What does worship to God look like?

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

A time will come when true worshipers will worship in “spirit and truth.” God seeks these worshipers and it is how they “must” worship Him since He is spirit.

Jesus is speaking to the woman at the well in Samaria at the very beginning of His public ministry. It’s a time when Jews considered Jerusalem the center of worship (still under the Mosaic covenant). Conversely, the Samaritans had developed their own center of worship – an offshoot of the traditions passed down from their Jewish heritage. Worship location is very much the context in which Jesus is speaking. Immediately preceding he says, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.” (vs 21)

When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk.

They were coming together to eat the Lord’s Supper, but not doing so properly – they were not waiting on each other, doing it in excess and for carnal reasons (getting drunk).

Paul in his letter to the church in Corinth gives many admonitions and instruction about their worship practice. In this case, he’s admonishing about the divisions created in their inappropriate Lord’s Supper practices.

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

I am commanding you as I did the other churches of Galatia to likewise concerning the collection for the saints [in Jerusalem]. Everyone should give what they have determined (“purposed”, “set aside”) to give. Not grudgingly. Not because they’re obligated. But cheerfully, as is pleasing to God.

Paul has been encouraging the brethren to give as other churches have given liberally. In this case, it is a collection being made for a specific need for the Christians in Jerusalem. Paul follows up on this specific “giving need” in his second letter. The broader context in 2 Corinthians 8 is a Christian’s duty to have a giving nature, he writes, “And this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.” (8:10)

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Lets all think about how to provoke each other to love and good works by not skipping worship as some are doing, but coming together to encourage each other more and more as the final day of judgement draws near.

This letter to Jewish Christians that were now scattered throughout the region contrasts their Old Covenant worship practices (e.g. sacrifices, High Priest, etc.) with the New Covenant under Jesus Christ. Specifically here, the writer is relating the practice of the High Priest entering the Holy Place to the Christian’s responsiblity to do the same (in worship).

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Don’t get drunk with wine, which is depravity, but be overcome by the Spirit by speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make melody in your hearts to the Lord and at all times give thanks to God the Father for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one in duty to Christ.

Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus giving encouragement and instruction.

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Timothy is given instruction to read Scripture publicly, exhort and teach.

Paul’s letter to a young preacher, Timothy. Throughout the letter, Paul’s instructions have to do with Timothy’s activities and relationship with the brethren there with Timothy (the church).

but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.

Paul and his group left Philippi after the feast of Unleavened Bread and sailed five days to Troas. They stayed there seven days and on the first day of the week (Sunday) met to break bread. Paul also spoke to the group for an extended period since he was leaving the next day.

Paul is traveling to Jerusalem and stopping in various cities on the journey – and staying, sometimes for months (Corinth). As he goes, he is collecting money to give the needy saints in Jerusalem.

When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

When assembled together in Jesus’ name together with my spirit, by the authority of our Lord Jesus, you are to turn this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the final day of the Lord.

Paul is correcting the Corinth church on how to deal with a brother/member that is actively engaging in public sin.

the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

In every local assembly, the women should remain silent. They are not permitted to speak but should remain in submission, as it was in the Law. If there is anything they desire to learn, they should ask their husband at home. It is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth about orderly worship. In this immediate context, he’s applying this truth to discourage everyone from speaking at once in worship. In particular, they were using miraculous gifts of tongues improperly (with no interpreter – vs 27). The second part of verse 33 is included here in parentheses. While part of verse 33, the punctuation is such that a new paragraph begins. Other translations such as the KJV and NASB punctuate and include it with verse 33 to read, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

In each church assembly, I [Paul] want the men to pray in holiness without anger or disputing;

Paul, appointed as preacher and apostle in “faith and truth” (vs 7), is instructing the young preacher Timothy in various matters of faith and church leadership. Specifically in this chapter, he is addressing specific roles in the local church assembly regarding duties and conduct. After addressing “the men” (vs 8), he goes on to address the women (vss 9-15).

Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.

Let a woman learn quietly while being submissive. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, rather she is to remain quiet.

Paul, appointed as preacher and apostle in “faith and truth” (vs 7), is instructing the young preacher Timothy in various matters of his personal faith, and in this chapter turns specifically to instructions for members of the church. He begins with more general instructions (vss 1-6) before turning to specific roles within local assemblies. First for men (vs 8), women (vss 9-15), elders (3:1-7), and deacons (3:8-13).

His instructions regarding women are based on scripture going back to the creation account, specifically that “Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.” (vss 13-14)