What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 1?

Introduction to 1 Corinthians 1

The opening chapter of 1 Corinthians plunges us into the vibrant yet troubled community of first-century Corinth, where the Apostle Paul addresses a congregation wrestling with division, spiritual pride, and cultural accommodation. This powerful introduction sets the tone for what would become one of the most practical and pastoral letters in the New Testament, tackling issues that continue to challenge believers today.

The chapter serves as a masterful exposition of true spiritual wisdom versus worldly wisdom, establishing the cross of the Messiah as the foundation for all Christian thought and practice. Through Paul’s inspired words, we witness how the gospel message confronts human pride and establishes unity in the body of believers.

Context of 1 Corinthians 1

The letter to the Corinthians was written around 55 CE, during Paul’s third missionary journey while he was in Ephesus. Corinth was a wealthy, cosmopolitan port city known for its commercial prowess and moral degradation. The church there was established by Paul during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-17), and he spent 18 months nurturing this young congregation.

The immediate context of chapter 1 responds to reports Paul received about divisions in the church (1 Corinthians 1:11). These divisions reflected the influence of Greek philosophical schools where students would align themselves with different teachers. The broader biblical context connects this letter to themes found throughout Scripture: the wisdom of God versus human wisdom (Proverbs 1:7), unity among God’s people (Psalm 133), and the power of the cross to overthrow human pride (Isaiah 29:14).

The situation in Corinth serves as a microcosm of challenges facing the early church as it sought to establish its identity in a pagan world while maintaining its distinctive Jewish roots and messianic faith. This tension between cultural accommodation and faithful witness remains relevant for believers today.

Ancient Key Word Study

• Ekklesia (ἐκκλησία) – Translated as “church,” this term carried rich significance in both Jewish and Greek contexts. In the Septuagint, it translated the Hebrew “qahal” (קָהָל), referring to the assembly of יהוה. In Greek culture, it referred to the citizen’s assembly. Paul’s use encompasses both meanings, emphasizing both the continuity with Israel and the new reality in the Messiah.
• Hagiois (ἁγίοις) – “Saints” or “holy ones,” this term reflects the Hebrew “qedoshim” (קְדוֹשִׁים). Paul’s use emphasizes that holiness is not earned but received through being “in Messiah Jesus.” The Corinthians are called holy despite their obvious failures, highlighting the transformative power of God’s calling.
• Sophia (σοφία) – “Wisdom” appears 10 times in this chapter alone. Paul contrasts Greek philosophical wisdom with the apparent foolishness of the cross. This wisdom theme connects to the Hebrew concept of “chokmah” (חָכְמָה), particularly as personified in Proverbs.
• Skandalon (σκάνδαλον) – “Stumbling block” carried potent meaning in both Jewish and Gentile contexts. For Jews, it recalled the Hebrew “mikshol” (מִכְשׁוֹל), something causing one to stumble in faith. Paul uses it to describe how the cross confounds human expectations.
• Koinonia (κοινωνία) – “Fellowship” or “participation” reflects the Hebrew “chaburah” (חַבוּרָה). Paul uses it to emphasize the believers’ shared life in the Messiah, contrasting with the divisions plaguing the congregation.
• Moria (μωρία) – “Foolishness” is used ironically by Paul to show how God’s wisdom appears foolish to human reasoning. This connects to the Hebrew concept of “naval” (נָבָל), one who foolishly refuses to acknowledge God.
• Klētos (κλητός) – “Called” reflects the Hebrew “qara” (קָרָא), emphasizing God’s sovereign initiative in salvation. Paul uses it to remind the Corinthians that their identity comes from God’s calling, not their own achievements.
• Dunamis (δύναμις) – “Power” appears in contrast to human wisdom and rhetoric. It connects to the Hebrew “gevurah” (גְּבוּרָה), divine power that accomplishes salvation.

Compare & Contrast

• Verse 1: Paul identifies himself as “called to be an apostle” (κλητὸς ἀπόστολος) rather than using titles of human authority. This phrasing emphasizes divine initiative over human achievement, contrasting with the Greco-Roman practice of establishing authority through credentials.
• Verse 7: The phrase “not lacking in any spiritual gift” (μὴ ὑστερεῖσθαι ἐν μηδενὶ χαρίσματι) was chosen over potential alternatives emphasizing human achievement. This highlights the complete sufficiency of God’s provision while subtly addressing the Corinthians’ tendency to overvalue certain gifts.
• Verse 9: “God is faithful” (πιστὸς ὁ θεός) employs the Greek pistos, echoing the Hebrew “ne’eman” (נֶאֱמָן). This choice connects to covenant faithfulness rather than mere reliability.
• Verse 18: The phrase “word of the cross” (ὁ λόγος τοῦ σταυροῦ) was chosen over potential alternatives like “message” or “teaching,” creating a deliberate parallel with the Greek philosophical concept of logos while subverting it.
• Verse 21: The construction “through the foolishness of what was preached” (διὰ τῆς μωρίας τοῦ κηρύγματος) emphasizes the message’s content over the act of preaching, contrasting with the Greek elevation of rhetorical skill.
• Verse 26: “Consider your calling” (βλέπετε τὴν κλῆσιν) uses the present imperative, suggesting ongoing reflection rather than a one-time evaluation.
• Verse 30: The phrase “who became for us wisdom from God” (ὃς ἐγενήθη σοφία ἡμῖν ἀπὸ θεοῦ) emphasizes Christ as the embodiment of divine wisdom, contrasting with Greek philosophical abstractions.

