Day 10 - Colossians and Thessalonians

122-10 - THE BOOKS OF THESSALONIANS

            Thessalonica, the largest city in Northern Greece, was made the capital of Macedonia when it was made a Roman province in 146 BC. It was made a free city by the Romans, which means it enjoyed a status free from taxation or military occupation and the privilege of self-government. The city was named by its founder, the Macedonian King Cassander in honor of his wife who was the half-sister of Alexander the Great. It was located on the Via Egnatia (the major Roman road through Macedonia) and on the coast and was the major sea port for the area. It remains a large and prosperous city (now called Salonica or Thessaloniki) to this day.

I.               The Acts account of Paul’s dealings with the people in Thessalonica.

A.    Acts 16:9-10     - Paul, traveling with Luke, Timothy and Silas are directed to go from Asia (Turkey) to Macedonia. They stop first in Philippi.

B.    Acts 17:1-10

1. 17:4 – What is a “God Fearers”? According to Jewish rabbinic tradition, all non-Jews are "children of Noah", and as such arc subject to a special universal Noachite Covenant. This covenant, made with Noah following the Flood, is prior to, and separate from, the Torah Covenant made at Sinai with the "children of Israel". All humankind is accordingly obligated to follow the "seven Laws of Noah", traditionally enumerated as: the prohibitions of 1) idolatry,2) blasphemy,3) bloodshed,4) sexual sins,5) theft, and6) eating flesh (or blood) from a living animal; and the 7) obligation to establish legal systems to administer justice.(1) Indeed, according to rabbinic interpretation, Jews, functioning as the chosen priestly people, and a "light to all nations", are obligated to teach the Gentile world those portions of Torah applicable to non-Jews (Exodus 19:5; Isaiah 42:1-6). Such Gentiles who turn to God, and turn away from these sinful practices, are said to "have a share in the world to come". They have become yirei shamayim ("fearers of Heaven", i.e., God), and in the Land of Israel are called ger toshav (i.e.,"the stranger that dwells among you")(2) These Noachites are not proselytes, nor full converts to Judaism. They remain Gentiles, but with special attachment to God, Torah, and Israel. (James D. Tabor)

2. The missionaries had to leave suddenly because of persecution by the Jews. Paul had wanted to return but when he was not able to, he sent Timothy. He wrote this letter in response to the word that timothy brought him after his visit there. The Thessalonians had a profound interest in the expected return of Jesus to the earth and were anxious about the meaning of the 2^nd coming. Paul wrote to reassure and advise them.

II.             First Thessalonians (About 50-52 AD)

A.    Chapter 1 – Thanks for your example

B.    Chapter 2 – There have been some rumors going around about us when we were missionaries to you, we may not have kept all of the mission rules. Stop those rumors! We loved you, as missionaries do.

a.     2:20 – “No man can conceive how great is the worth of souls. One soul saved which would have been lost means added Kingdoms and worlds, added spirit children born to exalted beings, added hosts of intelligent beings going forward everlastingly in eternal progression.” (DNTC 3:46)

C.    Chapter 3 – We missed you a whole bunch and sent Timothy to check on you. We prayed for you. (See verse 10)

D.    Chapter 4 – Verses 3-5 – Morality- 9 of the 14 Epistles warn against this.

a.     vs. 3 sanctification

b.     vs. 3 fornication – The Greek “porneia” refers to any illicit sexual activity.

c.     Vs. 5 lust of concupiscence (ardent desire; hence, sexual lust. Desire for that which is desirable to the senses) as the Gentiles which know not God. – It was acceptable to have a mistress and certain religious rites promoted sexual activity outside of marriage.

d.     Vs. 13-18 Don’t worry about those who are dead-they will also be caught up to meet the Lord.

E.     Chapter 5 –

a.     vs. 1-5 How to know when Christ is coming

b.     vs. 12-26 – A laundry list of things to do from a missionary to his converts.

III.            Second Thessalonians -  Purpose – to clean up any 2^nd coming questions

A.    Chapter 1 – Don’t sweat the petty stuff and don’t pet the sweaty stuff.

       a.  vs. 4-9   Those who persecute will receive God’s recompense.

