wisdom, and discerning where true life is to be found. In verses 10-14: A group of sinners invites the youth not simply to commit a violent crime but to share in their violent life (Come with us ... Throw your lot among us). In verses 16-17: verse 16: is a gloss from Isa 59.7 to explain the enigmatic v. 17, which is a parable about sinners not seeing the divine retribution that works invisibly. The evil they plan for other s will come upon them instead (vv. 18-19). Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 16th

 Read Proverbs 1.1-7. In 1.1-9.18: Speeches and instructions. In 1.1-7: introduction and purpose of the book. In verse 1: Egyptian and biblical wisdom books, contrary to the customary anonymity of ancient literature, give the name of the author, who was normally a king or prominent courtier advising his son or disciple. Solomon, famed for his wisdom, is named as the author, or, as we might say, patron of the entire book. In verses 2-7; There are fourteen (two times seven) different nouns for wisdom or wise sayings in order to show totality. Verses 2-3 are concerned with learning, v. 4 with teaching, v. 5 with the teacher or age, v. 6 with understanding wisdom writings, and v. 7 (in climatic position) with fear of the Lord. In verse 4: The simple are naive or uninstructed people, either because of their youth or sometimes, because of their carelessness. In the later case the term has a negative connotation. In verse 7; The verse is the climax of the introduction, for the Lord is the source of blessings for the wise. The phrase wisdom and instruction reprises the same phrase inv. 2a. Fear of the Lord is the traditional (and not fully satisfactory) translation of 'yir'at YHWH," literally "revering the Lord." The phrase means giving to one's God what is due, knowing and accepting one's place in the universe. It primarily designates neither an emotion (fear) nor general reverence, but rather a conviction that one should honor and serve a particular god. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 15th

Read 1 Corinthians 16.1-24. In verses 1-4: Answering questions about the collection.  In verse 1: Collection for the saints: This was a major project for Paul during his ministry in the Aegean (2 Cor 8-9; Rom 15.25-29; Gal 2.10). In verse 2: When I come: In vv. 5-9 Paul explains his plans to visit them. In verse 3: Jerusalem: the collection was for the poor Christians in Jerusalem (Rom 15.26). In verses 5-9: Travel plans. V. 8 confirms that Paul is writing from Ephesus. The churches he began in Philippi and Thessalonica were located in Macedonia (Acts 16-17). Send me on my way suggests hospitality and financial assistance (Rom 15.22). Pentecost occurred in the spring, fifty days after Passover (Lev 23.15-21). In verses 10-12: Paul's co-workers. In verses 10-11: Timothy was with Paul on his founding visit to Corinth (Acts 18.5). He may be the one delivering the letter to Corinth (see 4.17). The identity of the brothers is not known. In verse 12: Apollos was an important figure within the Corinthian church (1.12; 3.4-6, 22: 4.6). This picture confirmed  by Acts (18.27-19.1). At the time of this writing, he is with Paul in Ephesus. In verse 13-14: Concluding advice. Thee brief injunctions are all defined by love (ch. 13). In verse 15-18: Commending valuable co-workers. Paul himself baptized the household of Stephanas (1.16). Their conversion apparently preceded that of Crispus and Gailus (1.14). In verse 16: Leadership derives from service. In verse 17: They may have been the source of Paul's information for various issues (see 5.1). In verse 19-24: Final greeting. Inverse 19: Churches of Asia-would include Ephesus primarily (Acts 19). As usual, Aquila and Prisca have established a house church in Ephesus (Acts 18.2; Rom 16.3-5). In verse 20: Holy kiss: This practice of greeting at worship may have originated in Christian circles (Rom 16.16; 2 Cor 13.12). In verse 21: Paul's remark implies his use of a secretary for writing (or copying) the rest of the letter (Gal 6.11; Col 4.18). In verse 22: These words seem harsh, especially linked with love for the Lord. Our Lord, come! indicates Paul's eagerness for the end. In verses 23-24: The benediction while brief expresses important Pauline sentiments (see 2 Cor 13.13; Rom 16.20; 1 Thess 5.28). Comments or Questions.. 