1 Corinthians 1 Unique Insights

The chapter contains a fascinating interplay between Greek and Jewish concepts of wisdom. The Greek term “sophia” appears throughout, but Paul redefines it through the lens of the cross. This redefinition would have been particularly striking in Corinth, where sophisticated philosophical discourse was highly valued. The “foolishness of God” (μωρία τοῦ θεοῦ) creates a deliberate paradox that challenges both Greek and Jewish expectations.

Early rabbinical commentary on this chapter, particularly in the Talmudic tractate Sanhedrin, connects Paul’s discussion of divine wisdom with the concept of “chokhmah nistarah” (חָכְמָה נִסְתָּרָה) or hidden wisdom. The early church father Origen, in his commentary on 1 Corinthians, noted how Paul’s argument mirrors the structure of Greek philosophical discourse while completely subverting its conclusions.

The sociological makeup of the Corinthian church, as revealed in verses 26-29, provides unique insight into early Christian demographics. The phrase “not many were wise according to worldly standards” suggests a predominantly lower-class congregation, though with some notable exceptions. This demographic reality added weight to Paul’s argument about God choosing the foolish things to shame the wise.

Archaeological evidence from first-century Corinth confirms the accuracy of Paul’s cultural references. The city’s location between two major ports made it a melting pot of philosophical and religious ideas, explaining the congregation’s susceptibility to divisive teachings. The reference to “eloquent wisdom” (σοφίᾳ λόγου) in verse 17 likely alludes to the sophisticated rhetorical traditions practiced in Corinth’s public forums.

1 Corinthians 1 Connections to Yeshua

The chapter presents Yeshua the Messiah as the embodiment of God’s wisdom, power, and redemptive purpose. Paul’s declaration that “Christ crucified” is both the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24) establishes the cross as the focal point of divine revelation. This connects to Isaiah’s Suffering Servant prophecies, where God’s wisdom is revealed through apparent weakness (Isaiah 53).

The emphasis on unity in the Messiah reflects Yeshua’s high priestly prayer in John 17. Paul’s concern for church unity is grounded in the reality that believers are united to Messiah Himself, making divisions not merely practical problems but theological contradictions. The reference to believers being “in Christ Jesus” (ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ) appears repeatedly, emphasizing how our identity, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption all flow from our union with Him.

1 Corinthians 1 Scriptural Echoes

The chapter resonates deeply with several Old Testament themes:

• The wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs 8, where divine wisdom is personified
• Isaiah 29:14: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise”
• Jeremiah 9:23-24: Boasting in knowing the Lord rather than human wisdom
• Deuteronomy 7:7-8: God choosing the weak and lowly
• Psalm 33:10: The Lord frustrating the plans of the nations

These connections demonstrate how Paul’s argument is thoroughly grounded in the Hebrew Scriptures while addressing contemporary Greco-Roman philosophical challenges.

1 Corinthians 1 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine where we place our confidence. Are we, like the Corinthians, impressed by human wisdom, eloquence, and status? The cross of the Messiah confronts our natural inclinations to seek wisdom and power on human terms. It calls us to embrace the paradox that God’s greatest victory came through apparent defeat, and His wisdom often appears as foolishness to the world.

Consider how this applies to your daily life:

• Where do you seek wisdom first – human expertise or God’s Word?
• How does your view of success align with the message of the cross?
• Are there divisions in your faith community based on human personalities or preferences?
• What “foolish” aspect of your faith might God be using to display His wisdom?

Let this chapter encourage you to boast in the Lord alone, finding your identity, wisdom, and strength in the Messiah rather than human achievements or affiliations.

Did You Know

• The word “wisdom” (sophia) appears more times in 1 Corinthians 1-3 than in any other section of similar length in the New Testament, highlighting its central theme.
• Corinth was home to the Temple of Aphrodite, which employed over 1,000 temple prostitutes, making Paul’s later teachings on sexual purity particularly relevant.
• The phrase “called to be saints” uses the same Greek word (klētos) for both “called” and “saints,” creating a wordplay that emphasizes divine initiative.
• Archaeological discoveries have confirmed the existence of the “Erastus” mentioned in Romans 16:23 as a city official in Corinth, validating Luke’s historical accuracy.
• The term “Christ crucified” would have been particularly shocking in Corinth, where crucifixion was considered so degrading it was rarely mentioned in polite company.
• The port city of Corinth was strategically located on an isthmus between two seas, making it one of the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan cities in the Roman Empire.
• Paul’s reference to “not many wise” according to worldly standards provides one of our best glimpses into the social composition of early Christian communities.
• The Greek word for “foolishness” (moria) is the root of our English word “moron,” showing how strong Paul’s language was.
• The division into parties following different leaders mimicked the common practice in Greek philosophical schools.
• The phrase “Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom” perfectly encapsulates the two dominant worldviews Paul was addressing.