B.    Chapter 2:1-4

The “falling away comes from the man of sin, the son of perdition, who sitteth in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God. Almost always Paul uses the word temple figuratively- Occasionally, the body is a temple for God’s spirit, but usually the Church is the temple of God. In this case the temple is representative of the church in which God dwells. When the man of sin is revealed, he will be in the midst of the temple, the church remains, but Satan is in the midst of it. This imagery demonstrates that the great apostasy will take place through the influence of Satan in the Church, thus making the restoration necessary. (Paraphrased from Joann Seely, Studies in Scripture, V p. 60-61)

"The original Greek text of 2 Thes. 2:3 uses the word apostasia, meaning literally a revolt or breaking away. Apostasy is a conscious act of rebellion against God in which one deliberately attempts to change divinely appointed doctrine and practice and opposes God's chosen leaders. Apostasy, by defilnition, is not a gradual drift from divine truth, nor is it a waning interest in the gospel. Apostasy, as Paul says, is rebellion, and it always reveals the great motivator of rebellion-Satan, or Perditiion (from the Latin perditius,destruction).   The phrase "falling away" may connote to some people a gradual slide from the truth, but a comparison of the of the wording of the KJV with other versions of the Bible shows the significance and intent of Paul's comment. The New International Version renders the Greek as "the rebellion"; the Revised Standard Version, "the rebelliion", the Phillips Bible, "a definite rejection of God", the Jerusalem Bible, "the Great Revolt", the Contemporary English Version, "People will rebel against God." (Ogden p. 119-121)

C.    Chapter 3

a.     Verse 1 – Pray for the gospel to have free course

b.     Vs. 6 – be careful who you hang with

c.     Vs. 10-11  – don’t be lazy

Brigham Young on the 2^nd coming, “Do not be too anxious for the Lord to hasten this work. Let out anxiety be centered upon this one thing, the sanctification of our own hearts, the purifying of our own affections, the preparing of ourselves for the approach of the events, that are hastening upon us. This should be our concern, this should be our study, this should be our daily prayer. (JD 9:3)

122-10 - Colossians

              Colossae was a small unimportant city in the Lycus Valley of Phrygia near Laodicea and Hierapolis. (11 miles east of Laodicea) It lay in a high valley about 100 miles east of Ephesus with mountain scenery resembling the Wasatch Front in Utah. Epaphras, a native of Colossae and perhaps Timothy were its first Christian teachers. Scholars are not sure if Paul ever visited Colossae. This letter was written as a result of a visit to Paul by Epaphras during Paul's 1st imprisonment in Rome about 61 or 62 AD. Philemon and Onesimus lived in Colossae.

              "The problem that Paul wrote about were false doctrines concerning the Godhead and worship of angels (2:18). Paul knew that apostates would disseminate perverse doctrines to draw away disciples. Some were denying the physicalness of the Savior, just as some of the Corinthians denied the idea of bodily resurrection. The basic issue was whether Jesus was God or man (Monophysitism or Arianism) or both at the same time. Great diversity of belief prevailed. Some argued that Christ had one mind (Apolloninarianism) or one will (Monothelitism), or that he was born a man and became a a God (Nestorianism).  Where there were two Christians, there were three opinions. Some were also attempting to displace the preeminent Head with mediating angels." (Ogden  p. 192-3)

              The true doctrines about Christ in Ch. 1 refute the false doctrines in Ch. 2                                        Ch. 1

Vs. 10-11 - Teach the importance of Works

Vs. 12-15 - The separate nature of Heavenly Father and Jesus. (Also see vs. 1-2)

Vs. 14-19 - Note at least 8 attributes of Jesus; Vs. 15 - Christ is the image (Gk. icon) of the invisible God (John 14:9) God is not made in man's image but (Gen. 1:27) God has a face (Dt. 5:4), eyes (Dt. 11:12), ears (Ezek. 8:18), a mouth (Num. 12:8), arms (Ex. 15:16), hands (Job 10:8), fingers (Ex. 8:19), a heart (Gen. 6:6; 8:21), feet (Is. 60:13). "That which is without body, parts, and passions is nothing. There is no other God in heaven but that God who has flesh and bones" (TPJS. 181) Most Christians base their concept of God on 4 councils held between the 4th and 6th centuries rather than scripture. Pope Gregory the Great compared them to the 4 Gospels, because they formulated the basic dogmas of the Church- the Trinity and Incarnation (Christ taking on a corporal body. The real source of the Trinitarian Doctrine is the Nicene Council of 325 AD. 318 Bishops met to decide whether Christ was similar to or the same as his Father. They decided he was the same.

Vs. 23 - remember Ephesians 3:17 -"Keeping our sense of proportion whatever we do, keeping our precious perspective wherever we are, and keeping the commandments however we are tested reflect being settled, rooted, and grounded in our discipleship. Remaining settled and established is not easy, for we are crowded by the cares of the world. We are diverted by the praise of the world; we are buffeted by the trials of the world, drawn by the appetites and temptations of the world, and bruised by the hardness of the world. But when we are grounded, rooted, and established, and settled, we can have a precious perspective which puts other things in their proper place. This is no small blessing, for it lifts us above our immediate circumstances and concerns, giving us a larger view of things" (NAM, Speeches of the Year, BYU Press, 1982, p. 15-16)

Ch. 2

Vs. 8-9 - Remember 2 Nephi 9:28-29. The word used for body is the gk. soma, referring to a physical body

Vs. 18-19Gnostic philosophy held that God's contacts with men and women were through angelic mediators. Paul denounced the idea. Christ is the Head, and somebody was falsely emphasizing the role of angels. (Ogden p. 195)

Vs. 23 - "Will worship" was man-made worship. Neglecting of the body was a tendency of the Gnostics. They believed that men and women were saved through secret or esoteric knowledge and that the physical body is evil. This led to 2 extremes: complete denial of marriage and sexual relations; or complete indulgence and satisfaction of the physical urges. Both negated the purposes and value of the human body." (Ogden p. 196)

Chapter 3

Vs. 9-10 It is easier to act oneself into a new way of thinking than to think oneself into a new way of acting.

