"The Whole Book"

Sunday, June 28, 2026

#1664 1 Corinthians 1 Part 2 Divide and Conquer

10 Now I exhort you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to proclaim the gospel, not in wisdom of word, so that the cross of Christ will not be made empty. 1 Corinthians 1: 10-17 LSB

1 Corinthians 1: 10-17

We left off Romans with a warning in the end about those who cause dissensions by teaching contrary to what the Church had been taught by Christ and His apostles. So we know that unity is not at the cost of truth, but rather, the straying away from truth causes disunity and the way back to being unified is being of the same mind in Christ. Ego is at the heart of our difficulties, and it should be a great honor to have someone come alongside you to help level the ground, to lay and maintain a sturdier foundation. When people tell us the truth they aren't doing us a disservice. The issue is pride will not allow us to have someone come and tear down the image of ourselves that we hold up, regardless of how unrealistic it is. We like to believe it, that it is a perfect portrait, and the failure of others to see it is their faulty eyes and lack of depth perception. It is so difficult, impossible for us to imagine that their could be someone out there that actually wants to help us remove the speck from our eye, not for the sake of an "I told you so", but for our sake, and for the sake of the body to which they too belong. It's far easier for us to insist that this person is divisive, rude, unloving and or critical. What is a doctor when he examines me?

…15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.… Romans 12: 15-17

17Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. 18For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.… Romans 16: 17-19

V. 10 I exhort you - He has given his credentials as an Apostle of Jesus Christ and so now exhorts or appeals, urges them by that same name, our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the commonality. He was the firstborn of many brethren, in Him we have life. Some commentators note that this is not a command from his Apostolic authority, but rather an urgent request or appeal, wanting the response of a changed will.

While Paul has affirmed his apostolic authority (1 Cor 1:1), here he appeals to the saints as his brethren (see preceding note on adelphos - both brothers and sisters) which would serve to soften what is clearly a criticism of their conduct. Not only that, brethren reminds the Corinthians (who were experiencing divisions) that they were in the same family, the family of God (Jn 1:12 +, 1 Jn 3:1 +). Brethren or brothers reminds one of David's words in Ps 133:1 "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!" (Play the toe tapping tune To Dwell in Unity which I think even Paul would have affirmed!)

John Calvin - “Now, after preparing their minds for rebuke, acting like a good, experienced surgeon, who touches the wound gently when a painful remedy must be used, Paul begins to handle them more severely.” - Precept Austin

V. 10 b That you all agree and that there be no divisions among you - I have found this to be true in management as well, that if the shepherds are divided the flock suffers. If we don't all come together under the banner of truth, if we have some that favor things outside of ability, experience, talent, attendance, work ethic and character then we become inconsistent and weak in our capacity to hire and build a team. In the corporate world so much is put on personality that it becomes all that people try to emulate, and they read books about winning friends and influencing people, all things that are designed to gain trust, speed up the sale or deal, but it rapidly looses substance. In the church people try to achieve unity often in the same manner, through flattery, through testing the edges of conversations enough to know what is most palatable in this group, and where we should stop so as not to offend. We stop confronting sin and avoid passages that make people feel uncomfortable; that is not true unity. On the other hand, we have those who hear read too much into things without knowing all the facts, and without praying for the person or persons they have a difference with, they go about the church gossiping instead. In the cults they strive for unity, that they all speak the same thing, but though they recognize the importance of unity, yet such a oneness in apostasy is again not what the Apostle wants the Corinthians to have.

MacArthur goes on to make an important statement - Pastoral elders should make decisions on the basis of unanimous agreement. Not even a three-fourths vote should carry a motion. No decision should be made without total one-mindedness, no matter how long that takes. Because the Holy Spirit has but one will, and because a church must be in complete harmony with His will, the leaders must be in complete harmony with each other in that will. The congregation then is to submit to the elders because it has confidence that the elders’ decisions are made under the Spirit’s direction and power. Because they believe the elders are one in the Spirit, the congregation is then determined to be one with the elders. There may be struggle in coming to this kind of unity, as there was in Corinth—but it is here mandated by the Spirit Himself through Paul. (See 1 Corinthians MacArthur New Testament Commentary)

Spurgeon - They could not speak the same thing if they had not the same mind and the same judgment. Paul dreaded the introduction of anything that would divide the hearts of believers one from another; and, beloved, let every one of us, wherever we go, be on the side of Christian truth, Christian unity, and Christian love. There is no true unity outside of truth; and the nearest way to Christian union is union in the truth. When error shall be destroyed, that which divides will be taken away; when truth is dominant, union will be universal, but it will not be so before that is the case. - PA

V. 11 That there are quarrels among you - So this is what they are coming to be known for, their testimony to the pagan world.

