1 CORINTHIANS 1

WORSHIP JESUS ALONE, NOT GOD’S CHOSEN MESSENGERS 

Paul addresses the church in Corinth and writes to those who have placed their faith in Jesus. He thanks Jesus for the salvation of the Corinthians and shares his desire for them to utilize their God given gifts and wisdom. Recalling the faithfulness of God, Paul shares that Jesus is the source of all hope and knowledge.

Paul states his concern regarding the division amongst the believers. Instead of being unified in their belief of Christ, there is segregation among the followers based on which messenger of the gospel they preferred. Some of the people claim to be followers of Paul, followers of Apollos, or followers of Peter instead of realizing they are all followers of Jesus. Paul confirms that these men are simply messengers of the news of Jesus, not the saviors themselves, and defines the cross as the only source of salvation.

For those who do not understand the gospel, the cross is seen as nonsensical or foolish. But for those who are God’s people, they understand the power of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Referencing Jeremiah 8:9, Paul states that God will put the wise to shame and that true wisdom is found in faith in Jesus.

Considering who God chose as His followers and who God entrusted to build the church, God is capable of redeeming the lowly and humble. God will use the weak to shame the strong and the foolish to shame the wise. The only wisdom worth boasting about is wisdom from the Lord.

1 CORINTHIANS 2

THE HOLY SPIRIT PROVIDES BELIEVERS WITH GOD’S TIMELESS WISDOM

Paul reminds the Corinthians that he did not come to Corinth with an eloquent speech or persuasive message, but only to tell of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul teaches that godly wisdom is not fleeting or trendy, but instead is mature and timeless. Because the rulers could not comprehend Jesus’s humble leadership, He was crucified. Remembering Isaiah 64:4, Paul states that no one is able to imagine what God has prepared for those who love him. God’s ways are often unexpected and contrary to cultural norms.

Paul contemplates the depth of intimate knowledge obtained by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit searches and knows all things, including the great vastness of God. Because the Spirit dwells inside believers, God imparts wisdom and understanding through the work of the Spirit.

1 CORINTHIANS 3

GOD IS THE SOURCE OF ALL GROWTH AND UNDERSTANDING

Because the people of Corinth are new believers, Paul wants to correct their incorrect theology in a way they will comprehend. He encourages them to follow Jesus alone instead of following God’s appointed messengers and teachers. Paul, Peter, and Apollos are all teachers of God’s Word and preachers of the gospel. Instead of gaining followers or popularity themselves, they have come to point people towards Jesus.

Compared to God, Paul, Peter, and Apollos are mere servants—God is the one who should be praised! Using an analogy, Paul says that the teachers of God’s Word are like gardeners who plant seeds and water the soil, but God is the only giver of life and growth. The increasing community of believers, including the followers in Corinth, is God cultivating the church.

Paul believes that the message of Jesus as the Savior is the only foundation of beliefs that will remain. In the end, all other foundations will be tested and destroyed. Paul teaches the believers that because God’s spirit dwells within them, they are God’s holy temple. Paul warns against becoming arrogant and lacking curiosity. Once someone thinks they know everything, they must realize that they actually know nothing. No one should boast in their own wisdom, but instead rely on God as the source for all understanding.

1 CORINTHIANS 4

PAUL ENDURES PERSECUTION FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL

Paul wants the people to address the teachers of the gospel as God’s servants. For the benefit of the church, Paul and Apollos have become faithful stewards of God’s message. Although Paul states his conscience is clear, he is aware that only God can judge his hidden motives and thoughts.

In efforts to spread the news of Jesus, Paul has made great sacrifices, including being without a place to live and without food at times. Paul believes he has become a spectacle, seen as a fool for the mission of Jesus. Although the teachers of the gospel have faced persecution and labored greatly, they ultimately endured and remain steadfast. Because of Paul’s love and commitment to the church in Corinth, he sends his student Timothy to help correct them in their arrogance and division.

