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1 Corinthians 1

The introduction to the epistle is found in verses 1-9.

This is divided into two parts:

1. The opening salutation (verses 1-3).

2. The thanksgiving (verse 4-9).

verse 1—Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ by divine calling and by divine will. Acts 18:17.

verse 2—Unto the church of God. Despite the many failures, divisions, etc. It was not Cephas’ church, nor Paul’s, nor Apollo’s—it was God’s.

“To them who are sanctified in Christ Jesus.”

This is our standing in Christ, the result of Christ’s saving work on the cross. This can never change. Out state and walk is a different thing entirely.

“Called to be saints”—Called to be God’s people.

The rest of the verse shows that this letter, although written tot eh church at Corinth, was intended for “all who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Their Lord and ours. The Lordship of Christ.

verse 3—“Grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Grace is the unmerited favor of God. They needed peace in this disorderly church. Also, God’s peace which passes all understanding.

This grace and peace came equally from God the Father and God the Son, a testimony to the deity of Christ.

Verses 4-9 are the thanksgiving. His thanksgiving was constant. He thanked God for the “grave given unto them”, for the effects of the grace of God in them. Despite the many bad things occurring in the assembly there were evidences of the working of the grace of God.

verse 5—That in everything you are enriched in Him. This enrichment is spiritual blessing.

Utterance—speech, outward expressions.

Knowledge—the inward apprehension of the truth.

verse 6—“Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you.”

verse 7—“So that you come behind in no gift.”

The Corinthian church was richly endowed with spiritual gifts. But, according to the later chapters, rather than use them they were abusing them.

“Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Waiting for” conveys the idea of earnest expectancy. “The coming” or the revelation of Christ would refer to the rapture or the return of the Lord to receive His saints to Himself.

verse 8—“Who shall also confirm you unto the end.” See John 13:1. He shall keep them either unto the end of their earthly journey or until the revelation of Christ at His coming.

“That you be unreprovable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The report which the household of Chloe had brought to Paul was quite extensive. They reported contentions—there were those who were glorying in wisdom, there was carnality among them, immorality was being practiced, brethren were taking each other to law.

The first six chapters are Paul’s instructions regarding these sins. After the introduction, verses 1-10 expose the fault and gives remedial measures.

verses 10-11—Divisions and contentions. First of all he beseeches them, then he reminds them that they are brethren, and his authority for doing so is the Lord Jesus Christ.

The conditions were serious. First of all there were contentions (verbal strife and arguments), and these brought about divisions. There were factions in the assembly—those who claimed Paul as their leader, those who claimed Apollos, some who claimed Peter, and some who actually claimed Christ. To add to this unhealthy conglomeration there would also be some who were faithful to the word as revealed by Paul who were the true followers of Christ.

verse 13—Is Christ divided? There is one Christ, therefore there is one body. Ephesians 4:4-6. Was Paul crucified for you? Or any of the other leaders? Were you baptized in Paul’s name? or any of the other leaders’ names? The obvious answer to these questions is NO. Christ was crucified for them, and they were baptized into Christ’s name.

verses 14-17—Paul explains and seems to be relieved that he had not baptized many. He believed his mission was to preach the gospel, not to baptize.

The last phrase of verse 17 introduces us to the next error, “Not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.”

Paul’s preaching was not in wisdom of words or in human eloquence.

From verses 18-25 Paul contrasts human wisdom with the wisdom of God. Human wisdom despised the cross. The cross, says Paul, was actually the display of the wisdom of God.

verse 18—To those who are perishing, the cross is foolishness. To those who are saved, it is the power of God.

verses 19-20—Quotation from Isaiah. Paul applies it to the present situation.

verse 21—The world has never found God through its wisdom. This was ordained by God. But it has pleased Him through the preaching of the Gospel (which includes the Cross) to save many.

verse 22—The Jews ask for signs or miracles. The Greeks seek wisdom or philosophy.

verse 23—But we preach Christ crucified. This to the Jews is a stumbling block. To the Greeks it is absolute foolishness.

