(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV]) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I
command you.
(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV]) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
All of the studies, book or topical, found here, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, lexicons, concordances or commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, but they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and the New Testament for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc. There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:
(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!
(Acts 18:1 [KJV])
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
(Acts 18:8 [KJV])
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
(Acts 19:1 [KJV])
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
(1 Corinthians 1:2 [KJV])
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
(2 Corinthians 1:1 [KJV])
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy [our] brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
(2 Corinthians 1:23 [KJV])
Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
(2 Corinthians 6:11 [KJV])
O [ye] Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
(2 Timothy 4:20 [KJV])
Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
Lots of good, fresh water
Lots of good, arable soil
Lots of good clay for ceramics, pottery, etc., hence "Corinthian Pottery"
Shops, fountains, carved stone temples to the Greek gods, porticos, metal workshops abounded
As a part of a major shipping lane, Corinth has four ports, on the Gulf of Corinth, between two seas
A temple to Apollo was there
Another temple was one to Aphrodite, an acropolis known as Acrocorinth, which was associated with prostitutes for the seafaring men, which made it a rich city
Perusing the two letters Paul wrote to them, it is obvious that they were apostate and backslidden.
Gifts are given by the giver. The will of God via the Spirit of God is how we get them, not by laying on hands and asking.
This is heresy which stems from a lack of belief and understanding of the book of Acts, chapter two.
It is that, it is always that, it is ONLY that, and it leads to heresy, abuse, amusement, not from God. Either it is done in ignorance (sheep) or on purpose (false teachers, false apostles).
It is solved by careful study of God's Word (2 Timothy 2:15), not privately interpreting Scripture (2 Peter 1:20), not taking verses of Scripture out of context (Isaiah 28:10, 13).
Speaking about Israel, God said their problem was listening to these babbling heathen pagans around them. The Church is not Israel, nor does it replace her, but the same principle applies, as
mankind has not changed in his stance in the flesh towards God, and has gotten worse as we are now in the very last days, warned about 2,000 years ago.
(2 Timothy 2:15 [KJV])
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
(Isaiah 28:10-14 [KJV])
For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
To whom he said, This [is] the rest [wherewith] ye may cause the weary to rest; and this [is] the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which [is] in Jerusalem.
(1 Corinthians 14:33 [KJV])
For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
(1 Corinthians 12:1 [KJV])
Now concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
This is important enough that Paul wants them to have a full understanding of this doctrine
This one problem requires Paul to dedicate and devote an entire section of his epistle to it, since it was apparently a huge problem causing confusion
(1 Corinthians 12:2 [KJV])
Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
He is speaking of idols which cannot speak...stop and think about that
Very popular in ancient Rome, Greece-idols, statues of marble, bronze, alabaster, granite
DUMB, a. Dum.
Mute; silent; not speaking. I was dumb with silence; I held my peace. Psalm 34.
Destitute of the power of speech; unable to utter articulate sounds; as the dumb brutes. The asylum at Hartford in Connecticut was the first institution in America for teaching the deaf and dumb to read and write.
Mute; not using or accompanied with speech; as a dumb show; dumb signs. To strike dumb, is to confound; to astonish; to render silent by astonishment; or it may be, to deprive of the power of speech.
DUMB, v.t. To silence.
(1 Corinthians 12:3 [KJV])
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
What Paul is saying is that lip service is meaningless. without the Holy Ghost, we cannot say it AND MEAN it
The true meaning of meaning it is salvation; the rest is just words because, if one does not believe it and mean it, then they are not saved; just mouthing, repeating, making believe, chanting
People will often do this under pressure for whatever reason, be it an invitation, a desire to be with a member of the opposite gender, parents, siblings, friends, etc.
(Romans 10:10 [KJV])
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(1 Corinthians 12:4 [KJV])
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
If you pay attention, tongues, made the most of for show today by the American church and "church", is listed dead last
This is always the case when many gifts are listed
Gifts can be abused, as they were then in Corinth, so today
(1 Corinthians 12:5 [KJV])
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
One God, One Lord, One Spirit, One Baptism, one true church, one Word of God-living and written- a diversity of gifts
The reason is about to be given, comparing it to all of the body members in one body
(1 Corinthians 12:6 [KJV])
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
Many different jobs to do within the church, by many different people, all doing one work for One LORD, One God, via One Spirit
(1 Corinthians 12:7 [KJV])
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
Hmm..........every man? Not to women?
Man represents mankind, but when women use their gifts in large congregations in America, it is publicly, for show, a sign gift ("God just spoke to me!", "I have a word from the LORD!")
I have a word from the LORD, not you. It is TH WORD, the Sword, exalted above God's Name (Psalm 138:2)
Many want them to profit themselves, to be showy, bring attention to themselves, because of personal pride
WITHAL, adv. Withaul. [with and all.]
