Pathways For Sojourners

[Beetow]

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098) 1Cor 10:32-33 . . Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles,
nor to the church of God: even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine
own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

The main issue here is tolerance, i.e. courtesy and sympathy with respect to
cultural differences.

Tolerance is especially appropriate in the USA where we have folks residing from all
over the globe who've brought a variety of foreign customs along with them. Most
of those customs are harmless and it behooves us to indulge their practice for the
sake of harmony.
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[Beetow]

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099) 1Cor 11:1 . . Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

In the Catholic religion, a "saint" is a role model for others. Well, 1Cor 11:1 lists an
exceptional model for everyone regardless of their age, race, gender, and/or
religious affiliation.

Christ is very famous 'round the world for exemplifying the virtues of kindness,
loyalty, forgiveness, lenience, and generosity.
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[Beetow]

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100) 1Cor 11:3 . . But I would have you know, that the head of every man is
Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

* Beware becoming militant about this because it's neither a gender issue, an
intelligence issue, a competency issue, a strength issue, or a maturity issue. This
particular hierarchy is based upon seniority, i.e. primogeniture. (1Tim 2:13)

Adam was created first; and that was directly from dirt. Afterwards, Eve was
constructed but not directly from dirt-- instead, she was constructed with material
taken from Adam's body. So then, he was her senior and she his junior. Had Eve
been constructed directly from dirt she would've been Adam's equal but coming
from his body makes her more like a daughter; and to my knowledge; daughters
are never equal to their daddy.

NOTE: There's way too many Christians out there ready to pit Paul against himself
by quoting another of his passages, for example:

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were
baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor
Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal
3:26-28)

Yes, men and women are one in Christ, but then Jesus and his Father are one also,
yet there is a hierarchy in the Divinity to wit: the head of Christ is God.
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[Beetow]

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101) 1Cor 11:4-5a . . Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered
disrespects his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head
uncovered disrespects her head.

Christian women aren't required to cover their hair at all times and in all
circumstances; only whenever they pray and/or prophesy; especially in the
presence of men. The idea here is for the woman to avoid drawing attention to
herself.

NOTE: Women's hair coverings aren't merely a token of deference to a higher
power, rather; scarves and hijabs serve the purpose of dimming their glamour just
a bit. I mean; dolled-up women easily outshine men, and that's permitted in
secular situations, but not in liturgical situations.

This isn't a gender issue: it's primarily an issue related to primogeniture, i.e.
seniority. The man was created first, then afterwards the woman was constructed
with material taken from his body. In reality then; Adam, in concert with God,
served as Eve's origin, i.e. women owe their existence to a man; and they were
intended for a supporting role rather than a co-star's role. (Gen 2:18)
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[Beetow]

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102) 1Cor 11:6a . . If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair
cut off;

It's tempting to construe these rules as demeaning to women; but we're getting at
something fundamental here that goes all the way back to the first few chapters of
Genesis.

● 1Cor 11:7-8 . . A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and
glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from
woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for
man.

Women, by nature, are far more alluring than men. And that's okay @ home and/or
out in the world where they're allowed to pour on the glam and look amazing. But
in church, they ought to dull their shine a bit due to Adam's seniority and the rule
of God in the grand scheme of things.

● 1Cor 11:6b . . If it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off,
she should cover her head.

If Christian women would be somewhat embarrassed to show up in church with a
man's hair, then they have only one other option; and that's to show up in church
with a women's. But in order to retain their beauty in the presence of God; they are
simply going to have to tone it down a bit by obscuring their hair with something or
Heaven will have no choice but to assume the worst about them.

According to Gen 2:18, women were intended to function in a supporting role rather
than a co-starring role. Inequality of any kind is no doubt unacceptable to militant
feminists, but if we attempt to appease their discontent we'll only end up
disappointing the man's creator.
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[Beetow]

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103) 1Cor 11:7-10 . . A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and
glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from
woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for
man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a token
of authority on her head.

According to Ps 8:1-5 and Heb 2:6-7, the angels are a step above human life so for
sure women rank below celestial beings just as they rank below the image and
glory of God.

Well anyway; whoever these angels are, or whatever they are, they're apparently
indignant when they see women in church acting as though they're equals with men
in the presence of God.

Christians have simply got to come to grips with the reality that women are not
equal to men in the divine order of things. No, they will always be daddy's little girl.
Ergo: women aren't from Venus after all; no, they're actually the daughters of Mars
(so to speak).

POSIT: Paul meant that hair coverings are optional when he said: "But if any man
seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God"
(1Cor 11:16)

REPLY: Apparently the Jews' synagogues, and all the rest of the Christian churches
in the Roman world, required their women to attend worship services with
something on their heads. Were the Corinthians' women allowed an exemption,
they would stand out as heretics.

