Bible historians say Paul wrote 1 Corinthians around AD 55, during his third missionary journey, while ministering in Ephesus. You can see this from Acts 19:1—20:1 and with the epistle itself [16:8,9]. Paul started the church at Corinth during his second missionary journey [Acts 18:1–17] between AD 50 to 52, staying there for about 18 months.
Bible historians say Paul wrote 1 Corinthians around AD 55, during his third missionary journey, while ministering in Ephesus. You can see this from Acts 19:1—20:1 and with the epistle itself [16:8,9]. Paul started the church at Corinth during his second missionary journey [Acts 18:1–17] between AD 50 to 52, staying there for about 18 months.
Why do I remember, the past and my mistakes?
Explorers take their resources and discover uncharted worlds. That is true of ancient Greek and Roman armies, Spanish and Portuguese sailors, and modern-day astronauts. There is a verse of scripture that demands our exploration, for it opens new and brilliant vistas of understanding and practical, spiritual life.
I clearly remember 58 years ago today. It was a Thursday night and I was upstairs in my parents’ bedroom. Everyone else watched another TV show downstairs, and I was up watching my favorite “Ironside” with Raymond Burr, which started at 7 p.m. It was interrupted by a news bulletin. Martin Luther King Jr. had been shot in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Bible shows us how to live according to God’s plan. It also shows people who did not love God and obey His will in their lives. That includes Cain who killed his brother [Genesis 4:1-8], Balaam who sought bribes [Numbers 22], Saul who preferred worldly prestige and riches to serving God [1 Samuel 15], Solomon who was deceived by the idolatry of his many wives [1 Kings 11:14], and Judas who betrayed his Master for worldly power and money [John 12:6].
Zacharias and Elisabeth are great examples of a united couple who learned, at times from mistakes, and were bold to speak for God. They were filled by the Holy Spirit and saw God’s grace, forgiveness, service, and deliverance in their lives.
Time to get dressed.
The Bible is God’s will for us and is beautifully put together. Paul’s letters, for example, give teaching, reproof, and correction. You see that in “triads” like Romans-Corinthians-Galatians and Ephesians-Philippians-Colossians. Let’s look at this first group and see how God’s spiritual love in us brings true freedom when we manifest it, show it forth with power.
Last night I remembered a couple of old hymns we sang in my childhood going to Roman Catholic mass. They are “Shepherd of Souls in Love Come Feed Us,” and “O Sacred Head, Surrounded.” I can still sing most of the lyrics because we repeated them during many Sundays [and some weekday masses at the RC school I attended] in my youth. They do show a love and appreciation for what Christ has done for us.
Paul taught Timothy to walk by God’s spirit and to use the spiritual abilities that he had in Christ. One specific encouragement he gave can be applied to our lives.