There is a short introduction available for the book of 1 Corinthians. You can read it here.
Key Themes (1 Corinthians)
The book of 1 Corinthians, written by the Apostle Paul, addresses a wide range of issues facing the early Christian community in Corinth. The letter provides guidance on how to live out the Christian faith in a diverse and often challenging environment. Paul’s primary focus is on correcting problems within the church, promoting unity, and instructing believers on proper conduct in various areas of life. The key themes include:
- Unity in the Church: A central theme in 1 Corinthians is the call for unity among believers. The Corinthian church was divided over various issues, including loyalty to different leaders (Paul, Apollos, Peter, or Christ). Paul emphasizes that Christ is the foundation of the church and that all believers are united in Him. This theme underscores the importance of maintaining harmony and avoiding divisions that can weaken the church’s witness.
- The Wisdom of God vs. the Wisdom of the World: Paul contrasts the wisdom of God with the wisdom of the world, highlighting that the message of the cross may seem foolish to those who rely on worldly wisdom, but it is the power of God to those who believe. This theme emphasizes that true wisdom comes from God and that believers should seek to understand and live by God’s wisdom rather than conforming to worldly standards.
- Christian Freedom and Responsibility: 1 Corinthians addresses the tension between Christian freedom and responsibility. While believers are free in Christ, Paul teaches that this freedom should not be used to harm others or to indulge in sin. Instead, Christians are called to consider the impact of their actions on others, particularly in matters like food sacrificed to idols. This theme highlights the importance of balancing freedom with love and concern for the well-being of others.
- Sexual Morality and Purity: Paul addresses issues of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church, calling believers to live lives of purity and holiness. He emphasizes that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and should be treated with honor and respect. This theme underscores the importance of sexual ethics in the Christian life and the need for believers to avoid behaviors that dishonor God and damage the community.
- The Role of Spiritual Gifts: Paul discusses the diversity of spiritual gifts within the church, teaching that these gifts are given by the Holy Spirit for the common good. He encourages the Corinthians to use their gifts to build up the body of Christ rather than to create divisions or promote individualism. This theme emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing the different gifts within the church and using them to serve others in love.
- Love as the Greatest Virtue: In 1 Corinthians 13, often called the “Love Chapter,” Paul emphasizes that love is the greatest of all virtues and is essential for the proper exercise of spiritual gifts. Without love, even the most impressive gifts and actions are meaningless. This theme underscores the primacy of love in the Christian life and in the community, highlighting that love should guide all interactions and decisions.
- Order in Worship: Paul provides instructions on maintaining order and reverence in worship, particularly regarding the roles of men and women, the practice of the Lord’s Supper, and the use of spiritual gifts during gatherings. He emphasizes that worship should be conducted in a way that edifies the entire congregation and reflects the holiness of God. This theme highlights the importance of orderly and respectful worship that honors God and builds up the church.
- The Resurrection of the Dead: A significant portion of 1 Corinthians is devoted to the doctrine of the resurrection. Paul defends the reality of the resurrection of Jesus and its implications for believers, affirming that the resurrection is central to the Christian faith. He teaches that because Christ has been raised from the dead, believers also have the hope of resurrection and eternal life. This theme emphasizes the importance of the resurrection as the foundation of Christian hope and the future transformation of believers.
- The Body of Christ: Paul uses the metaphor of the body to describe the church, emphasizing that all believers are members of one body with Christ as the head. Each member has a unique role and function, and all are necessary for the health and growth of the church. This theme highlights the importance of unity, diversity, and mutual care within the church community.
- Christian Conduct and Witness: Throughout 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses various aspects of Christian conduct, including issues like lawsuits among believers, marriage and singleness, and relationships with non-believers. He urges the Corinthians to live in a way that reflects the holiness of God and serves as a positive witness to the surrounding world. This theme underscores the importance of living a life that honors God and effectively communicates the Gospel to others.
1 Corinthians is a rich and practical letter that addresses the challenges of living out the Christian faith in a diverse and often difficult context. Through its themes of unity, love, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection, Paul provides guidance for building a healthy, vibrant church community that honors God and serves as a powerful witness to the world. The letter encourages believers to pursue holiness, love, and unity, grounded in the wisdom of God and the hope of the resurrection.