"Judge in yourselves: is it proper that a woman pray unto God uncovered?" (1Cor
11:13)

The answer of course is no! it isn't proper-- it's insolent, inappropriate, irreverent,
and offensive to angels; plus it's conduct unbecoming for women professing Christ's
divine prerogative to tell his followers how to be a Christian.
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[Beetow]

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104) 1Cor 11:27-30 . .Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an
unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A
man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and
drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a
number of you have fallen asleep.

The Greek word for "unworthy" basically means: irreverently; which Webster's
defines as: lacking proper respect or seriousness. In other words "sacrilege" which
is gross irreverence toward a hallowed person, place, or thing.

"sinning against the body and blood of the Lord" is very similar language to 1Cor
6:18, which states: The immoral man sins against his own body. There, as here,
we're not talking about suicide and/or homicide; were talking about desecration;
which Webster's defines as: to violate the sanctity of, to profane-- viz: to treat with
disrespect, i.e. irreverently and/or outrageously.

"A man ought to examine himself" is an imperative to make double sure that one's
heart is in the right place when consuming the elements (a.k.a. species). Some
people gulp them down as if they were nothing more than a snack of hot wings and
cold beer during a Super Bowl game instead of a sacred reminder of what God's son
endured to ransom their souls from a second death in the lake of brimstone
depicted at Rev 20:11-15. Those people have to expect that a very indignant father
is going to come down on them for that-- maybe not with sickness, maybe not with
death, and maybe not right away; but eventually with something; and really, who
can blame Him?

NOTE: Frequency is flexible; so if somebody is a bit nervous about going about it in
the wrong way, then I suggest not taking chances, instead: they should hold off
for as long as it takes until they know what they're doing.
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[Beetow]

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105) 1Cor 11:33-34 . . My brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for each
other. If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together
it may not result in judgment.

The command doesn't frown upon things like church banquets, men's' breakfasts,
ladies' luncheons, and/or potlucks per se. What it's criticizing is a lack of
congregational unity. Here's some comments leading up to that verse.

● 1Cor 11:17-22 . . Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you
come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come
together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I
believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved
may be recognized among you.

. .Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat The Lord's
Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is
hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or
do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I
say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

Their lack of courtesy and unity during church functions was nothing short of
hypocrisy seeing as how The Lord's supper speaks of sacrifice rather than
selfishness, elitism, and hoarding. In other words; seeing as how Christians all
share in Christ's blood equally-- and deserve Hell equally --then everyone should be
given equal treatment at church regardless of age, gender, skin color, intelligence,
income level, nationality, what side of the tracks they live on, or social status.

None of Christ's body parts are untouchable as if Christianity is a caste system; nor
are any expendable and/or non essential. God forbid that there should be some sort
of value system in a gathering of people for whom Christ suffered and died equally
for each one. That just wouldn't be right: it would be an insult to the principles
underlying The Lord's supper.

● Matt 26:27 . . Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying:
Drink from it, all of you.

If Christians are all drinking from the same cup, then they should all be, at the very
least, eating the same food and not be overly concerned about where they sit
and/or who they sit next to and/or who they're seen with. And they should also
make double sure that everyone gets enough to eat and that no one gets left out
and nobody gets more than his fair share. And they should all sit down together at
the same time. I just hate it when people don't wait for each other. Some get back
to the table and start in gulping, slurping, clattering, and clanking while others from
their table are still in line.

And they should also take into consideration the possibility that a number of their
congregation are in assistance programs like TANF and SNAP. In other words; don't
just bring enough food from home for yourself; but, if you're able, bring enough for
those among you who can't bring anything at all. And for heaven's sake, don't bring
a side dish of gourmet food along just for yourself. Leave your special gourmet stuff
at home. There's just no excuse for flaunting your "sophistication" around church
thus giving everyone the impression that everyone else's tastes are below yours.
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[Beetow]

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106) 1Cor 14:1a . . Pursue love

The Greek noun for love in that command is agape (ag-ah'-pay) which, in most
cases, is a very easy kind of love to practice. Though agape may, or may not,
include the sentiments of fondness and/or affection like the Greek word phileo (fil
-eh'-o), it always exemplifies benevolence; defined by Webster's as the disposition
to do good, i.e. kindness, consideration, generosity, courtesy, charity, lenience,
tolerance, patience, sympathy, assistance, civility, friendliness, etc.

Agape love does no harm to its neighbor. (Rom 13:10)

In a nutshell, agape love allows us to be nice to people without particularly
requiring us to like them.
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[Beetow]

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107) 1Cor 14:1b . . eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

The Greek word translated "prophecy" basically pertains to future events, but it also
pertains to inspirational speakers, i.e. stimulating.

● 1Cor 14:3 . . Everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening,
their encouragement, and their comfort.
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[Beetow]

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109) 1Cor 14:22a . .Tongues are for a sign

The sign isn't intended for the benefit of believers, but rather, for non-believers.

