1Cor 6:12-20, Today's verses: 1Co 6:12-13

We continue our look at Paul's discussion of sexual immorality and our body in 1Co 6:12-20 with an in-depth look at 1Co 6:12-13

The overview of the entire section can be found HERE.


You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

1 Corinthians 6:12-13 (NASB)
¹² All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.
¹³ Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.

 Grammatical and other Considerations

• All things are lawful, not helpful (?)
• Our body is for God.  Our bodies were created by God
• NOT!  The body is NOT for sexual immorality!

My Questions

• What exactly does Paul mean by all things are lawful but not helpful??
• What constitutes sexual immorality??

Verse Cross References

• 1Co 6:12 -- 1Co 10:23 Ro 14:14 1Co 8:4 1Co 8:7-13 1Co 10:24-33 Ro 14:15-23 2Th 3:9 1Co 9:27 Heb 12:15-16 
• Thoughts -- IT would seem that Paul is discussing food and other such things mentioned in the Law.  Especially as he continues in 1Co 6:13 with a discussion of food.  And he also clearly states that the body is NOT for sexual immorality in 1Co 6:13   In 1Co 6:9-10 where Paul gives a listing of unrighteous activities, he clearly is thinking of sexual immorality (among other things).  It seems Paul is trying to lay a clear line of distinction between legalistic arguments regarding food and truer sins such as sexual immorality.  It is also important to note that Paul does not trivialize how someone feels about food as seen in: 1Co 8:7-13  Paul cautions all to not eat with abandon IF that would cause another to sin or otherwise have doubts!!  Important.  But Paul's main emphasis seems to be to highlight true sins before God.  And he is sharply focused on sexual immorality.
• 1Co 6:13 -- Mt 15:17-20  Gal 5:24 Jn 6:27 Jn 6:49 1Co 3:16 Ro 6:12 Ro 7:4 Ro 12:1 Ro 14:7-9 2Co 5:15 1Th 4:3-7 
• Thoughts -- Paul is now highlighting that our bodies were made by God, are for God and will be done away with by God.  If our bodies are God's, then we should treat them as Holy!  Sexual immorality is NOT a Holy act!

Important terms

Lawful (permissible):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 12:2 Mt 12:4 Mt 12:10-12 Mt 20:14-15 Mk 12:14-17 Mk 3:4 Jn 5:10 2Co 12:4 1Co 10:23
• Thoughts -- A word not overly used in the NT.  The vast majority of occurrences revolve around Jesus' ongoing debate with the religious leaders of the day over what is lawful or not.  It is probably important to note this when looking at Paul's use of the word.  As noted above, 1Co 6:12 is (what seems to be) Paul setting a contrast between legalistic worries (what to eat, or healing on the Sabbath!) as opposed to the very non-legalistic and very true sin of sexual immorality!
• Definition -- permitted, a moral possibility! 

helpful (profitable)(G4851):

 

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 5:29 Mt 9:10 Jn 11:50 Jn 16:7 Jn 18:14 Ac 20:20 1Co 7:35 1Co 10:23 1Co 12:7 2Co 8:10-11 2Co 12:1 Heb 12:10 
• Thoughts -- MOST often translated as beneficial or benefit! 
• Definition -- profitable,, advantageous.  

 

mastered (brought under the power of):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Lk 22:25 1Co 7:4 
• Thoughts -- Oddly enough this term is only used in three verses including the one we are studying!!  In all three verses it describes something or someone having authority over another.
• Definition -- to have or exercise power over, inferring that one has no separate power or liberty over his or her own body.

of any(anything):

• Definition -- someone, a certain thing or person.

destroy (do away with)(G2673):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Lk 13:7 Ro 3:3 Ro 3:31 Ro 4:14  Ro 6:6 1Co 13:8 1Co 13:10 1Co 15:26 Gal 3:17 Heb 2:14 
• Thoughts --This word is often translated as cancel.  And Paul often uses it when describing the Law and Covenant.  do away with is probably(?) the better thought here. 
• Definition -- According to the Complete Word Study Dictionary when Paul uses this word he always means a complete cessation!  Not a partial ceasing.  So Paul is saying that when the time comes, God will do away with our fleshly bodies and our need for food.  It will be something new!

