The Lord's Approval or People's Approval?

Dr. Couch, what did Paul mean when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:19, "They which are approved may be made manifest among you." Does "approve" refer to our Lord's approval or to people's approval? ANSWER:  Good question. It has to do with the fact that they are approved of by the Lord. The first of the verse says "For there must be heresies among you." When we face heretical teaching, we are strengthened by God. The church then is put on trial, tested. In his commentary, Charles Hodge says:      "It is that they which are approved, the tried, those who have stood the test, and are worthy of approbation. By the prevalence of disorders and other evils in the church, God puts His people to the test. They are tried as gold in the furnace, and their genuineness is made to appear. It is a great consolation to know that dissensions ... are ordered by the providence of God, and are designed, as storms, for the purpose of purification" of the believer.    God knows what He is doing with us!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (8/10)

Destroying What God Has Built

Dr. Couch, there seems to be people out here in our churches and schools bent on destroying what God has built? Is this not so? ANSWER:  Yes, you're right. There are people who are deep into carnality and fleshliness. They are not into heresy but simply carnality! Paul speaks about this in 1 Corinthians 11:19. "For there must be heresies among you, that they which are approved (who are tried) may be made manifest among you."    I have seen evil men in churches who are heretics. Not doctrinally so but in their actions, Hodge would say. Hodge points out that the word "heresy" here implies that they choose to destroy, say a church or a seminary. The word implies, he says, a "chosen way of life, a party of men who come together to destroy." Hodge goes on and writes: "By the prevalence of disorders and other evils in the church, God puts his people to the test. They are tried as gold in the furnace, and their genuineness is made to appear. It is a great consolation to know that dissension, whether in the church or in the state, are not fortuitous, but are ordered by the providence of God, and are designed, as storms, for the purpose of purification."    So be prepared for evil men in the church who will try to take over, to divide, and cause trouble. In God's mysterious providence they are sent by Him to make you stronger. There are no accidents with the Lord. All things have a reason for happening!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch

The Episcopal Church

Dr. Couch, the Episcopal Church is clearly into heresy. What does the word mean in Greek? ANSWER:  In Greek, the word is "hairesis." It is sometimes translated as "sect" (Acts 5:17; 15:5; 24:5; 26:5; 28:22). Often, it was used to describe Christianity in a negative light.    Paul makes a strange statement in 1 Corinthians 11:19: "There must be factions (heresies) among you, in order that those who are approved may have become evident among you." Here the word is translated "factions" meaning that which is contrary to the truth. In other words, when the church is facing heresy it makes the believers stronger and more resolute in what they believe. "Who are approved" is a Plural Noun related to the verb "dokimazo" meaning "to be tested, examined."    "There must" comes from the word "dei" meaning "It is imperative or necessary." In my NT commentary series Dr. Dan Mitchell writes on 1 Corinthians 11:19: "Paul was certain that some divisions would occur in the assembly, if only to bring to light those who defend the truth. It is significant that God in His sovereign purpose uses dissension and disorder in the church to put His people to the test." God can use that which is evil to strengthen what is good. He is not the Author of evil but He can use it for His providential purposes!    Heresy makes us think and investigate. It causes us to re-examine our convictions.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch

The Lord's Supper Guidelines

Dr. Couch, how do you take 1 Corinthians 11 where Paul speaks about “examining yourself” and the issue of eating and drinking judgment on oneself? 

 

    ANSWER:  This is the section where Paul gives forth the guidelines on the Lord’s Supper. We all use Paul’s words, and this passage, as a reminder not to come to the communion table while walking about in sin. However, while there may be nothing wrong with that, the context of his statements really should be confined to the issue at hand. Many in the Corinthian congregation were coming to the table simply for a meal, and some were getting drunk. They were partaking in an “unworthy manner” (v. 27) and not remembering (v. 24) Christ’s sacrifice for their sins. I don’t see this same kind of behavior or problem in our churches today. 

    Two words are important in this section: “examine” yourselves (v. 28) and “judge” yourselves (v. 29) about the issue. Loss of salvation is not in the works here but God could take some of these believers home for so defiling the picture set forth in the communion table of why Christ died on the cross—to save us from our sins. Therefore the apostle writes: “Many are weak (sick, asthenia), some are sick (better, arrostos, physically weak), and a number die, i.e. fall asleep.” 

    We forget that the early church believers were coming out of raw paganism and many did not fully appreciate the great spiritual happening that took place with their salvation. 

They were arrogant, fool-hearty, still very immoral. While this entire passage and its lesson is sobering, we do not have going on today in our churches what was happening in those days. The word “examine” is in the Greek dokimazo and it is in the present tense. Paul is saying “be constantly examining or judging” what you are doing about this matter! 

    God is using Paul’s words here to reign in the churches who were still moving forward in understanding Christianity and what it was all about to live out one’s faith in a very personal way. 

    Thanks for asking!

    Dr. Mal Couch