Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letter of Apostle Paul – I Corinthians
An Intimate Review
PT 5
By Lawrence DeMetrius

In [I Cor 8:1-3] Apostle Paul advises that mere KNOWLEDGE PUFFS one UP. This truth is evident in many highly educated people. In fact, Apostle Paul suggests that the more one KNOWS the more it becomes evident that there is yet more to KNOW. Therefore, increased KNOWLEDGE should make one humbler in character and reliant upon Yahweh for insight. CHARITY on the other hand EDIFIES.

*knowledge Gk #1108 gnosis (gno-sis) it is knowledge and the act of knowing

*puffeth up Gk #5448 phusioo (foo-see-o-o) it means to inflate and make proud or haughty

*charity Gk #26 agape (ag-ah-pay) it is…

1. love, which is…
a. affection, which is…
i. fond attachment, devotion or love
1. fond is…
a. having a liking or feelings for
b. being loving and affectionate
c. being excessively tender or overindulgent
d. cherishing with strong and unreasoning feeling
b. benevolence, which is…
i. charitableness, goodwill and desire to do good to others
ii. an act of kindness or a charitable gift

2. a love-feast, which is a…
a. meal eaten in token of brotherly love and charity among Christians
b. rite in imitation of this, practiced by a number of modern denominations in the fashion of a fellowship meal
c. banquet or gathering of persons to promote good feeling, restore friendly relations or to honor a special guest
*edifieth Gk #3618 oikodomeo (oy-kod-om-eh-o) it means to be a house builder, construct and confirm

CHARITY is the power to BUILD UP, not tear down. In Apostle Paul’s perspective it is the greatest ability to desire and have. [I Cor 12:31; 13] In [I Cor 8:4-8] he continues to expound upon the idea of eating meats sacrificed to idols, which was of paramount concern for some new Christian converts. Apostle Paul masterfully uses the subject to exemplify how one should handle their personal conduct, so as to keep it from being a STUMBLINGBLOCK to the WEAKER in Christian Faith. Per this discourse Apostle Paul is addressing spiritual immaturity that can negatively affect one’s perception of offending deities that do not exist. Christians can DEFILE their own CONSCIENCE when they lack proper KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING, namely of spiritual and supernatural matters. This is why they must maintain acuteness in scriptural knowledge and guard their minds against erroneous doctrines. Just as Lucifer used erroneous interpretation of Yahweh’s Word in Eden, he does so today with the Doctrine of Christ. [Gen 3; Mt 7:15-23; 24:5, 11, 24; II Cor 3-5, 13-15; Gal 1:6-9; I Jn 2:18-29; II Jn vs 7-11] He as a hungry roaring lion targets WEAKMINDED Christians because they are easy prey. [Job 1:7; I Pet 5:8] Continuing with his discourse on eating meats sacrificed to idols, Apostle Paul clarifies that eating meats that were commonly sacrificed to idols in itself is not wrong in Yahweh’s perspective. However, in [I Cor 8:9; Rm 14:13] he instructs mature Christians to heed personal LIBERTY of eating such meats should it become a STUMBLINGBLOCK to a Christian babe.

*liberty Gk #1849 exousia (ex-oo-see-ah) it is…
1. privilege, force, capacity and competency
2. freedom, mastery, authority and jurisdiction
3. a magistrate, token of control and delegated influence

*stumbling block Gk #4348 proskomma (pros-kom-mah) it is an occasion of apostasy

Because of who and what they are in Christ, the Elect of GOD are expected to check personal LIBERTIES that can potentially OFFEND the lambs of HIS flock. Per Jesus Christ such conduct can invoke great consequence. [Mt 5:19; 18:7]

Christians who are renown for being well versed in the Word of Christ can easily become negative INFLUENCES as did priests of the ancient past per their personal conduct. [Eccl 10:1; Isa 64:6; Hos 4:6] Spiritually mature Christians are to maintain a demeanor that expresses godliness and will not be misperceived as wickedness. [I Thes 5:22]

The Calling of the Elect

In [I Cor 9:1-3] Apostle Paul notes that the divine assignment or calling of the Elect is evident by their fruit and productivity in Christian Ministry.