sexual immorality:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 5:32 Mt 19:9 Jn 8:41 Ac 15:20 Ac 21:25 1Co 5:1 1Co 7:2  2Co 12:21 Gal 5:19 Eph 5:3 Col 3:5 1Th 4:3 Jude 1:7-8 REv 2:14 Rev 2:20-21 Rev 9:21 Rev 14:8 Rev 17:2 Rev 19:2 
• Thoughts -- Paul is pretty clear that sexual immorality is NOT to be tolerated.
• Definition -- any sexual sin.  Fornication as a sexual vice! (can symbolically stand for idolatry) "illicit sexual intercourse"  (this is the heart of the matter!  Knowing and understanding (and obeying) where and when God intended sexual relations is paramount to understanding this term and these verses!)

Factual information from Study Helps

Background Bible Commentary:

• Paul's use of the phrase "food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food..." is NOT an accident.  It "was a typical Greek way of arguing by analogy that body was for sex and sex for the body!"  Paul is using their argument to prove his. (sexual appetite is NOT the same as our appetite or need for food)  Since he continues with the fact that the body is for the Lord!

Answering My Questions

• What exactly does Paul mean by all things are lawful but not helpful?? -- Judging by the definition and the context, it seems Paul is saying that all things (but maybe not sexual immorality?) are lawful...morally possible!  (it stands to reason Paul is assuming that we know he doesn't mean murder etc. etc.)  Paul's context is one of correct behavior, vs. legalistic arguments of the day.  What foods to eat and/or circumcision being debates that often come up in Paul's writing.  So all things (within this context of normal day to day behaviors) are morally possible but NOT all are beneficial!  It is also important to look at the end of 1Co 6:12 where Paul states:  "but I will not be brought under the control of anything."  Any act, be it eating, smoking, TV watching etc. etc. can lead to a form of compulsive behavior.  The act then controls us!  And this is wrong as we are to only serve God!!
• What constitutes sexual immorality?? -- From the definition:  "illicit" sexual intercourse which would be sex outside of the confines of marriage which is where God intended sex to be!  Taken in context of the end of 1Co 6:12 this gains even more importance because the sexual impulse has the ability to CONTROL us more than almost any other impulse we have!!  Even more reason to keep sex where it belongs.  (and it should be THOROUGHLY ENJOYED within its rightful context!)

Summarizing

• The answers to my questions seem to summarize these two verses quite well.
• Will add that the end of 1Co 6:13 begins the next part of Paul's discussion.  He is stressing the point that our bodies are God's!

Commentaries

Wycliffe Bible Commentary:

• Clarifies the point that when something becomes a habit (or addiction) it has us in its grip. That is what sexual immorality can do. It can be VERY habit forming (addicting). Then we are slave to it...when we should be slaves (servants) to God and God only!

Hodges' Commentary on  1 Corinthians:

• Adds:  Food and the stomach are designed for one another as it stands right now!  However, the body was not designed (by God) for sexual immorality.  God has made it clear where and how sex is to be used and enjoyed!

Topics for further study

• Sexuality as God intended it to be
• Marriage
• Avoiding sexual sin

Bibliography

 

• Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Fleming, Don. Concise Bible Commentary. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word Application Index. Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Hanke, Howard A. The Thompson Chain Reference Bible Companion. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Hodge, Charles. A Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians. New York: R. Carter & Bros, 1857. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• . WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Nave, Orville. Nave's Topical Bible: A Digest of The Holy Sciptures. New York: Topical Bible Publishing Co., 1896. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• The Holy Bible: New King James Version Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison, ed. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Torrey, R. A. The New Topical Textbook. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1897. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Vine, William E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1940. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Zodhiates, Spiros, ed. – The Complete Word Study New Testament Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1991. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1993. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Zodhiates, Spiros, ed. – The Complete Word Study New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1991. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

A new study: 1Co 6:12-20 Inital Overview

Today we start a new study on the verses 1Co 6:12-20  where Paul gives a very clear teaching on sexual morality as it pertains to our bodies. (never an easy subject to bring up!)