V. 12a I am of Paul - They had formed cliques based upon their preference of certain teachers. Paul is the writer here and condemning this. He had spent a year and a half there teaching and shepherding these people.

…8And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth. 9For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.… 1 Corinthians 15: 8-10

MacArthur gives some background - Paul had ministered in Corinth for a year and a half. He then sent Apollos to be the second pastor. Apparently a group of Jews in the church had been saved under Peter’s (Cephas’) ministry. Parties soon developed in the names of each of those men....The inevitable result of such party spirit is contention, quarrels, wrangling, and disputes—a divided church....Spirituality produces humility and unity; carnality produces pride and division. The only cure for quarreling and division is renewed spirituality. In my experience the most effective means of correcting a contentious, factious person is to share with him selected Scripture passages on carnality and its evidences, to confront him directly with the cause of his sin. (1 Corinthians MacArthur New Testament Commentary) - PA

V. 12b I of Apollos - Apollos was a great teacher in the early church, an orator well accustomed with the law and prophets, yet humble enough to be taught by some tent makers concerning the way of God more thoroughly and accurately. No matter how great the talent, the speaking ability, humility is a higher standard resting above all these. Paul considered Apollos a co-laborer, and was not threatened by him, but had encouraged him to return to visit the church at Corinth. He did not feel so inclined, and very possibly because of the reports coming out of there. It would be sad to hear that the church had fallen into such disarray, but I don't see enough hear to say exactly what his train of thought was at the time.

…24Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures. 25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him in and explained to him the way of God more accurately.… Acts 18: 24-26

12Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was not at all inclined to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity. 13Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. 14Do everything in love.… 1 Corinthians 16: 12-14

V. 12c I of Cephas - This is another name for Peter, and apparently he had a fan base hear as well. The Roman Catholics have taught that the popes are a succession of Peter, each one in turn being Christ here on earth and when sitting ex cathedra "from the chair" they are said to speak infallibly on manners of doctrine and the church. I don't believe in the "Chair of Saint Peter" and the time of the apostles has passed. This is a coworker of Paul also who Paul had to correct when Peter was allowing divisions based upon birth. He treated gentiles differently when those of the circumcision were around.

#1663 1 Corinthians 1 Part 1 Venerated As Saints

Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called as saints, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all word and all knowledge, 6 even as the witness about Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, eagerly awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, beyond reproach in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9

1 Corinthians 1: 1-9 Intro to Corinth

Corinth was famous for its ornate architecture - Corinthians columns. The paganism and sensuality of the city led to the “coining” of a word (as noted above) that represented it all - “to Corinthianize,” a word that closely resembles the contemporary expression “Let’s Party!”

Boyer: If Paul were to write a letter to the evangelical, Bible-believing churches of late twentieth century America, I believe it would be much like I Corinthians. Their world was like our world: the same thirst for intellectualism, the same permissiveness toward moral standards, the same fascination for the spectacular. And their church was like our churches: proud, affluent, materialistic, fiercely eager for intellectual and social acceptance by the world, doctrinally orthodox but morally and practically conforming to the world. - PA

Intro - I think the quotes above are very important for understanding the people Paul is trying to address, but also for deeper insight into every point and topic throughout this stout book. These were a people surrounded by a very pagan culture, but also a church that tried to bring in and or attach Christianity to certain practices from the culture, especially that which would make them feel or appear to others as spiritually superior. Even though it could be said that they had much issue in separating themselves from the pagan culture, at the same time they were also accused of sacrificing God's holiness, the Church's light, for the sake of unity it would seem in not confronting a member who did things that not even the pagans would approve of. That and so many other things produced many blemishes upon this particular part of the body of Christ, and Paul will confront and correct these issues throughout the book.

1Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.… Romans 12: 1-3

14I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.… 1 John 2: 14-16

…3And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures. 4You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. 5Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?… James 4: 3-5

1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. 2And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this? 3Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.… 1 Corinthians 5: 1-3

V. 1 Paul, called as an Apostle of Jesus Christ - Paul is giving his credentials not based upon human qualifications but according to the will of God. He is calling himself an Apostle, yet today you will hear many make that claim who are not. God called him by meeting him in the way to Damascus, on his way to kill Christians. An apostle was someone who had seen the risen Lord. There were 12 distinct disciples of Christ who walked with Him, ate with Him and were sent out first to the Jews, and then Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. These were the pillars of the early church, whose writings and teachings carry on today. The foundation that was laid was Christ, the Chief Cornerstone. There are no apostles like these after the first century, John the Beloved the last to pass away, who also penned the final book of the Bible, Revelations. When people tell me they are apostles or prophets today, I say, "sure, a false one, and Jesus warned that there would be plenty of y'all." Paul had quite a reputation with these people and had done wondrous things before them to substantiate his claim.

1Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? 2Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3This is my defense to those who scrutinize me:… 1 Corinthians 9: 1-3

…8He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.… 1 Corinthians 3: 8-10

…9For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them— yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.… 1 Corinthians 15: 9-11

Don't miss one of Paul's major points of emphasis in chapter 1. Did you see it? The Name of Christ is found 17x in 15v in this chapter (total of 59x in 52 verses in the entire epistle)! Paul is a Christ centered preacher (1 Cor 2:2 +) as should be every preacher (and teacher) of God's Word! Paul knows that "Keeping in tune with Christ keeps harmony in the Church." The saints at Corinth were more self-centered than Christ centered, and were beginning to experience divisions, so Paul gives the "antidote" by repeatedly mentioning Christ and later in the chapter the Cross of Christ. Indeed, all saints should also be Christocentric and "Crosscentric"! - 1 Co. 1:1; 1 Co. 1:2; 1 Co. 1:3; 1 Co. 1:4; 1 Co. 1:6; 1 Co. 1:7; 1 Co. 1:8; 1 Co. 1:9; 1 Co. 1:10; 1 Co. 1:12; 1 Co. 1:13; 1 Co. 1:17; 1 Co. 1:23; 1 Co. 1:24; 1 Co. 1:30. - Precept Austin

Apostle (652) apostolos from apo = from + stello = send forth) describes one sent forth from (apo-) one's presence with a special commission to represent the sender and to accomplish his work. Apostolos was a technical word designating an individual sent from someone else with the sender's commission, the necessary credentials, the sender's authority and the implicit responsibility to accomplish a mission or assignment. In a word an apostle is a "sent one!" As Barclay rightly said " A man is not what he has made himself, but what God has made him."

In its broadest sense, apostle can refer to all believers, because every believer is sent into the world as a witness for Christ. But the term is primarily used as a technical term, a specific and unique title for the thirteen men (the Twelve, with Matthias replacing Judas, and Paul) whom Christ personally chose and commissioned to authoritatively proclaim the Gospel and lead the early church. The thirteen apostles not only were all called directly by Jesus but all were witnesses of His resurrection, Paul having encountered Him on the Damascus Road after His ascension (Acts 9:1-25 +). Those thirteen apostles were given direct revelation of God’s Word to proclaim the Gospel authoritatively, the gift of healing, and the power to cast out demons (cf Mt 10:1-4 +). By these signs their teaching authority was verified (cf. 2Co 12:12). Their teachings became the foundation of the church (Ep 2:20 +), and their authority extended beyond local bodies of believers to the entire believing world. In the present context Paul uses apostle in its more common specialized or restricted meaning. The authority of Paul's message did not derive from the messenger but from the Sender.

CBC - Seventeen individuals are called apostles, adding Paul, James (Gal 1:19), Matthias (Acts 1:26), Barnabas (Acts 14:14), and Andronicus and Junia (Rom 16:7) to the original Twelve. Such people not only were eyewitnesses to the resurrection (Acts 1:22) but preached the gospel and founded Christian communities. - Precept Austin

V. 2 Called as Saints - Interesting word that is much misunderstood due to the Roman Catholic cult. The definition of saint here is what? Those who were in the Church of God, the Church of Corinth being a part of the whole church, the body of Christ in all ages. It goes on, it is those "sanctified in Christ Jesus", and further includes all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are not made saints by Rome, not by members sitting upon a board, but by faith in Jesus Christ. I am Saint Calvin as much as Paul is Saint Paul, but more so than those who have been venerated as Saints but believed a false gospel about another Christ.

Vs. 3-7 In all word in all knowledge - They weren't lacking in the gifts or anything necessary to understand.

…8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.… 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10

Vs. 8-9 God is faithful - The gifts they received were from God, and our ability to believe is from God, and our ability to remain is from God. This should bring us to humble consideration, or maybe we have believed something else, like in our own goodness and works. Maybe we have confused the pulpit for a stage or worship as something to be redirected to ourselves.

