Living for God’s Glory: Freedom, Discipline, and Worship That Reflects Christ
- Be God's Glory
- Nov 25
- 11 min read
Welcome to Day 327 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
These chapters explore how believers use their freedom responsibly, honor God in community, and reflect Christ in worship. Paul teaches that Christian liberty is never an excuse for self-centeredness but should be guided by love and sensitivity toward others. He uses his own ministry as an example of sacrificial discipline to win souls, urges the church to avoid idolatry by learning from Israel’s failures, and calls believers to live for God’s glory in every decision. Paul also addresses order and respect in worship, teaching that the Lord’s Supper must be taken with reverence, unity, and self-examination. Together, these chapters show that spiritual maturity means aligning every area of life—freedom, relationships, choices, and worship—under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 8
Paul addresses the issue of eating food sacrificed to idols, explaining that knowledge alone is not enough—love must guide how believers use their freedom. He teaches that idols have no real power and that mature Christians understand this truth, but weaker believers may still struggle with their past associations. Because of this, Paul warns that exercising freedom without considering others can damage their faith and become a sin against Christ. He urges believers to prioritize the spiritual well-being of others above personal rights. Ultimately, Paul concludes that if something causes a brother or sister to stumble, love compels us to refrain—even if the act itself is not sinful. The chapter centers on the principle that love is greater than liberty.
1 Corinthians 9
Paul uses his own life as an illustration of laying down rights for the sake of the gospel. Although he has the right to receive financial support as an apostle, he chooses not to use that right to avoid hindering anyone’s ability to receive Christ. He explains how he becomes “all things to all people,” adapting to different groups without compromising God’s truth so that he may win more souls. Paul then compares the Christian life to athletic competition, emphasizing the need for strict discipline and purposeful effort. Just as athletes train for a perishable crown, believers pursue an imperishable one. Paul ends by stressing self-control and intentionality so that he does not disqualify himself from the ministry God gave him.
1 Corinthians 10
Paul reminds the church of Israel’s history to warn them not to repeat the same mistakes, such as idolatry, immorality, and grumbling. Although Israel experienced God’s blessings and miracles, many fell because their hearts turned away from Him, showing that privileges do not guarantee faithfulness. Paul urges believers to flee from idolatry and recognize that they cannot participate in the table of the Lord while also entertaining spiritual compromise. He emphasizes that all things may be lawful, but not all things are beneficial, especially if they harm another believer’s conscience. Paul instructs Christians to do everything—even eating and drinking—for the glory of God. The chapter concludes by urging believers to live in a way that leads others to salvation, not confusion.
1 Corinthians 11
Paul begins by addressing order in worship gatherings, explaining the importance of honoring God’s design for authority, leadership, and mutual respect between men and women. He then rebukes the Corinthians for their division and selfishness during the Lord’s Supper, which was meant to unite the body of Christ. Instead of treating the meal with reverence, some were using it for indulgence, showing disregard for the poor and the sacredness of Christ’s sacrifice. Paul reminds them of Jesus’ words on the night He instituted communion, stressing that the bread and cup proclaim the Lord’s death. He warns believers to examine their hearts before participating so they do not take the meal in an unworthy manner. The chapter emphasizes worship that honors Christ, promotes unity, and reflects the holiness of God.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The book is named after the city of Corinth, a prominent Greek city known for its wealth, commerce, and cultural diversity. The name “Corinthians” simply refers to the people of Corinth, who were the recipients of Paul’s letter. Corinth was a major port city on the Isthmus of Corinth, strategically located for trade and travel, which contributed to both its prosperity and the moral challenges faced by its inhabitants.
Purpose of the Book:
Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to address divisions, moral issues, and questions about Christian conduct within the Corinthian church. The letter provides guidance on maintaining unity, living a holy life, understanding spiritual gifts, and navigating relationships within the church. Paul emphasizes the importance of relying on God’s wisdom rather than human wisdom, correcting sinful behavior, and reinforcing the gospel’s centrality, particularly the message of Christ crucified as the foundation for faith.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The Apostle Paul is the author of 1 Corinthians. Internal evidence supports this claim, as Paul identifies himself as the writer in 1 Corinthians 1:1–2: “Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, to the church of God that is in Corinth.”Additional evidence includes:
2 Corinthians 1:1 and Romans 16:23, which reference Paul’s letters to Corinth and his co-workers.
Acts 18:1-18 documents Paul’s time in Corinth, establishing his close relationship with the church and confirming the historical context for the letter.
Early church historians such as Eusebius and references in the writings of Clement of Rome (c. AD 95) also acknowledge Paul as the author of the letter to the Corinthians.
Key People:
Paul – the author, apostle, and primary spiritual guide for the Corinthian church.
Sosthenes – co-sender of the letter, likely a leader or prominent member of the Corinthian congregation (1:1).
Apollos – an eloquent teacher and minister whom some Corinthians followed, causing divisions (1:12; 3:4-6).
Cephas (Peter) – referenced as another leader whom some church members favored (1:12).
Christ Jesus – central to the letter, as Paul repeatedly emphasizes reliance on Him as the foundation of faith (1:2, 2:2, 3:11).
Other unnamed members of the Corinthian church – involved in disputes, immorality, and questions that prompted Paul’s guidance.
