Paul’s most detailed discussion of spiritual gifts is a response to questions addressed to him in a letter from members of the Corinthian church (12:1; cf. 7:1; 8:1). The exact nature of these questions is not known, but it can be reasonably inferred tha... Read More »

The ministry observed in I Corinthians is that of the apostle Paul and his associates, reflected in a letter written about A.D. 54 or 55 while he was in Ephesus ( I Cor. 16:8). Earlier Paul had established the church at Corinth, a cosmopolitan Greek city and c... Read More »

Introduction (1:1-9). I. Disorders imported to Paul by Chloe’s people; Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; and Apollos (1:10-6:20). 1. Divisions in the church (1:10-4:21). (1) Fact of division (1:10-17). (2) Cause of division (1:18-4:13). i. Wrong conce... Read More »

The southern part of Greece is joined to the rest of the country by a narrow strip of land. Corinth was situated on the southwest end of this isthmus. It controlled the port of Leohaion to the west on the Gulf of Corinth and Cenchreae to the east on the Saroni... Read More »

The whole of I Peter is “theology.” Whether the word “theology” should be used to refer specifically to the doctrine of God or to the entire discipline of Christian belief has been an often-debated subject in the history of Christian th... Read More »

OUTLINE Theme: Teaching and Preaching for the Persecuted Salutation (1:1-2). The work of the Trinity described First teaching section (1:3-12). The method and nature of salvation A salvation based on the hope inspired by Christ’s resurrection   (1:3-5)... Read More »

Preaching from I Peter affords a wide variety of possibilities for both traditional and contemporary models of expository preaching. Among these is the direct biblical sermon presenting an exposition of truths specifically taught in a passage of scripture. Thi... Read More »

INTRODUCTION (1:1-19) Superscription (1:1-3) Jeremiah’s Call (1:4-19) DIVINE JUDGMENT ON JUDAH AND JERUSALEM (2:1-25:38) Early Reproofs and Admonitions (2:1-20:18) Judah’s guilt and punishment (2:l – 6:30) The sin of the people (2:1-37) Unfai... Read More »

If any prophet was ever the victim of a “bad rap,” it is Jeremiah. He received this “bad rap” when he was alive, and he continues to be misunderstood by people today. What is the first thing we think of when we hear his name? Weeping pr... Read More »

To set the stage for preaching on Philippians, let me tell you about a man. He is like many people in our churches, so he can help us to identify some needs and objectives for preaching. This man is well educated. He is an achiever. He started his career as an... Read More »

Introduction (1:1-11). Ancient letters written in Greek consisted of an introduction, the main body, and a conclusion. Furthermore, the introduction always contained an indication of the writer and recipient(s) and a word of greeting, and it often contained an... Read More »

Philippi was located on a small plain in eastern Macedonia about ten miles inland from the Aegean Sea. To the west was Mt. Pangaeus and to the east Mt. Orbelos. The acropolis at the foot of which the city was built was in fact a spur of Orbelos. Also just to t... Read More »