Vs. 16 - Singing in church

Vs. 23 - A great way to live

Chapter 4

Vs. 6 - Do you know anybody who does this? symbolism of salt

Vs. 10 & 16 - Missing Scripture?

Day 9

212-9-Ephesians

Ephesus was: 1. Visited briefly by Paul returning from his 2nd mission.     2. The junction of several trade routes.   3. The capital of the Roman province of Asia. 4. Population of about 250,000.          5. The site of pagan Temple of Artemis (Diana) which was one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. It measured 425'X225' with 127 columns which were 60 feet high.     6. A center of literature and art.      7. Paul taught here for about 2 years on his 3rd mission. (Acts 19:10, 18)     8. Worshippers of Diana revolted against Paul here. (Acts 9:23-24)     9. The Book of Revelation (1:11 and 2:1-8) refers to Ephesus as one of the 7 Churches.     10. It had a famous theatre which was said to hold 25,000 people.     11. Tradition says that John the Revelator spent several years of his life here.     12. Most of the converts from here had been Gentiles. (Ephesians 2:11-14)    

Ephesians was one of Paul's "Letters of Imprisonment." (Ephesians 4:1) By this time, Paul has been a missionary for 30 years. (Ephesians 4:1) It was written at the same time as Colossians and Philippians (61-61 AD) and delivered to Ephesus by Tychicus. (He is mentioned five times (Acts 20:4; Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12) It may have been a circular letter for many branches in Asia. Philemon was the other Prison Epistle. Ephesians is most similar to Colossians. Of the 155 verses in Ephesians, 78 are also found in Colossians.

Members of the restored Church will find in Ephesians a checklist of characteristics of Christ's true church. Not tied to particular problems, it vividly challenges Saints to be worthy of their high calling. (Anderson p. 262) Doctrines to look for include; foreordination, restoration, the Holy Spirit of Promise, grace, Church leadership, Christ's love, unity of faith, righteous living, spousal love, honoring of parents, and the armor of God.

Chapter 1

Vs. 1 - Note that Paul certifies his call as an apostle of Jesus in the 1st verse of most his epistles.

Vs. 2 - Grace and Peace are major themes of this epistle. Grace appears 12 times and peace 7.

Vs. 3, 17, 20 - Paul has no question about the question as to whether Heavenly Father and Jesus are distinct individuals.

Vs. 4 - Another apparent reference to the Pre-earth life.

Vs. 5 - The Greek "Prophoridzo" (here translated predestinated) means to anticipate, to set before or to cause in advance. It does not imply a deprivation of agency.  "The doctrine of election has been distorted by post-apostolic Christians who, in affirming the immateriality of God, deny the premortal existence of man. Prominent theologians have compounded these errors with another: the doctrine of unconditional election or predestination to salvation or damnation as touted by Augustine in the 4th century and later by John Calvin in the 16th sixteenth. It is argued that since fallen man, being depraved, can be saved only by divine grace, it logically follows that God must determine who will and who will not partake of that grace. One is numbered among God's elect, not for any act of his, but by God's good pleasure." (Turner  "Studies in Scripture V. 6":109)  President Hinckley's Patriarchal blessing given to him when he was 11 years old by a men he never saw before nor again, "The nations of the earth shall hear thy voice and be brought to a knowledge of the truth by the wonderful testimony which thou shalt bear." (CR Spring 2006)

Vs. 10 - The dispensation of the fullness of times. See BD p. 657, "Dispensations". D&C 121:26-32; 124:41; 27:13; 110:11-16; 112:3-34; 128:18;TPJS p. 193.

Vs. 13 - "The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Spirit promised the saints or in other words the Holy Ghost. This name-title is used in connection with the sealing and ratifying power of the Holy Ghost, that is, the power given him to ratify and approve the righteous acts of men so that those acts will be binding on earth and in heaven. All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, if they are to have efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead, for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead." (D&C 132:7 DNTC 2:493-4) Being sealed by the "Holy Spirit of Promise" is the same as having your calling and election made sure. See TPJS p. 149 & 2 Peter 1:4-19

Chapter 2

Vs. 8 - Ultimately, all are saved by grace. Works cannot save us, but obedience to God's commandments cannot be ignored. Paul taught that we are saved not by faith alone nor by works alone, there must be a balance. The grace versus works controversy is, as C.S. Lewis once commented like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is more necessary (Mere Christianity, 129). Faith and works are two sides of the same coin. The emphasis is not going to the extreme with either one, but maintaining balance. (Ogden p. 202) See Hymn #111 second verse.