● 1Cor 14:22b . . Not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.

The purpose of any tongue is communication.

● 1Cor 14:9 . . Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will
anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.

So if a Christian with the Gift of Tongues is speaking a language nobody understands, they've actually
created a barrier to communication; viz: a regression to the tower of Babel; and
you can see for yourself how destructive that was to unity (Gen 11:1-9).

* Webster's defines "regression" as: movement backward to a previous, and
especially worse or more primitive state or condition; viz: backwards thinking.

Since tongues are for the benefit of unbelievers, then it's de facto that a tongue
should be a valid language that the unbeliever himself speaks and understands (cf.
Acts 2:4-11). Somebody who exercises a tongue for any other reason has missed
the point; and they're behaving like a little kid with a toy.

● 1Cor 14:20 . . Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be childish,
but in your thinking be adults.
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[hawkman]

Why on earth would a grown-up prefer incoherent blabbering? Isn't that the way
small children communicate? Well, I can excuse small children because they're
uneducated. But shouldn't supposed educated adults be just a bit more mature with
their language and grammar than small children?

Paul spoke in tongues , would you say Paul was "blabbering" as you put it ?
Paul prayed in tongues also was he "blabbering " as you put it ?

1 Corinthians 14:18 Context​

15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

 

[Beetow]

Paul spoke in tongues , would you say Paul was "blabbering" as you put it ?

Considering the scope of Paul's missionary journeys, I would say his tongues were
useful languages.

Paul prayed in tongues also was he "blabbering " as you put it ?

Had Paul suddenly found words coming out of his mouth that made no sense, then it's
my guess he would've prayed for their interpretation so he could pray with his spirit
and with his intellect.
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[Beetow]

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110) 1Cor 14:27-28 . . If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or
at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no
interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to
God.

FYI: These instructions regulating the exercise of tongues in a church meeting were
written by the apostle Paul-- a duly authorized agent speaking on behalf of
Christianity's Christ.

● 1Cor 14:37 . . If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the
Lord.

Therefore, when Christians proceed to defy the rules regulating the exercise of
tongues, they are in shameful rebellion against the very lord and master of
Christianity; and yet, ironically, many tongue violators still have the chutzpah to
pass themselves off as the Lord's Spirit-filled followers. However; a follower can be
defined as someone who gets in step and/or falls in line rather than going off
reservation to do their own thing.
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[hawkman]

Had Paul suddenly found words coming out of his mouth that made no sense, then it's
my guess he would've prayed for their interpretation so he could pray with his spirit
and with his intellect.

The words Paul is praying in tongues make sense to God , that is Who he is speaking to after all .
When a Christian with the gift of tongues prays in tongues the Holy Spirit is the one suppling every word that come out of the speaker's mouth . The intellect of the Holy Spirit is where the words are coming from , the gift of tongues speaker is not thinking the words and does not know what words are going to come out until they do .
I know this because I do pray in tongues as the Holy Spirit gives the utterance . It is a supernatural event taking place inside the Christian .
Yes , you can pray for an interpretation and sometimes you get one but it is not necessary since you are alone praying to God with the Holy Spirit giving the utterance .

Beetow , do you have the Gift of Tongues ?

 

[Beetow]

@Beetow , do you have the Gift of Tongues ?

No.
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[hawkman]

109) 1Cor 14:22a . .Tongues are for a sign

The sign isn't intended for the benefit of believers, but rather, for non-believers.

● 1Cor 14:22b . . Not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.

The purpose of any tongue is communication.

Where is the rest of the verse 1Cor14:22 ? ! ?

22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

Speaking in tongues is where the prophesying can come from , the Gift of interpretation of tongues !
The prophesying is for the believers , they don't need a sign .

If you don't understand about the Gift Of Tongues just let me know and I will do my best to help you understand .

 

[hawkman]

Posts edited and deleted , please remember the rules .

1. All posts are to be given "with gentleness and respect." Treat others as you wish to be treated, "so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."

 

[Beetow]

Where is the rest of the verse 1Cor14:22 ? ! ?

In my opinion, prophesying is an altogether different gift and not relevant to
tongues.
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[Beetow]

If you don't understand about the Gift Of Tongues just let me know and I will do my best to help you understand.

Back in 1968 when I was a young welder, a production manager at my place of
work began chatting with me about Christianity and made me aware that Jesus was
thinking of me when he went to the cross. So, in time I went with the manager to
his church and along with him and two elders went down to the front rail and
prayed this rather simple prayer.

"Lord I know I'm a sinner. I would like to take advantage of your son's death."

Then began 57 years of Sunday school classes, seminars, sermons, Bible books,
and radio Bible teachers the likes of J.Vernon McGee and others. I appreciate your
offer but I already know as much about the gift of tongues that I'll ever need to
know at 81+ years and dying of end stage esophageal cancer.
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