Reading for October 14

 Read 1 Corinthians 15.50-58. In 15.50-58: A vision of the future. In verse 50: Kingdom of God refers to the heavenly reign Christ turns over to God (v. 24). It differs radically from the life as we know it. In verse 51: Mystery signifies a hidden truth being unveiled (4.1). We will not all die: Those alive at the resurrection escape death but not change. In verse 52: Trumpets summon God's people to worship (Num 10.2-10), to return from exile (Isa 27.13), and to gather for the end time (Mt 24.31; 1 Thess 4.16). In verses 54-55: The quotation comes Isa 25.8 and Hos 13.14. V. 55 speaks to the living and the dead respectively. The living escape death; by rising the dead overcome death's sting. In verse 56: Sin, death, and the law: Adam's sin introduced humanity to death's sting (Rom 5.12). The sin that began with Adam continued to exercise it power through the Mosaic law (Rom5.20; 7.6). Christ's death and resurrection broke the stranglehold of all three- sin, death, and the law (Rom 8.2) In verse 58: Not in vain: Living in hope fuels life (Col 1.23). Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 13th

 Read 1 Corinthians 15.29-49. In verses 29-34: What we practice shows what we believe. In verse 29: This practice is mentioned only here in the New Testament. Paul assumes the practice in order to draw the implication. In verse 30: He now appeals to his own practice: Daily risking his life as an apostle. In verse 31: I die every day: In his apostolic life, Paul reenacts the Christ-event (2 Cor 4.7-12). In verse 32: Wild beasts at Ephesus refers to Paul's own opponents; the quotation is from Isa 22.13. In verse 33: Paul quotes a popular proverb traceable to the Greek comic poet Menander (4th century BCE). In verse 34: Sin is easier when God is absent from the future. In verses 35-41: Some examples from nature. In verse 35: An imaginary questioner as what happens to the body. In verses 36-38: A grain of seed must "die" (be buried in the ground) before it rises from the earth in a different form as wheat (Jn 12.24). In verses 39-41: Nature presents different forms of life. Glory is brightness or radiance. In verses 42-49: Nature helps explain resurrection. In verses 42-44: Sown and raised continue the image of the seed from vv. 36-38. The contrasting qualities underscore the differences in the forms of life before and after "burial." In verses 45-49: Gen 2.7. The first Adam received life; Christ the second Adam, gives (resurrection) life. Adam and Christ represent different forms of life. All humans share Adam's dust. Those in Christ are of heaven and will eventually breathe his life-giving spirit. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 12th

 Read 1 Corinthians 15.1-28. In 15.1-58: Instructions about resurrection. In verses 1-11: The tradition of Christ's resurrection. In verse 2: Being saved: Conversion has lasting effects. In verse 3: Handed on ... received: Paul uses language describing the transmission of sacred teaching (11.23). In verses 3-5: This is one of the earliest summaries of Christian preaching (Rom 1.1-4). Died, buried, raise, and appeared identify key moments of the passion story (Mk 14-16). In accordance with the Scriptures reflects Christian conviction that God was at work in these events (Is 53; Hos 6.2). In verses 5-11: Women figure more prominently in the gospel appearance stories (Mt 28.1-10; Mk 16.1-8; Lk 23.55-24.12; Jn 20.1-18). Appearances to more that five hundred and James are distinctive elements of this list. The twelve (v. 5) are distinguished from all the apostles (v. 7). Paul places himself within the same tradition, even though his experience of the risen Lord was exceptional (Gal 1.13-17). In verses 12-19: Some doubt the resurrection. In verse 12: The truth of Christ's resurrection is assumed throughout. No resurrection of the dead: Doubts could arise in different forms: No life at all after death; no resurrection of the body, only the soul; no future resurrection (it is already here). In verses 13-14: Denying resurrection in principle eliminates Christ's resurrection. In verse 15: Paul's credibility is at stake. In verses 17-18: The church's faith is also threatened. In verse 19: Christian preaching is about future hope or nothing at all (Rom 5.5; 8.24-25). In verses 20-28: Christ, Adam and future resurrection. In verse 20: The faith of 15.3 is reaffirmed . First fruits: Christ's resurrection is like the beginning of harvest because more of the same follows (1 Thess 4.14). In verses 21-22: Like Adam, Christs stands at the beginning of a new order of humanity. The crucial difference: Adam introduced death, Christ life (Rom 5.12-17). In verses 23-28: The sequence of events outlined here emphasizes how those who belong to Christ share the experience of Christ (1 Thess 4.13-18 reflects different concerns). The end ("telos") is better translation that the rest . It is the time when the risen Lord finally triumphant over every other power, especially death, yields the reign of God the Father. The language of v. 25 is drawn from Ps 110.1. V. 27 draws on Ps 8.6, which Paul explains in vv. 27-28. He understands his feet to mean Christ's feet. Christ's subjects everything (including death), Then yield s the power God to whom all, including Christ are subject. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 11th

