1cor1

The first epistle of Paul to the Corinthians was written around 59 A.D. It was written at Ephesus to the saints of the church in Corinth and also to all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The city of Corinth was no ordinary city. This city was a busy port city full of sexual immorality, wise educated men, and spiritual gifts. You could say they were intellectually proud, wealthy, and lacking in morals. Jealousy ran rampant amongst the Corinthians because of spiritual gifts and bitterness between the rich and poor.

The writing of this epistle deals with the good will of the Corinthians towards Paul. Beginning in verse one Paul lets the people know that he is a servant of God and not of man. Paul states in this first verse that he truly is an apostle of Christ and it is by the will of God that he brings them the commandments of Christ. Paul states that he also brings with him in this greeting, Sosthenes, so two witnesses could confirm the word delivered.

Sosthenes might be the same one spoke of in Acts 18:17 a ruler of the synagogue & also mentioned as having been beaten--this might have been the turning point to Christianity for him.

In verse two we find that Paul's greeting is to the Church of God in Corinth and beyond. Paul states they are sanctified through Jesus Christ. This means that they have been set aside for Christ and because of this calling made holy. This greeting goes beyond just the body of believers in Corinth but to all those that have called on the name of Jesus Christ as their Lord.

Verse three is a prayer for spiritual blessings and states that the foundation and life of the Church is in Christ Jesus given from the Father. This blessing is needed to let the people know the message comes in love because at the time of this writing there is great discord in Corinth.

We find in verses four to nine that Paul begins not with condemnation towards the many immoralities of the people but instead he begins with a true commendation of their virtues. He gives thanks for the good things they have done. He praises them for their growth in Christ. He does this so it does not seem like the only thing on his mind is to chastise them. The Corinthians admired the spiritual gifts and so Paul commended them on their growth in these areas of knowledge and understanding. It was Paul's common way of doing things--to find the good and acknowledge that before making reprimand. Paul praises the attainment of all spiritual gifts within the body saying this is a true reflection of a true believer to walk in the gifts. As believers the Corinthians were assured of their standing with Christ and knew that if they held fast to Him they would stand blameless and be joined with Him on the day of the Lord.

Father, thank You for being faithful calling us unto to fellowship with You. I know this is Your promise to us the saints of glory to be saved unto the end for fellowship with You. I also know that is only through my choosing that I will receive this honor and privilege to be called by You. Father never let me forget Your promises to me!

Paul begins verse 10 by exhorting the Corinthians. He tells them they have faith and hope. He tells them the love they show is to be genuine also extending no favoritism to any particular group. Their love for one another should be the same from person to person. Paul stresses that they be joined in one mind! The only way we can be totally complete is in the unity of Christ. We should not make divisions within the body because of gifts or other characteristics one might display. We should be drawn into union with the Lord!

Paul is telling them in verse 11 that the family of Chloe says that there are bickering and strife amidst the people. Strife is part of the old life, the old nature, attempting to bring back that which was originally. Bickering causes discord to reign in the body of believers and it is like a plague to the union of the body. Verse 12 addresses the issue of different denominations or beliefs. The teaching of Apollos, Cephas, Paul, & others should all join together in harmony with one main doctrinal topic--JESUS CHRIST the savior of all mankind! There should not be a separate following for each individual because each should be preaching the same message and Christ should be the topic and center of that message not the one giving the message. Follow Christ not the man!

Verse 13 asks us if we hold others up as Christ? Do we look at leaders of the church as though they were equal to Christ? Has Christ been divided? Are we not as a body of Christ still under the same authority? Was it Christ that we were baptized into or Reverend John Doe? Did Reverend Doe suffer crucifixion for your sins? Christ and His glory is not to be divided placing others in the same position as Christ. The body of Christ is not to be divided either. We are to all be one in Christ!

I thank God says Paul in verses 14 and 15 that, “I baptized none of you except for but Crispus and Gaius.” Paul speaks in this manner because he does not want anyone comparing him to Christ. He does not want to be looked at as being just as important as Christ. Paul wants to be sure that God is the only one receiving glory! It is not by Paul's name that anything happens, it is only by the name of Christ. And also it is not by our name or the church name that anything happens but only through the power of God in the name of Jesus.

