✝️ 1 Corinthians 10:31 | "Everything" Points to Jesus

Happy Thursday, {{first_name | everyone}}!

Four days into this verse! If you've been saying it out loud, filling in those blanks, letting the words settle, we hope it’s starting to feel like it’s slowly being etched into your heart.

In today’s email…

✉ subscribe here | support our work 👐

So, whether ___ ___ __ _____, __ whatever ___ __, __ ___ __ the _____ of ___.

1 Corinthians 10:31

"Do all to the glory of God."

It's a beautiful command. But it's also an impossible one.

Have you ever made it through an entire day where everything you did was for God's glory? Every word, every thought, every action, every meal? Not one selfish motive, distracted moment, or task done purely out of obligation?

Yeah. Me neither.

And that's exactly why this verse ultimately points us to Jesus.

Jesus is the only person who ever lived 1 Corinthians 10:31 perfectly.

Every meal He ate, every conversation He had, every step He walked — all of it was for His Father's glory.

He never once divided His life into sacred and secular. He never once pursued His own doxa at the expense of the Father's.

In John 17:4, just hours before the cross, Jesus prays:

Wow. What a statement.

That's the ultimate fulfillment of 1 Corinthians 10:31. A life lived entirely, completely, without exception, for the glory of God.

And in Philippians 2:6-8, Paul describes it even more vividly: Jesus,

The One who had all the doxa in the universe set it aside, not to pursue more glory for Himself, but to glorify the Father through submission and obedience. Even to the point of dying on a cross for sinners (you and me).

Good news: We don't memorize this verse to earn God's approval. We memorize it because Jesus already lived it on our behalf.

When we fail (and we will) we don't spiral into guilt.

We look at Christ, who fulfilled every "do all" and every "whatever you do" that we couldn't. His perfect obedience covers our imperfect attempts. And by His Spirit living in us, He empowers us to grow into people who want to do all for God's glory out of love.

Not from obligation.

Author Craig Blomberg writes that Paul's heart in this passage isn't about rigid rule-following. It's about a transformed heart that instinctively asks, "How can I honor God?"

That kind of transformation comes from knowing Jesus more deeply.

So as you look at those blanks today — almost the whole verse missing — remember: the One who fills in every gap in your life is the same One who perfectly lived these words.

You're not alone in this.

Sit with the question: "Where am I trying to earn God's glory instead of reflecting it?" There's a difference between performing for God and participating with God. This verse is an invitation.

Thank Jesus for living this verse perfectly. Before you try to apply it, receive the grace that He already fulfilled it. That changes the whole posture of your obedience from a cold obligation to a grateful response.

Try reciting the verse without looking. Close your eyes. Say it out loud. How much can you get from memory? Notice how far you've come since Monday.

🙏 Pray

Father, thank You for Your Son, who truly did ALL things for Your glory. Thank You that His obedience covers our failures, and that Your Spirit empowers us to grow. I beg you, please increase my desire to glorify you in every corner of my life. I love You. Amen.

Yeah, you probably use Amazon… but do you actually use Amazon?

Brad (yep, he’s a real guy) was a broke college student finding cheaper ways to shop and sharing them with his friends. And thus… Brad’s Deals was born. Brad’s Deals cracks open the lid on a Pandora’s box of deals you probably knew nothing about. You can maximize the value of your Amazon Prime Membership by uncovering 9 lesser-known benefits that can transform your shopping, streaming, and saving experience.

Get all the deals from Brad’s Deals by signing up for free with your email address. Happy shopping!

I am 72 years old and I thought my memorizing days were over. Not true! With your help I am getting it done! Thank you for creating this helpful Bible study!”

- Greg

I'm so impressed by the format of your Bible memorization newsletter! I've just completed my 2nd verse, and it was so timely in my life. God, through your work and effort, gave me just the right verse at just the right time. Thank you!

- WS

Thank you for your hard work in bringing us these beautiful words of encouragement from God's word. I love to read your newsletters.

Today I stayed home from work. Being sick is no joke…Now I am lying down reading God's words thanks to you. May God keep blessing you for this great work!

- Claudia

HUGE thank you to Mary, Carol, Vickie, Regina, Peggie, Stephen, Karen, April, Sandy, Joan, Steven, Patricia, Sara, Alanna, Sarah, Lee Ann, Marianne, Marla and everyone who pays-it-forward to support our work and help us keep operating!

p.s. If you’d like to give a custom amount to support our work, you can do that here.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31