 Read 1 Corinthians 14.20-40. In verses 20-25: Worship outsiders can understand. In verse 20: The issue is their level of maturity (13.11; Eph 4.14-15). In verse 21: Isa 28.11-12. Yahweh speaks to Israel using foreign language (Assyrian), but with out success. In verse 22: Strange tongues might be understandable to strangers, but not to God's people. Intelligible speech, prophecy, is better for them. In verses 23-25: As it turns out, even the unbeliever and outsider benefit more if they can understand what is said when the whole church comes together. Prophetic proclamation can convict the unbeliever's heart and show God's presence within the church. The quotation is from Isa 45.14. In verses 26-36: Suggestions for orderly worship. In verse 26: The variety of activities suggests unstructured worship. Building up restates the overarching principle (14.12). In verse 27-28: The restrictors on speaking in a tongue imply the individual's ability to control speech. Paul's instruction are consistent: no interpreter, no tongues (14.5, 12; see 12.10). In verses 29-33: Prophetic speech can also be controlled. since it is understandable, it is weighed rather than interpreted. Chaotic worship fails to recognize the true nature of God (7.15; Rom 15.33). In verses 33b-36: The restrictions on women's speech are in parentheses because their location here is disputed. The role of  women in worship is discussed nowhere else in chs. 12-14. The instructions do not agree with Paul's earlier discussion in 11.2-16, were women praya nd prophesy along with men. many scholars doubt they were written by Paul and date them to a later period (1 Tim 2.11-12; Titus 2.5). In verses 37-40: Concluding words. In verse 37: Command of the Lord: I what sense is not clear. Paul is not able to cite Christ's teaching as he does earlier (7.10; 9.14). In verse 39: Be eager to prophesy: He restates the point where the discussion began (14.1). Do not forbid speaking in tongues: he recognizes that some people will. Paul sees their dangers but also their potential value. In verse 40: His advice is grounded in God's character (14.33). Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 10th

 Read 1 Corinthians 14.1-19. In 14.1-40: Prophecy better than tongues. In verses 1-5: Tongues and prophecy compared. In verse 1: Spiritual gifts ("pneumatika"): 12.1. In verse 2: Speak ... to God: tongues are a form of prayer only God can understand. In verse 3: Speak to other people: Prophecy is proclamation other people can understand. In verse 4: Themselves ... church: Tongues benefit the individual, prophecy the group.  In verses 5-6: Paul prefers prophecy over tongues. In verses 6-19: Tongues require interpretation. In verse 6: Unlike tongues, these four types of speech can be understood without an interpreter. In verses 7-8: Music without distinct notes is only noise. In verses 9-11: Tongues are not foreign speech: They are like foreign speech--unintelligible without an interpreter. In verse 12: Building up: This restates the principle of 10.24, 33. In verse 33: Do my words benefit the group? In verse 13: Speaking and interpreting a tongue can be done by the same person (12.10). In verses 14-17: In a tongue is one way of praying. Only words prayed or sung with the spirit produce a group of worshipping individuals. Worship done with both spirit and mind creates a church. In verses 18-19: Since Paul himself can speak in tongues (13.1; 14.6), he knows their value and their limits. Comments or Questions.

Reading for October 9th

 Read 1 Corinthians 13.1--13. In 13.1-13: The way of love. I in this chapter is Paul speaking out of his own experience, but its lofty, poetic tone extends Paul's own experience to everyone. In verses 1-3: Religion requires love.  Each item mentioned relates to Paul's own experience: Tongues (14.18); prophetic powers (14.37); mysteries and knowledge (2.6-13; 4.1; 15.51); faith (power to heal; Rom 15.18-19; 2 Cor 12.12); giving away possessions (4.11; 9.18); handing over his body (2 Cor 4.10-12). He uses boast in a positive sense (Rom 15.17). In verses 4-7: Active love. Paul sketches this profile of love with terms used of his own ministry: patient and kind (2 Cor 6.6); not envious or boastful (3.7, 21); not arrogant or rude (2 Cor 2.17; 4.1-2); does not insist on its own way (10.24,33); not irritable or resentful (4.14); does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth (2 Cor 6.10; 11.29); bear, believes, hopes, endures (9.27; 2 Cor 6.3-10). In verses 8-13: Love never ends. In verse 9: In part: For all their value, both knowledge and prophetic speech give an incomplete picture. In verse 10: The complete body refers to the end time, when God is fully revealed (Rom 8.18-25). In verse 12: In a mirror, dimly: Paul compares life to lookin in a mirror that yields an unclear image. Paul thinks of conversion as being fully known by God (8.3; Gal 4.90. Inverse 13: These three are  difficult to separate (Col 1.4-5; 1 Thess 1.3).  Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 8th

