Peter noted that Paul's letters included a lot of wisdom, but also things that were "hard to understand." What do you see here that someone like Peter might have considered particular wise? What things might he be referring to when he says that there are things "hard to understand?
Something that I think is hard to understand, and Peter could have found this as well, is Paul’s discourse on marriage and single life in chapter 7. Paul gets pretty wordy, and almost goes back and forth for awhile; arguing in favor of marriage, or single life, for different reasons. I think the thing that has always been puzzling has been his line where he says “For I wish that all men were even as I myself”. He’s implying there that he wants all men to be single… when we know for very practical reasons this is not a good idea. He almost give the viewpoint that marriage is only an option if you don’t have any self-control against the opposite sex - and only then you should marry. I can see this as confusing for Peter (who was married), and much of the early church. Yes, he was writing to address a particular problem in Corinth at the time, but as far as applying this chapter to life today, and Peter trying to figure out what Paul was saying, I could see could be a bit confusing.
ReplyDeleteI also agree had mostly the same thing to say. Paul does go back and forth a lot. It got me thinking a lot didn't I just read this? I think he wrote this on different days probably or he may have just wanted to repeat his words. If it was written on different days he may have had a different view of it on certain days. I think it was very wise writing, but kind of confusing. India said Peter had a wife so I think Peter would agree to a point on some of his topics.
DeletePeter talks about some of Paul's letters being hard to understand in 2 Peter 3:15-16. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
ReplyDeleteI am going to talk about the sexual immorality, and the fact that Paul says to stay away from it. He says this in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. He said to stay away from sexual immorality, but in the next chapter he said "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband." Which basically means, the stuff is happening anyway, so do it with your spouse.
1 Corinthians 7:5-7 5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. I couldn't have said it better myself.