1 Corinthians 5:5 is a curious passage which has been variously interpreted by scholars. For some, it denotes a magical curse which is designed to cause the physical death of the sinner. Others have found such an interpretation unpersuasive. Instead, they maintain that Paul's words at verse five are to be understood as a metaphor for exclusion from the Corinthian community. So, the errant Corinthian is not to die by a curse, but is to be excluded. This work argues for the former interpretation by marshalling a range of the most recent-specialised-magical material, which has not been considered by other works in relation to 1 Corinthians 5. It fully acknowledges the weaknesses of previous magical interpretations, and metaphorical approaches to the passage. Instead, it presents a fresh magical reading of not only 1 Corinthians 5:5, but the whole of 1 Corinthians 5-within its wider context of the apostle Paul's letter to the Corinthians.

These commentaries provide a verse-by-verse and phrase-by-phrase exposition of the text, taking into account the cultural, theological, and Old Testament contexts of each passage. Interpretive challenges are fully dealt with, and differing views are fairly evaluated. This set of 4 books covers all of I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, and Titus and is part of a New Testament commentary series which has as its objective explaining and applying Scripture, focusing on the major doctrines and how they relate to the whole of the Bible.

The final book of the Bible, Revelation prophesies the ultimate judgement of mankind in a series of allegorical visions, grisly images and numerological predictions. According to these, empires will fall, the "Beast" will be destroyed and Christ will rule a new Jerusalem. With an introduction by Will Self.

Lots of churches around the world are struggling to survive. Maybe instead they should follow Jesus into death so that they can rise again. I suggest several things that churches can do to follow Jesus into the world. These ways allow us to BE the church rather than just attend church.

Edited by J.B. Phillips Chapters indicated but no verse numbers Introduction to each book Index 5 1/2 X 8 1/4 % Font size: 10