1 CORINTHIANS 5

FOLLOWERS OF JESUS ARE CALLED TO SEXUAL INTEGRITY

Paul confronts the Corinthians after hearing a concerning report of their sexual immorality. The believers in Corinth are acting more recklessly than those without faith. Specifically, Paul addresses a man who slept with his father’s wife, his step-mother. Not only are the Christians in Corinth acting sexually immoral, they are proud of their devious actions! The people of Corinth have misunderstood God’s grace. Instead of responding with righteousness, the Corinthians view forgiveness as a free pass for sinfulness.

Paul warns the Christians in Corinth not to associate with believers who act this way. Paul is not advocating for the believers to avoid sinners. Both Paul and Jesus regularly spent time with sinners and pursued those who were unrighteous, but Paul warns specifically against those who have accepted Jesus as the Savior, but do not act differently.

1 CORINTHIANS 6

PAUL INSTRUCTS BELIEVERS TO FLEE FROM SEXUAL SIN

Paul gives the believers instructions for settling lawsuits against other believers. Paul encourages people of the church to handle disputes internally or invite a mediator to intervene before taking the case to the public courts. Paul advocates for peaceful encounters and settlements between those who follow Jesus. Through the death of Jesus, they have already been justified in their sins.

Paul urges the Corinthians to flee from sexual immorality. Because the bodies of believers contain the Holy Spirit, their bodies are temples. The body was not created for sexual immorality, but to honor the Lord. Because Jesus paid for the sins of believers on the cross, their bodies are not their own; they were bought with the price of Jesus. Paul encourages believers to glorify God with their bodies and avoid sexual sin.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

1 CORINTHIANS 7

PAUL CHALLENGES THE SINGLE + MARRIED TO LIVE FOR CHRIST

Continuing his teaching of sexual ethics, Paul gives instructions for the married, single, and widowed. Paul advocates for sexual relationships to remain only within the context of marriage. Although Paul believes it is best to remain unmarried to have a greater ability to focus on God, Paul gives direction for couples to live in union and remain faithful.

For those who can exercise self-control, Paul argues that it is best for the single and widowed to remain unmarried. Paul views both marriage and singleness as gifts from God and encourages believers to utilize whatever gift they have been given. Because the married person is concerned about their spouse, the single person has more attentiveness and focus to devote to God. Paul believes that the single person has a greater advantage for impacting God's kingdom because of their ability to have undivided devotion.

Paul shares his own opinion, iterating that it is his word and not God’s. He encourages them to remain married and not divorce and also teaches that a believer can remain married to an unbeliever as an opportunity for the unbelieving spouse to experience the love and holiness of God. Paul remains openhanded with his views and confirms that these are his teachings, not God’s commands.

Paul urges believers to live as they were called and lead the life that God has given them. Regardless of wealth or status, all are invited to participate in God’s kingdom.

1 CORINTHIANS 8

SHOW HUMILITY TO THOSE WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING

Paul addresses concerns regarding eating food sacrificed to false idols. For believers who know that there is only one God, they are free to eat the food of these false idols without being blasphemous or unrighteous.

Because they know the idols are not truly God, they are free to eat the food. Regardless, Paul encourages them to abstain from eating the sacrificed foods if they are around others who do not yet understand the faith. Although they are not doing anything wrong, they do not want to confuse others or appear as though they are worshippers of both God and idols. Paul is not concerned with the meat itself, but more concerned about believers causing other believers confusion.

Paul states that while knowledge inflates someone, love builds them up. Instead of being prideful in their wisdom and understanding, Paul urges them to be loving and sacrificial towards others.

1 CORINTHIANS 9

PAUL SURRENDERS HIS RIGHTS TO FURTHER THE GOSPEL

Paul responds to questions about his status as an apostle of Jesus. Although he has the right to marry a believing woman and be paid for his teaching, he denies himself of these rights because he believes that he will have a greater impact for God’s kingdom without them. Paul would rather endure and surrender his own comfort to remove barriers in sharing the gospel.