What I Noticed Today (1 Corinthians 1-4)
1 Corinthians 1
In verses 1-9, Paul greets and gives thanks for the brothers in Corinth.
In verses 1-3, Paul establishes his authority as an apostle emphasizing; it was God’s will. He also emphasized the church in Corinth was God’s church.
Note: Sosthenes may have been Paul’s amanuensis (a literary assistant who took dictation). This may also be the same Sosthenes who had been a ruler of the synagogue (Acts 18:17).
In verses 4-9, Paul offers a prayer of thanksgiving for the grace of God upon the believers in Corinth.
It was through God’s grace that they were enriched in speech and knowledge. Their testimony is confirmed by the fact that they do not lack any spiritual gifts. God was faithful in His call to the Corinthians, bringing them into fellowship with His Son.
1 Corinthians 1:10 -4:21
Paul addressed the issue of division among the believers in Corinth.
In verses 10-17, Paul urged the brothers in the name of Jesus Christ that they agree amongst each other; be united with the same conviction.
Note: There are ten references to Jesus Christ in the first ten verses. There can be no doubt where Paul wanted the Corinthians to focus their spiritual lives.
Some of them were saying they were with Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or Jesus. But, said Paul, Christ is not divided. They were only baptized into the name of Christ. It was Christ who died on the cross, no one else.
Note: Saying they were “with Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas” was the way a slave identified who his owner was. The problem with their thinking is 1) it divided Christ, 2) it elevated men, and 3) it caused men to focus on following men rather than Christ.
In verses 1:18-3:4, Paul addressed their misunderstanding of the Gospel message.
In verses 18-25, Paul emphasized the message of the cross is God’s power to those who are saved. God’s wisdom made foolishness of their philosophers, scholars, and debaters. God saved both Jews and Greeks, who believed through faith.
In verses 26-31, Paul exhorted the brothers to consider their calling. Not many people were wise from a human perspective, not many were powerful, and not many were nobles by birth. However, God had chosen what the world considers foolish to shame the wise. He chose the weak to shame the strong. He chose the insignificant to bring to nothing that which was viewed as something.
It is from God that you received righteousness (justification), sanctification (holiness), and redemption (glorification), so if you want to boast, boast in the Lord. God’s plan of salvation was hidden from the “wise” but revealed to those who believed by faith.
1 Corinthians 2
In verses 1-5, Paul says somewhat humbly, that when he first came to them, he did not preach anything but the simple, clear message of Jesus Christ and His crucifixion.
Note: Paul’s claim in verse 3 that he came in weakness, fear, and trembling without persuasive words, was to point to the power of the Spirit of God. He wanted them not to focus on him as an orator but on the message of God.
In verses 6-16, Paul focuses on the wisdom of God as revealed by the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s focus is not on man’s wisdom but God’s wisdom. God’s wisdom is a mystery that the rulers of the age did not perceive (quoting Isaiah 52:15 and 64:4).
However, God’s wisdom has been revealed through the Holy Spirit, who knows the depths of the heart of man. Believers have received the Spirit of God, who explains matters of spiritual wisdom.
The unbelievers do not welcome God’s Spirit because it is foolishness to them. The spiritual person, however, can perceive the wisdom of the Spirit (quoting Isaiah 40:13). The spiritual person can discern and evaluate spiritual matters because believers have the mind of Christ. The spiritual person cannot be evaluated by the “natural man” because they cannot discern spiritual matters.
1 Corinthians 3
In verses 1-4, Paul begins to address the issue of spiritual immaturity. When Paul had first taught them, they were spiritual babies, so he fed them with milk (beginning teaching) because they were not ready for solid food (advanced teaching).
Paul says they are still not ready for solid food because there are envy and strife among them, and they live fleshly lives. Paul’s proof of their spiritual immaturity is how they refer to themselves as being with Paul or Apollos.
In verses 5-17, Paul describes the role of God’s servants. Paul describes himself and Apollos only as God’s servants. Paul had planted the church, and Apollos had watered, but God gave the growth. The person who plants and the person who waters is nothing, only God who waters. Paul described himself only as a co-worker with God, in God’s field (Corinth).
