After concluding his comments on spiritual gifts, Paul immediately turns his attention to the gospel. He reminds the Corinthians, as well as us, of the gospel message, the gospel’s power, and the gospel mission.

The third and final chapter of Paul’s instruction on spiritual gifts has everything to do with edification. The purpose of the gifts and of public gatherings is to build up the body. Because of this, prophecy is prioritized over tongues, and order over chaos.

In the middle of his instruction on spiritual gifts, Paul highlights the priority and permanence of love. As important as spiritual gifts are to the body, nothing matters without love.

One of the Apostle Paul’s common metaphors for the church is the human body. In the second half of chapter 12, he highlights the unity-in-diversity that the church exhibits when it functions as God intended.

Paul continues to address questions from the divided Corinthian church. As he moves into the next section of his letter (chapters 12-14), he tackles the issue of spiritual gifts. Their lack of understanding about gifts has led to their misuse, abuse, and of course, disunity within the church.

In chapters 11-14, the Apostle Paul begins to address order in the public gatherings of the church. To promote unity in the church, there must be order. To end chapter 11, Paul discusses the proper observance of the Lord’s Supper.

In chapters 11-14, the Apostle Paul begins to address order in the public gatherings of the church. To promote unity in the church, there must be order. To start chapter 11, Paul talks about head coverings. What did this mean then, and how does it apply to us now?

Paul concludes his answer to the Corinthians’ question about eating food offered to idols.

Still responding to the Corinthians’ question about eating food offered to idols, Paul drives toward his full answer here in chapter 10. What happens at the tables of pagan temples is more than they might realize!

Paul turns from using himself as a good example to using Israel as a bad example. Their wilderness failures shows how disqualification occurs when discipline isn’t exercised.

Paul wraps up chapter 9 by continuing to use himself as an example of laying down your rights for the sake of the gospel and the good of your brother.

What does it look like to lay down your rights for the good of your brother or sister in Christ? Paul continues his teaching in chapter 8 by using himself as an example.

As Paul continues his letter to the Corinthians in chapter 8, he begins to address questions about idolatry and worship. Specifically, what do we do with food offered to idols? This is not a common issue in our day, but it was a significant one to the Corinthians. And the issue at hand was about far more than dietary decisions; it concerned their love for one another.

In our final parable of the Summer Stories series, we’ll consider a brief but important teaching of Jesus regarding the mustard seed.

Jesus often addressed the Pharisees during his earthly ministry, and he often addressed specific qualities they embodied. In this parable, he compares a Pharisee to a tax collector. One is proud, one is humble. One will enter the kingdom, one will miss out.

A central theme of Christianity is forgiveness. Jesus tells a parable to answer one of his disciple’s questions on our responsibility to extend forgiveness to others.

Weddings are big in the Bible, and wedding feasts are a significant image of the kingdom come. As Jesus shares this parable, he teaches us about the humility that characterizes the kingdom, which was fully embodied in his own life and death.

Jesus used fishing, a common occupation of the day, to convey significant spiritual truth about the kingdom of God. Different kinds of fish end up in a different destination. Which kind of fish are you?

One of the unique parables of Jesus is the parable of the Sower. Not only does Jesus explain its meaning to his disciples, but he defines it as critical for understanding all the parables.

Often, when Jesus spoke in parables, he spoke of eternal life, heaven, and hell. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus contrasts a rich man and a poor man’s life and eternity. What can we learn from Jesus’ teaching?