Paul does not want to be accused of boasting in the privileges as a teacher of the gospel, but chooses to only boast about the goodness of God. Knowing he is a steward of God’s Word, Paul is honored to share the gospel and sees his calling as his reward.

In efforts to reach more people, Paul adapts to the culture wherever he is speaking. Paul clarifies that he followed the teachings of Jesus during this time and did not enter into a sinful or unrighteous life. Instead, he respected the cultural customs and traditions of the places he spoke to gain influence with them and understand them better. When Paul says that he became all things to all people, he is speaking of empathy and understanding, not an abandonment of his beliefs or values. Paul shares the message of Jesus with a wide variety of people while maintaining the practices of his teaching.

1 CORINTHIANS 10

DO ALL THINGS TO THE GLORY OF GOD 

Recalling the history of God’s faithfulness to the Israelites, Paul tells of God’s protection of the people when He parted the sea, led them out of Egypt, covered them with a cloud of His presence, and provided them food and water (Exodus 14-17). Paul parallels Jesus to the rock that God instructed Moses to strike to provide water. In this interesting comparison, Paul is highlighting how Jesus is the foundation of the faith, provided living water, and was struck for our benefit.

Despite God’s goodness to His people throughout history, even the believers of Jesus still struggle with idolatry. Paul encourages them to turn away from sexual sin, resist grumbling, and avoid putting God to the test. Knowing God’s ways are best, Paul believes that those who prioritize their own desires and plans will not have success.

Speaking to God’s authority over sin, Paul teaches that believers will not be tempted to the extent that God cannot help them escape or endure. Although the powers of evil are strong, God’s power is greater.

Similar to the teaching in 1 Corinthians 8, Paul gives instruction regarding meat offered for sacrifices to false idols. Paul does not want believers to lead others astray or portray an image of compliance towards idolatry. Paul instructs all believers to make all decisions on the basis of what brings glory to God.

1 CORINTHIANS 11

PAUL CALLS THE BELIEVERS TO EXAMINE THEMSELVES

Paul gives instructions for believers regarding head coverings. Without examining the cultural context in which this text was written, Paul can sound discriminatory against women. Realizing the cultural norms and traditions of Paul’s time are foreign to current customs, try to look at the underlying message rather than the practical application of head coverings.

During this time, married women would typically wear head coverings as a symbol of marriage. Women were called to follow their husbands, as long as their husbands were imitating the character of Jesus. Because the people of Corinth were practicing sexual immorality and rebellion, Paul emphasizes the importance of submission to the teachings of Jesus and uses head coverings as a physical manifestation of this practice. Paul is calling the believers in Corinth to be set apart for holiness and practice sexual and moral ethics.

Paul gives direction to the believers in Corinth who are disrespecting the practice of communion. Just because the believers have gathered together does not mean they are serving God or honoring His reverence. Paul calls the people to examine themselves before taking communion and to only take the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Christ.

1 CORINTHIANS 12

GOD’S SPIRIT WORKS IN VARIOUS WAYS THROUGH BELIEVERS

Offering an explanation to the Corinthians, Paul tells of the many gifts given by the Holy Spirit. These gifts include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, performing miracles, prophecy, discernment, and speaking in tongues. The concept of speaking in tongues is heavily debated within the Church today, some believing it is the ability to speak other languages and some believing it is a unique prayer language between God and humanity. Regardless, Paul encourages the believers to yield to the Holy Spirit and allow these works to be done through them for the benefit of the common good.

Spiritual gifts are also mentioned in Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4, some of which contain other gifts including teaching, administration, and hospitality. All of the virtuous traits are empowered by God. Although spiritual gifts can align with natural talents and abilities, God often uses the Spirit to leverage someone in a way they are not typically gifted. God loves to use unlikely people to display the power of His Spirit!

Paul personifies the body of Christ as a physical body, explaining that each person plays a unique role as a believer. Just as one body has many parts, God utilizes the community of believers to have unique gifting and purposes. Just as one part of the body cannot claim it is of more importance than the other parts, followers of Christ are instructed to live in unity as a diverse body of Christ.

