“Be Perfectly Joined Together” (Part 2)

All Posts Archived Lessons New Testament Old Testament Book of Mormon Doctrine & Covenants Search “Be Perfectly Joined Together” (Part 2) CFMCorner Aug 18, 2023 14 min read Updated: Jun 24, 2025 CFM: August 21–27 1 Corinthians 1–7 Videos and Podcasts Resources and Insights about this Week's Lesson Due to the number of links, a single post for this week's lesson is too big to save, so I have had to divide it up into two sections. This is Part 2, outlining chapters 4-7, with additional links and supplementary materials at the end. Make sure to check out the underlined word links within the verses and click on the root word in the link to get a broader understanding of its meaning. The unconjugated root word is identified in blue with the Strong's concordance number to the left of it. Cultural and Historical Context for 1 Corinthians 4: This chapter focuses on themes of stewardship, humility, and the true nature of apostolic ministry. The chapter provides insight into Paul's relationship with the Corinthians and his perspective on leadership within the church. Scripture Major Topic/ Theme Summary ​Cross References Videos & Resources 1 Corinthians 4 ​ ​INT ​v 1-5 ​ Stewardship and Responsibilities of Apostolic Ministry ​ Paul emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and accountability in leadership roles. He asserts that apostles are stewards of God's mysteries and that their ultimate judge is the Lord, not human opinion. ​ Prophets, Seers, and Revelators , The Prophet of God ​v. 6-13 ​ Humility and the Contrast Between Leaders, along with the Burdens. ​ Paul challenges the Corinthians' tendency to boast in favor of particular leaders. He uses irony to highlight the contrast between the apostles' suffering and the Corinthians' self-satisfied attitude. ​Peacemakers Needed ​v. 14-21 ​ Fatherly Exhortation and Warning ​ Paul addresses the Corinthians as children, reminding them of his role in their spiritual upbringing. He issues a warning and urges them to imitate his ways, grounded in humility and godliness. ​ Key Verses and Words (from the Greek, with clarified translations) : Verse 1: “This, then, is how people should think of us: as ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” Verse 5: “Therefore judge nothing before the time comes ; the Lord will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives עֵצָה of their hearts . And then everyone will have their praise ( commendation ) from God.” Verse 7: “For who makes you distinct from anyone else? What do you (they) have that you did not receive ? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” Verse 8 : Now you are full ! Already you are rich ! You have reigned as kings without us! And how I wish to God that you did reign so that we also might reign with you ! Verse 9: For I think that God has put us apostles on display at the lowest state , he has set us forth like those condemned to die ( like in an arena ). We have been made a spectacle unto the world , and to angels and humans . Verse 10: “We are fools for Christ, but you are cautiously wise in Christ! We are weak , but you are strong ! You are honored , we are despised !” Verse 15: For though ye have a myriad of instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers : for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel . (This is a passage, that requires some caution and skepticism. Paul did not begget us, Christ did. This contradicts what Paul said earlier, and it may have been a passage that was modified in the early editions.) Verse 16: “Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” Verse 20: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of inflated speech but of power (action, work, miracles).” Verse 21 : What do you want ? Shall I come to you with a rod (of discipline), or shall I come in love and with a meek spirit? Cultural and Historical Context of 1 Corinthians 5: This chapter begins to address the issue of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church. Paul deals with the sensitive topic of a specific case of immorality and emphasizes the importance of church discipline and maintaining the moral integrity of the Christian community. Scripture Major Topic/ Theme Summary ​Cross- References, Videos & Resources 1 Corinthians 5 ​ ​ ​INT ​v. 1-8 ​ Sexual Immorality and Church Discipline ​ Paul confronts the Corinthians about a case of sexual immorality within the church, likely involving a man who had a relationship with his father's wife (possibly his stepmother). Paul rebukes the leaders for their complacency and instructs them to remove the offender from their midst. Paul teaches them that the offender needs to be turned over to his adversaries, so he can answer and be accountable for his crimes in the flesh so that he might be healed, according to the Lord's timing. Paul uses a metaphor, comparing leaven to sin; he explains that a little sin can turn into a mass ive problem, and unless that