Sermons and Biblical Studies

1 CORINTHIANS 11:13–16 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her … (1 Cor. 11:15). To sum up his teaching on head coverings in public worship and the divinely appointed order of authority established at creation, Paul exhorts Christians to judge the matter for themselves. Should we not do what … Continue reading “THE WOMAN’S GLORY”

1 CORINTHIANS 11:10–12 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head … (1 Cor. 11:10). Concerning verse 10, “There is scarcely a passage in the New Testament which has so much taxed the learning and ingenuity of commentators than this,” Hodge wrote. “The meaning which it naturally suggests … Continue reading “A SIGN OF AUTHORITY”

1 CORINTHIANS 11:8–9 For man is not from woman, but woman from man (1 Cor. 11:8). Paul proves his assertion that man is the glory of God and woman the glory of man with two facts from creation. First, man did not originate from woman, but woman from the man. Second, man was not created … Continue reading “FOUNDATIONS FROM CREATION”

1 CORINTHIANS 11:6–7 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn (1 Cor. 11:6). In verse 14, Paul refers to a type of “covering” given in nature: long hair for the woman. Whenever we have a lesson both from the Scriptures and from nature, we are doubly bound to obey. We … Continue reading “HAIR OR VEIL?”

1 CORINTHIANS 11:4–5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head … (1 Cor. 11:5). Because of the divinely established order that men are subordinate to Christ and women subordinate to men, everyone should act in accordance with that order: the man by having his head uncovered in public … Continue reading “VEILED IN THE ASSEMBLY”

1 CORINTHIANS 10:31–11:1 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). Returning now to our study of 1 Corinthians, we find Paul’s summary statement of his teaching on eating food sacrificed to idols. His conclusion is that in all things, even in the … Continue reading “FOR GOD’S GLORY”

1 TIMOTHY 4:1–5 … in latter times some will depart from the faith … having their own conscience seared with a hot iron … (1 Tim. 4:2). The reason people do not live by the law of God is because of sin. Sin is the disrupter of all that is good, and as Paul says, … Continue reading “THE DEFILED CONSCIENCE”

LAMENTATIONS 3:40–66 Let us examine our ways and test them and let us return to the Lord (Lam. 3:40 niv). The English Pastor William Ames wrote that the conscience belongs to the “practical judgment” by which a man can know right from wrong “to the end that it may be a rule within him to … Continue reading “DIRECTION OF CONSCIENCE”

1 TIMOTHY 1 The goal … is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience (1 Tim. 1:5 niv). Debate has swirled in theological circles concerning the function of the conscience. Some say it functions in the rational faculty of the soul, while others, such as Puritan Richard Sibbes, maintain that the … Continue reading “FUNCTION OF THE CONSCIENCE”

ROMANS 2 … the law written on their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness (Rom. 2:15). Paul often exhorts Christians to live by their own conscience and to be sensitive to the consciences of others. He recognizes the God-given authority of the conscience over the soul, exhorting his readers to obey the conscience even when … Continue reading “THE ROLE OF CONSCIENCE”