verse 24—To them who are called (saved)—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s power and wisdom.

verse 25—Unregenerate men do not believe this. Man calls the cross-work of Christ foolishness. This so-called foolishness of God is for wiser than the wisest plan of the wisest man. Moreover, what seems weak and feeble, the death of Jesus, is stronger than man’s power.

verse 26—“For you see your calling, brethren.” Not many are wise or noble.

verse 27—God has chosen whom the world counts foolish to confound the worldly wise. He has chosen the weak to confound the mighty.

verse 28—God chose what the world counted poor and insignificant. God chose people of humble birth.

verse 29—All this was for the purpose that no flesh should glory or boast in His presence.

verse 30—Paul reminds the Corinthians that what they are and have they obtained it by their union with Christ. He is made to us Wisdom (chs. 1-4), Righteousness (chs. 5-10), Sanctification (chs. 11-14), Redemption (chs. 15-16).

verse 31—We cannot glory in our own achievements. If we are going to boast we must boast in the Lord.

Study in 1 Corinthians 1:18 to 2:16

The Wisdom of Man Versus the Wisdom of God

We are living in an age in which some people believe the achievements of modern science have rendered both ancient wisdom and particularly the idea of divine revelation obsolete. With the explosion of science, space, and medicine, the accumulation of knowledge has created little gods among us. Divine revelation, as contained in the Scripture, is dismissed as a relic of the unenlightened past – not relevant to this enlightened age and therefore, obsolete. We have become materialistic and self-sufficient. We have come to believe that we have no need for God.

Key verses: 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

“We preach Christ crucified: unto the Jews a stumbling block […] Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

Corinth was well known for its love of philosophical discussion. Christianity had come under their caustic scrutiny. They had dissected it mercilessly, piece by piece. They ridiculed its basic teachings, and rejected Christ and His teachings. The Jewish philosophies were stumbled by Christ’s teaching…it cut across their traditions. They were scandalous – it was an offense and an insult to their superior intelligence. The Greek PhD’s thought the whole idea of Christianity was foolishness; it was absurd, preposterous even.

Paul labored for eighteen months in this hostile climate. Despite the belligerent conduct of his adversaries, he preached the Gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17), he preached the Cross (1 Corinthians 1:18), and he preached Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23). In Romans 1:16, he writes, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel.” Paul believed that though his message was foolishness to the worldly wise, to those who were being saved, it was the power and wisdom of God.

As it was in the first century, so it is in the 20th. The rationalist, the humanist, and the scientist join together to categorically dismiss the facets of the Christian faith. The religionist has joined this group in denying the fundamentals of the faith, especially Christ’s Deity and atonement. [Describe this]

What is the wisdom of God? How is it made known to mankind?

God’s wisdom is the plan of salvation and transcends all human wisdom. Note the efforts of man prior to the coming of Christ. Consider Solomon’s offering of 20,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. The mind-boggling and intricate religious system as practiced by the Jews, brought them no closer to God. The wisdom of God is displayed in the plan of salvation. [Describe the activities in Heaven prior to the laying of the foundation of the earth.]

The cry…”Whom shall I send?”

The response…“Here I am. Send Me!”

See 1 Peter 1:18-19. We are not redeemed by silver and gold, but by He “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world.” The wisdom of God is seen in the God-man…in the hypostatic union…in His deity…in His virgin birth, His sinless life, atoning death, glorious resurrection, and miraculous ascension…in the coming of the Holy Spirit and in Christ’s second coming (firstly to rapture the church, then to come back to earth to set up His kingdom). These great truths are the comprehensive display of the power and wisdom of God.

The Message

The success of the early church was because of the purity of its message. Despite diabolical opposition, the apostles never deviated from the preaching of Christ crucified, risen, ascended, and coming again. They were strong believers of the resurrection. The early preachers combined the death and resurrection of Christ. They maintained that He not only died, and was buried, but that He rose again, and showed Himself to many believers. See 1 Corinthians 15.