Vs. 12-14 See also 2:19-20; 4:3-6; 4:11-14; D&C 105:3-5. -More unity scriptures. The wall of partition mentioned in 2:14 is an apparent reference to the 4 1/2' stone wall around the temple with signs warning gentiles to keep out.

Chapter 3

Vs. 1 - Paul is in prison because of his testimony of Jesus. See also Rev. 1:9

Vs. 4 - "Paul employs the term mystery 20 times in his letters in discussing Christ, the gospel, the resurrection, Israel, the Gentiles, speaking in tongues, iniquity and godliness. A mystery is a divine secret of unknown truth. Three mysteries are discussed in Ephesians." One is discussed in ch. 3, "Salvation of the Gentiles". Another is the events of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times (1:10) and the third is Marriage and the Church; "Just as the saints become members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones, so those married for eternity in the Lord become one flesh with each other - Ephesians 5:30-33. (See Turner in Studies in Scripture 6:136-139)

Vs. 17 - Neal A. Maxwell- “The cares and anxieties of the world are pervasive and persistent. They also vary widely from person to person. But it is usually the case (whatever the objective load of these cares is and even if it is actually small) that these worries will expand so as to fill whatever worry space is available in that individual. Thus what may be an easily manageable load for one person may seem overwhelming to another. Hence the need for us to put in perspective the cares and anxieties of the world. Otherwise the cares and anxieties will spread, crowding out space needed for spiritual things. “…It is well, then, to put the cares of the day and the anxieties of the moment in the context of the things of eternity. After all, the little things are little. “Peter and Paul urged us to become ‘grounded,’ ‘rooted,’ ‘established,’ and ‘settled’ ("Col. 1:23Colossians 1:23;"Col. 2:7 2:7;"Eph. 3:17 Ephesians 3:17). Being thus settled does not immunize us against trials, but it does against concerns over the basic realities about God, life, meaning, and the universe. We can and will be tried tactically, but this can occur without our calling into question the whole strategy of God's plan of salvation. Enduring involves coping with those moments when we cannot give an easy explanation for what is happening to us or around us, but we can still know that God loves us (see "1 Ne. 11:171 Nephi 11:17).” (If Thou Endure It Well p.127.)

Chapter 4

Vs. 5 - see D&C 1:30

Vs. 11-14-Reasons we need apostles & prophet

Vs. 17-19 - Our walk should be different

Vs. 26 - Note the JST

Chapter 5

Vs. 5 - Note how shortly after Paul says that we are saved by grace, he devotes this chapter to this we must do, to be saved.

Vs. 22-33 - See D&C 121:36,37,41.

Chapter 6

Vs. 1-4 - A good family home evening.

Vs. 5-9  -Perhaps 30% of people in the Roman Empire were slaves. The Church did not advocate social reform. Advise here is given to servants and masters.

Vs. 11-18 - "Put on the Whole Armor of God" by Harold B. Lee p. 223 Institute Eternal Marriage manual or on-line. The most deadly contest in life is not with human enemies but with the devil.

212-9-Phillipians

A letter written from Rome in about 61 or 62 AD during Paul’s 1st imprisonment. He was in his own rented home, where for two years he was allowed to receive visitors and preach the gospel.  It was one of his four Prison Epistles, the others being Colossians, Ephesians and Philemon. All but Philemon were apparently sent at the same time. The letter comes about ten years after Paul’s first visit there.

Philippi was named after Alexander the Great’s father Phillip II. Paul visited here on his second mission. (Acts 16) There was only a small Jewish congregation. Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison here for casting out the evil spirit from a young lady who had used her evil spirit to help her in her divination. Paul’s most noted converts from this area were Lydia a dealer in purple who had the missionaries stay with her after her conversion. She was from Thyatira in Asia. The other was the Jailer, who was converted when Paul’ and Silas’ singing from the prison caused an earthquake. Thinking that they had escaped on his watch, he was about to kill himself, but was taught the gospel by those two missionaries. Paul demanded an apology from the local magistrates for their poor treatment of he and his companion. This may be the most positive & most personal of all Paul's writings. They seem to be the most faithful branch in the Church.

Chapter 1 - vs. 12 & 13 - See also 2 Nephi 2:1-2

Vs. 21-24 - To live or die for the gospel

vs. 27 - the word conversation is better translated conduct with today’s usage of the words.