 Read 1 Corinthians 12.12-31. In verses 12-26: One body and many members. In verse 13: Through baptism, people from many back-grounds and social levels become members of Christ's one body (Gal 3.26-28). In verses 14-26: V. 14 states the basic theme of this section. In verses 17-19 The absurdity of the image makes his point. In verse 20: The main point is repeated (v. 12). In verses 22-25: The weaker, less honorable, less respectable, inferior members are the sexual organs, all indispensable and requiring honor and respect. They are compared with the mores respectable members, the parts not covered by clothing. In verse 24: God has so arranged: Paul renders the Genesis creation story in greater detail. In verse 26: The body suffers and rejoices as a single organism (Rom 12.15). In verses 27-31: The church as the body of Christ. In verse 27: This states v. 13 more fully. Their identity as the body of Christ does not appear to be self-evident to the Corinthians. In verse 28: The universal church is in view here (Eph 1.22-23). The first three groups are probably listed in ranked order (Eph 4.11-13). Apostles, literally "those sent," may refer to missionaries rather than the twelve apostles (15.5, 7). The roles and activities doubtless overlapped. In verses 29-30: These rhetorical questions expand on v. 12. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 7th

 Read 1 Corinthians 12.1-11.In 12.1-14.40: Instructions about spiritual gifts. In 12.1-3: Establishing perspective. In verse 1: The Corinthians had asked about "pneumatikoi," literally "spirituals," rendered as spiritual gifts or spiritual persons. The same term is used in 3.1. In verse 2: Many in the church had non-Jewish backgrounds (6.9-11; 1 Thess 1.9-10). In verse 3: "Let Jesus be cursed!" What circumstances prompted anyone to say this is not clear. It could be based upon Deut 21.23 (Gal 3.13). In verses 4-11: The Spirit's many activities. In verses 4-7: Gifts (charismata") are different ways of describing manifestations of the Spirit. Paul emphasizes their variety, their common source, and their intended purpose--to serve the common good. In verses 8-10: Utterances of wisdom and knowledge describe speech that informs and enlightens. Faith gifts of healing, and working of miracles belong together. Prophecy is paired with discernment of spirits, the ability to evaluate prophetic speech. Various kinds of tongues require the interpretation of tongues. In verse 11: All are spiritual (v. 1) activities because their source is the same Spirit. Comments or Questions...

Reading for October 6th

Read 1 Corinthians 11.17-34. In 11.17-34: The Lord's supper. In verses 17-22: Being divided at worship. In verse 18: They meet in Gaius' house (Rom 16.23). In verses 18-19: The divisions and factions are along social and economic lines. In verse 22: Those who have not are the poor, literally the "have-nots." In verses 23-26: Recalling Jesus' words before his death. In verse 23: From the Lord: The story of the institution of the Eucharist goes back to Christ. Paul's version is closest to Luke's account (Lk 22.14-23; Mt 26.26-29) and is the oldest recorded version. In verse 24: In remembrance of me: Lk 22.29. In verse 25: After supper: a meal is eaten  between the bread and cup (Lk 22.20). The cup of wine symbolized the beginning of the new covenant that began with Christ's death (Jer 31.31-34; Ex 24.8). In verse 26: This verse adds Paul's interpretation to the tradition he received. In verses 27-34: Taking the supper seriously. In verse 27: To eat in an unworthy manner is to engage in the meal without thinking about what it really means. In verse 28: Examine yourselves: Remember the words for you (v. 24). In verse 29: The body is both crucified Lord and the church gathered as the Lord's body (12.27). In verse 30: Some have become sick and died because the church has not cared for them. In verses 31-32: Paul's warning is stern: Our behavior is judged by the Lord, and misbehavior is disciplined (Heb 12.5-7, 10). In verse 33: Wait for one another;: Worship as one church not many groups. In verse 34: Paul expects to visit them soon (16.5-9). Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 5th

 Read 1 Corinthians 11.2-16. In 11.2-34: Some instructions about worship: What to wear and how to observe the Lord's supper. In verses 2-16: Advice about covering the head. In verse 2: Traditions are teachings Paul had received from others (15.3; 2 Thess 2.15). In verse 3: Head may mean source (head of a river ) rather than one with authority over another. For a similar hierarchy, see 3.22-23. In verses 4-5: Prays or prophesies: A worship setting is in view. No distinction is made between what men and women do (14.33b-36. In verse 7-9: Gen 1-2 informs Paul's remarks here. Image and reflection of God uses language from Gen 1.27. Reflection of man: According to Gen 2.18-25, the woman was created from man. Reflection, or glory (Greek "doxa"), draws on the image of a reflecting light: Man reflects God's light, woman reflects man's light (Heb 1.3). In verse 10: The verse is very difficult. Possibly, "The woman ought to have authority over her own head." Because of the angels may recall Gen 6.2. In verses 11-12: For a similar mutuality, see 7.2-4. In verses 13-14: Nature: Paul's remarks accept social and religious customs of his day. Comments or Questions...

