CountryClub Road Church of Christ

09/10/2026

𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 - 𝟭𝗖𝗼𝗿. 𝟭𝟯
One of the greatest synopses on the nature and the character of ‘love’ is found in 1 Corinthians 13. Many preachers, myself included, have found this useful in trying to illustrate what it means for a husband to love his wife. I will continue to do this, however it is instructive to realize this context is not about marriage but about the relationship of brethren to each other.
The underlying problem of the Corinthians was simply a lack of true love for each other. This showed up in their prideful mistreatment of each other in ch. 1-4, in their selfish lawsuits against each other, and in their willful demanding of their rights over the endangerment of brethren’s salvation in ch. 8-10. Love does not act that way.
The greatest commandment: Love God. The second: love your neighbor as yourself. These were not just ‘neighbors’, they were brethren in the Lord. These were heirs together in the grace of life.
If we cannot love our brethren whom Christ died for, then we do not have the love of God in our heart. Corinth was not the last church that had such major inner struggles. History is littered with countless congregations having been troubled over such lack of love for each other. It has shown itself in many ways, but the root problem has remained the same.
The importance of such love for brethren was stated in the opening of this chapter:
“1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13:1-2).
This is the commandment given by Jesus: “Love one another”. Peter restated it: “Love one another with a pure heart, fervently”. John would mention love over 40 times in his 1st letter. In particular, go and reread chapters 3 and 4!
What does loving one another look like? Now reread 1 Cor. 13!
Are you filled with love, or are you nothing? Hugh DeLong

09/10/2026

𝗘𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - 𝟭 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟭𝟰
“Let all things be done for edification” (1 Corinthians 14:26, NASB95).
But, what does ‘edification’ mean in practical terms? Often it is used to mean educate / teach. While it includes that, it also means simply ‘to build up’.
This is said in connection with our association in a local church group such as the church in Corinth. We see here that Paul repeatedly emphasizes building up the congregation:
Prophecy edified the church—14:3–5.
Believers should seek to abound for the church’s edification—14:12.
A contribution must edify others, not merely benefit the speaker—14:17.
Every part of the assembly must serve this goal—14:26.
In this setting, ‘edify’ means to build up in more ways than ‘teaching’ or ‘knowledge’. “(3) But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation” (1 Corinthians 14:3). This building up is to help other members of the congregation grow in knowledge of the truth. It would also encourage them toward faithfulness in discipleship, and it would encourage and console those who struggle.
The problems discussed earlier in this letter did NOT build up the people but instead were divisive and destructive to their faith. Hence the instruction to let all things be done for edification. This is included in your association with the members with whom you are joined to. Much of this is done ‘when you come together’ (cp. Chapter 11 again, and here in vs. 23), but much can also be done in our association with them outside of our assemblies. When Paul came to Jerusalem after his conversion, he first ‘tried to associate with the disciples’. When he was rebuffed in this, Barnabas took him to the apostles and explained how Paul had been converted. With that, Paul then was “with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:28, KJV).
Here in our reading today, Paul instructs that we are to “seek to abound for the edification of the church” (1 Cor. 14:12). Take an inventory of your association with other disciples. Are you busy edifying them? Hugh DeLong

09/09/2026

𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆 - 𝟭𝗖𝗼𝗿. 𝟭𝟮
Paul began this letter saying that there were divisions within the church at Corinth. He has been dealing with each issue in turn. Here in chapter 12, he gives the underlying reason that such division is a problem: there is only one body and it is made up of many members.
When we read ‘members’, we are apt to see this from our 21st century perspective and think of being a ‘member of a club’ or a ‘member of a baseball team’. While such a perspective can give us many good thoughts about unity and fellowship, Paul was speaking of a much more significant unity. Hence, he speaks of the church as a BODY, a living body. Hence, the members are likened to ‘eyes, foot, and hand’. While being a member of a club can have a take it or leave it quality, the loss of a body part in the 1st century would have had major consequences to the life of the body.
The first application of this concerns being a divisive member! If you ARE such a member of the body, it is like mutilating your own physical body. It is easy to cause division: it requires no character or knowledge. And after you have caused it, what do you have? Thus, we are to STRIVE to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. We are to love one another with a pure heart, fervently.
Secondly, such awareness of this should motivate us to be a living part of such a body. It is a ‘one another’ relationship. Paul uses this ‘one another’ phrase five times in this letter (1Cor. 6:7; 7:5; 11:33; 12:25; 16:20). A broader search of the NT shows it is used over 100 times! If you have never studied this, I would suggest you write out each and every one of these ‘one another’ duties and then set out to practice them. All of them.
We are added together (Acts 2:26), we join ourselves to the saints (Acts 9:26), and ‘going in and out among them (Acts 9:28). We become a living, active member to a living, active body.
If you severed yourself from the body you ‘belong to’, would they miss you? Hugh DeLong

09/08/2026

Paul and Headship
In reading chapter 11, stop and meditate on this distinction that is made here. While many people in our country today do not like the concept of headship, and may even use vv. 11-12 to deny the rest of this section, yet the truth can be built by noting that the head of man is Christ. Christ and man are NOT interchangeable. Here Paul identifies the man and the woman separately. In such identification, he notes that the same action (wearing or not wearing the veil) could bring honor to one and dishonor to the other – which suggests that each was expected to appear recognizably as either male or female. What this means for today’s debate is that Paul does not treat s*xual identity as merely personal preference or declaration.
This concept / argument is grounded in creation. Woman was made from man – Genesis 2:21-23. Woman was created for man – Genesis 2:18. Such is NOT about “superiority”, either for the male or for the female. They are distinct but mutually dependent. Such mutual dependence does not erase the distinction.
What is happening today is changing the basis of the argument and the terms being used in the discussion. “Biological s*x” is often replaced with “gender identity”. While it is argued that gender identity is a matter of choice and self-declaration, biological s*x cannot change an adult’s biological s*x completely from male to female or female to male. We can argue and legislate gender identification, but such does not change anyone’s biological s*x.
Reread 1 Cor. 11:1-12 in light of today’s confusion. From the beginning, the two biological s*xes have been different and not interchangeable. Hugh DeLong

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