For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? 8You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. 9For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. 1 Corinthians 4: 7-10

MacArthur on the practical implication of all...all - We have all the speech and knowledge necessary to accomplish all God wants us to do. We will always be able to say everything God wants us to say and to know everything He wants us to know His will is concurrent with His enablement. The particular speech in mind here is that of telling God’s truth. God gives every believer the capacity to speak for Him. We do not all have eloquence, an impressive vocabulary, or a captivating personality. But we all have the necessary God-given ability, the same capability and the same capacity, to speak for Him in the unique way that He wants us to speak. Besides lack of holiness, I believe the most common failure of Christians is in not speaking for their Lord. The most frequent excuses are “I don’t know what to say” or “I don’t know how to say it” or “I just don’t think I can do it (ED: See Related Note below). (1 Corinthians MacArthur New Testament Commentary) - J Mac from PA

#1662 Romans 16 Part 2 Keep Your Eye

17 Now I urge you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and stumblings contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own stomach, and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. 19 For the report of your obedience has reached to all. Therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. 20 And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

21 Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

22 I, Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother. 24 [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]

25 Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the Gentiles, leading to obedience of faith; 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen. Romans 16: 17-27 LSB

Romans 16: 17-27

V. 17 Keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and stumblings contrary to the teaching which you learned - The first part of this chapter started out with a commendation of those who were dear to Paul, those who were commendable for their faith and the changed life that flowed from it. Romans 1 defined sin for us, and throughout Romans we have heard some of the greatest doctrinal statements concerning our salvation. We have learned that we are not justified by works, and that salvation is of the Lord, as Romans 8 and 9 have made abundantly clear. We have also learned in Romans 11 about God's future plan for Israel, that all is not utterly lost and we should pray for their salvation, pray for the day of their awakening. From then on we learned of the practical implications of our faith, how it looks regarding our sanctification. Now Paul, after building such a great foundation, laying out Christ before them in everything, does not want this to be destroyed, lest they turn and believe another gospel, one that doesn't save. The other side of the coin of brotherly love is concern, and he must now address that which is not commendable, those who cause dissensions and stumbling. This is the least popular part of the message, and people will wax on for hours about how God loves you and has a beautiful plan for your life, but that is not the whole counsel of God. God is love, but He is also Holy in this love. He is a God of justice as much as He is a God of mercy. Jesus did not die arbitrarily. You and I have offended the eternal Being, and so Immanuel, which means God With Us, has to take on human flesh, because it is man that sinned, and our sin is against the eternal God. No other sacrifice will do, and all our righteousness is as filthy rags, so keep your eyes on those who cause dissensions, and how does Paul define them? "Those who cause dissensions and stumblings contrary to the teaching which you learned", those are the contentious, the ones that teach contrary to sound doctrine and teach of their own appetite, for their own glory. It is said that 18 of the 27 New Testament books warn of such. It is a big problem, but today we have changed dissension and stumbling to refer to those who we call "ungracious" for pointing out error. When people confront sin they are called bigots, but often they are the only ones that love us enough to tell us the truth while the rest prefer our approval.

15Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.… Matthew 7:15-17

More from Jeremiah 23

From Acts 20

…28Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. 29I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.… Acts 20: 28-30

V. 17b - Turn away from them - How are we to deal with them? Turn away from them; don't give them the time, don't leave them with the sheep. They are always looking to disciple. They want followers, they want to impose their will, their pet peeves. These men and women seek entry with an eye to influence, to gain power, to access the pulpit, the Sunday school, to get on the payroll because they are unsatisfied with their work outside the church. All of them insist that they are called, but like Lucifer they try to put aside who they are in order to entertain being something they cannot, they would skip off or redirect the glory that belongs to God alone.

…9Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. 11Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.… 2 John 1: 9-11

That's not hard to understand, is it? All you have to do is translate that into your attitude toward your children, or toward your wife, or your husband or anyone you love. If you really love that person your greatest concern is for the safety of that person, the blessedness of that person, the prosperity of that person. And you will never see the love of Paul more clearly demonstrated, not even in his commendation, not even in his cordiality, than you will see it demonstrated in his caution. Why in Acts 20 does he say to the Ephesian elders that, "For the space of three years, night and day with tears I have warned you because I know that after my departure grievous wolves shall enter in, not sparing the flock, and of your own selves perverse men will arise." Why would he with tears for three years night and day warn them? That's the act of love. Love has a zeal that warns and cautions because its deepest affection is for the object.

