"1 Corinthians 13-16, 2 Corinthians 1"
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Almost every prayer I've ever heard in a gathering of Christians has ended with the same word: "Amen." It's an ancient word that has passed from Hebrew into hundreds of other languages, as generation after generation has made it their own. Ever wonder what this word means and why it's so meaningful to so many people?
The more unstable life gets, the more I appreciate this word. To say "amen" is to say, "truly," or "may it be certain." It's related to words like steadiness and trustworthiness. It asserts confidence. In this week's reading, Paul uses "amen" several different ways, and in a way, the whole week will focus on what we can say "amen" to, what we can rely on.1
What Can You Say "Amen" To?
On Monday (1 Cor. 13), Paul applies love to spiritual gifts (cf. 1 Cor. 12:1). In a famous, life-changing chapter, he shows that love is the "more excellent way" (1 Cor. 12:31) to deal with everything, including gifts. Then he turns to the assembly and says we need love and order to affect positive change in one another (1 Cor. 14). He asks:
"how can anyone in the position of an outsider say 'Amen' to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?" (1 Cor. 14:16).
We can only say "amen" to what we understand and affirm, but the message got lost in translation. We come together to be built up, not to show off our gifts or put on a show. But in their gatherings, people spoke over one another. Others spoke in foreign tongues with no interpreter. Though the gifts came from the Spirit, it became so disorderly that no one could learn, or sing, or pray in a meaningful way.
- Do all of the attributes of love (1 Cor. 13:4-7) describe your attitude? What do you still need to learn about actively loving others today?
- What do you learn about God's aims for our assembly? How can you align your intentions with God's purposes for your time with the church this Sunday?
What Can You Count On?
When things get crazy, it's so reassuring to meditate on lasting, unchangeable things. We start the week with the reassurance that — though prophecy and tongues would cease — faith, hope, and love abide (1 Cor. 13:8-13).
On Wednesday (1 Cor. 15), we'll read Paul's deepest dive into the subject of the resurrection. He rehearses the evidence for Christ's resurrection, then makes it clear that if we believe Jesus arose, we must recognize that we will too. This single fact gives lasting significance to everything we do for the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).
On Thursday (1 Cor. 16), after instructions about the collection (1 Cor. 16:1-4), he commands the Corinthians to stand firm in faith and love (1 Cor. 16:13-14). Then he gives a fitting conclusion to the book:
"_My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen" (1 Cor. 16:24).
At the end of the week, we'll start the book of Second Corinthians, one of Paul's most personal letters. Some in Corinth have questioned Paul's integrity, since his travel plans changed (2 Cor. 1:15-17; cf. 1 Cor. 16:5-7). He wasn't "vacillating" or saying "yes" and "no" at the same time (2 Cor. 1:17). Then he offers these encouraging, stabilizing words:
"Jesus Christ … was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us … who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee" (2 Cor. 1:19-22).
For further study, look at the usage of "amen" in Num. 5:22; Deut. 27:15–26; 1 Kings 1:36; 1 Chron. 16:36; Neh. 5:13; 8:6; Psalm 41:13; 72:19; 89:52; 106:48; Jer. 11:5; 28:6; Matt. 5:18; John 3:5; Rom. 1:25; 9:5; 11:36; 15:33; Gal. 1:5; Phil. 4:20
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