Download Assignment 1 – Word Study

Biblical Interpretation I
ASSIGNMENT 1 – WORD STUDY
PART ONE: LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
1.1 Translation of 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (ESV)
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a
clanging cymbal.
2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I
have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain
nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as
for knowledge, it will pass away.
1.2 Word Study
Endure (Strong’s number 5278) 1 Corinthians 13:7
There are 16 verses in the New Testament that use this word.
a) Endure trials/hardships
(Mat 10:22) and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who
endures to the end will be saved.
(Rom 12:12) Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
(Heb 12:2) looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the
joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated
at the right hand of the throne of God.
b) To undergo, stay behind
(Luk 2:43) And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus
stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it…
(Act 17:14) Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but
Silas and Timothy remained there.
(Jas 1:12) Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has
stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those
who love him.
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Biblical Interpretation I
c) To persevere, keep enduring for an end goal
(2Ti 2:10) Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect that they also
may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
(2Ti 2:12) if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will
deny us;
Summary: Interestingly enough, the word endure from the Greek, has a vast field of
meaning. The literal meaning for endure which translates as endurance, enduring,
endured, meaning to maintain and keep pressing forward past hardships. The other
meaning implies an abode where one remains at or stays. The other meaning for endure
indicates a perseverance and accomplishing of something greater for a greater purpose.
Insist (Strong’s number 2212) 1 Corinthians 13:5
There are 12 times in the New Testament that use this word.
a) To seek, search for
(Mat 7:8) For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to
the one who knocks it will be opened.
(Mat 12:39) But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for
a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
(Mat 18:12) What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them
has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in
search of the one that went astray?
(Joh 4:23) But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers
will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people
to worship him.
b) To worship God
(Joh 7:18) The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the
one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no
falsehood.
(Rom 3:11) no one understands; no one seeks for God.
Summary: The two meanings that stood out from the verses listed for ‘insist’ indicated a
searching for, to seek out and the latter meaning which was interesting, pointed toward a
seeking to worship and pursue God.
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Biblical Interpretation I
PART TWO: LARGER CONTEXT
2.1 Outline of book
• Introduction (1:1–9)
• Divisions in the Church (1:10—4:21)
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The Fact of the Divisions (1:10–17)
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The Causes of the Divisions (1:18—4:13)
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The Exhortation to End the Divisions (4:14–21)
• Moral and Ethical Disorders in the Life of the Church (chs. 5–6)
◦
Laxity in Church Discipline (ch. 5)
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Lawsuits before Non-Christian Judges (6:1–11)
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Sexual Immorality (6:12–20)
• Instruction on Marriage (ch. 7)
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General Principles (7:1–7)
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The Problems of the Married (7:8–24)
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The Problems of the Unmarried (7:25–40)
• Instruction on Questionable Practices (8:1—11:1)
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The Principles Involved and the Principles Illustrated (ch. 8-9)
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A Warning from the History of Israel (10:1–22)
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The Principles Applied (10:23—11:1)
• Instruction on Public Worship (11:2—14:40)
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Propriety in Worship (11:2–16)
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The Lord’s Supper (11:17–34)
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Spiritual Gifts (chs. 12–14)
• Instruction on the Resurrection (ch. 15)
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The Certainty of the Resurrection (15:1–34)
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The Consideration of Certain Objections (15:35–57)
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The Concluding Appeal (15:58)
• Conclusion: Practical and Personal Matters (ch. 16)
© Zondervan. From the Zondervan NIV Study Bible.
Amy Friesen
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Biblical Interpretation I
2.2 Occasion of writing
Paul (v1) is writing to the church in Corinth (v2) from Ephesus around 55 AD.
Corinth was a city known for religious diversity, sexual immorality and corruption.
In the midst of these things, the church in Corinth (planted by Paul) struggled to
maintain its faith and solid foundation in Christ. According to reports from other
believer’s such as Chloe (v11), there was disunity and ‘quarrelling’ among the
brethren, which Paul strongly desired to set straight.
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The ESV
2.3 Purpose of the book
The main purpose of this book was to address the issues of societal sin and obvious
disunity and strife among the believer’s that were taking a toll on the health of the
Corinthian church. Paul sought to correct, instruct, counsel and edify the believer’s
in Corinth by drawing their focus back to the spiritual realm and the upside down
nature of God’s kingdom (1:27). He tackles the specific struggles they encounter
throughout the chapters, such as divisions in the church, sexual immorality,
marriage and idolatry. He counter attacks these issues with correcting false
doctrines regarding Christ and the resurrection, speaking about unity in the body,
spiritual gifts, wisdom of the Spirit, and as the highlighted passage indicates: love.
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The ESV
2.4 Purpose for this passage within the book
1 Corinthians 13:1-8
This passage makes an incredible impact in a very detailed and eventful letter. Paul
has not missed a beat in his addressing of the brethren in Corinth, for no other
reason but that he cares deeply for them (1:4, 16:24), a sign that the motivation
behind this letter is love. It’s clear as well that Paul wishes to correct their path and
set them straight onto the things of Christ. Interestingly, this passage comes in the
midst of an instructional teaching about public worship, more specifically – spiritual
giftings. Paul takes time to insist that none of what he writes to them about or has
previously taught them, will have any impact in their lives if they don’t have love. He
beautifully illustrates the way of love (v4-8), which although short compared to the
rest of the chapter is highly valuable as a model of living amidst their demoralized
society. After all God is love, and in order to combat the sins and temptations’ the
Corinthians face – Paul recognizes that love (God) is the best defense.