With the rest; together with; likewise; at the same time. If you choose that, then I am yours withal. How modest in exception, and withal how terrible in constant resolution!
It is sometimes used for with. But the word is not elegant, nor much used.
(1 Corinthians 12:8 [KJV])
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
Two verses of many more proclaiming they are "given", "gift", "gifts"
We can want them all day, but the Spirit of Wisdom decides who gets what gift(s)
(1 Corinthians 12:9 [KJV])
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
A different gift, by the same Spirit
Many members, One Spirit
Many gifts, given, not asked for and automatic upon asking, but "severally as He wills"
(1 Corinthians 12:10 [KJV])
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Tongues, listed last
Tongues, not babbling "private prayer languages", because they can be interpreted by someone who speaks that earthly language
They were sign gifts, for the body, for edification, not for "personal edification!"
(1 Corinthians 12:11 [KJV])
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
"As he will"......this goes against the American mainstream lie that we can just lay hands on people and they can just open their mouth, "loose their tongue" and
start to speak with other tongues, making it up as they go along, unintelligibly babbling in what they call the tongue of angels" or "private prayer language"
Every tongue, every recorded word spoken by men and angels was and is a human language, not one was "profane babbling of the heathen" like a charismatic/pentecostal fool
All of this nonsense makes one follow God less, follow themselves and another spirit (the enemy) as deceived people, more
(Matthew 6:7 [KJV])
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
(1 Timothy 6:20 [KJV])
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane [and] vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
(2 Timothy 2:16 [KJV])
But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
(1 Corinthians 12:12 [KJV])
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ.
Simple, basic, visibly evident and obvious anatomy, biology
Ushers, pastors, deacons, members, teachers, disciples, disciplers, etc. of men, women, children, all with one God, one Spirit, one LORD, one body, one Christ
(1 Corinthians 12:13 [KJV])
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
This is at the moment of salvation; no water involved
Jews, Gentiles, the Church. Three separate entities. No God is not done with Israel yet
(1 Corinthians 12:14 [KJV])
For the body is not one member, but many.
If it were one part, it would not need unity-it would BE unity, "ONE-ITY"
(1 Corinthians 12:15 [KJV])
If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
This is a reason why all are important, from the person who cleans the building, parks cars to the elders-of the exact same body, different purpose, all rewarded for their OWN part; no one else's
This is also why there are no official title in the church, no "Pastor _______", "Doctor ______", which is a worldly, carnal, fleshly idea, not from God
Paul was Paul, not "Pastor Paul". He was not even "Pharisee Paul" or "Rabbi Paul", just "Paul"
Peter was a fisherman, named Simon Peter, not "Pastor Peter"
(1 Corinthians 12:16 [KJV])
And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
This is the same as above. Imagine an eye by itself, rolling along the ground, not attached to a head, with no mind to say what is seen. One seeing IT would say, "Where is the rest of this person?"
No feeling, no smell, no touch, no way to move on its own, nothing to show through the lens, because the optic nerve is not sending a signal to the brain
No usher, no parking lot attendant, no janitor, no teacher, no attendees-just a person "pastoring"-as in pastoring NOTHING
(1 Corinthians 12:17 [KJV])
If the whole body [were] an eye, where [were] the hearing? If the whole [were] hearing, where [were] the smelling?
Ask a deaf person or a person who has lost their sense of smell from Covid, etc., "Do you feel completely able to detect everything without all of your senses?"
The reason is that the eyes see and do nothing else in terms of the senses
While many in the body can person many different functions, the one who can do it easier and better is the gifted one, called and gifted by God to do it
(1 Corinthians 12:18 [KJV])
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
As it hath please HIM, not as we ask
(1 Corinthians 12:19 [KJV])
And if they were all one member, where [were] the body?
(1 Corinthians 12:20 [KJV])
But now [are they] many members, yet but one body.
(1 Corinthians 12:21 [KJV])
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
(1 Corinthians 12:22 [KJV])
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
(1 Corinthians 12:23 [KJV])
And those [members] of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness.
(1 Corinthians 12:24 [KJV])
For our comely [parts] have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that [part] which lacked:
(1 Corinthians 12:25 [KJV])
That there should be no schism in the body; but [that] the members should have the same care one for another.
(1 Corinthians 12:26 [KJV])
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
(1 Corinthians 12:27 [KJV])
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
(1 Corinthians 12:28 [KJV])
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
(1 Corinthians 12:29 [KJV])
[Are] all apostles? [are] all prophets? [are] all teachers? [are] all workers of miracles?
(1 Corinthians 12:30 [KJV])
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
(1 Corinthians 12:31 [KJV])
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Links to studies by book or topic are on the right menu.
1 Corinthians 13