1 CORINTHIANS 13

ANYTHING WITHOUT LOVE IS WORTHLESS

Paul emphatically states that works, talents, and words are useless without love. Without love, Paul declares, it is all worth nothing. Defining love for the Corinthians, Paul describes love as patient, kind, and humble. Paul also defines what love is not, stating it is not arrogant, irritable, resentful, or inflexible. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

While all good things will eventually come to an end, love will outlast everything. As Paul has grown, he has found a greater sense of love and has abandoned the selfish ways of his youth. Paul speaks of three vital qualities, faith, hope, and love, but states that the greatest of these is love. Because eternity for believers is perfect unity with God, faith and hope will be unnecessary, and all that will remain is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 - So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 CORINTHIANS 14

PAUL GIVES DIRECTION FOR ORDERLY CHURCH GATHERINGS

Paul encourages the believers to listen to the Holy Spirit and speak words of truth, building up the church. For those who do speak in the hidden language, they need someone who is able to interpret, or the message will fall on deaf ears. While Paul values all of the spiritual gifts, his greatest priority is encouraging the growth of the church.

The concept of speaking in tongues is heavily debated within the Church today, some believing it is the ability to speak other languages and some believing it is a unique prayer language between God and humanity. Despite these differences, Paul’s message is clear: use the gifts of the spirit to further the message of Jesus.

Giving directions for speaking in tongues and conducting orderly church gatherings, Paul states that God is not a God of confusion, but of peace and clarity. Paul gives instructions for women within the church not to speak and instead later ask their husbands about the teachings. Although this sounds misogynistic and harsh, it is important to remember that Paul considered Priscilla a co-laborer and leader in the church in Corinth (Acts 18, Romans 16:3). When talking about customs in 1 Corinthians 11, Paul says that women are able to pray and prophesy, two things he cares about deeply.

One explanation for this passage is that these specific women were being disruptive or disrespectful at the time. Based on Paul's overall message, his focus primarily addresses creating orderly, peaceful places of worship. It's crucial to consider Paul's support for women in leadership roles elsewhere in his writings and acknowledge that his instructions in this chapter might have been addressing specific situations of disruption or disorderliness rather than a general mandate against women speaking in church.

1 Corinthians 14:33 - For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

1 CORINTHIANS 15

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST OFFERS HOPE OF A FUTURE RESURRECTION

After offering correction and wisdom to the believers in Corinth, Paul reminds them that their faith hinges on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Paul recalls his personal encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) and shares his testimony. Paul, who once hated Christians, became a messenger of the gospel through the work of the Holy Spirit. Realizing all that God has done through his own story, Paul knows there is hope for the Corinthians.

Focusing on the importance of the resurrection as the foundation of faith, Paul says that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, their faith is worthless. If Jesus was not who he claimed to be, the living Son of God who died as a sacrifice for the sin of believers, the faith is entirely false. Paul offers this statement as a challenge to the believers and a reminder of the most important belief of followers of Jesus.

The significance of Christ’s resurrection points to the hope of a future resurrection for believers. Although there is death for all of humanity because of the sin introduced by Adam (Genesis 3), there is resurrection and eternal life for all believers in Christ. Paul introduces the idea of heavenly bodies, which have different glory than earthly bodies. Just as God created humanity from dust (Genesis 2), God will recreate the eternal beings of believers. Instead of perishable bodies, believers will be given imperishable, everlasting bodies. Boasting in the victory of Jesus, Paul knows that death has ultimately lost.

1 CORINTHIANS 16

PAUL ENCOURAGES THE CORINTHIANS TO REMAIN STRONG + STEADFAST

Concluding his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul addresses collecting money for the believers in Jerusalem, detailing his future travels, and arranging a visit from Timothy, one of Paul’s students. Apollos, another messenger of the gospel, did not want to return to Corinth despite Paul’s encouragement.

Paul gives final instructions for the believers in Corinth, telling them to be strong in their faith and show dedication to following Jesus. Paul ends his letter with a personal greeting and blessings for the Corinthians.