Green Meadow Drive

09/07/2026

09/07/2026

𝗜𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗵
The city of Corinth was a beehive of religious ideas and practices. This included the traditional Greek gods, the Roman gods and civic religion, the worship of the Emperor and imperial family, and the many differing religious practices brought by travelers and immigrants. As a result, there were many temples, shrines, altars, images, sacrifices, and various religious festivals.
Out of this, Paul would write, “..for us, there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him…” (1 Cor. 8:6). The beginning of the church there began with Paul preaching in the synagogue. Then, being rejected, he turned to preaching to the Gentiles of the city. Thus, “many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. (Acts 18:8).
We then have this small group of disciples left in the midst of a tremendously idolatrous city. This was a huge obstacle to their faith and morals! They HAD been part of that scene, but had been washed and sanctified and justified (1Cor. 6:11). With such conversion came the teaching of transformation. They no longer could participate in such lifestyle, immorality, and idolatry. Here in chapter 10, Paul states clearly, “Do not be idolaters…,” and “flee from idolatry” (vs. 7 and 14).
Being a disciple is not just about being forgiven, although it most surely includes that. It involves the demand of being transformed, of having one’s very character changed. We see this in all of the moral admonitions (some call it the ‘moral code’) included in almost every NT letter! It will always be said “that such WERE some of you,” but it should NEVER be said ‘such ARE some of you.” Which phrase speaks of YOUR lifestyle? Hugh DeLong

09/04/2026

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗹 - 𝟭 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟵
Paul wrote: “(19) For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.
(20) To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;
(21) to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.
(22) To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
(23) I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
One of the problems of bible study is in our not seeing that what sometimes appear to be ‘universal’ statements are in actuality restricted by other scriptural principles. Even within this short section, we see that Paul did not ‘become’ everything that he encountered in other people. He did not become an idolator. He did not become an immoral person. He did not become a murderer. Etc., etc. There WERE things that were ‘optional’, and while it may have been his ‘right’ to participate or indulge in them, ‘Christ’s law’ prohibited such and thus he refused to engage in them.
To me, the greater aspect of this section is actually found in vs. 23! I will do things for the sake of the gospel. In all things, I will strive to glorify Jesus. I will avoid being a stumbling block to others, even in things that I have the right to do.
This is of course the opposite of the ‘my rights above all else’ mentality that seems to have taken over our generation. This lifestyle of surrender and giving is often uncomfortable and costly. If however, you know it will save the soul of the person you are dealing with, does that seem worthwhile to you? What will you do for them? Hugh DeLong

09/03/2026

Christians In First Century Corinth - 1 Cor. 8
We live (lived, past tense, as our world is quickly changing), in a time when Christianity (the basic principles) was the majority belief. The concept of one god was accepted. Such was NOT true back in the first century. The Pagan world was FULL of ‘gods’. Such were woven into the very fabric of the lives of the people: there were gods of cities, gods of the empire, gods of the trade unions, gods of the family, etc.
Such ‘gods’ were ALL accepted: just add another to your agenda. We find it strange that they would even have an altar unto ‘the unknown god’ (cp Acts 17). We are accustomed to the idea that one would pick a god and give undivided allegiance to it, but that wasn’t the way it worked. ALL gods were worthy of respect, honor, and worship. The whole household would worship the family god in the home. If you went to another city, you would acknowledge, respect, and even worship their gods. To NOT do so was a great insult. Well, actually, such simply was not done - except by Jews and Christians.
Among the Romans, we would add to the above, Emperor worship … and especially the worship of the gods that protected the Empire. To REFUSE such worship was ‘treason’. To insult such ‘gods’ would bring their anger and cause destruction and mayhem in the empire.
Society tolerated the Jews not acknowledging such gods because that was their ethnic and national religion. They had always ‘been obstinate’ like that (at least that is the way the were supposed to be!). However, many Christians came from their own people, their own cities, their own families. While just the other day they would have acknowledged such gods, NOW they refuse. While you could excuse the Jews for such, these converted friends and family were without excuse for NO LONGER worshiping and referencing the gods. Thus, Christians were persecuted as ‘atheists’ – unbelievers in the gods.
Jews ALSO persecuted this new ‘cult’ of Christians. Because of the NEW covenant – no circumcision, no priesthood / temple, no sacrifices, no Sabbath and holy days; Jewish believers were persecuted as apostates and false teachers. Add to this, the fact that they NOW accepted Gentiles into their number. HENCE much of the early persecution came from the Jews. Because of their new religious stance, believers were hated by all. So much for tolerance!
It is interesting that the pluralism of our modern world begins to look more like the first century in this regard. There is the widening of people’s world understanding of all the other religions, peoples, and cultures. There is now the widening of acceptance of ALL: an acceptance of pluralism and a denial of the narrowness of truth. Believers in ONE GOD are now considered to be narrow-minded and judgmental.
Yet, “for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.” (1Cor. 8:6) For us, “… there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) The teaching and instructions in 1Cor. 8 – 10 are beginning to have much more meaning and application to our current world situation. We need to have ‘the faith of our fathers’, do you? Hugh DeLong