In a second analogy, Paul describes himself as a builder who has laid the foundation that is Jesus Christ. Paul describes three kinds of builders: the expert (v. 14), the unwise (v. 15), and the destructive (v. 17). The materials the builder uses will be tested. Some materials will last (gold, silver, costly stones), whereas others will not (wood, hay, straw).
Note: The analogy Paul uses describes the Corinthian church as a building. He has laid the foundation; now others will come along and build (the church). Their work will be evaluated on the day of judgment, and those who did good work will be rewarded. The unskilled builder will see his work burned up (lost) in judgment, but he will be saved.
Paul concludes saying they (the believers in Corinth) are God’s sanctuary, and the Spirit lives in you. The sanctuary is Holy. If anyone destroys God’s sanctuary, God will destroy them.
Note: The phrase “Don’t you know” introduced in verse 16 occurs ten times in the letter, and each time it precedes an indisputable statement.
In verses 18-23, Paul admonishes the believers not to deceive themselves, thinking they are wise. Rather, he must become foolish, so he can become wise. Paul again is referring to the foolishness of man’s wisdom in comparison to God’s wisdom.
No one should boast, says Paul, in human leaders whether they were baptized by Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas. They should boast in Christ because Christ belongs to God.
Note: Paul is again focused on the importance of unity in the church. It is not about human wisdom but focusing on the source of the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 4
In verses 1-5, Paul says they should consider “us” (church leaders) as servants of Christ and managers of God’s mysteries.
Note: The word Paul used for “servants” is hyperetas, a servant who is subordinate and responsible to a master. This is different than the word diakonos used in 1 Corinthians 3:5, which is a servant in the sense of waiting on tables.
Paul said he was not concerned with the evaluation of men or even with evaluating himself. His concern was how Jesus Christ would evaluate him. Therefore, says Paul, don’t judge things prematurely before the Lord comes because He will bring light to darkness and reveal the intentions of the heart.
Note: Paul’s concern is people will judge ministers prematurely raising some up or humiliating others without fully understanding the condition of their hearts.
In verses 6-13, Paul explains the division in the Corinthian church was emanating from their pride. Using himself as an example, he claimed he taught nothing beyond what is in the Scripture so that they would not favor one person over another.
The Corinthians, says Paul, are living as though they were already reigning as kings. He wished this was true because then he could reign with them.
Note: Paul is referring to the promise to receive a crown of righteousness.
The apostles, says Paul, are on display to the world, angels, and men in the last place like men condemned to die. He makes three comparisons between himself and the prideful Corinthians:
- We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ.
- We are weak, but you are strong.
- You are distinguished, but we are dishonored.
Describing his own state, Paul says we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless, and they labor with their hands. Despite this:
- When reviled, they bless.
- When persecuted, we endure.
- When slandered, we respond graciously.
Concluding, Paul says they are like the world’s garbage, the dirt that is scraped off their sandals.
Note: The word used for dirt is more graphic. It means the contents of the chamber pots or the cesspool.
In verses 14-21, Paul concludes his purpose is not to shame them because he was their father in the sense that he brought the Gospel to them first. Therefore, he said, imitate me.
Note: Paul is not bragging or arrogant when he says to “imitate me.” He is saying imitate me in the sense that I am a fool for Christ (v. 10).
Paul sent them Timothy to remind them about Paul’s teaching about their life in Jesus Christ. He warned them he would be visiting them if the Lord wills it, and he did not want to hear about the division brought about by their pride.
In a final warning, Paul says, do you want me to come with a rod or in love with a spirit of gentleness.
Note: Paul’s conclusion carries on the theme of being their spiritual father. The father corrects and disciplines their children. He has now corrected them, and they had been warned. They needed to change, or he would have to discipline them. If they repented, he would come in love with gentleness.
Some thoughts for additional consideration:
- Despite being a highly educated “Pharisee of Pharisees,” Paul says he spoke plainly to the Corinthians when he presented the Gospel because he wanted them focused on the message, not the speaker. Do we listen in church today for what the Holy Spirit wishes to teach us, or are we attracted to the charisma of the preacher?
- Pride caused division among the members of the Corinthian church. Is it pride that divides the church today?
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
