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Living in Sin, the Body of Christ, and 1 Corinthians 5:5

Body of Christ

The church in Corinth had a problem. One of their own was actively engaging in sexual sin that went beyond the immorality of non-Christian Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5:1). This person was choosing to live in sin, despite being part of the body of Christ. Paul goes on to say that the best thing for both the church and the individual was for the church to remove the man from their fellowship. Then in 1 Corinthians 5:5, Paul puts it another way: “deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh . . .”

To us modern day Christians, Paul’s instruction sounds like a cliche misrepresentation of Christianity you’d see in a horror movie. But that’s not how Christians in Corinth understood it.

Read more…

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26 Breathtaking Photos of Biblical Places

Pillars in Herod the Great’s "Reef" or "Promontory Palace" complex, probably the site of Paul's hearing and trial (Acts 25:1–26:32).

The events of the Bible happened in real places, with real people. Take a virtual journey across the biblical landscape, and see the cities where Jesus and the Apostles walked, lived, and changed the world.

Logos Bible Software sent photographers all over the holy land, and they assembled 400 photos, videos, infographics, and maps of biblical places to guide your studies and help bring the Bible to life.

You can find them all in the Faithlife Study Bible. Get your free copy.

Here are 26 breathtaking photos taken right from the FSB:

1. Nazareth sunset

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2. Herod’s Aqueduct, Caesarea

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An aqueduct built by Herod the Great to carry water from springs below Mount Carmel to Caesarea, 10 miles (16 km) away.

3. Reef Palace pillars, Caesarea

Pillars in Herod the Great’s "Reef" or "Promontory Palace" complex, probably the site of Paul's hearing and trial (Acts 25:1–26:32).
Pillars in Herod the Great’s “Reef” or “Promontory Palace” complex, probably the site of Paul’s hearing and trial (Acts 25:1–26:32).

4. Arched doorways, Thessalonica

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Arched shop doorways in excavated ruins of ancient Thessalonica.

5. Arches, Pool of Bethesda

A view of the arches over the Pool of Bethesda, Jerusalem, where Jesus healed the paralyzed man (John 5:2–9).
A view of the arches over the Pool of Bethesda, Jerusalem, where Jesus healed the paralyzed man (John 5:2–9).

6. Parthenon columns

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Columns against the sky at the Parthenon in Athens.

7. Ruined arch, Philippi

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A ruined brick and stone arch at the northwestern entrance to the fifth century AD “Basilica B” in Philippi, with Philippi’s Acropolis in the right background.

8. Stone doorway, Philippi

A restored stone doorway leading into the fifth-century AD "Basilica B" in Philippi.
A restored stone doorway leading into the fifth-century AD “Basilica B” in Philippi.

9. Jail, Philippi

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A possible site of the Philippian jail where Paul and Silas led the jailor to Christ (Acts 16:23–40).

10. Floor, Caesarea theater

A view of the floor of the Roman theater in Caesarea from high in the seating section.
A view of the floor of the Roman theater in Caesarea from high in the seating section.

11. Restored stoa, Athens

Restored stoa (covered public walkway) in the Athens Agora.
Restored stoa (covered public walkway) in the Athens Agora.

12. A partially restored ancient arch in Corinth

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13. Fountain at Tabgha

A fountain at Tabgha, the traditional site of the loaves and fish miracle (Mark 6:30–44) and Jesus’ fourth post-resurrection appearance (John 21:1–23).
A fountain at Tabgha, the traditional site of the loaves and fish miracle (Mark 6:30–44) and Jesus’ fourth post-resurrection appearance (John 21:1–23).

14. Roman ruins, Scythopolis (Beth Shan)

Partly restored Roman era ruins at Scythopolis (Beth Shan).
Partly restored Roman era ruins at Scythopolis (Beth Shan).

15. Central Dead Sea looking East

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16. Stone tomb closure

A close-up of the stone tomb closure at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. Possibly the site of Jesus’ burial and resurrection (John 19:41-42).
A close-up of the stone tomb closure at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. Possibly the site of Jesus’ burial and resurrection (John 19:41-42).

17. Arch series, Smyrna

A series of restored Roman era stone arches in the agora, or public marketplace, at Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey).
A series of restored Roman era stone arches in the agora, or public marketplace, at Smyrna (modern Izmir, Turkey).

18. Ornate column capital, Laodicea

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19. Curetes Street, Ephesus

Curetes Street, a rare diagonal street (Graeco-Roman cities were usually laid out in a north-south grid) located in Ephesus and named for an inscription found there that mentioned the Curetes, priests of Artemis.
Curetes Street, a rare diagonal street (Graeco-Roman cities were usually laid out in a north-south grid) located in Ephesus and named for an inscription found there that mentioned the Curetes, priests of Artemis.

20. Mosaic floor, Sardis synagogue

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21. Marble columns and gymnasium façade, Sardis

A view of marble columns and the façade, part of an ancient gymnasium in Sardis. A gymnasium was roughly equivalent to a high school, but with a strong emphasis on preparation for public athletic games (hence the modern use of the word “gymnasium”).
A view of marble columns and the façade, part of an ancient gymnasium in Sardis. A gymnasium was roughly equivalent to a high school, but with a strong emphasis on preparation for public athletic games (hence the modern use of the word “gymnasium”).

22. Latin inscription, Ephesus

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23. Simon the Tanner’s house

The traditional site of Simon the Tanner’s house (Acts 10:1-23) in Jaffa (biblical Joppa).
The traditional site of Simon the Tanner’s house (Acts 10:1-23) in Jaffa (biblical Joppa).

24. Roman hippodrome, Caesarea

Ruins of the Roman hippodrome (horse or chariot race track) at Caesarea.
Ruins of the Roman hippodrome (horse or chariot race track) at Caesarea.

25. Jezreel Valley from Mount Precipice

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26. Capernaum synagogue, limestone wall

A fourth-century AD synagogue in Capernaum, built from limestone hauled from many miles away.
A fourth-century AD synagogue in Capernaum, built from limestone hauled from many miles away.

For more captivating photos of biblical places, get your free copy of the Faithlife Study Bible today, and enhance your Bible study with 400 photos, videos, infographics, and maps.