Chapter 2 - vs. 7 - A literal translation from the Greek of “but made himself of no reputation” would be “He emptied himself”

vs. 12 - Note first how obedient the people in Philippi were and then note the end of the verse which tells us to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. President McKay said, “Work out your own salvation, is an exhortation to demonstrate by activity, by thought, obedient effort the reality of faith. But this must be done with a consciousness that absolute dependence upon self may produce pride and weakness that will bring failure. With fear and trembling we should seek the strength and grace of God for inspiration to obtain the final victory” (CR Apr. 1957 p. 7) See also 2 Nephi 25:23.

vs. 25-30 - Treating those who return from missions early because of illness.

Chapter 3  - vs. 8 - Paul had apparently lost his family, his standing in the community as a Pharisee, probably a member of the Sanhedrin. Another word for dung is refuse, both are polite translations. Paul reminds me of Amulek in Alma 10:4 and then 15:16.

A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. (Lectures on Faith, 1985, p. 69)

vs. 12- 14 - Paul does not consider himself saved. See also 2 Tim. 4:7-8

vs. 17-21 - Paul encourages the saints to look to heaven and not to Rome as the source of their lasting citizenship.

Chapter 4 -  vs. 8 The 13th article of faith, admonition of Paul appears to come from here and 1 Cor. 13:7

Sister Kathleen Hughes.  She said, " We all know the scriptural teaching that where 'much is given much is required.^'  Remember, though, that where much is required, much is also given." 

Day eight- 2 Corinthians and Galatians

212-8 - 2 Corinthians

A follow-up letter apparently written a few months after 1 Corinthians. This time from Macedonia

Chapter 1

Vs. 1 - Timothy and Achaia

Vs. 2-3 - Note again that Paul is not confused upon the issue of whether or not Heavenly Father and Jesus are the same person.

Vs. 4 - Note a reason for us being comforted in our times of affliction and an expectation from the Lord when he comforts us.

Vs. 12-24 - Paul explains that he had intended to visit the Saints in Corinth previously, but had not been able to.

Vs. 22 - Paul teaches us that the Spirit is our "earnest money" that God will have us home. Thus, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise. See Ephesians 1:13 & D&C 88:3-4.

Chapter 2

Vs. 5-11- "There is no peace in reflecting on the pain of old wounds. There is peace only in repentance and forgiveness. (GBH Ensign, June 1991, p. 5) D&C 64:9-11.

Chapter 3

Vs. 2 & 3 - What kind of an epistle am I?

Vs. 6 - The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth light. A comparison of the Law of Moses with the fullness of the gospel. Richard Poll's, what kind of a Latter-day Saint are you, a hold to the rodder or Liahoner?

Vs. 15 & 16 & 17 - Having the scriptures is not enough. We need to have the vail taken away

Chapter 4

Vs. 16 - The outward and the inward man

Chapter 5

Vs. 20 - Ambassadors for Christ

Chapter 6

Vs. 12 - Bowels are the center of pity and kindness

Vs. 14 - The Law of Moses prohibited the yoking of two animals not the same kind, ie, an ox and a donkey. True in marriage and where else?

Chapter 7

Vs. 8-10- Godly sorrow for sin

Vs. 17-21 - Reconciled to God. 2 Nephi 25:23; Jacob 4:10-11

Chapter 8 & 9  Hard to read chapters with a very easy and important message; give as Christ gave. Note especially vs. 8: 9, 14 and 9:6, 7, 8, 12, 15.

Chapter 10

Vs. 10 & 11 - An important message taught throughout the scriptures, that he who the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies and we ought to be careful to not be critical of those, whether it be us or another. See; Ex. 4:10 (Moses); Moses 6:31 (Enoch); Judges 6:15 (Gideon); 1 Samuel 9:21 (Saul); Jeremiah 1:6 (Jeremiah); Conference Report Oct. 1943 p. 16 (SW Kimball).

Vs. 18 - Whose approval is important?

Chapter 11

Vs 1 & 2- Who are we spiritually married to?

Vs. 19 - Who do we listen to ahead of apostles?

Vs. 24-28 - What has Paul suffered to fulfill his calling?

Chapter 12

1-4 - See I Corinthians 15 - Paul's vision of the 3 heavens.

Vs. 7-10 - "Much has been written about Paul's thorn in the flesh. Numerous hypotheses have been advanced by way of identifying the thorn, including; stuttering, epilepsy, a shrewish wife, an eye affliction, malaria, some mortal antagonist, or some spiritual weakness. Whatever it was, he knew why it was there, lest I should be exalted above measure. He had pleaded with the Lord to take it away, but he learned, as we all do, that the Lord intentionally gives each of us weaknesses to keep us humble, (Ether 2:27), If we let them accomplish their appointed purpose, weaknesses will not weaken us but strengthen us."(Ogden p. 157)

Chapter 13 -

Vs. 10 - Sometimes it is easier to say hard things from a distance, by letter, phone, having someone else relay the message or by text.

212-8 - Galatians

Who are the Galatians?