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Biblical Interpretation I
PART 3: THE MESSAGE
3.1 Statement of the basic steps of reasoning within the passage
1. Paul begins this passage in verse 1 and 2 with stating that regardless of spiritual
gifts – tongues, prophecy, faith to move mountains – it all counts as nothing or
comes across ‘noisy’ if the person does not have love.
2. He clearly uses the first three verses to illustrate a life without love, even if it’s
filled up with good intentions and actions – as being worthless.
3. Paul then takes time in verses 4-8 to explain what love looks like, how it can be
demonstrated in day-to-day life. Through patience, truth, long-suffering etc. He
ends strongly by stating that the things of the spirit will pass away, yet love will
remain.
3.2 Covenant Period
This passage is in The New Covenant.
3.3 Verse by verse explanation/interpretation
1
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a
clanging cymbal.
The opening verse Paul begins with for this passage holds quite an impact for his
readers. Considering he is speaking to the Corinthian church, who is struggling with
disunity, idolatry, pride and sexual immorality, as well as self-exaltation among the
members of the church, this first verse seems to deflate any idea they may have that the
ability to be ‘super-spiritual’ is superior, even to love. Paul wants to drive home that as
amazing as these abilities may be, they will have no effect or impact on others if you
don’t have love. Why is love so important? Because God is love. Therefore it is vital for
anyone wanting to follow a life with Christ to operate in love, which ultimately means
acting in a way that shows others the heart of who God is.
2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I
have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
This verse is an extension of verse 1. However Paul is now taking us into a different
example of a life that seems great on the outside but lacking in love, as being worth
nothing. A bold thing to state, yet I believe Paul needs to assert this topic with the
Corinthians due to the reports of ill behavior and conduct since his last visit. He clearly
highlights gifts such as prophecy, wisdom and faith – things that are highly regarded in a
Spirit-filled believer of Christ – and again declares them to be nothing without love.
3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I
gain nothing.
This verse is so powerful as it points straight to the legacy a person may leave. A person
can give away everything, be sacrificial in nature and even be willing to die, yet without
love they will gain nothing! I can imagine the impact this would have had on the
believer’s at the time in Corinth, to hear that even the ultimate act of sacrifice warrants
no gain without love.
Amy Friesen
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Biblical Interpretation I
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
Here begins Paul’s illustration of what love actually is. He begins by describing love to
be patient, willing to wait for the best outcome, not to be in a rush to succeed or
accomplish something or change someone. Love is kind, it looks for a way to speak in
like-manner, to act in kindness and to not mock or menace. Love does not envy, is not
jealous of the success and opportunities of others. It does not boast, meaning it does not
exalt itself or self-promote. And love is not arrogant, acting vainly or prideful.
5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
Love is not rude, it will not speak dishonorably or act in such a way toward others or
disrespect others when they are not around. Love does not insist on it’s own way, it is
not forceful to manipulate or control others for it’s own benefit. Love is not irritable, it
does not loose grace for others or is easily provoked to ill behavior or speech. Love is
not resentful, holding grudges and bitterness toward others, harboring negative
thoughts and feelings.
6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, it does not celebrate sin and the ill effects of sin.
However love rejoices with the truth, it is delighted with honesty, integrity of character
and bringing things into the light.
7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love bears all things, it has the strength to carry the burdens of others, to handle the
times of suffering and hardship. Love believes all things, it puts it’s trust in what is true
and believes for the best even in dire circumstances. Love hopes all things, it exercises a
hope that goes beyond what is seen and holds on to the best is yet to come. Love
endures all things, it roots itself in a strong foundation that allows it to weather the
storms, to persevere, to overcome adversity.
8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease;
as for knowledge, it will pass away.
Finally Paul concludes this passage with saying, love never ends, the ultimate display of
love – it’s never-ending, will never die, will remain and endure the test of time and go on
into eternity, it’s an eternal treasure we will always keep with us. He supports this final
example of love by adding again as he did in verse 1 that the gifts of tongues, prophecy,
knowledge, they will all die someday, they will pass away with our bodies, yet love will
outlast all the glory of this age. We are not merely to be ‘good examples’ of Christianity
and spirituality, but are meant to live to love and be loved – that is who God is and why
he created us. For Paul, it is essential his dear brothers and sisters in Christ understand
this passage and receive this message.
3.4 Conclusions regarding the teachings of the passage.
1. As believer’s we are called to recognize the importance of love as God is Love.
2. Without it we are nothing, and gain nothing.
3. We are to put aside worldly, even spiritual desires for the sake of demonstrating and
living a life of love.
Amy Friesen
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Biblical Interpretation I
Amy Friesen
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Sep 27th 2011