Reading for October 4th

 Read 1 Corinthians 10.23-11.1. In 10.23-11.1: What to do in a private setting. Paul resumes the discussion from 8.7-13. In 10.23: The quotations reflect the views of the strong (6.12-20). In verse 24: Your own advantage: the advice in 8.1b becomes concrete. In verse 25: This follows the principle stated in 8.8 (Rom 14.14, 20). In verse 26: The quotation is from Ps 24.1. In verse 27: The setting is a private home. In verse 28: This is probably the weak person speaking. The same advice is given in 8.13. In verse 29: The other's conscience is that of the weak person (8.10). In verses 29b-30: The questions do not logically follow. They sound like questions the strong would ask, defending their right to eat. In verse 31: Glory of God: Col 3.17. In verse 33: This briefly states the principle informing Paul's advice in chs. 8-10. In 11.1: Imitators: 4.16. Christ's example is elaborated in Phil 2.5-11. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 3rd

 Read 1 Corinthians 10.1-22. In verses 1-13: Israel's example. In verse 2: Baptized into Moses: This unusual phrase reflects Christian retelling of the exodus story. It suggests that Israel participated with Moses in the exodus as Christians participate in Jesus' death and resurrection. In verse 3: Spiritual food and drink: Israel's wilderness experience is reinterpreted in light of the Lord's supper (11.23-26). In verse 6: Examples: 10.11; Rom 14.4. In verses 7-10: These verses draw four lessons from the story. In verse 7: Idolaters recall the golden calf in incident (Ex 32); the quotation is from Ex 32.6. In verse 8: Sexual immorality recalls Baal of Peor incident (Num 25. In verse 9: Putting the Lord (Yahweh, not Christ as in NRSV) to the test recalls the bronze serpent incident (Num 21). In verse 10: Do not complain recalls incidents in Ex 16; Num 14, 17. In verse 11: Ends of the ages: The "last days" has begun with Christ's resurrection (Acts 2.) In verse 13: God is faithful: 1.9; 2 Cor 1.18. In verses 14-22: Avoid worship of idols. In verse 14: Paul develops the first of four lessons (10.7). In verses 16-21: Like other sacred meals eaten in honor of a deity, the Lord's supper unites the worshippers with Christ. Christians must choose between the table of the Lord (Jesus) and the table of demons. In verse 22: Jealousy: Deut 32.21: Ex 34.14. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 2nd

 Read 1 Corinthians 9.19-27. In verses 19-23: Becoming a slave. In verse 19: Slave: Along with apostle, Paul uses slave as a self-designation (Phil 1.1). Win means to convert. In verse 20: Became as a Jew is surprising, since since Paul was born a Jew (Phil 3.5-6). Those under the law probably refers to Jewish Christians who continue to observe Torah. Paul no longer lived under the law in the same way (Gal 4-5). In verse 21: Those outside the law are gentiles. Christ's law: Rom 8.2. In verse 22: The weak are gentile Christians (8.7). In verses 24-27: Saying no to oneself. Two athletic examples-runners and boxers-illustrate the importance of self-control, the ability to limit our desires (2 Pet 1.6). In verse 27: Punish my body refers to the athlete's training. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 1st

 Read 1 Corinthians 9.1-18. In 9.1-27: Paul limits his rights as an apostle. In verses 1-14: The apostle's right to be paid. In verses 1-2: Paul experienced God's call to be an apostle in a vision of Christ (15.8; Gal 1.15-16). In verse 3: Paul's practice of refusing pay drew criticism. In verse 7: Everyday examples show that workers deserve pay. In verse 8: Scripture provides additional support (Deut 25.4). In verse 12: Others: Some ministers besides Paul have apparently received pay from the church. In verse 13: Established religious practice provides a third reason. In verse 14: Fourth, a command of the Lord Jesus supports the practice (Lk 10.7; Gal 6.6). In verses 17-18: Paul gives up his right. In verse 15: Boasting: he preached the gospel free of charge. In verse 16: Obligation: he thought his call to the gentiles required special measures. In verse 18: Reward: For Paul, preaching the gospel was it own reward. Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 30th