In the third century BC, a group of Celts from Europe invaded Asia Minor and settled in what is now north central Turkey

The Romans called Celts Galli, hence this region was called “Galatia”

An independent kingdom opposed to the Hellenistic (Greekspeaking)

kingdoms of Asia minor, it eventually was made a client kingdom and then in 25 BC a province of the Roman Empire.  The region of Lycaonia in south central Asia Minor was added to the

province for administrative purposes.  This included several Greek cities and Roman colonies, including ones visited by Paul and Barnabas in the “First” Missionary Journey of AD 46–48.

See BD p. 744

This epistle has been called a declaration of independence from Judaism. The terms free and freedom are used 11 times in the letter (Ogden p. 159) Luther used this epistle and Romans as the basis for his split with the Catholic Church. The idea that we are saved by faith and not by obedience to the law. We remember that Paul is speaking of the Law of Moses and not the law of the Gospel.

Chapter 1-This chapter is important in learning about Paul's pre and early Christian life. In vs. 10-12 he makes it clear that he was not called by man, but by God. In vs. 14 he tells that he was anything but a wishy-washy Jew before his conversion. Vs. 15-19 tell about his early Christian years.

Chapter 2 - In vs. 10-16 Paul tell about an interesting disagreement he had with Peter because of Peter's not being willing to hang out with the Gentile converts when the Jews were around. Remember that when Paul talks of the law (as he does in vs. 16 and frequently throughout his epistles) he is speaking of the Law of Moses and not the fullness of the gospel as taught by Jesus and the apostles. In vs. 21 Paul teaches that if salvation came through the law of Moses then Christ suffered and died in vain.

Chapter 3 - In vs. 7-8 Paul says that as gentiles accept the ordinances of the gospel they are adopted into God's family, thus it is adoption and not circumcision that saves. Read vs. 27 the next time someone tells you that baptism in not necessary.

Chapter 4 - In vs. 7-9 Paul marvels that with the blessings of accepting the ordinances associated with the gospel that someone return to their former life. Vs. 14-19 Paul extends his marveling that with the great love shown to him at the time of the Galatians conversion that they would not be faithful when he was not present.

Chapter 5 -  In vs. 14-15 Paul gives another of his pleas for unity. Vs. 19- 21 list the fruits of the carnally minded, while vs. 22-26 tell of the fruits of those who are spiritually minded.

Chapter 6 - Vs. 1-2 is a request for the saints in Galatia to reach out to their fallen brethren and lead them back into the Church. Vs. 7-9 contain some of his finest Paulisms.

212-7 - I Corinthians

When Paul arrived in 51 CE, the Corinth he saw was little more than 100 years old, but was five times as large as Athens and the capital of the province. Ancient Corinth, the original Corinth, founded in the 10th Century BCE, had been the richest port and the largest city in ancient Greece. Strategically located guarding the narrow isthmus that connects the Peloponnesus (as southern Greece is called) to the mainland, it was a powerful commercial center near two seaports only 4 miles apart. Lechaeum, the western harbor in the Corinthian Gulf was the trading port to Italy and Sicily, and Cenchreae, the eastern harbor in the Saronic Gulf, was the port for the eastern Mediterranean countries. Periander (ca. 625-585 BCE) had constructed a five foot wide rock-cut tract (Gk. diolkos) for wheeling small ships and their unloaded cargo from one gulf to the other.

In Corinth you could find the cults of the gods of Egypt, Rome and Greece. The temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, stood atop the Acrocorinth. "A famous temple to Aphrodite had stood on the summit of Acrocorinth in the Classical Age... It had fallen into ruins by Paul's time, but successors to its 1,000 cult prostitutes continued to ply their profession in the city below. Many of them were no doubt housed in the lofts above the 33 wine shops uncovered in the modern excavations. Corinth was a city catering to sailors and traveling salesmen. Even by the Classical Age it had earned an unsavory reputation for its libertine atmosphere; to call someone 'a Corinthian lass' was to impugn her morals. It may well be that one of Corinth's attractions for Paul was precisely this reputation of immorality." (The Biblical World In Pictures).

The city was filled with sailors who gladly spent their money there. The name "Corinth" became a synonym for immorality. This temple gave Corinth it's reputation for gross immorality of which Paul often spoke (1 Cor. 6:9-20; 2 Cor. 12:20-21). "She had a reputation for commercial prosperity, but she was also a byword for evil living. The very word korinthiazesthai, to live like a Corinthian, had become a part of the Greek language, and meant to live with drunken and immoral debauchery ... Aelian, the late Greek writer, tells us that if ever a Corinthian was shown upon the stage in a Greek play he was shown drunk. The very name Corinth was synonymous with debauchery and there was one source of evil in the city which was known all over the civilized world. (William Barclay, The Letters To The Corinthians, p. 2-3).

