The Skeptics Annotated Bible

by Wells, Steve

  17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

  18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

  19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

  (14.19) “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”

  20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

  21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

  (14.21) “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”

  71 Is it OK to drink alcohol?

  13 What should we eat?

  22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

  23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

  (14.23) “He that doubteth is damned … Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

  ROMANS 15

  15 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

  2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

  (15.2) “Let every one of us please his neighbour.”

  459 Should we try to please everyone?

  3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

  4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

  5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

  6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

  8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

  9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

  10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

  11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

  12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

  13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

  14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

  15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,

  16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

  17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

  18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

  19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

  20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:

  21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

  22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

  23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

  24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

  25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

  26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

  27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

  28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

  29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

  30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

  31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

  32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

  33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

  (15.33) “The God of peace”

  99 Is God warlike or peaceful?

  ROMANS 16

  16 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

  (16.1) “Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church.” The Revised Standard Version calls Phoebe a “deaconess”, which would make would make her a church leader. If the RSV translation is correct, this verse contradicts the requirement that women not be permitted to teach and that they must be silent in church. (1 Cor 14.34-35, 1 Tim 2.11-12).

  454 Can women be church leaders?

  2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

  3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

  4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

  5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

  6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

  7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

  (16.7) “Junia … of note among the apostles” Was there a woman apostle? That is how some interpret this verse and use it to justify a more active role for women in the church.

  454 Can women be church leaders?

  8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.

  9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

  10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household.

  11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

  12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

  13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

  14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.

  15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

  16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

  (16.17-18) Shun those who disagree with your religious views.

  17 Now I beseech yo
u, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

  (16.17) “Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

  18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

  (16.18) “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

  19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

  20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

  (16.20) “The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.” Paul believed that Jesus would return and defeat Satan “shortly”—within his own lifetime.

  21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

  22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

  23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

  24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

  25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

  26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

  27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

  1 CORINTHIANS

  I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all. — 1 Corinthians 14.18

  Paul has an important message in First Corinthians: time is running out. There’s no time for learning; no time for sex, marriage or families. Jesus is coming soon. In the meantime, slaves should obey their masters, women should obey their husbands, and everyone should speak in tongues. Just not as much as Paul.

  Highlights:

  Paul expected Jesus to return within the lifetime of his followers. 1.7-8, 7.29, 10.11, 15.51-52

  Christians started out divided (into followers of Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ, etc.), and it has remained so ever since. 1.12, 3.4

  Poor Paul is confused. First he says that he baptized no one. Well, except for Crispus and Gaius. And maybe Stephanus and his household. He can’t remember if he did it to anyone else. 1.14-16

  God: the destroyer of wisdom. 1.19-20

  “It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” 1.21

  To be a good Christian you must try to know nothing (except for Jesus, of course). Become an ignorant fool for Christ. 2.2, 3.18-20, 4.10, 8.2, 14.38

  Christians can judge everything and everybody (including angels!), but no non-Christian can judge them. 2.15, 6.3

  Get saved by burning your work. 3.15

  Forget Jesus. Follow Paul! 4.16, 11.1

  Delivering people to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so that Jesus can save their spirits. 5.5

  Paul lists ten things that will keep you out of heaven, including homosexuality and being “effeminate.” 6.9-11

  Everything is lawful to Paul and he submits to no law. 6.12, 10.23

  “It is good for a man not to touch a woman.” 7.1

  “I would that all men were even as I myself.” 7.7

  Slaves should not desire their freedom. 7.21

  Those who are unmarried should never marry. 7.27

  There’s no time for sex or marriage since the world will be ending soon. 7.29

  Gentiles sacrifice to devils. If you have gentile friends, then you are friends with devils. 10.20

  “The head of the woman is the man.” 11.3

  If a woman refuses to cover her head in church, then her head must be shaved. 11.5-6

  Men are made in the image of God; women in the image of men. Women were created from and for men. 11.7-9

  God likes short hair on men and long hair on women. 11.13-15

  “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.” 14.18

  “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home.” 14.34-35

  “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema.” 16.22

  1 CORINTHIANS 1

  (1.7-8) Paul expected Jesus to return within the lifetime of his followers.

  1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

  2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s:

  3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

  4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

  5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

  6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

  7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

  (1.7) “Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

  8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  (1.8) “Be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

  9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

  10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

  11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

  12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

  (1.12) “I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.” Christians started out divided (into followers of Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ), and it has remained so ever since.

  13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

  (1.14-16) Poor Paul is confused. First he says that he baptized no one. Well, except for Crispus and Gaius. And maybe Stephanus and his household. He can’t remember if he did it to anyone else.

  14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

  (1.14) “I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius.”

  15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

  (1.15) “Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.”

  16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

  (1.16) “And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.”

  17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

  18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

  (1.19-20) God: the destroyer of wisdom

  293 Is wisdom a good thing?

  19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

  (1.19) “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

 
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

  (1.20) “Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?”

  21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

  (1.21) “It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” God saves fools and is pleased with their foolishness.

  295 Is it good to be foolish?

  22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

  23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

  24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

  25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

  26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

  27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

  (1.27) “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.”

  45 Is God the author of confusion?

  28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

  29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

  30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

  31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

  1 CORINTHIANS 2

  2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

  2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

  (2.2) “I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ.” If you are to be a good Christian you must try to know nothing (except for Jesus, of course).