And there's little doubt in my mind that he took his cue from his own Lord, who repeatedly warned against false prophets, who repeatedly warned against false shepherds who would come in not sparing the flock, false Christs, saying in the end time there will be those who say, "Here is Christ” and “There is Christ." And there will be a deception, our Lord warns. And as you read the epistles of Paul there is warning all through those epistles.

I'm reminded of a great portion of 2 Corinthians, but markedly chapter 11 verses 13 to 15, where he says, "Be aware of Satan coming in disguised as an angel of light and his ministers as angels of light." I'm reminded of Galatians 1 where Paul cries out to the Galatians with such extreme emotion that he skips the amenities at the beginning of the book and just cries out against those who are preaching a false gospel and curses them. And Paul calls on Timothy, in 1 Timothy, to set things in order in the church and correct the heresy that is leading people astray and damning their souls with an untrue message. In 2 Timothy he warns about the false teachers and false prophets in their lying teaching.

And so it is the nature of love to do that. Paul, even writing to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 4, says, "Because you are my beloved children, I warn you.” I warn you. And let's look at his warning in verse 17. "Now I beg you, I urge you, I beseech you, I plead with you out of my heart, brethren..." This is a pleading. This is something he feels very deeply. The same heart attitude we saw in chapter 12 as he pleaded for commitment to the will of God, for separation from the world, for total dedication. And here the same pleading comes and his pleading here is to mark them who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you've learned and avoid them. To be aware of those who cause division and offenses contrary to the doctrine you have learned.

He identifies false teachers as those who teach false doctrine and create division. And that's what a false teacher does. He teaches something different than the truth and creates a division, brings schism, division, discord, conflict, stumbling blocks into the church. The divisions, the schisms, the offenses would be the stumbling block, the skandaliz, the trap. And this is because they bring in another gospel. John Calvin said, quote: "Men are distracted from the unity of the truth when the truth of God is destroyed by doctrines of human invention." And false teachers inevitably come with human teaching, doctrines of human invention, sometimes very close to the truth, sometimes taking part of the truth and thus being very subtle. But they bring division and they bring offense, trapping people, causing them to stumble, and fracturing the purity of the church.

Love, as proposed in the contemporary ecumenical movements of today, is a far different kind of love than this kind of love. This kind of love warns against error. The kind of love we hear about today, which is sort of a sickly sentimentalism, wants to set doctrine aside in the name of so-called love. Any love that is destructive of truth, any love so-called that ignores truth, any love that is tolerant of error or propagates error has to be shunned, because that's not...that’s not the essence of real love. All the talk about love and all the talk about unity among people that want to set truth aside is the work of false teachers, false prophets. They just want to cause division. They want to break up the church, and they're very successful at that. And we've talked a great deal about that so I don't want to belabor the point. You can go back to our message in Matthew 7:15 to 20 and listen to that again if you will and find there the character and the content and the effect of the false teachers, as our Lord outlined it. - J Mac from GTY Sermon archives

V. 18 By their smooth and flattering speech - These men are good at putting people at ease. The best way to do this where people know sound doctrine is to learn and teach sound doctrine, but we are told to look at both the person's doctrine and life. Flattery should expose them to us, but we have been taught that that is really just them being encouragers, yet it comes from being slaves to their stomachs. What do they hunger for? Some want money, and we see that in prosperity teachers easily, but some want the same thing and are not so obvious in their preaching. They all want power and influence. People seek fame and some of those end up getting notoriety instead, the type of fame that is a blemish upon the body of Christ. I have seen those who like shiny gifts and hate the idea of having a job as a tent maker. We have seen countless examples of those who say they are called, who get on the payroll, have access to the sheep and then end up in all sorts of sexual controversies. Women are what feeds their egos. Don't be "unsuspecting", examine yourself as you examine their doctrine, for the same they things that they work for are those things which they will use to lure you end. They are driven by ego to the extent of praising their own "humility", so be careful of flattery, they will use your own ego against you.

…5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these! 6 They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions, 7who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.… 2 Timothy 3: 5-7

…18For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,… Philippians 3: 18-20

Vs. 19-20 Wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil - Their doctrine is commendable but they still need to take care, to exercise discernment.

Vs. 21-27 Now to Him Who is able to strengthen you - The power is from God, the glory belongs to God. The life he is calling them to is a supernatural one, which rules out the works of fallen creatures and the inventions of men.

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