Dr Paul Allen

English: Their are thousands of artworks created in the art world depicting St Paul. This painting was created by the famous artist called Rembrandt. It hangs on the walls of the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Snobbishness, factionalism, insensitivity to other believers, doctrinal looseness and over-exuberance all flourished in the Corinthian church .  When the apostle Paul heard about the difficulties, he was grieved because he had founded the church and felt closely tied to it. He therefore wrote an intense and pointed letter. When you read Corinthians and grasp the fresh and gripping exposition of the text itself, the relevance of Paul's letter for our times is clearly seen.  His hope is that all churches may better live out the lordship of Christ in today's cosmopolitan world. Related articles Week 16: Wednesday The Scandal of Division We are all Corinthians now Modern Commentary on 1st Corinthians by F...

Image via Wikipedia "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." ( Philippians 2:4 )   Our responsibility is to think like the Lord Jesus , part of which requires "looking" (marking, identifying) matters beyond our own concerns.   Part of that responsibility is caution. "Now I beseech you, brethren,  mark  [same Greek word for 'look'] them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them" ( Romans 16:17 ).  Another part is being aware of godly examples. "Brethren, be followers together of me, and  mark  them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample" ( Philippians 3:17 ).   Surely that responsibility also includes that "we then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves" ( Romans 15:1 ).  And in cases of necessary discipline: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spir...

Image via Wikipedia "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God ." ( Ephesians 3:10 )   There is "an innumerable company of angels" in heaven ( Hebrews 12:22 ) who serve as "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" ( Hebrews 1:14 ).   At the same time, it is instructive to realize we also have a ministry to the angels. Despite their great power and knowledge, angels are not the "heirs of salvation" themselves, and so will never personally experience that peculiar type of love and fellowship which we share with our Lord and Savior. Nevertheless, as personal beings with the free will to reject their role as God's servants if they choose, they are intensely interested in our salvation. "Which things the angels desire to look into" ( 1 Peter 1:12 ).   In addition to serving for the protection and guidan...

Image via Wikipedia "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God ." ( Ephesians 3:10 )   There is "an innumerable company of angels" in heaven ( Hebrews 12:22 ) who serve as "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" ( Hebrews 1:14 ).   At the same time, it is instructive to realize we also have a ministry to the angels. Despite their great power and knowledge, angels are not the "heirs of salvation" themselves, and so will never personally experience that peculiar type of love and fellowship which we share with our Lord and Savior. Nevertheless, as personal beings with the free will to reject their role as God's servants if they choose, they are intensely interested in our salvation. "Which things the angels desire to look into" ( 1 Peter 1:12 ).   In addition to serving for the protection and guidan...