 Read 1 Corinthians 8.1-11. In verse 1: Instructions about eating food sacrificed to idols. In 8.1-6: Balancing knowledge with love. The quotations in vv. 1 and 4 express the views of the spiritually mature (3.1). In verse 1: Love builds up: The edifying power of love ("agape") is further developed in chs. 12-14. In verse 2: Necessary knowledge: Knowing often means not knowing (13.12). In verse 6: Here Paul quotes a two-part confession acknowledging God as Creator and Christ as God's agent of creation (Rom 11.36; Col 1.16). In verses 7-13: Obligations to the weak. In verse 7: Gentile converts are in view. In verse 8: The quotation expresses the view of the spiritually mature.. Food is food. If the quotation continues, it should read, "We are no worse off if we do eat, no better off if we do not eat." In verse 9: Liberty is the freedom that the strong people have, based on their enlightened attitude. Stumbling block: Rom 14.30, 20-21. In verse 11: Knowledge without love has destructive power. In verse 12: You sin against Christ because the church limits one liberty than cause the weak Christian harm (Rom 14.20-21). Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 29th

17.32-Read 1 Corinthians 7.32-40. In verses 32-35: Being free from anxiety. Paul explains the basis for his advice in vv.25-31. Marriage makes practical demands not directly concerned with the affairs of the Lord. Single people may focus exclusively on such things. In verse 35: Restraint: rather than discouraging marriage, Paul is encouraging good order and devotion to the Lord. In verses 36-38: Advice for those engaged to be married. In verse 36: Fiancee translates the Greek word for virgin ("pathenos"). It may refer to a father's engaged daughter. The Greek of vv. 36-38 is much less clear than the NRSV translation, which expresses one interpretation. In verse 38: Refrains from marriage: Paul's advice here is consistent with the rest of the chapter. In verses 39-40: Advice to widow. This extends the advice of v. 8. The death of one married partner dissolves the marriage (Rom 7.1-3). In verse 40: Remains as she is: Paul follows the principle expressed in vv. 17-24. Spirit of God: Paul claims prophetic authority for his view (14.37). Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 28th

 Read 1 Corinthians7.17-31. In verses 14-24: Paul's principle: remain as you are. Vv. 17, 20 and 24 state the principle informing Paul's advice in ch. 7. In verses 17-20: Circumcision signified being Jewish. Remove the marks: Some Jewish males under went a surgical procedure to become uncircumcised (1 Macc 1.15). In verse 19: Paul's experience of Christ radically changed his view (Gal 5.6). In verses 21-24: V. 21 is ambiguous in Greek. The alternate rendering is possible, but the NRSV rendering is more consistent with his overall advice. In verse 22: Conversion to Christ redefines loyalties. In verse 23: Bought with a price: See comments on 6.20. In verses 25-31: Advice to the unmarried. In verse 25: Virgins are probably young unmarried women. No command: Paul cannot quote Jesus on the matter. Trustworthy: 4.2. In verses 26-28: Impending crises, possibly present crisis, probably refers to the soon expected return of the Lord (vv. 29,31), which would be preceded by social and cosmic upheaval (Mk. 13.4-8). In verses 29-31: Expecting the end soon created a sense of urgency that changed all relationships-domestic, personal, and economic. A world passing away does not make demands like a world thought to last forever. Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 27th

 Read 1 Corinthians 7.1-16. In 7.1-40: Questions about marriage. In verses 1-7: Responsibilities within marriage. In verse 1: Again, The quotation comes from the Corinthians. They probably asked, "Should married Christian couples stop having sexual intercourse?" In verse 3: Conjugal rights: Spouses should fulfill each other's sexual needs. In verse 4:  Mutual ownership of each other's body is unusual. In verses 5-6: Command: Paul cannot quote the Old Testament or Jesus on the matter. In verse 7: As I myself am: Paul is unmarried (7.8). In verses 8-9: Advice to unmarried and widows. Self-control: if they cannot control their sexual desires, they should marry. In verses 10-11: Advice to the married. Command: Jesus spoke directly to this question (Mk 10.11-12). Separate and divorce refer to the same action, not two stages of a divorce proceeding. In verses 12-16: Advice to those with non-Christian spouses. In verse 12: Not the Lord: Jesus no where addressed this question. In verses 12-13: In view is a married couple where one spouse becomes a Christian. In verse 14: Made holy: the moral influence of the Christian spouse extends to the unbelieving spouse, thereby ensuring the spiritual welfare of the children. In verses 15-16: Compared with Jesus (Mt 19-3-9: Mk 10.10-12), Paul broadens the basis for divorce. In verse 16: The Greek is not clear as the NRSV. It can read you might not save, which would support his advice in v. 15. Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 26th