You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

Initial Observations

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (NASB)
¹² All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.
¹³ Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.
¹⁴ Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.
¹⁵ Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be!
¹⁶ Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, "THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH."
¹⁷ But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
¹⁸ Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.
¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
²⁰ For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

Author: 

• The Apostle Paul

Date written: 

• Spring in either 53, 54 or 55 A.D.

Purpose: 

• Paul was compelled to write this substantial letter to Church of Corinth (which he helped to found) to answer troubling questions and behaviors that were happening in the Church.  Corinth was a major Roman port with a lot of temptations!! There was also a lot of idolatry in Corinth at the time.  Paul was determined to set them straight again.

Type of Literature: 

• It is a pastoral letter to a trouble Church!  NT epistles are called "occasional letters".  These are letters written in response to or to address a specific occasion, problem or happening.

Main theme(s) of these verses:   

• To avoid sexual sin and immorality as our body  is not our own!  It was purchased for us by the Sacrifice and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Things emphasized

• To avoid sexual sin
• Sexual sin is a sin against our own bodies
• Our body is a sanctuary for the Holy Spirit who resides in us.
• Our bodies are not our own, they were bought for us.
• We should honor our bodies!
• We are to glorify God with our bodies.

Things Repeated

• Avoid sexual sin
• Our body is part of Christ's body (the Church?)
• God's Holy Spirit is in (with) us.

Things True to Life

• The Holy Spirit resides in us, and was given to us by God.

Cause and Effect

• Sexual immorality is a sin against our own bodies.
• Joining with a prostitute (or any sexual encounter for that matter) is a joining of two fleshes into ONE!  This is serious.

Textual Context

• In 1 Co 6:11 Paul has just finished telling the Corinthians that even though they lived in sin previously they have been washed and sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  In other words, their conversion had caused them to be made clean through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  And apparently they had begun to lose focus and sin again!
• In 1 Co 7:1-7 (and further) Paul gives his thoughts on marriage as a way with dealing with sexual desire.  Of course these discussion can and should lead to another study entirely!  But is important to note what is discussed in 1 Co 7 in relation to these verses.

Background Information:

• Bible Background Commentary:  Biblical law forbade sex between people who were not married.

Bibliography

• Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Hanke, Howard A. The Thompson Chain Reference Bible Companion. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• The Holy Bible: New King James Version Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison, ed. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

Continuing Simon Peter's fall and restoration: Jn 21:15-19

We continue our look at Jesus' prediction of Simon Peter's denials and then Jesus' restoration of Simon Peter after our Lord's Resurrection.

The initial overview of both passages can be found HERE.  

And the in-depth look at Lk 22:31-34 can be found HERE.  


You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

John 21:15-19 (NASB)
¹⁵ So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Tend My lambs."
¹⁶ He *said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Shepherd My sheep."
¹⁷ He *said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus *said to him, "Tend My sheep.
¹⁸ "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go."
¹⁹ Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, "Follow Me!"

(and although we won't look at them in-depth I think the following verses are also important!)

John 21:20-22 (NASB)
²⁰ Peter, turning around, *saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
²¹ So Peter seeing him *said to Jesus, "Lord, and what about this man?"
²² Jesus *said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!"

(Peter, as always, remains somewhat impetuous!  But Jesus emphatically directs Simon Peter (and us) to put our focus on Jesus and to follow Him!)