Writing to the Roman church (Rom. 4:25), Paul said, “He was delivered for our offenses and raised for our justification.” Romans 10:9 says, we must believe in the resurrection to be saved. This was the message the early evangelists preached; there is no other.

The Members Chosen

See 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. As the pure Gospel was preached in Corinth, many were saved. The majority of those in fellowship at Corinth were from the lower strata of society. God called a few of the influential and of noble birth. He chose more of the uneducated, the weak, the lowly, the despised, and the ones who were of no account.

[Note the words calling or called mentioned three times in 1 Corinthians 1:24-26. Note also the word chosen in v. 27-28.] It is God who calls and it is God who chooses. This is a point that is often missed. Ephesians 1:4 says, “chosen before the foundation of the world.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13 says, “Because God from the beginning hath chosen you to salvation.” Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “It is the gift of God.” Only those who are chosen by God are members of the True Church – the Bride of Christ. [Consider the difference between professors and possessors.]

The Method Paul Used to Win Souls

1 Corinthians 2:1-5. Paul was one of the most highly educated men of his day. Academic achievement was no stranger to him. He was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel. In Philippians 3 he gives a resume of his achievements. If any man could have dazzled the Corinthians with worldly wisdom and oratory it was Paul.

See 1 Corinthians 2:1. He says he did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom. In verse 4 he continues by saying, “My preaching was not with persuasive words.” Paul came to Corinth in weakness, fear, and with much trembling, but miraculously, his simple words were filled with Holy Spirit power. Men were convicted of sin through righteousness judgment. Men and women were convinced that they were sinners and cried out for mercy. Lives were changed. Of course, there can be no salvation without a prior work of the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Maturity

This is a facet of Christian life that is often neglected. Are you a mature Christian? Have you grown into spiritual manhood and womanhood? In your present spiritual condition you fall into one of three categories: You are (1) A spiritual babe, (2) A carnal believer, or (3) A mature Christian. Mature believers are the minority in the Church today. The church is full of spiritual babes and carnal believers. The Corinthian church was full of carnal Christians and spiritual babes. Paul had to feed them with milk. They could not digest strong food.

This is the situation presently in the church. Far too many of us are uncertain and unstable in our faith. It is true that we are saved, but our faith is secondary to many things in our life (careers, professions, sports, things, our own egos). In this carnal state, the world, the flesh and the devil control us, and there is no spiritual growth or progress. We are like children tossed about with every wind of doctrine. See Ephesians 4. This carnal state is the cause of the sterility – stagnation and powerlessness of the Church. So many miss so much. Perhaps you are one of those. Oh the blessings, beauties, and glories that are to be found in Christ for the mature believer! [Describe]

1 Corinthians 2:9 is not for the future life, but for the present. “No eye has seen, and no ear has heard, neither has the human mind conceived the things that God will give to those who love them and walk with Him.” I invite you this morning to come like Mary and sit at the feet of our Lord…Or to be like John and lean on the Savior’s breast. Then you will experience joy unspeakable and, full of glory, you will experience a peace that passes all understanding.

1 Corinthians 3

Describe the three kind of men that God recognizes.

The natural man—the unregenerate man.

The carnal man—the Christian who is ruled by the flesh.

The spiritual man—the believer controlled by the Holy Spirit.

The carnal man though not making spiritual progress was not anti-spiritual. They were babes, spiritually immature, lacking in spiritual understanding.

Because of this condition Paul fed them with milk. There is only one period in our Christian life that we can rightly be called babes.

To remain a babe is to be carnal. The marks of a carnal believer are jealousy, strife, and divisions. If we display these traits (sins) we are walking according to human standards.

verses 5-8—In these verses the Spirit of God cuts down to size those men whom the carnal had places at the head of the faction. They are servants and are nothing in God’s estimation. As servants or instruments they planted and watered, but God, who is everything, gave the increase.

verse 8—There were those who believed that the servants named were not in fellowship with each other. Paul refutes that “we are one.”