 Read 1 Corinthians 6.1-20. In verses 1-11: dealing with internal disputes. In verse 1: The grievance is not specified, but being defrauded suggests lawsuits involving money, perhaps rents or loans. In verse 2: In 5.12, saints judge each other. This probably refers to future judgment, when saints will judge angels ( 2 Pet 2.4). In verse 5: The question is sarcastic (4.8-10) In verses 9-10: Sins of sex and greed are prominent here, since chs. 5-6 address them ( Rom 1.29-31; Gal 5.19-21). In verse 11: Washed (Titus 3.5), sanctified (2 Thess 2.13), and justified (Rom 3.24) are different ways of referring to their conversion. In verses 12-20: Avoiding sexual sins. In verses 12-13: The slogans in quotation marks express views of the "spiritual people" (3.1) wh emphasize their freedom and independence. Fornication ("porneia," vv. 13-18; 5.1) is sexual morality of any kind. In verse 14: God's action in Christ governs Christian conduct (Rom 14.7-9). In verses 15-16: Prostitute ("prone") is a woman who practices sexual immorality as a  profession. In verse 16: Gen 2.24. In verses 19-20: The individual's body is in view (compare 3.16-17). Temple ("naos") may be the Jerusalem Temple (Mt 25.61) or a pagan shrine ( Acts 17.24). In verse 20: Bought with a price: Christ purchased their  freedom from slavery (7.23; Rom 6.17). Comments or Questions...

Reading for September 25th

 Read 1 Corinthians 5.1- 13. In verses 1-8: A case of sexual immorality. In verse 1: Sexual immorality ("porneia") is a general term including a variety of sexual sins (6.13, 18). The Old Testament forbade sexual relations between son and stepmother (Lev 18.8). In verses 3-5: The language of these verses may indicate a formal procedure for discipling wayward members (Mt 18.20). In verse 4: The alternative translation makes the offense even more serious. In verse 5: Hand over to Satan: Paul thinks Satan is still an active force (Rom 16.20). In verses 6-7: Removing leaven in preparation for Passover provides the background for Paul's remarkshere (Ex 12.14-20). Christ's death is seen as the lamb sacrificed at Passover (Ex 12.21-27; Rom 3.25). In verse 8: Celebrate the festival: The image of Passover observance is extended to Christian worship and practice. In verses 9-13: Relating to immoral Christians. In verse 9: This previous letter is lost, unless it is preserved in 2 Cor 6.14-7.1. In verse 11: Refusing to eat with someone had great symbolic significance (Mt 9. 10-13; Acts 11.3). In verse 13: Deut 17.7. Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 24th

 Read 1 Corinthians 4.1-21. In verses 1-7: How to think of God's ministers. In verse 1: More important than their personal characteristics is how ministers relate to Christ and God. Servants and stewards are roles defined by superiors. In verse 3: Some were sitting in judgment on Paul (9.3). In verse 4: The Lord establishes the true perspective for judging behavior (6.13). In verse 5: Paul expects the Lord's coming very soon (1.7; 7.29, 31). Judgment is a time of unveiling secrets (Rom 2.16; see Lk 8.17). In verse 6: The meaning of the saying is uncertain; it may refer to 1.31. Puffed up suggests an inflated self-image that leads to boasting (3.21). In verse 7: The alternate rendering makes more sense. In verse 8-13: The illusion of having already arrived. This ironic language applies to the "spiritual people" (3.1) who claim superior wisdom (6.5). In verses 9-10: Apostles are like prisoners of war, last in the victory parade, a spectacle to everyone. In verses 11-12: The missionary lives a  vagabond's existence. In verses 14-21: Paul appeals to his children. In verses 14-15: Starting churches was like having children (Gal 4.19; 1 Thess 2.11). In verse 16: As their father, Paul expected the church to imitate his behavior (11.1; Phil  3.17). In verse 17: Timothy: The alternative rendering am sending is preferred, since Timothy is apparently still with Paul (16.10-11). My way in Jesus Christ are what Paul taught and how he behaved. In verses 18-21: Arrogant behavior is a root problem in the church (5.2; 13.4) Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 23rd

 Read 1 Corinthians 3.1-23. In verse 1-9: Rightly viewing God's servants. In verse 1: Like infants, people of the flesh think only of their own needs and self-interests. In verse 2: Heb 5.12-14. In verse 3: Jealousy and quarreling are among the desires of the flesh (Gal 5.20). In verses 5-9: The emphasis throughout is on God's initiative. In verses 10-17: Paul as master builder. In verse 10: Paul experienced the grace of God when God called him (15.10-11; Rom 15.15-16). In verse 11: Eph 2.19-22; Mt 16.18. In verse 13: The Day of judgment is often envisioned as destruction of the world by fire (Mal 4.1; 2 Thess 1.8). In verses 16-17: The building metaphor now becomes specific: God temple. You refers to the congregation. in 6.19-20. The individual's body is a temple. In verses 18-23: becoming truly wise. In verse 19: Job 5.12. In verse 20: Ps 94.11. In verse 21: Rather than following human leaders who claim to be wise, belonging to Christ gives them all they need. Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 22nd