Paul is saying in verse 16 that to the best of his recollection there was no one else that he baptized other than the Crispus, Gaius, and the house of Stephanas. And in verse 17 Paul tells us that he was mainly occupied in delivering the message of Christ to those that were committed to receive it. His first order of business was not to baptize. Paul's main goal was to see the cross of Christ understood by the people. Paul was not concerned with fancy words and gimmicks. Simply delivering the message of Christ should cause a person to believe or push away the message.

Non-believers as Paul says in verse 18 do not grasp the reality of the cross of Christ, nor do they benefit from the power of the cross of Christ which is the Holy Spirit given to those that believe in Christ and His resurrection. Paul says that the preaching of the death of Christ upon the cross, as a sacrifice for sin is the message we should deliver to all people. For within that message is power!

Paul expresses in verses 19 and 20 that no amount of worldly wisdom or slick dealings will give you the power to succeed like the power of Christ. And that God will cause those of the world to take a back seat to His wisdom. "Where is the wise?" is a beautifully bold reference to which, Paul expresses victory over human wisdom through the wisdom gained from the Holy Spirit. What can anyone do to dispute this wisdom? God made the wisdom of this world to be seen through the eyes of believers as foolishness.

In verse 21 Paul expresses that the wisdom of God is not to be identified with the wisdom of God as its creator, but as its purpose. God leaves it to the individual to make the decision to know Him. God knew that He would have to offer something to us or man just would not want to give up his life for God's. So knowing this God sent Christ to offer us the greatest plan of salvation ever. Most people do not truly know God and never will know Him until they know Jesus. Human wisdom cannot gain for me glory. Human wisdom cannot gain for me power or salvation. It is only through the saving power and love of Christ that I can gain these things. It is only through my witnessing to others that they will be able to gain these things.

Father, give me boldness to witness at every opportunity available to me. Give me the perception, sensitivity and words to say to spread Your Word!

We see in verse 22 that the Jews continued to demand signs and wonders from the apostles just like they did from Jesus. Constantly they needed more and more to believe. They were unable to simply believe. The Greeks/Gentiles sought after wisdom. They dug deep into philosophy. Paul explains this is the reason the Gospel is foolish because many do not have the understanding of God to view it and hear it without asking for more miracles and signs to prove its reality.

Verse 23 tells us the apostles were preaching "Christ crucified" which is the belief of salvation that comes only from Jesus Christ having been crucified as our Savior and the only basis for our hope is the basis of the blood. This preaching became to the Jews as a stumbling block because they could not believe that their Messiah would have fallen to crucifixion. This was not the Messiah they had pictured in their minds. To the Greeks/Gentiles it was as folly and not to be viewed with seriousness because works were more important and the example or character portrayed by Christ needed to be taught so the people could gain salvation. Paul states that they simply preach without fancy words, philosophical thinking, or signs and wonders only what Christ did for the salvation of those willing to accept it.

The next two verses of this chapter say that for those of us who are led by the Holy Spirit willing to obey and heed the calling of Christ we will share His power, His Wisdom, and His Saving Grace. We must come to the realization though that He was crucified for us. He was buried in the tomb for us. And He arose from the tomb and ascended to heaven for us. We must see our need of Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. And we must with all our heart believe on HIM!

This final passage of scripture verses 26-31 relates to me God's love and grace and willingness to use anyone He can to spread the Word. Even though to many the Cross of Christ seems foolish even those that feel this can be used by God to convey the message of Christ. As also many are not called to deliver that message although they might think they are called. Paul gives an illustration to this by showing that even in their own church there were few wise and noble believers in the world's eyes, but many that boasted and bragged up themselves as being something great in the eyes of the church. Paul says there are not many that are wise in the Word, not many that are mighty in the power of the Word and not many that are honest concerning the Word of God. Many of those that the world feels capable of preaching or teaching the Word are not capable in the eyes of God. They are only doing it to gain glory and honor for self! Paul says if we must boast then we should boast in the Lord not in self!

Father, let me never boast in self or works committed by my hands through the power of You. Let my boasting and bragging be of You and You only! Father, let Your Word become real to me and to all that have chosen to study Your Word in Jesus name, Amen!

Where Jesus is Lord!
Living Vine Ministries
Pastor Thomas Miles

For instructions on being Born Again click on banner at top of page.
Thank you for reading.

To Top
Home Page