I Corinthians 4:21. Paul is threatening violence?

Paul is speaking of the rod of his mouth. He is describing a situation that might occur if there were people in the Corinthian church would refuse to repent. No, Paul would never use physical violence, as this figurative term suggests, but if he had to ex-communicate or ask God to intervene in some way, all those options are on the table for a true apostle of Jesus Christ. God has set these apostles first in the church, and the true ones will use that authority when needed. Let no man take them lightly.

2. I Corinthians 5:9. Is this really the first letter to the Corinthians?

Obviously not. The details are not important to us, but Paul did indeed write to them following a visit which also is not recorded for us. There are certainly many apostolic activities of which we have no reporting at all.

3. I Corinthians 5:2, 11. Does the Bible teach ex-communication and separation?

If I Corinthians is Bible and Paul is a Bible writer, then yes it surely does. We do not deliver people to death as did the Roman system. But we do ask them to leave the comfort and security, the covering, of the local church until such time as they repent and confess their sin to the body of Christ. This practice, when properly used, is a great deterrent to evil habits and teachings that surface from time to time. How sad that so very few churches use this tool for keeping the church holy.

4. I Corinthians 6:3. How and why will we judge angels?

The prophets saw a time when the Lord’s Throne would be set up, but also when other ones will be nearby, those of some of his saints. Paul uses the pronoun “we” to describe this group, but obviously does not limit the judges to people of apostolic nature. He is saying that “we” will judge angels, so “we” can handle church disputes. Same “we.”

All else that we say must be conjecture. Most assume that the angels in question are those who followed Satan into rebellion. In one sense they are already judged, but in some way “we” will be there to help carry out the sentence.

Where will these fallen angels (i.e. demons) be when Jesus comes? There is no account of their own gathering to greet Christ, as His people shall. So where are they? Will it be a part of our first assignment as Millennial rulers to track them down and bring them to trial?

5. I Corinthians 6:9. What is the difference between effeminate and homosexual (NASB)?