 Read 1 Corinthians 2.1-16. In verses 1-5: Paul's preaching illustrates God's power. Here Paul recalls his founding visit (Acts 18.1-18). Mystery of God is not a puzzle but something hidden that God can reveal (compare Rom16.25-26). The alternate reading, testimony of God, suggests that God bears witness through Paul's preaching. Jesus Christ, and him crucified includes Paul's preaching and manner of life (compare Gal 2.19-20). Demonstration of the Spirit and of power: Paul saw himself as a channel for the Holy Spirit exerting power (1 Thess 1.5; 2.13). In verses 6-16:Wisdom for the mature. Now Paul speaks of wisdom positively. This age and the rulers of this age refers to Paul's world and those who control it, probably heavenly forces rather than earthly rulers. In verse 9: As it is written: Paul mixes several Old Testament passages (Isa 64.4; 52.15; 65.16). In verse 14: The unspiritual ("psychikos"), or "natural" person is a two dimensional figure living in a three-dimensional world. In verse 15: The spiritual ("pneumatikos") person is guided by God's Spirit ("pnemua"). In verse 16: Isa 40.13. The mind of Christ, guided by God's spirit, seeks what is truly God's (v. 11; Phil 2.5-11). Comments or Questions.. 

Reading for September 21st

 Read 1 Corinthians 1.18-31. In verses 18-25: The cross, God's folly. Seen one way, the story of Christ's death, the message about the cross, seems foolish. Crucifixion was a shameful way for anyone to die, especially someone embodying God's hopes. Jews and Greeks represent two ways of knowing or relating to God-demanding signs and desiring wisdom.the one stresses dramatic displays of power by God, the other gradual, intuitive learning about God. The cross, however, locates God somewhere else, at the intersection of human foolishness and weakness. In verses 26-31: the Corinthians themselves prove God's power and wisdom.  The Corinthians own call shows God's capacity for upsetting human expectations. to boast in the presence of God suggests arrogant behavior (compare 4.6; 5.2). to boast in the Lord is to recognize God as the source of life in Christ Jesus (v. 31; compare Jer 9.24). Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 20th

 Read 1 Corinthians 1.10-17. In 1.10-17: Appeal for unity. Full divisions have not yet occurred, but quarrels have. Chole's people, members of her household, are mentioned nowhere else. To belong to someone means looking only to that person for spiritual guidance. Apollos ministered to the Corinthian church after Paul's founding visit (3.5-6; Acts 18.24-19.1) and is now with Paul as he writes this letter (16.12). Whether Cephas (Peter) has actually been in Corinth or was only known by reputation is not clear. Crispus was a prominent synagogue official (Acts 18.18), and Gaius hosted Paul and the Corinthian house church (Rom 16.23). The household of Stephanas later receives high praise from Paul for devoted service to the church (16.15-18). Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 19th

Read 1 Corinthians 1.1-9. In 1.1-3: Greeting. This opening greeting reflects the basic structure of greetings used in ancient letters. The writers of the letter (Paul and Sosthenes) address the church of God that is in Corinth and wish them grace and peace, standard forms of greetings among gentiles and Jews. In verses 4-9: Prayer of thanksgiving. Paul's letters usually begin with an extended prayer (see Rom 1.8-15; Phil 1.3-11). In a reassuring tone, he introduces themes developed later in the letter. All, not just a few, have enough speech and knowledge to be confident of their faith (compare 8.1). Nor do only an elite few experience spiritual gifts (Chs. 12-14). Everyone has been strengthened by the testimony of Christ,the preaching about Christ, continues to be strengthened by God. The prayer looks forward to the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, when Christ would return (ch. 15; 16.22). Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 18th

 Read Esther 10.1-3. In 10.1-3: Mordecai honored. In verse 2: Like other key events of the book of Esther, Mordecai deeds are recorded in the annals of the kings of Media and Persia. In verse 3: The closing tribute to Mordecai, as opposed to Esther for whom the book is named, is sometimes considered a latter addition to the book, though Purim is called "Mordecai's Day" in 2 Macc 15.35. Comments or Questions..

Reading for September 17th

 Read Esther 9.18-32. In 9.18-32: Purim celebrations. In verses 18-21: The different days  on which the fighting took place here explains why purim is celebrated for two days. In verse 22: In keeping with the book's strong emphasis on banqueting, Purim observances include gifts of food. In verses 24-26: Ironically, the festival is named after Haman's plot, first begun in 3.7 with the casting of a lot. In verses 27-28: Because Purim is not found in the Torah (Pentateuch), its acceptance would have needed explanation and support. In verses 29-32: The titles of the Jew Mordecai (as in 8.7) and Queen Esther suggest their different, though complementary, authority for sending letters. Comments or Questions.