09/02/2026

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡
Clear back in the 1st century people had marriage problems. Actually, from the beginning of humanity! My wife and I have been watching more British tv shows, and it seems like everyone is in an unhappy marriage. They are unhappy being married to the person they were head-over-heels in love with, the one they vowed to spend their lives together with. And then… life happens. Things change. They change.
Everyone who studies this chapter (and the related passages on marriage and its relationship responsibilities) is tempted to write another book on how to have a happy-ever-after marriage. The basic answer is always the same – love one another as Christ as loved you. That is explicitly charged to the husband in Ephesians 5. But love is to go both ways. This is a ‘put the other 1st’ kind of love. A selfless love. A love that seeks the best for the other person even at the expense and discomfort to self.
It is not just toughing it out. It isn’t just staying married. Rather, it is having a mutual love for one another. Writing yet another book on the subject is hardly needed. Besides, statistics repeatedly show that husbands don’t read such books! AND THAT IS A TYPICAL BEHAVIOR THAT CAUSES THE PROBLEMS.
So, back to the s*x. It is part of the relationship. A God-given part of the relationship. It is to be held ‘in honor among all people’ (Heb. 13:4). BUT IT IS NOT THE WHOLE or even the greater part of the relationship. The important aspect of it is developing a relationship of trust, of respecting and esteeming the other person, of serving the other person. It is a partnership in a life of serving God together. It is above all, NOT about ‘self’.
What would I recommend reading? Perhaps you can start by reading AND applying ALL of the relationship teachings to self. Preachers constantly talk about how brethren are to treat one another. Start there, and apply it in the most inter-personal relationship that you have. Love one another with a pure heart, fervently. Start NOW. Hugh DeLong

09/01/2026

𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝗳𝘂𝗹
The Bible teaches that “ (12) All things are lawful for me,…” In fact, it states that TWICE in the same verse! THEREFORE… Well, just what do you infer / conclude from that statement? Do you understand that to be that once you become a disciple of Jesus that NO ACT is forbidden? Do you take that to mean that there are no limits to what you may do in this life?. While it is true that this phrase appears in our English translation of 1 Corinthians, it is NOT true that this is what the Bible teaches. There are ‘qualifiers’ to these statements. Such qualifiers limit these statements.
In dealing with such verses as this, several have commented we have to have some ‘common sense in interpreting’ them. First is CONTEXT, CONTEXT, CONTEXT. In the very sentences that these phrases appear, they are coupled with modifiers.. ‘BUT…’. But not all things are profitable, but ‘I will not be mastered by anything’.
Then, broaden this to the chapter in which we find it. Vs. 9-10 – doing some things results in one not inheriting the kingdom of God. This concept is repeated in Paul’s writings: Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5; 1 Cor. 15:50; Rev. 21:7-8). Yes, there ARE things that disciples can engage in that will keep them from inheriting the kingdom of God.
Then the context of the whole letter to this congregation that was deluged with many issues.
1 Corinthians 5:5: The s*xually immoral church member is disciplined: “so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 9:27: Paul says that he disciplines himself lest after preaching to others: “I myself will not be disqualified.”
1 Corinthians 10:1–12: Israel experienced extraordinary covenant privileges (all under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all “baptized into Moses,” all ate spiritual food, all drank spiritual drink) yet, “with most of them God was not well-pleased.” Paul then adds: “these things happened as examples for us” and “Let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”
1 Corinthians 11:32: “when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.”
So, the Bible ‘says’ “all things are lawful”, but the Bible does NOT teach that ‘nothing is forbidden’ for disciples! Learn the difference! Hugh DeLong