Conclusion
The book of 1 Corinthians addresses the struggles of a young church learning to live out its faith in a challenging cultural context. Paul calls the Corinthians to unity, humility, moral integrity, and dependence on God’s wisdom rather than human pride. He emphasizes that Christ is the foundation of all spiritual life and ministry, and that God’s power is made perfect in human weakness. The letter is both corrective and instructive, offering timeless guidance for believers navigating divisions, moral challenges, and the pursuit of spiritual maturity. It remains a foundational text for understanding Christian conduct, church unity, and reliance on God’s wisdom.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
1 Corinthians 8
In this chapter, God reveals Himself as patient, loving, and deeply concerned about the spiritual well-being of His children. He shows that He values unity and compassion over personal freedoms or intellectual pride. God cares about how our choices impact others, reminding us that His character is rooted in love that builds up rather than knowledge that puffs up. Through this, He teaches us that true spiritual maturity is measured by love for others.
There are no explicit Hebrew names of God mentioned in this chapter, but God reveals Himself through His actions and expectations as the One who shepherds and guides His people. In this chapter, we see the heart of God—full of grace, gentleness, and responsibility—teaching believers to imitate His care in their relationships. The lesson is that God desires His people to lay down personal rights to protect the spiritual growth of others. When we choose love over liberty, we reflect the heart of God to the world.
1 Corinthians 9
God shows Himself as generous, sacrificial, and mission-focused in this chapter through Paul’s example. We see God’s heart for salvation as Paul willingly gives up his rights to reach more people with the gospel. God is revealed as purposeful and disciplined, calling His people to live with intention rather than spiritual laziness. Through Paul’s example, God shows that His character is marked by selfless love for the lost.
No Hebrew names of God are used in this chapter, but God displays Himself as the Master Trainer who shapes His servants with purpose. He teaches that the Christian life is not passive—it requires spiritual discipline, focus, and sacrifice to honor Him. The lesson is that believers must be willing to deny themselves for the advancement of God’s kingdom, just as Christ modeled. God uses this chapter to remind us that every right we surrender for His glory becomes a seed that leads others to salvation.
1 Corinthians 10
In this chapter, God reveals Himself as holy, faithful, and protective. He warns His people through Israel’s history, showing that His holiness cannot be taken lightly and that rebellion brings consequences. Yet He also shows His faithfulness by providing a way of escape from every temptation. God desires His people to learn from the past and walk in obedience that leads to life.
While Hebrew names are not specifically mentioned here, God’s nature aligns with El Emunah, the Faithful God, who strengthens and guides His people away from harm. He teaches believers to avoid idolatry and spiritual compromise, reminding them that He alone is their source of protection and strength. The lesson in this chapter is that God’s people must pursue choices that glorify Him and build others up, not choices that mirror the world. God calls us to live with reverence, gratitude, and responsibility as representatives of His holiness.
1 Corinthians 11
In this chapter, God is shown as orderly, holy, and deeply invested in the worship of His people. He cares about how believers honor Him both in relationships and in corporate gatherings. God values unity, humility, and reverence, especially during the Lord’s Supper. He reveals that true worship reflects His character and brings Him glory.
There are no specific Hebrew names of God mentioned in this chapter, but God’s character reflects El Qadosh, the Holy God, who calls His people to worship Him with purity and respect. The lesson He teaches is that worship must never be casual or divided, but grounded in love, unity, and self-examination. God shows that He desires believers to approach Him with honor and humility, recognizing the sacredness of Christ’s sacrifice. When we value unity and reverence, we reflect God’s holiness to the world.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
What does God’s emphasis on love over knowledge in chapter 8 reveal about His heart toward community and spiritual maturity?
How does Paul’s willingness to surrender his rights in chapter 9 reflect God’s sacrificial nature?
In chapter 10, what does God’s warning through Israel’s history teach us about His holiness and desire for obedience?
How does God’s provision of “a way of escape” from temptation demonstrate His faithfulness and protection?
What does God’s expectation for order and reverence in worship (chapter 11) reveal about His character?
How do these chapters show God as a relational God who cares about how His people treat one another?
What does the Lord’s Supper in chapter 11 reveal about God’s desire for unity and remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice?
Questions About Themes:
How does the theme of “freedom guided by love” challenge the way believers use their Christian liberty in chapter 8?
What does Paul’s message in chapter 9 teach about the theme of laying down personal rights for the sake of the gospel?
How does athletic discipline in chapter 9 illustrate the theme of intentional and sacrificial discipleship?
In chapter 10, how does Paul use Israel’s failures to teach the theme of avoiding idolatry and spiritual compromise?
What does the repeated call to “do all to the glory of God” reveal about the overarching theme of God-centered living?
How does chapter 11 highlight the theme of unity vs. division in worship and fellowship?
What theme emerges about reverent worship from Paul’s correction of how the Corinthians practiced the Lord’s Supper?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what ways do I need to limit my personal freedoms out of love for other believers, as taught in chapter 8?
What rights or comforts might God be asking me to surrender so others can more clearly see Christ in me?
How disciplined and focused am I in my spiritual walk, and where do I need to grow in intentionality (chapter 9)?
Are there areas in my life where I’ve allowed subtle forms of idolatry or compromise to take root (chapter 10)?
How can I more consciously live each day—even in small choices—to reflect God’s glory?
Do my actions during worship, communion, and fellowship reflect reverence, unity, and love toward Christ and His body?
What step can I take this week to strengthen unity in my relationships and honor God through humility and self-examination?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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