1 Corinthians 1

Book Introduction - 1 Corinthians

Read first chapter of 1 Corinthians

WRITER: The Apostle Paul. His relation to the church at Corinth is set forth in Acts 18:1-18 and in the Epistles to the Corinthians.

DATE: First Corinthians was written in A.D. 59, at the close of Paul's three year's residence in Ephesus. Acts 20:31; 1 Corinthians 16:5-8.

THEME: The subjects treated are various, but may all be classified under the general theme, Christian conduct. Even the tremendous revelation of the truth concerning resurrection is made to bear upon that theme 1 Corinthians 15:58. The occasion of the Epistle was a letter on inquiry from Corinth concerning marriage, and the use of meats offered to idols ; 1 Corinthians 7:1; 8:1-13 but the apostle was much more exercised by reports of the deepening divisions and increasing contentions in the church, and of a case of incest which had not been judged ; 1 Corinthians 1:10-12; 5:1.

The factions were not due to heresies, but to the carnality of the restless Corinthians, and to their Greek admiration of "wisdom" and eloquence. The abomination of human leadership in the things of God is here rebuked. Minor disorders were due to vanity, yielding to a childish delight in tongue and the sign gifts, rather than to sober instruction (1 Corinthians 14:1-28). Paul defends his apostleship because it involved the authority of the doctrine revealed through him.

A rigid analysis of First Corinthians is not possible, The Epistle is not a treatise, but came from the Spirit through the apostle's grief, solicitude, and holy indignation. The following analysis may, however, be helpful.

• Introduction: The believer's standing in grace, 1:1-9
• The contrast of their present factious state, 1:10-4:21.
• Immorality rebuked; discipline enjoined, 5:1-6,8.
• The sanctity of the body, and Christian marriage, 6:9-7,40.
• Meats, and the limitations of Christian liberty, 8:1-11:1.
• Christian order and the Lord's Supper, 11:2-34
• Spiritual gifts in relation to the body, the church, and Christian ministry, 12:1-14,40.
• The resurrection of the dead, 15:1-58
• Special directions and greetings, 16:1-24.

them

1 Corinthians 1:2-9, in contrast with 1Co 10-13, illustrate a distinction constantly made in the Epistles between the believer's position in Christ Jesus, in the family of God, and his walk, or actual state. Christian position in grace is the result of the work of Christ, and is fully entered the moment that Christ is received by faith ; John 1:12,13; Romans 8:1,15-17; 1 Corinthians 1:2,30; 12:12,13; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:4-9; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6; 5:9,10. The weakest, most ignorant, and fallible believer has precisely the same relationships in grace as the most illustrious saint. All the after work of God in his behalf, the application of the word to walk and conscience ; John 17:17; Ephesians 5:26 the divine chastenings ; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Hebrews 12:10, the ministry of the Spirit Ephesians 4:11,12 the difficulties and trials of the path 1 Peter 4:12,13 and the final transformation at the appearing of Christ 1 John 3:2 have for their object to make the believer's character conform to his exalted position in Christ. He grows in grace, not into grace. for the grace

Grace (imparted). 1 Corinthians 3:10; Romans 6:1; 2 Peter 3:18. coming

Three words are used in connection with the return of the Lord:

• (1) Parousia, "personal presence," also used by Paul of the "coming" of Stephanas 1 Corinthians 16:17 of Titus 2 Corinthians 7:6,7 and of his own "coming" to Philippi Philippians 1:26. The word means simply personal presence, and is used of the return of the Lord as that event relates to the blessing of the saints ; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:14,17 and to the destruction of the man of sin 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
• (2) Apokalupsis, "unveiling," "revelation." The use of this word emphasizes the visibility of the Lord's return. It is used of the Lord 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:7,13; 4:13 of the sons of God in connection with the Lord's return Romans 8:19 and of the man of sin 2 Thessalonians 2:3,6,8 and always implies visibility.
• (3) Epiphaneia, "appearing," trans. "brightness" 2 Thessalonians 2:8 A.V.; "manifestation," R.V.), and means simply an appearing. It is used of both advents. ; 2 Timothy 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13.

coming (Greek - revelation, unveiling). day of our Lord Jesus

The expression "day of Christ," occurs in the following passages: 1 Corinthians 1:8; 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1:6,10; 2:16. A.V. has "day of Christ," 2 Thessalonians 2:2 incorrectly, for "day of the Lord" ; Isaiah 2:12; Revelation 19:11-21 The "day of Christ" relates wholly to the reward and blessing of saints at his coming, as "day of the Lord" is connected with judgment. divisions

(Greek - σχίσμα, a cleft, or rent). saved

(See Scofield "Romans 1:16") this world

age. kosmos = world-system. 1 Corinthians 2:12; John 7:7, (See Scofield "Revelation 13:8"). world

kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Matthew 4:8"). wisdom from God, or, wisdom from God, even righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.

righteousness(See Scofield "Romans 3:21").

redemption(See Scofield "Romans 3:24"). Lord

Jehovah. Jeremiah 9:24