1 Corinthians 8-11: Counsel for New Members
The Corinthian Saints had written to Paul and asked him many questions. We learn what those questions were by his answers to them. Paul counseled them to guard against offending others through personal actions, to recognize that God will not allow us to be unfairly overwhelmed by temptation, and to remember the importance of being worthy to partake of the sacrament.
Understanding the Scriptures
1 Corinthians 8
| Puffeth up (v. 1) | Makes proud | |
| Commendeth us not (v. 8) | Does not bring us | |
| Emboldened (v. 10) | Encouraged |
1 Corinthians 8:4, 8–13—Eating the Meat of Idols
The law of Moses did not allow Jews to eat meat that was sacrificed to false idols. Paul taught them that the meat itself did not make a person unclean, but the Jewish converts were still offended when they saw gentile converts eating pagan meat. Paul counseled that it was better not to eat the meat than to offend a fellow Saint.
1 Corinthians 9
| Charges (v. 7) | Expense | |
| Hinder (v. 12) | Slow the progress of | |
| A dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me (v. 17) | I will be held responsible for my stewardship | |
| Temperate (v. 25) | Moderate, self-controlled | |
| Corruptible (v. 25) | Earthly, temporal | |
| Beateth the air (v. 26) | Swings fists in the air as if pretending to fight |
1 Corinthians 10
| Idolaters (v. 7) | Idol worshipers | |
| The Lord’s table (v. 21) | The ways of God, such as the sacrament | |
| The table of devils (v. 21) | The ways of evil, such as a pagan feast | |
| Provoke (v. 22) | Anger |
1 Corinthians 11
| Shorn, shaven (v. 6) | To have all one’s hair cut short or off (considered a disgrace in Paul’s time) | |
| Heresies (v. 19) | Untruths, lies about Christ and His doctrine | |
| Chastened (v. 32) | Corrected by punishment |
1 Corinthians 11:2–12—Do Men Rule over Women?
Paul taught that God placed Jesus Christ at the “head of every man” and the man at “the head of the woman” (1 Corinthians 11:3). This pattern does not suggest dominance and subservience, but establishes order and peace through righteous priesthood leadership. Men and women are dependent upon each other, and wise men listen carefully to the opinions of faithful women.
Studying the Scriptures
Do two of the following activities (A–D) as you study 1 Corinthians 8–11.
Give a Modern Example
Read 1 Corinthians 8:9–13 and give a modern example of how we need to be careful to avoid even the appearance of evil. It might be helpful to review the “Understanding the Scriptures” section for 1 Corinthians 8:4, 8–13.
Design a Training Program
Read 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 and look for what Paul compared his mission to. Draw the following chart in your notebook. Imagine you are a coach and list steps in a physical training program you would design to help an athlete excel in his or her field. Then make a comparison to the spiritual training needed to prepare for a mission or temple marriage.
| Physical Training Program | Spiritual Training Program |
|---|---|
| 1. | 1. |
| 2. | 2. |
| 3. | 3. |
Scripture Mastery—1 Corinthians 10:13
Paul stated clearly in 1 Corinthians 10:13–14 that temptation cannot defeat us if we are determined to obey God’s commandments. Read Alma 13:28 and list the three principles Alma said we need to obey so that we might obtain God’s help in overcoming temptation. Write a paragraph about how they can help you not to “be tempted above that ye are able” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
How to Partake of the Sacrament
The most important part of attending Church is partaking of the sacrament. After reading 1 Corinthians 11:20–34, write a set of directions that would help others partake of the sacrament in the manner the Lord intended. Keep your directions brief enough to fit on a card that could be given to people.
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