“One of the fascinating subjects in the life of the apostle is the exchange of communications and news between him and his converts in Corinth. The communications revealed that there were factions forming in the branch with different views regarding moral conduct and doctrine. Some of the converts were assuming a libertine or freethinking attitude with respect to the doctrines which had been taught to them by Paul and the missionaries who worked with him. Some were defending loose sexual standards that were rampant in the notorious city. These problems came into being because of the background of the new converts and the conditions of the time and place in which they were living. There were reactions to the new faith which had been taught to them against the old background which had been part of their former conduct and thinking.

“It was his concern over these disappointing happenings and also the questions that had been asked of him in the communications that caused Paul to write a letter to the saints at Corinth at Easter time, the anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus.” (Howard W. Hunter in CR, Apr. 1969, p. 136.)

In addition to rebuking the Corinthians for their loose manner of living, Paul wrote for at least two other reasons: (1) to correct certain misapprehensions which had arisen from a former letter, now lost, and (2) to answer certain questions posed by the Corinthians in their return letter, also lost. Unfortunately we can only surmise from Paul’s comments in First Corinthians as to the contents of his first letter or the reply thereto ( 1 Corinthians 7:1 ). We are thus in much the same position as one who has found an old letter: we are privileged to read only one side of the correspondence and must guess what the questions and issues were that prompted the reply given.

As with Paul’s other epistles, so with First Corinthians: no precise date can be placed upon it. However, Paul’s reference to tarrying at Ephesus “until Pentecost” (i.e., April–May) and his expressed expectation to “winter” with the saints in Corinth ( 1 Corinthians 16:6–8 ) seems to indicate that the epistle was written some time in the early spring. Putting these statements together with what else is known concerning Paul’s life, we may tentatively assign a date of sometime during March or April of the year A.D. 57.

Chapter 1

Vs. 1 - Sosthenes - See Acts 18:12-17?

Vs. 10 - A plea for unity- Note the cross references.

Vs. 14 - Where the size of a congregation permitted, the Jewish synagogue was presided over by a college of elders ( Luke 7:3 ), who in turn were under control of one who was “the chief of the synagogue” ( Luke 8:41 ; 13:14 ). Crispus was one of these. He was in charge of the synagogue in Corinth at the time that Paul ministered the gospel in that city. He was converted by Paul’s words and shortly thereafter baptized, with his household. Paul mentions him specifically as being one of the few he baptized in Corinth.

Vs. 17 - Some have used this scripture passage to support the notion that Paul saw no real significance to the act of baptism and did not consider it to be essential in God’s sight. To argue thus is to ignore the many other passages in which Paul speaks of the ordinance not only in an approving way but in a manner to suggest its absolute necessity for all who would enjoy a valid relationship with Christ. (See Romans 6:3, 4 ; Ephesians 4 , 5 ; Galatians 3:27 ; Colossians 2:12 .) The context in which Paul’s statement appears is that of chastising the Corinthian saints for their tendency to stir up division and strife, even on the smallest of issues. He begs them to cease such practices and to be “joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” ( 1 Corinthians 1:10 .) The Greek word for divisions, schismata, is very expressive of Paul’s true feelings. It was as if the great apostle was so thoroughly ashamed of such factionalism that he refused to be identified with it. The test of one’s effectiveness as a representative of Jesus Christ is not how many he baptizes but how well he spreads the word of God so that all who will hear and obey may do so.

Vs. 23. In setting forth the idea that the crucifixion was a “stumblingblock” to the Jews, Paul used a metaphor common to both Greeks and Hebrews. The word in the original Greek is skandalon, the same from which we derive our word scandal. The skandalon was the movable triggerstick of a trap or snare which, when struck by the foot, caused the striker to be caught by the trap. It is often used in the New Testament as a symbol of Christ because his appearance and brief sojourn among men was so different from that which the Jews anticipated. They expected a mighty king of glory who would throw off the hated yoke of Rome in one miraculous stroke and establish a messianic kingdom in which faithful Jews would reign supreme. As far as many of the Jews were concerned, Jesus was nailed to a cross just as hundreds of others had been. This was indeed the triggerstick that caused them to stumble and fall into the trap. The prophet Jacob in the Book of Mormon also spoke of this stumbling ( Jacob 4:14, 15 ).

Vs. 26-27 - Examples? See also 2 Nephi 9:28-29; D&C 35:13; 124:1, 17-24  & DNTC, 2:316–17.)

Vs. 28 - Here is an example of how words can change through the centuries by acquiring a meaning almost opposite to that which they originally conveyed. In the English of the 1600s, base meant “lowly” or “humble,” whereas today it carries with it the idea of “lewd and evil.”