Compensation for Christian Ministry

In [I Cor 9:4-23; Lk 10:7; Lev 10:13] Apostle Paul addresses monetary earnings for services rendered in Christian Ministry. He clarifies that it is not wrong to require or receive compensation for services rendered as a minister of THE LORD. Such compensation was first established by Yahweh for the Levitical priests. In this passage, Apostle Paul states that he often forfeited such compensation to be more accessible as a minister of GOD. He regarded the opportunity to do so as compensation in itself as he was called to serve both Hebrews and Gentile nations. Indeed, where there is no compensation required, there is likely more liberty to preach without restriction.

Dealing with Temptation

In [I Cor 9:24-27; 10] Apostle Paul reiterates SELF-CONTROL to maintain one’s obligation to godly character and conduct. [Mt 5:14-16, 19; James 1:21-25; 4:7; II Cor 10:4, 5] Oracles of Yahweh are to KEEP UNDER their BODY and bring it under SUBJECTION lest by any MEANS, when they have PREACHED to others, they themselves should become CASTAWAYS. They accomplish this by remaining holistically submitted to Yahweh through Christ. [Mt 4:1-11; Jn 8:31, 32, 36; 15:1-5; Rom 6:23-26; 7:25; 8:9; II Cor 12:9, 10]

*keep under Gk #5299 hupopiazo (hoop-o-pee-adzo) it means to…
• hit under the eye, buffet or disable an antagonist as a pugilist
• tease or annoy into compliance or subdue one’s passions

*body Gk #4983 soma (so-mah) it is the body as a sound whole

Mortals are triune beings. Those who are born-again are to govern their SOMA with their renewed mind. [St Jn 4:23, 24; Rm 12:1-3; Jam 1:13-15] While the physical BODY has its animalistic impulses, it does not perform solely of its own but requires direction of intellect and sentiment. Thus, it is subject to the dictates of the inner self. Apostle Paul writes,

But I keep under my BODY, and bring it into SUBJECTION: lest that by any means, when I have PREACHED to others, I myself should be a CASTAWAY.
[I Cor 9:27]

*subjection Gk #1396 doulagogeo (doo-lag-ogue-eh-o) it means to be a slave-driver, enslave, subdue and bring into subjection

*preached Gk #2784 kerusso (kay-roo-so) it means to herald as a public crier, especially the divine truth

*castaway Gk #96 adokimos (ad-ok-ee-mos) it means unapproved, rejected and worthless

It is possible for born-again believers to find themselves dispositioned in the UNAPPAPROVED, REJECTED and WORTHLESS state when they fail to bring their carnal and animalistic nature under SUBJECTION to their renewed spiritual nature. Christ Himself warned that while one’s born-again spirit is willing to do right at all times, their carnal nature is always prone to do wrong. [Mt 26:41] It is a struggle that all mortals have to deal with until they transition to immortality. [Phil 3:19, 20] In [I Cor 10:1-11] Apostle Paul uses Israel’s experience in the Wilderness of Zin to illustrate what can happen when GOD’S Elect fail to believe HIS WORD and practice self-discipline. He admonishes them to do the following.

1. Not to LUST after EVIL THINGS as Israel LUSTED. [I Cor 10:6]

*lust Gk #1511 einai (i-nahee) it means to exist and lust after


*lust Gk #1938 epithumetes (ep-ee-thoo-may-tace) it is one who craves, which is to…
• long for, want greatly or eagerly desire
• require, need or earnestly beg for something

*evil Gk #2556 kakos (kak-os) it means intrinsically worthless

*lusted Gk #1937 epithumeo (ep-ee-thoo-meh-o) it means to set the heart upon and long for rightly or otherwise

2. Not to be IDOLATERS. [I Cor 10:7]

*idolaters Gk #1496 eidololatres (i-do-lol-at-race) it is one who serves and worships an image

3. Not to commit FORNICATION. [I Cor 10:8]

*fornication Gk #4203 porneuo (porn-yoo-o) it means to act the harlot, indulge in unlawful desires and idolatry

Apostle Paul is referring to one’s CRAVING for that which is EVIL. The mindset of a genuine HARLOT is to do whatever they believe is necessary to get what they want from whoever or whatever they believe they can get it from.

