3 Stars
School Assignment
Format: Logos
Introduction
This is a review of 4 chapters of Wiersbe’s Bible Exposition Commentary on 1 Corinthians known as “BE Wise”. I read chapter six and chapters nine through eleven. Throughout the book., Wiersbe focuses on helping the reader understand more clearly what the book of first Corinthians is about. His focus is on how the book of first Corinthians helps the church and us as believers to be wise in the decisions that we make and the way that we live our lives. Throughout it all he is challenging the reader to be wise like Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to be and how that applies to us today.
A Summary of the Author’s Thoughts
In chapter six, Wiersbe talks about Christian marriage and how we as believers can be married and this is not condemned but we need to carefully evaluate whether it is the best thing for us or if it would be better to stay single. He discusses that marriage is a covenant that should not be rushed into and divorce should never be part of the equation when we enter into it.
In chapters nine through eleven, Wiersbe discusses the church and the church body. He first expresses what he believes regarding women in the church according to first Corinthians and continues to discuss what he believes regarding order within the church according to Paul’s teaching including the role of men and women according to what God has designed and how the Lord’s Supper should be constructed. He then talks about how we are all to be united as a church body and how the spiritual gifts are to be exercised. There should not be jealousy over other spiritual gifts and all of them should be exercised out of love and for the benefit of other believers.
An Evaluation of the Book
I do not necessarily agree with all that Wiersbe has to say in his book. I do not believe that he has always correctly exegeted what the text of first Corinthians has to say, and I believe that we differ in some of the points that he made. As an example, in 1 Corinthians 7:29 it says “This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none”[1]. Weirsbe seems to believe that means that some will have to live without a sexual union because of the political climate that was taking place in Corinthians at the time: “In fact, the situation might become so difficult that even those already married will have to live as though they were not married. Perhaps Paul was referring to husbands and wives being separated from each other because of economic distress or persecution”[2]. This doesn’t make sense to me as Paul says that married couples should not deprive each other (7:3; 7:5). I prefer the explanation of the Bible Knowledge commentary which states: The phrase the time is short referred to the Lord’s return but it was also a summary philosophy of life for Paul who lived not for the temporary but for the eternal This detachment from temporal matters should characterize all Christians but it was more complex for the married for whom, nonetheless, devotion to their Lord should occupy first place in life. Paul certainly was not recommending abandoning marital duties. Instead he was calling for a commitment to eternal matters and a corresponding detachment from the institutions, values, and substance of this world which was passing away. Such a commitment was more easily made and enacted by a single person[3]. This makes more sense to me than what Wiersbe has to say.
I believe that Wiersbe is trying to make a commentary that is more like a book than an in-depth commentary. His purpose is different than that of many other commentaries and so it has to be read as such. As a result, I think he accomplishes what he sets out to do and is successful in making sure that he gives a broad overview of the book.
Wiersbe’s interpretation of the book of Corinthians was different than mine but that he still attempts to give a solid interpretation of the book. There is no time when what he says goes directly against Scripture and he does the best that he can to help make the text understandable to his readers. His writing is easy to understand and laid out in such a way that makes it easy to read like a book unlike most commentaries.
Personal Applications
Once I get married I must ensure that I continue to keep God in first place in my life. My marriage should make me more affective for God’s kingdom not make me focus on things of this world. No matter what happens I am called to obey God and serve Him to the best of my ability.
Marriage is a covenant and should not be taken lightly. When I go into marriage I must remember that it is for life and that divorce should never be a consideration. My marriage is to be a picture to the world of Christ and his bride and the unity of the trinity.
Unity is very important within the church body. I need to be building up my brothers and sisters in Christ and ensuring that I work with them to accomplish the spreading of the Gospel. My love for other believers will show the world that I am different.
[1] Anon, 2016. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
[2] Wiersbe, W.W., 1996. The Bible exposition commentary, Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Lowery, D.K., 1985. 1 Corinthians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck, eds. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, pp. 519–520.
Amié Reads 