 

Grammatical and other Considerations

• Tend Lambs, Shepherd Sheep and Tend Sheep!  (The NKJV uses:  Feed Lambs, Tend Sheep, Feed Sheep)  There seems to be some significance to Jesus' word choice here! 
• Peter is obviously grieved by this embarrassing and convicting moment.  (wouldn't any of us be!??) 
• Peter is almost pleading when he states:  "You know all things; You know that I love You."
• It is amazing that Jesus knows how to best confront each of us with our sins so as to truly convict us AND turn us back again!
• Once again Jesus foretells the future for Simon Peter.  (this time Simon's type of death)
• John 22:19 "Follow Me!"  A command!

My Questions

• Why does Jesus use the words lamb, sheep, tend and shepherd in the way that he does??

Verse Cross References

• John 21:15 -- Gal 5:16 2Co 5:15  Eph 6:24 1Jn 5:1 1John 4:19  Eze 34:2-10 Eze 34:23 Ac 20:28 1Ti 4:16 Heb 13:20 1Pe 2:25 Isa 40:11 Mt 18:10 Rom 15:1 
• It seems that Eze 34:2-10 is particularly relevant!  Jesus is the NEW shepherd in charge of God's flock!  (Israel, and now including all of us)  The people who were shepherding the flock were careless and that duty has been taken away from them.  It is now Jesus' charge and He gives Simon Peter the task of tending to the flock on earth.  And the image of sheep and lambs (particulary lambs) does give us the image of something weak and needing guidance.  Simon Peter was told he would made to strengthen his brothers in Luke 22:32 and now that is exactly what Jesus is charging Simon Peter to do!  It is interesting that Jesus and Simon Peter use different words translated into our word love.  Until the last exchange!  We will examine this a little later.
• John 21:16 -- Rev 12:11 Lk 10:27 Mt 7:15 Jn 10:11-16  Mt 2:6 Rev 7:17 Jn 10:26-27 Ps 95:7-8 Ps 100:3 Lk 15:3-7 Lk 19:10 1Pe 2:25 
• Thoughts -- It is interesting that Jesus is also referred to as the lamb of God!  The innocent sacrifice for our atonement!!  (always humbling and overwhelming when I think about it!)  Jesus is both shepherd and the lamb!
• John 21:17 -- Lk 22:61 Jer 17:10 Ac 1:24 Ac 15:8 Job 31:4-6 Ps 7:8 Ps 17:3 1Jn 3:16-24 
• Thoughts -- Again it is interesting to note that Simon denied Jesus three times in the courtyard and Jesus asked Simon THREE times if he, Simon, loved Jesus!
• John 21:18 -- John 13:36 Ac 12:3 
• John 21:19 -- 2Pe 1:14 Jn 8:12 Jn 10:27 Mt 16:24  Jn 21:22 1Pe 4:11-14 Jn 12:26 Mt 10:38 Mt 19:28 Mk 8:33-38 Lk 9:22-26 
• Thoughts -- This verse must always be looked at in conjunction with Jn 21:20-22 Our job, desire and focus are to follow Jesus, where He leads us!  Period!  Jesus makes much mention of just how imperative it is that we hear Him, believe on and in Him and follow Him! 

Important terms

tend:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- 1Sa 17:15 Isa 40:11 Jer 23:4 Mt 8:30 Mt 8:33 Mk 5:11 Mk 5:14 Lk 5:15 
• Thoughts -- Always used in the context of sheep (seems to indicate feeding)
• Definition -- to feed sheep or to tend (watch them) while they graze.  Metaphorically means to instruct

lamb:

• Thoughts -- often used to signify Christ as the pure and unblemished sacrifice for OUR sins.  However in this occasion it is in reference to a young sheep, metaphorically referring to young (new) converts to Christianity!
• Definition -- Lamb. Young or baby sheep. This is the only occasion in the New Testament where it is used in the plural. (as a symbolic reference to young converts)

shepherd:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Ac 20:28 1Pe 5:2 
• Definition -- Differs from the word tend (feed) above in that to Shepherd a flock means to provide TOTAL care for that flock!

sheep:

• Thoughts -- It seems that Jesus is telling Peter to nurture the young (new) Christians but that Peter must also assume TOTAL care of the entire flock, young and old.  Peter cannot abandon them once they are adults.  To be in Jesus' flock requires constant attention and diligence on our parts and on the parts of those put in positions of leadership.  Lambs will grow older with early feeding but they still need to be led when they are adults!  They still need shepherding!!
• Definition -- An adult lamb!  Also a term of endearment!  Sheep are also mild, inoffensive, patient and obedient!  (What Jesus wants US to be!!)  WOW!  God's Word is awesome!!

know (G1492):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 6:8 Mt 6:32 Mt 7:11 Mt 15:12   
• Definition -- Suggest knowledge, suggests fullness of knowledge and/or to know by perception

know (G1097):

• Thoughts -- Question!  When Peter uses this form of the word is he suggesting that Jesus knows all things because He, (Jesus) has acquired this knowledge from the Father in Heaven?  Just curious as to why the change of words here...
• Definition -- usually suggests an acquired knowledge?!?

Special section on the two different words translated to love

love (G25)-Jesus' term:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mat 5:43-44 Mt 5:46 Mt 22:39 Mk 10:21 Mk 12:30-33 Lk 7:47 Jn 3:19 Jn 3:35 Jn 8:42 Jn 11:5 Jn 14:15 Jn 14:21 1Co 8:3 Gal 2:20 Gal 5:14 Eph 5:25 Heb 12:6 James 1:12 James 2:5 1Pe 1:8 1Pe 1:22 1Jn 4:11 1Jn 4:19 
• Thoughts -- Used more frequently than G5368 below AND is used the most by John in his Gospel and in his first letter.  Important?  Don't know yet!
• Definition -- to esteem, love, indicating a direction of the will and finding one's joy in something or someone.  Used often to describe man's love towards God.  (G5368 is rarely used in that instance) As Vine's puts is:  "An unselfish love, ready to serve."

love (G5368)-Peter's answers and Jesus' term in His last question to Simon Peter:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Mt 6:5 Mt 10:37 Mt 23:6 Translated as kiss in: Mk 14:44 (now back to translated as love):  Lk 20:46 Jn 5:20 Jn 12:25  Jn 11:3
• Thoughts -- Used less than G25. A lot less!  But still used most by John in his Gospel.
• Definition -- love!  A deep friendship meaning to have the same interests!  (this concept runs deep when Jesus asks Peter!!)  Vine's:  conveys the thought of cherishing the loved object or person above all else.

Factual information from Study Helps

AMG Complete Word Study Dictionary:

• Concerning the two different words meaning love discussed above, the AMG Dictionary goes on to state that Jesus changed words deliberately!  He was asking Simon Peter (the third time) if he, Simon, had indeed changed so that his interests were now the same (truly the same) as the interests of Jesus Christ!  Simon had denied knowing Jesus three times, that is not having the same interests!   The AMG dictionary also tells us that even though we are instructed love our enemies ( Mat 5:44 ) it is not the word phileo that is used (G5368) since that would mean deep friendship, sharing of interests.  We are to love them as in the word agapao ( G25 ) which indicates a moral love, compassion. 

Bible Background Commentary:

• Does not differentiate as much in the two word choices for love but does indicate that some people do when interpreting this section of scripture.

Answering My Questions

• Why does Jesus use the words lamb, sheep, tend and shepherd in the way that he does??  -- It seems that Jesus is telling Peter to nurture the young (new) Christians but that Peter must also assume TOTAL care of the entire flock, young and old. Peter cannot abandon them once they are adults. To be in Jesus' flock requires constant attention and diligence on our parts and on the parts of those put in positions of leadership. Lambs will grow older with early feeding but they still need to be led when they are adults! They still need shepherding!! A sheep is an adult lamb! Also a term of endearment! Sheep are also mild, inoffensive, patient and obedient! (What Jesus wants US to be!!) WOW! God's Word is awesome!!