Each servant will be rewarded for his own work.

verse 9—The dignity of our calling and position in Christ. We are God’s fellow-workers. We, the church, are God’s cultivated field. We are God’s building.

verse 10—This verse sets the context for what follows. Paul has in mind here the Corinthian assembly. He says that as an architect he laid the foundation. Then others came along and built on it. Then comes the admonition, “But let every man take heed.”

verse 11—Paul reveals the foundation—Jesus Christ. The Person, the one who “came forth from the Father.” This is not the fundamentals of the faith. Christ is the foundation.

verse 12—The builders and their building materials. The builders would refer to the teachers, genuine and otherwise. Their ministry adds to the building that which is valuable by divine standards, or what is worthless. The teacher who can minister divine principles to profit, and edify the church. His teaching is represented under the figures of gold, silver, and precious stones. The gold would set forth the attributes of the Godhead, the fullness of which dwells in Christ. The silver would symbolize the redemption wrought by God through Christ. The precious stones would represent those truths which set forth the excellencies of the Person and character of Christ.

Examples of wood, hay, and stubble have been given already. “Persuasive words of man’s wisdom.” “The wisdom of men.” The “Words which man’s wisdom teaches.” The metaphors would include anything subversive or contrary to the truth. Anything done in the energy of the flesh is in a carnal way.

verse 13—There’s a day of judgment coming for the believer. At the judgment seat of Christ the material contributed, service rendered, will be revealed in its true character. It will be revealed by fire. The fire would suggest God’s holiness, when evil is brought into contact with this holiness it is consumed. The fire will separate the destructible from the indestructible.

verse 14—Those whose work remains after the testing will receive a reward.

verse 15—Those whose works are destroyed will suffer loss. Yet they themselves will be saved.

You can see here the havoc which will be wrought by ministry given in the wisdom of man, instead of in demonstration of the spirit and of power.

verse 16—“Know ye not.” This is the first of a series of appeals in this epistle.

5:6—“Know ye not that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?”

6:2—“Know ye not that the saints shall judge the world?”

6:3—“Know ye not that we will judge angels?”

6:9—“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?”

6:15—“Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?”

6:16—“Know ye not that he that is joined to a harlot is one body?”

6:19—“Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?”

9:24—“Know ye not that they who run in a race all run?”

The appeal in these passages is to a fact which the reader should have acknowledged.

“Know ye not that ye are God’s temple?” This metaphor would apply to the local church. The word used for temple is a specific word meaning the inner sanctuary, the holiest of all. An assembly is depicted as a company set apart for God, a place of worship, a communion of saints characterized by holiness, in whom is seen the glory and the beauty of the character of Christ.

The divisions at Corinth were the negation of all this.

“And the Spirit of God dwelleth in you.” The emphasis is on the “in you.”

We can only be holy, set apart, a place of worship, a place where Christ’s glory is seen, as the Holy Spirit is given liberty among us.

verse 17—The same word is used in the original for “defile” and “destroy”. If any man defile the assembly by corrupting it, by unprofitable teaching, or defiling it in any way and leading it away from the state of holiness God expects, God will punish the offender by divine retribution.

“For the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”

Holy—separated from sin and consecrated to God.

Anyone who ministers the Word should be careful to minister to the edifying of the Church.

verse 18—“Let no man deceive himself.”

This would be a warning to those mentioned in the previous verse. The contrast in the remaining part of the verse is between worldly wisdom and true wisdom from God. Before we can become wise for God we must become a fool in the world’s estimation. See 1:18-25.

verse 19—This verse tells us what God thinks of the wisdom of the world. The rest of verses 19 and 20 suggest that God knows the craftiness or the unscrupulous conduct of teachers who use worldly wisdom to obtain their own needs. This had happened at Corinth, hence the factions.

verse 21—“Therefore, let no man glory in men.” That put all leaders of divisions in their proper place, and admonished all in fellowship at Corinth.

“All things are yours.”

Not just that which is given you by a special leader. They belong to Christ therefore they belong to you.

verse 23—Every blessing is the believer in Christ’s portion. In the world, in life, in death, in the present circumstances, or in the future, all are yours.

verse 28—Best of all “you are Christ’s.” John 10:27-28.