COMMENTARY

Old Testament: 2 Kings 5:1-14
Elisha was a prophet of Israel in the ninth century. He was known as a miracle worker among prophets. In the cleansing of Naaman, the Syrian general, Elisha is in the background that Yahweh might receive the glory. When Naaman humbles himself and obeys Elisha's directive to wash in the Jordan, he is healed. The passage brings to the forefront the superiority of Yahweh over the gods of Naaman and God's graciousness which is extended to Gentiles.

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Preceding this pericope, Paul stated that he was a free man. As a man in Christ, he was free from the law. In these final verses of the chapter, Paul sums up his ministry by telling us of his practice of self-discipline and self-control. In the following chapter, Paul gives a…