1 Corinthians
Book Overview
Author: Paul the Apostle Date of Writing: Approximately 55 AD Historical Context: Written from Ephesus to address serious problems in the Corinthian church Original Audience: Church in Corinth (Greek city known for immorality and philosophical pride) Purpose: To correct divisions, immorality, and misunderstandings about Christian living and spiritual gifts Genre: Epistle; pastoral correction and instruction
One-Sentence Summary
Paul addresses divisions, immorality, and disorder in Corinth by calling believers to unity in Christ, sexual purity, love-motivated use of freedom and spiritual gifts, and confidence in the resurrection.
Book Structure
I. Introduction (1:1-9)
- Greeting and thanksgiving for God's grace
II. Correction: Addressing Church Problems (1:10-6:20)
- Divisions over leaders (1:10-4:21)
- Sexual immorality and discipline (5:1-13)
- Lawsuits among believers (6:1-11)
- Sexual purity and the body (6:12-20)
III. Instruction: Answers to Questions (7:1-16:4)
- Marriage and singleness (7:1-40)
- Food sacrificed to idols and Christian freedom (8:1-11:1)
- Worship practices (11:2-34)
- Spiritual gifts and love (12:1-14:40)
- Resurrection of the dead (15:1-58)
- The collection for Jerusalem (16:1-4)
IV. Conclusion (16:5-24)
- Paul's travel plans
- Final exhortations and greetings
Key Verses
1 Corinthians 1:18 - "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
- Significance: Establishes the central contrast between worldly wisdom and divine power, showing that God's way of salvation overturns human expectations and values.
1 Corinthians 10:31 - "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
- Significance: Provides the guiding principle for Christian liberty—all actions should ultimately bring glory to God, not merely satisfy personal freedom or preference.
1 Corinthians 13:13 - "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
- Significance: Concludes the famous "love chapter" by elevating love as the supreme Christian virtue that outlasts even the spiritual gifts of faith and hope.
Key Themes & Messages
Major Themes
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Unity in the Church
- Divisions over leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas) condemned
- Cross of Christ as basis for unity
- One body with many members
- Love as the greatest gift holding church together
-
The Cross vs. Worldly Wisdom
- Message of cross is foolishness to world
- God's foolishness wiser than human wisdom
- Boasting only in the Lord
- Power in weakness, not impressive rhetoric
-
Sexual Purity
- Flee sexual immorality
- Body is temple of Holy Spirit
- Marriage honorable; celibacy also a gift
- Clear boundaries against cultural permissiveness
-
Christian Freedom and Love
- All things permissible, not all beneficial
- Freedom must be guided by love for others
- Willing to forgo rights for gospel's sake
- Liberty never excuse for causing others to stumble
-
Spiritual Gifts and Love
- Diversity of gifts for common good
- Love greater than all gifts (chapter 13)
- Orderly worship for edification
- Gifts must build up the body
Central Message
1 Corinthians addresses multiple problems in a divided, worldly church. Paul calls believers to unity based on the cross, rejecting worldly wisdom and status-seeking. Sexual purity, proper use of freedom, orderly worship, and love-motivated use of spiritual gifts are essential for church health. The resurrection guarantees believers' future transformation. Love must guide all actions - it's the "most excellent way" that outlasts even spiritual gifts. The letter provides practical wisdom for churches wrestling with living distinctly in pagan culture.
Practical Application
For Daily Living:
- Guard Your Body: Treat your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit - make choices about food, intimacy, and entertainment that honor God's presence within you
- Use Freedom Wisely: Before exercising your Christian liberty, ask "Will this build others up?" rather than just "Is this permissible?"
- Pursue Love First: When deciding how to use your gifts or resolve conflicts, let love be your primary guide - gifts without love accomplish nothing (1 Corinthians 13)
- Flee Temptation: Don't rationalize or negotiate with sexual temptation - follow Joseph's example and run from compromising situations
- Think Eternally: Let the reality of resurrection shape your daily choices - your labor in the Lord is never in vain
For Spiritual Growth:
- Memorize 1 Corinthians 13 and regularly evaluate your actions against love's characteristics (patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, etc.)
- Practice using your spiritual gifts specifically to build up others in the body, not to gain recognition for yourself
- Study the resurrection chapter (15) to strengthen your confidence in Christ's victory over death and your future transformation
- Examine areas where cultural wisdom has infiltrated your thinking, replacing it with the "foolishness" of the cross
Recommended Resources
Commentaries
Best Overall The First Epistle to the Corinthians (NICNT) by Gordon D. Fee - Widely regarded as the definitive modern commentary, combining scholarly excellence with pastoral wisdom.
For Beginners 1 Corinthians (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) by Leon Morris - Clear, accessible, and practical guidance through Paul's letter to a troubled church.
For In-Depth Study 1 Corinthians (NIV Application Commentary) by Craig Blomberg - Outstanding at connecting Paul's teaching to contemporary issues with thoughtful application.
Technical/Academic 1 Corinthians (Baker Exegetical Commentary) by David E. Garland - Thorough scholarly treatment with careful attention to Greek text and cultural background.