1 Corinthians

Overview

Paul writes to a gifted but troubled church he had founded in Corinth. Reports of quarrels and divisions over favorite leaders prompt him to begin with the cross: the message of Christ crucified is God's wisdom and power, exposing human boasting as folly and uniting the church under one Lord.

He then confronts a series of problems disrupting the body: tolerance of sexual immorality, lawsuits between believers, and confusion about marriage and singleness. In each case Paul calls them to holiness, to honor God with their bodies, and to consider how their freedom affects others.

Turning to worship and community life, Paul addresses food offered to idols, conduct at the Lord's Supper, and the use of spiritual gifts. He insists that gifts exist to build up the body, and famously places love above them all as the more excellent way that never fails.

Paul closes with the resurrection, the foundation of the faith. Because Christ is truly risen, the dead in Christ will rise, death is defeated, and the believers' labor is not in vain. He urges them to stand firm, work for the Lord, and do everything in love.

Context at a Glance

Author

Paul the apostle, with Sosthenes

Written

Around AD 55, from Ephesus

Genre

Epistle (pastoral correction)

Audience

The church in Corinth, a wealthy and divided port city

Central theme

Christ crucified as the church's wisdom and life

Key Verse

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (WEB)

Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Paul's description of love stands at the heart of the letter, showing the more excellent way that all gifts and conduct must serve.

The Big Movements

• Divisions and the cross (chs 1-4) — The wisdom of Christ crucified heals quarrels over leaders.
• Purity in the church (chs 5-7) — Dealing with immorality, lawsuits, marriage, and singleness.
• Freedom and conscience (chs 8-10) — Food offered to idols and the loving limits of Christian liberty.
• Worship and order (chs 11-14) — The Lord's Supper, spiritual gifts, and the supremacy of love.
• The resurrection (ch 15) — Christ's resurrection secures ours and gives meaning to our labor.
• Final instructions (ch 16) — The collection, travel plans, and a call to love and firmness.

Key Figures

• Paul — The apostle and founder of the church, correcting and encouraging as a spiritual father.
• Sosthenes — Paul's co-sender, a brother known to the Corinthian believers.
• The Corinthian church — A gifted but divided congregation in a morally compromised city.
• Apollos — An eloquent teacher whom some Corinthians favored, prompting Paul's call to unity.
• Chloe's household — Those who reported the church's quarrels to Paul.

Pointing to Christ

Christ crucified is the center of this letter, God's wisdom and power for a church tempted by worldly status. He is the foundation on which all build, the Passover sacrificed for his people, and the risen Lord whose victory over death gives the whole Christian life its hope and purpose.

Big Lessons

• The cross, not human wisdom or status, unites the church.
• Believers are called to holiness in body and conduct.
• Christian freedom is governed by love for others.
• Spiritual gifts are given to build up the whole body.
• Love is greater and more lasting than any gift.
• Christ's resurrection guarantees ours and makes our labor meaningful.