4. Not to TEMPT Christ as it may cause one to be DESTROYED by SERPENTS. [I Cor 10:9]

*tempt Gk #1598 ekpeirazo (ek-pe-rad-zo) it means to thoroughly test, which is to try or be subject to a test of any kind

*destroyed Gk #622 apollumi (ap-ol-oo-mee) it means to fully destroy, perish and lose

*serpents Gk #3789 ophis (of-is) it is a snake, type of sly and artfully malicious person, namely Lucifer


• artful, is being…
o slyly crafty, cunning, deceitful and tricky
o ingenious and skillful or clever in adapting means to ends
o done with and characterized by use of art or skill

• malicious is being…
o full of, characterized by or showing malice
o spiteful and intentionally harmful

SERPENTS are figurative of satanic forces that only come to inflict hurt upon mortals. [Gen 3; Deut 6:16; Mt 4:7; Jn 10:10; Eph 6:11, 12] In some cases, Yahweh permits idolaters to be overtaken by them as HE did rebellious Hebrews in the Wilderness of Zin. [Isa 53:16; Prov 16:4; Rm 9:15-21, 33]

5. Not to MURMUR as it can cause one to be DESTROYED by the DESTROYER. [I Cor 10:10; Isa 54:16]

*murmur Gk #1111 gogguzo (gong-good-zo) it means to grumble, which is to…
• mutter in discontent or sullenly complain
• rumble, growl and utter low, indistinct sounds
• express or utter with murmuring or complaining

*destroyer Gk #3644 olothreutes (ol-oth-ryoo-tace) it is one who ruins and a venomous serpent

MURMURING can invoke the presence and influence of satanic powers. In trying times, proper control of the tongue helps to prevent delayed blessings and unfortunate consequence. [Jm 1:2-4, 26; 2:1-12; Ps 34:1] In [I Cor 10:12] Apostle Paul warns against self-righteousness and carnality. Christians are to STAND as rightly as they should before Yahweh and take HEED lest they FALL.

*standeth Gk #2476 histemi (his-tay-mee) it means to stand, abide and continue

*heed Gk #991 blepo (blep-o) it means to look at, behold, beware, perceive, regard and see

*fall Gk #4098 pipto (pip-to) it means to fall down, fail or light upon
In [I Cor 10:13a] Apostle Paul reiterates that no TEMPTATION has TAKEN the Elect but that which is COMMON to all mortals.

*temptation Gk #3986 peirasmos (pi-ras-mos) it is...
1. a putting to proof by experiment of good or experience of evil
2. solicitation, discipline and provocation
3. adversity, which is…
a. adverse, unfavorable or unfortunate circumstance or fate
b. a condition marked by misfortune, calamity or distress

*taken Gk #2983 lambano (lam-ban-o) it means to take and get hold of

*common Gk #442 anthropinos (anth-ro-pee-nos) it means human

The Elect of GOD are to realize that whatever ADVERSE situation they might face in life is or has been experienced others. Therefore, they are expected to check their attitude in seasons of testing, especially when such is divinely orchestrated. [Jam 1:2-4] In [I Cor 10:13b] Apostle Paul assures that THE LORD is FAITHFUL to always provide a WAY of ESCAPE with every TEMPTATION experienced by an Elect. HE will not SUFFER any of them be TEMPTED above what they can BEAR.

*faithful Gk #4103 pistos (pis-tos) it means trustworthy and trustful

*suffer Gk #1439 eao (eh-ah-o) it means to let be, permit or leave alone

*tempted Gk #3985 peirazo (pi-rad-zo) it means to test, endeavor, scrutinize, entice and discipline

*make Gk #4160 poieo (poy-eh-o) it means to make or do

*way to escape Gk #1545 ekbasis (ek-bas-is) it is an exit or end

*bear Gk #5297 hupophero (hoop-of-er-o) it means to bear from underneath and undergo hardship


In [I Cor 10:14-33] Apostle Paul admonishes Christians to avoid idolatry at all costs. He notes that all natural elements are generated from the earth and rightly belongs to Yahweh. However, when anything becomes an object of idolatry or encourages acts perceived as idolatrous, it is to be shunned, especially if it can potentially become a STUMBLING BLOCK to new Christian converts.

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