COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
A preeminent characteristic of God, according to the Pentateuch, is holiness. The Lord is in a class by himself; God is righteous, just, loving, and forgiving. God's people are likewise holy the Lord's. Their behavior must reflect this reality. They must love their neighbor as themselves because all belong to the Lord. Unfortunately, this love was constricted by a narrow definition of the neighbor a fellow Hebrew.

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
Paul attempts to counteract the arrogant individualism of the Corinthians by reminding them that they were God's holy temple, built on the foundation of Christ. The building up of the Christian church is a communal affair and each person should do his part with care. The sacrificial love exhi…