problem is addressed through the processes of the Atonement , Christ's sacrifice , we will not be able to move forward in sincerity and truth . Our celebrations before the Lord will be tainted with malice and wickedness . Church Discipline , " We Believe in Being Chaste “, “ Repent … That I May Heal You ” ​v. 9-13 ​ Purity and Separation ​ Paul advises the Corinthians to choose their friends and associates wisely; to not closely associate with people who proclaim and have the reputation of engaging in immoral and illegal behaviors. If people in the church engage in wicked and immoral behaviors, appropriate disciplinary actions should be taken, including removing them from the community. Paul clarifies that his instruction for church discipline refers to those within the church community, not unbelievers, explaining that it is not his role to judge those outside of the Church ​ ​Loving Others and Living with Differences Key Verses and Words (from the Greek, with clarified translations) : Verse 1: “It is commonly reported that there is sexual immorality among you, a kind of fornication that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is named for having (sex with, laying hold of, likely rape) one of his father’s wife s .” Verse 2: “And you are proud ! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and excommunicated this man from among you who has done this deed ? Verse 5: " hand over such as one to Satan ( his adversary ) for the destruction ( punishment ) of the flesh , so that the spirit may be saved (healed) on the day of the Lord Jesus.” Verse 9: “I wrote unto you in my letter not to keep company with ( be intimate with ) the fornicators ( prostitutes , those who sell sex for money, pornography)” Verse 10: And not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous , or extortioners , or with idolaters ; for then you ought to come forth out of the world . Verse 11: “But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone that is called to be a fornicator , or covetous , an idolater , or slanderer , a drunkard , or swindler , with such as these do not eat.” (In the ancient middle eastern culture, breaking bread with someone was a sign of respect, trust, and loyalty.) Verse 12: Why should I (judge) them that are cast out ? To not judge them that are within , you all do judge. Verse 13: “God will judge those outside. Therefore, put away the wicked person from among you.'” Cultural and Historical Context for 1 Corinthians 6: Paul addresses some of the legal and moral issues that the Corinthians were dealing with. There was a lot of fighting within the Christian community, and this was creating significant conflict within and outside of the Church community. Members were suing one another, and making a bad impression on their Gentile neighbors. Unable to resolve their conflicts from within, they were appealing to civil courts, and Paul expressed his frustration with the members for not stepping up and doing better. Additionally, members of the Church were having serious issues with immorality. Not only was prostitution legal in Corinth, it was considered “sacred,” and it was being practiced in various pagan temples throughout the city. The temple of Aphrodite, known as the Acrocorinth, was situated on a hill overlooking the city and was considered one of the most famous sites of sacred prostitution in the ancient world. Thousands of men, women, and children were exploited as prostitutes. They were given titles of priests or priestesses and visitors to the temple could engage in sexual acts with these individuals as a means of offering devotion to the gods and goddesses, as a means of seeking their favor for fertility, prosperity, and blessings in various aspects of life. Paul condemned these practices, explaining that such behaviors not only violated Christian law, but it bound those who participated in them to the harlot, as a form of idolatry in addition to immorality. Those who were “one” with the harlot, could not be one with Christ. Scripture Major Topic/ Theme Summary ​ Cross References, Videos & Resources 1 Corinthians 6 ​ ​ ​INT ​v. 1-11 ​ Resolving Disputes Among Believers ​ Paul admonishes the Corinthians for taking their legal disputes before secular courts rather than resolving them within the church. He emphasizes the importance of solving conflicts peacefully within the Christian community. ​ One in Christ ​v. 12-20 ​ Fleeing Sexual Immorality ​ Paul addresses the issue of sexual immorality, urging believers to flee from it. He points out that many have struggled with various types of these challenges, and he offers comfort, reminding them that the Atonement has the power to cover these issues. All things are possible through Christ. However, Christ will not be manipulated by anyone. He will hold people accountable for their actions, allowing them to learn from their mistakes. Paul emphasizes that through the Atonement, we were bought with a price, and our bodies and spirits belong t