Introduction to the first letter to the Corinthians
The 46th book of the Bible, the 7th in the New Testament
Paul likely wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians around A.D. 55 during his stay in Ephesus on his third missionary journey.
Corinth, located in southern Greece, was at that time a large and important trading city, a crossroads of Roman and Greek cultures with many wealthy citizens, but also a large number of slaves and a significant Jewish population.
On his second missionary journey, Paul visited Corinth around the year 49 and taught the good news of Christ for about a year and a half, resulting in the formation of a large church.
The letter indicates that the church must have continued to grow, but that this also gave rise to many conflicts and tensions.
Paul addresses the problems in detail and without mincing words:
- There was factionalism and division within the church—chapters 1:10–4:21
- Ethical issues—chapters 5 and 6
- Moral misconduct—chapters 5:1–5
- Disputes within the church that were being settled in secular courts—chapters 6:1–11
- Differing views regarding marriage and celibacy – Chapter 7:1–40
- Great uncertainty regarding how to deal with pagan religions and customs.
- There were also many disputes within the church regarding the true doctrine of the resurrection, the Lord’s Supper, the use of spiritual gifts, the true freedom of a Christian, how to treat one another, and above all, the personal conduct and mindset of a true follower of Jesus.
In 1 Corinthians, we find many practical instructions for Christian living; the unity of the church as the bride of Christ, as well as its responsibilities, and fundamental teachings on God’s plan of salvation are all contained in this letter.
Outline of 1 Corinthians:
Chapters 1–3 – The unity of the church in the face of factions
Chapters 4–11 – The order of the church in the face of emerging confusion
Chapters 12–16 – The teachings of the church and the spiritual gifts in the face of their misuse
Content of the first letter to the Corinthians:
1. Corinthians chapter 1
I. Problems in the Church (1:10–6:20)
A. Factions in the Church (1:10–4:21)
1. Corinthians chapter 2
The Mysterious Wisdom of God for the Perfect
Only those who are spiritual can comprehend and receive this wisdom
1. Corinthians chapter 3
1. Corinthians chapter 4
1. Corinthians chapter 5
B. Moral Problems in the Church and Their Resolution (5:1–6:20)
1. Corinthians chapter 6
1. Corinthians chapter 7
II. The Apostle’s Responses to Inquiries in the Epistle (Chapters 7–15)
On the Conduct of the Unmarried and on the Divorce of Christian Marriages
Conduct in Mixed Marriages
1. Corinthians chapter 8
Knowledge alone is inferior in value to love
Not everyone possesses perfect knowledge
The exercise of Christian freedom is governed by loving consideration for the weak
1. Corinthians chapter 9
Exposition and justification of the rights due to Paul as an apostle
Exposition of the reasons why Paul renounces his rights
Paul, though outwardly completely free, is nevertheless a servant to all people
The Apostle as a Competitor for the Heavenly Prize
1. Corinthians chapter 10
Israel, blessed by divine acts of grace in the wilderness and called to salvation in the Holy Land
Nevertheless, because they willingly indulged their fleshly desires, they were rejected, serving as a warning to us
Participation in idol worship and sacrificial meals is incompatible with the celebration of the Christian Lord’s Supper and must therefore be avoided
When is it permissible to eat meat sacrificed to idols? Restrictions on Christian freedom out of consideration for brotherly love
A final exhortation to always live a righteous Christian life
1. Corinthians chapter 11
1. Corinthians chapter 12
Preliminary remark: The hallmark of God-given spiritual gifts
Diversity of spiritual gifts, but only one all-acting Spirit and one purpose
Illustration through the parable of the human body and its many members
Application of the image to the God-ordained structure of the church
Without love, even the highest spiritual gifts are worthless
1. Corinthians chapter 13
The nature of love
The perfection of everlasting love compared to the fragmentary nature of the other gifts of grace
1. Corinthians chapter 14
The difference between prophetic speech and speaking in tongues
The uselessness and counterproductiveness of all incomprehensible sounds and speech
The Old Testament and the non-Christian world also condemn incomprehensible speech
Order for speakers
Against women speaking inappropriately in the assemblies
1. Corinthians chapter 15
The Image of the Seed
All of creation displays the greatest diversity of materials, forms, and properties
The reality of a heavenly (= incorruptible) body
1. Corinthians chapter 16
III. Business and Personal Matters (Chapter 16)