1 Corinthians

Paul addresses divisions in the Corinthian church (people claiming allegiance to Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ), reminding them that the cross—not human wisdom—unites believers; he thanks God for their gifts and urges harmony because Christ is not divided.

Paul came in weakness, preaching Christ crucified so faith would rest on God’s power; true wisdom is God’s hidden mystery revealed by the Spirit, which searches all things and is understood only by those with the mind of Christ.

Jealousy shows the Corinthians are spiritual infants; Paul and Apollos are merely servants—God gives the growth. Believers are God’s field and building; each builder’s work will be tested by fire, for the church is God’s temple and must not be destroyed.

Paul describes apostles as servants and stewards, judged by the Lord, living as spectacles and scum of the earth; he admonishes the Corinthians to imitate him and warns that he can come either with a rod or in love and gentleness.

A man lives with his father’s wife—sin tolerated even by pagans; Paul orders the church to expel (‘deliver to Satan’) the offender to save him, likening unchecked sin to leaven. Christians must not associate with so-called believers who practice immorality.

Saints should not sue one another before unbelievers; the unrighteous (fornicators, idolaters, thieves, etc.) will not inherit God’s kingdom—yet believers were washed, sanctified, justified. Their bodies are members of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit, so they must flee sexual immorality.

Paul answers questions on marriage: because of temptation each should have a spouse; marital duties, singleness as a gift, divorce discouraged, believers married to unbelievers should stay if possible. Each should remain in the calling in which they were called, though slavery’s freedom is desirable if available.

Knowledge puffs up but love builds up. Concerning food sacrificed to idols: idols are nothing, yet some have weak consciences; liberty must be limited to avoid stumbling a brother for whom Christ died.

Paul defends his apostolic rights (support, taking a believing wife) yet surrenders them for the gospel’s sake. He becomes all things to all people to win some, disciplining himself like an athlete pursuing an imperishable crown.

Israel’s wilderness failures warn against idolatry and immorality; God provides escape from temptation. Believers must flee idolatry, discerning the Lord’s table versus demons’ table. All things lawful but not all beneficial; do everything to God’s glory, giving no offense.

Corrects women’s head coverings and men’s uncovered heads as cultural signs of honor. Regarding the Lord’s Supper, selfishness brings judgment; Paul recounts Jesus’ institution of the meal and urges self-examination.

The Spirit gives diverse gifts (wisdom, tongues, healings, etc.) for the common good; the church is one body with many members—no part can claim independence or superiority. God appoints various ministries, yet not all have the same gifts.

Love surpasses all gifts: without it tongues, prophecy, knowledge, and sacrifice are nothing. Love’s qualities (patient, kind, etc.) endure while gifts cease; faith, hope, and love remain, the greatest being love.

Prophecy edifies the church more than uninterpreted tongues; orderly worship requires two or three speakers at most, each in turn, with interpretation, and women should remain silent in the assembly setting; ‘God is not a God of confusion but of peace.’

Paul reminds them of the gospel: Christ died, was buried, rose, and appeared to many. Denial of resurrection is folly because resurrection is central; Christ the firstfruits guarantees believers’ resurrection. He describes the transformation at the last trumpet when mortality puts on immortality.

Paul instructs a weekly collection for Jerusalem’s saints, outlines travel plans, commends Timothy and Apollos, urges watchfulness, love, and support for Stephanas, and closes with greetings and a ‘Maranatha’: ‘Our Lord, come!’