Commentaries

AMG Concise Bible Commentary:

• Points out that Jesus' very public  questioning of Simon Peter not only helped to humble Peter but also let ALL THE OTHER Apostles know that Jesus had forgiven Simon Peter.

Summarizing

• Jesus puts Simon Peter through a little bit of an ordeal here.  Peter does become grieved that Jesus asks him three times if he truly loves Jesus!  But there is so much in Jesus words here.  1)  New Christians need tender care and feeding.  2)  Older and wiser Christians still need to be led and care for!  3)  Loving Jesus and being His intimate friend are two different things, yet connected.  4)  We should strive for the intimate friendship of "phileo".  We should strive and WANT to share the same interests as Jesus does!
• I feel like I am JUST touching the surface of this very important and moving section of Scripture!

Topics for further study

• Love for Christ
• How do we describe our love for Jesus
• In what way does Jesus want/expect us to love Him?
• Christians as sheep.
• Christian leaders as tending to the flock

Biblical Principles

• Given the original context, what does the text mean? -- Jesus has just asked Peter to reaffirm his love for the Lord.  Three times!  The same amount of times Peter denied knowing Jesus.  Even more importantly, Jesus has turned Peter back towards Himself so that now Simon Peter can tend to the flock. (the Church)
• What fundamental universal truths are presented in this passage. State that truth in a simple sentence or two.   -- Young believers need feeding.  Mature believers still need to be led and cared for.  If we learn anything from Peter's sin and return it is that ANY of us are able to fall prey to temptation!  Any of us!
• What issues in our own culture and my own situations does this truth address? -- Temptations abound in our culture!!  And I know that I myself fall prey to temptations.  To paraphrase Paul, I don't really want to and yet I am weak.  I need to turn to Jesus at all times. 
• What changes does it require? -- Extreme diligence in prayer, time with God's Word and meditation on that word!  And faith!
• What values does it reinforce? -- That Jesus loves us even when we sin!  He does not want to lose even one of us....!
• What difference does it make?  --  If Jesus could forgive and restore a man who denied Him, a man who was one of His closest friends on earth, well....it shows Jesus' amazing capacity for love and forgiveness.  A capacity so large, it is beyond most of our grasps!  It means Jesus loves me (us)!  And that makes ALL the difference.

Application

• Is there an example to follow? -- Yeah?  Simon Peter's ability to take his medicine!!  And Jesus' ability to forgive!!
• Is there a sin to avoid? -- Arrogance, apathy.
• Is there a challenge to face? -- Yes!  To truly remember and utilize/apply the lessons learned in these sections of Scripture!!

Application Summary (for both sections of Scripture)

• When taken as a whole, Lk 22:31-34  and John 21:15-19  are an amazing lesson.  Any of us can fall prey to sin!  The devil will try.  He does not want any of us to taste the victory of salvation.  Fortunately for us, Jesus DOES want us to be saved.  He wants us to be in His flock.  So much so that Jesus, the Son of God, will pray for us!  Think about that!  He prayed for Peter, so that Peter's faith would withstand the upcoming trials.  As the saying goes, with Jesus on our side how can we lose?  But here is where application comes in!  We HAVE to pray to Jesus!  We have to keep our heads turned to Him.  EVEN WHEN WE MESS UP!  Simon Peter was ashamed at what he had done but he so loved the Lord that he jumped from the boat to swim to shore.  That should be us:  We should pray that we can withstand temptation and avoid temptation!  But if we should succumb to temptation we should not hesitate or dawdle, we should jump back towards Jesus as fast as we can.  He is there on the shore waiting for us!

Bibliography

• Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Fleming, Don. Concise Bible Commentary. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word Application Index. Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• The Holy Bible: New King James Version Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison, ed. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Vine, William E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1940. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Zodhiates, Spiros, ed. – The Complete Word Study New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1991. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Zodhiates, Spiros, ed. – The Complete Word Study New Testament Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1991. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.