08/31/2026

1 Corinthians 5
This was written by Russ Bowman, but I thought it needed to be shared...

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗻… 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝘄𝗺𝗮𝗻
I Cor.5:6 - “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?”
This chapter is among the most controversial teachings in all of scripture. One of the Christians in Corinth is involved in some kind of s*xual relationship with his father’s wife. The church there is in some way tolerating the situation, possibly as some display of grace and love, to the point that they are “puffed up” by such. Paul is appalled. He commands them to “not keep company with anyone named a brother who is s*xually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner - not even to eat with such a person” (v.11). The teaching is straightforward and clear and there is little in the entire chapter that is difficult to understand (the exception being, possibly, the “destruction of the flesh” in v.5). The great challenge of the chapter is simply that we don’t like it.
A few observations…
First, the demands of God that are hard are every bit as important as the demands of God that are easy. Baptism, for example, is not a difficult command and especially as it brings with it the appreciation of forgiveness (Acts 22:16; I Pet.3:21). I’ve never seen someone sorrowful over their decision to obey the gospel. But I’ve seen people leave the Lord over the instruction here. The frustrations and pains of dealing with brethren who are giving themselves to sin does not give us the right to dismiss God’s will in the matter. Souls are at stake. We don’t get to skip the hard stuff.
Second, the “little leaven” reminder should concern us. There is a particular and powerful influence within the body of a local church. We more readily give our respect to those who are brethren, and a person respected for his/her faith or years of service can greatly impact our own character and trust. Thus, when someone of repute becomes involved in ungodliness they can move others in the same direction, whether intentional or not. When a church tolerates sin within its ranks, it invites Satan to attack from inside. The determination to “not keep company” is invaluable to the protection of those trying to be faithful.
Finally, our culture of tolerance must not become a filter for our understanding of God’s Word. There is great pressure in our society to endure, if not fully embrace, anything and everything that another person believes or practices. Sexual immorality and perversion (among many other sinful practices) are commonplace and anyone who dares oppose such in a public way is often exposed to harsh criticism and ridicule. Churches who are faithful to practice the teaching in this chapter are at times attacked as uncaring, unloving, and un-Christlike. Most of us are not immune to such pressures. But if we are to please the Lord, and truly care about those who are trying to be faithful, then we cannot approach this chapter by reasoning from consequence. We may well be criticized for our efforts and considered intolerant by many in our society. But we may well save a soul in the process. Such was possibly the case with this man in Corinth (see II Cor.2:5f). And our grand concern is God’s will, and not man’s. We simply must be satisfied with that.
Hard thoughts with which to begin my day. But I can’t ignore what’s hard.

08/28/2026

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗜𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵
That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church (1 Corinthians 4:17).
Paul did not teach different things to different churches. There of course is ONE faith (Eph. 4:4-6). All basis of teaching comes from what was revealed by the apostles and prophets of the first century.
· They were guided into ALL truth (John 16:13) and they wrote what had been revealed unto them (Eph. 3:3-5).
· They instructed disciples to preach no OTHER gospel - Gal. 1:8-9
· They warned believers to NOT go beyond what is written - 2 John 9-10
· They demanded that teachers speak as the oracles of God - 1 Pet. 4:11
· They affirmed that the scriptures provide all the basis for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. 2Tim. 3:15-17.
· Disciples then are to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, teaching and admonishing one another and whatever we do, in word or deed, we are to do it in the name of Jesus (Col. 3:16-17).
This is NOT our society’s concept of ‘your truth and my truth and everybody’s truth’! This points us to a verifiable outside source by which we can ascertain truth – truth on our religious beliefs and teaching. Make sure this is YOUR standard. First, examine yourself. Then hold-forth this standard to everyone.
Hugh DeLong

08/27/2026

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗱’𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 – 𝟭𝗖𝗼𝗿. 𝟯:𝟭𝟲
- "Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16)
Do you not know - there are some things that OUGHT to be known by the Lord’s disciples and this is one of them. Temples have been built to accommodate the worship of gods by almost every society. There are remains scattered all over the Mediterranean world of the first century. The Jews had built the temple unto the true God. This temple then enjoyed the very glory of God dwelling in it until Israel corrupted themselves with idols. In the time of Ezekiel, God removed His presence from the temple and then raised up the Babylonians to utterly destroy it. With the return of Ezra and Nehemiah they rebuilt the temple. This temple served its purpose but it was not of the same glory as Solomon’s temple. Under Herod the Great, he persuaded the Jewish people to let him remodel the temple. He was known for his great building projects and this one was no different. He greatly enlarged the temple area and rebuilt and glorified the temple. Even the disciples of Jesus were impressed with the very beauty of this temple.
NOW, in the city of Corinth, the city that housed some of the great temples of the pagan gods, God is building His temple. “YOU are the temple of God” and “God’s Spirit dwells in you”. In this sentence, both instances of ‘you’ is plural. The church is the temple and the Spirit dwells in it. There is one temple and collective, they are ‘built together’. This same thought is stated in Ephesians 2:20-22 where Paul writes concerning the gentiles who have become Christians: "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit”.
We are the ‘building blocks’ of this new temple. Yet, some had begun to desecrate and destroy the very temple of God by causing division and apostasy among the disciples. The warning is severe: If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. Let no one deceive himself” (1 Cor. 3:17-18). We need to be careful how we treat each other! We ought never to be the stone of stumbling that would cause a brother to stumble in his faith. Even that which we have been given a right to partake of should be willingly given up for the spiritual well-being of our brethren. We live in a selfish age and it has shown itself even among God’s people. Such simply should not be!
Brethren, WE are this temple. We are to be a HOLY temple. We are to be a people dedicated for the purpose of worshiping and glorifying our God. Hugh DeLong