Chapter 2 - Vs. 6 & 7 - For centuries the Greeks had glorified wisdom and man’s ability to achieve. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle—these were the men of reverence. Even the very word philosopher means “lover of wisdom.” But Paul’s point is that true wisdom comes only from God, and that therefore only those who are spiritually minded can understand and receive true wisdom. Notice the phrases Paul uses in contrasting the two kinds of wisdom in 1 Corinthians 2:6, 7 . The core of Paul’s whole line of reasoning is summed up in 1 Corinthians 2:14 . The unspiritual (or natural) man misperceives truth because it is perceived only by the Spirit.

Chapter 3 - Unity & humility are again emphasized in this chapter. (How often? How important? 

Vs. 16 & 17 - "In a place where several temples were dedicated to Apollo, Aphrodite, and others, Paul taught about the temple of the true God which is the Church Of Jesus Christ. The temple of God spoken of in these verses is the body of believers in Christ, that is, his Church, and the Spirit of God dwelleth among or within you. If any man defiles the temple of God-meaning an apostate who distorts the doctrine and draws away disciples after him-he will be destroyed by God. (Ogden p. 132)

Vs. 19-23 - Who do you choose, Scholars or apostles and prophets.

Chapter 4 - Vs. 16 Oh that we could be able to say, "be ye followers of me".

Chapter 5 - 9 of Paul's 14 Epistles warn about sexual morality. Here Paul reprimanded the Corinthian Saints in the strongest of terms for allowing a case of incest to go uncorrected. He commanded in the name of the Lord that the guilty party be excommunicated. Paul said, “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (5:6), speaking of the damaging potential of allowing a moral problem as serious as incest to remain unpurged. It should be recalled that a few years later Paul prophesied that the abandonment of true religion would be accompanied by the acceptance of degenerate standards of moral behavior. (See 2 Tim. 3:1–4.) Bill O'Reilly- "We have shot ourselves in the foot"

Chapter 6 - D&C 58:21-22

Chapter 7 -

1. It is quite certain, based on the customs of his time, that Paul was married early in his life. (Of the 613 commandments that the Jews believed to be found in the Old Testament, marriage was the first-and Paul was at one time a strict Pharisee. Marriage was a solemn  duty, and he knew it was not good of for a man to be alone) 2. We know nothing of his family. 3. Much of his council on not getting married pertained to missionaries. 4. Much pertained to his time and not to ours as we can currently understand it. 5. We should be grateful that we do not have to rely only upon the writings of Paul, in their current form, for direction on marriage. 6. There is much that Paul wrote which is very beneficial for married couples of any age. 7:3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, (D&C 74 &18:15-16),

Vs. 19, 20, JST 29-33 (Missionaries serve better if they are single)

Chapter 8 - Vs. 8-9, 12 - Eating meat sacrificed to idols. It is not the meat it is the example!

Chapter 9 - Paul is willing to adjust who he is to win converts. Accommodation, but not compromise.

Chapter 10 - Vs. 1-12 - The Israelites in the wilderness thought they were bullet-proof, but many of them fell-vs. 12

Vs. 13- Note Alma 13:28 and footnote a

Vs. 21- Choose ye this day...

Chapter 11 The Sacrament - "With so much at stake, {the sacrament} should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is. It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment. It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions. As such it should not be rushed, It is not something to get over so that the real purposes of a sacrament meeting can be pursued. This is the real purpose of the meeting." (JFHolland CR 1995 p. 89)

Chapter 12-14  Spiritual gifts - See also D&C 46 and Moroni 10:8-18

Charity - We do not love if we do not show our love. "The concept of love is not a giant gift on a special occasion but the continued support of personal caring...The tragedy of many unloving people is that they only imagine they love. In truth they want to love but do not pay the price to move from wishful thinking to reality..The impatient jerk on a child, the harsh word to someone trying to assist, or the cold shoulder to a spouse all reveal a smallness of soul...It is subtly disguised in appearing to care but being too busy...Parents in time with their divine calling know that eternal potential is wrapped up with their helpless and uncoordinated infant. Parents of resistant teenagers are wise if they remember that the potential is still there, and gospel brothers and sisters with this vision will do the same. The future is unlocked by pure love, which believes and hopes all things...For Paul, knowledge must be supplemented and revised but love never fails (13:8). The gospel experience of unselfish love is closer to eternity than anything else. It may be counterfeited by immorality and cheapened in superficial society. But genuine love is a taste of eternity. (Anderson, Understanding Paul 119, 124)

14:1-6 See TPJS p. 162, 195, 247 & 229 for additional information on the gift of tongues.

Chapter 15 - Perhaps the most revealing doctrinal problem at Corinth was the belief of some that there is no resurrection. Here Paul established the validity of the doctrine that Jesus rose from the dead and that all people would do likewise, pointing out that Christianity is meaningless if there is no resurrection. (See 1 Cor. 15:14, 17–19.

The Homer Ellsworth article of Birth Control came from the August 1979 Ensign, "I have a question"