Chapters
Overview to the Book of 1 Corinthians
This overview uses the S.C.R.I.P.T.U.R.E–G.U.I.D.E Framework to present the book of 1 Corinthians. For a more in-depth study, click on each chapter above, and soon, each verse, to explore the F.O.G commentary. If you’re new here, you might be asking, “What is the F.O.G?“
Summary, Structure & Author
The book of 1 Corinthians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul around AD 55 to the Christian church in Corinth, a vibrant and diverse city known for its wealth, commerce, and moral complexities. Paul addresses a wide range of issues troubling the church, including divisions, immorality, lawsuits among believers, and misunderstandings about spiritual gifts and resurrection. The letter is structured into distinct sections: chapters 1-4 discuss divisions and the nature of true wisdom; chapters 5-7 address moral issues and marriage; chapters 8-10 deal with the question of food sacrificed to idols; chapters 11-14 provide guidelines for worship and the use of spiritual gifts; and chapter 15 focuses on the resurrection. The final chapter, 16, contains personal greetings and instructions. 1 Corinthians stands as a vital guide for addressing church conflicts and promoting unity, holiness, and love among believers, making it a foundational text for understanding Christian ethics and community life.
Central Themes & Keywords
- Unity: Overcoming divisions and fostering oneness in the body of Christ.
- Wisdom: True wisdom comes from God and contrasts with worldly wisdom.
- Holiness: The call to live pure and morally upright lives in Christ.
- Love: Love is the highest virtue, surpassing all spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 13).
- Spiritual Gifts: Diverse gifts are given for the edification of the church.
- Resurrection: The centrality of Christ’s resurrection and the hope of believers’ resurrection.
- Body of Christ: The church as one body with many members, each playing a unique role.
Revealing Key Verses
- 1 Corinthians 1:10: “I appeal to you… that all of you agree with one another… that there be no divisions among you.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:16: “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple… God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?”
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit… therefore honor God with your bodies.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
- 1 Corinthians 12:12: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:57: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Important Teachings
1 Corinthians addresses a range of theological and practical issues relevant to the early church and believers today. Paul begins by confronting divisions within the Corinthian church, urging them to be united in mind and purpose, focusing on Christ rather than human leaders (1 Corinthians 1:10-17). He contrasts worldly wisdom, which leads to pride and division, with the wisdom of God, displayed through the message of the cross, which seems foolish to those who are perishing but is the power of God for those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).
Paul also tackles moral issues, including sexual immorality and lawsuits among believers, calling the church to live in holiness and purity as those who belong to Christ. He emphasizes that believers’ bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought with a price, and should therefore be honored in all aspects of life (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).
The letter provides extensive teaching on spiritual gifts, urging believers to use their gifts to build up the church rather than for personal glory. Paul describes the church as one body with many members, each playing a vital role, and emphasizes that the greatest gift is love (1 Corinthians 12-14). His “love chapter” (1 Corinthians 13) elevates love above all spiritual gifts and actions, defining it as patient, kind, and enduring, without envy or pride.
In chapter 15, Paul offers a detailed explanation of the resurrection, affirming its central place in the Christian faith. He argues that if Christ is not raised, faith is futile and believers are still in their sins. But since Christ has been raised, those who belong to Him will also be raised, securing victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:12-22).
1 Corinthians concludes with practical instructions for orderly worship, care for the poor, and mutual encouragement within the church. Paul’s overarching message is a call to live in harmony, love, and purity, reflecting the character of Christ in every aspect of life.
Place in God’s Story
1 Corinthians fits into the broader biblical narrative by addressing the early church’s challenges in living out the gospel in a diverse and often hostile cultural setting. It provides timeless principles for navigating conflicts, promoting unity, and understanding the transformative power of the gospel. By emphasizing the church as the body of Christ and the importance of resurrection hope, 1 Corinthians helps believers grasp their identity and mission as part of God’s redemptive plan for the world.
Time & Context
Corinth was a bustling, multicultural city, known for its strategic location as a trade hub and for its moral laxity, epitomized by the temple of Aphrodite, where ritual prostitution was practiced. Paul founded the church in Corinth during his second missionary journey, around AD 50-51. The city’s diverse population included Greeks, Romans, and Jews, and its culture was marked by philosophical debates and hedonistic practices.
The church in Corinth reflected this diversity, and the believers faced significant challenges in living out their faith amidst a context that often clashed with Christian values. Reports of divisions, sexual immorality, and confusion about doctrinal and practical matters reached Paul, prompting him to write this letter around AD 55, likely from Ephesus. His goal was to correct misunderstandings and address issues that threatened the church’s unity and witness.
Understanding the historical backdrop of 1 Corinthians is crucial for interpreting its content. For example, the city’s obsession with status and rhetoric influenced the Corinthians’ tendency to align themselves with different church leaders, leading to factions. Paul’s emphasis on the foolishness of the cross as God’s wisdom was a direct challenge to the Corinthian esteem for eloquence and philosophical sophistication.
The Corinthians also struggled with questions about sexual ethics and idolatry, as many were converts from pagan backgrounds. Paul’s teachings on the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and on the responsibility of believers to avoid stumbling blocks for others are responses to these specific cultural and ethical dilemmas.
The city’s patronage system, which revolved around status and reciprocity, also affected the church. Wealthier members were flaunting their status during communal meals, leading to divisions even at the Lord’s Supper. Paul’s instructions in chapter 11 about discerning the body of Christ and waiting for one another are meant to correct these abuses and reinforce the unity and equality of all believers in Christ.
Unique Literary Features
1 Corinthians is marked by Paul’s pastoral tone, blending sharp rebukes with loving appeals. It uses a range of rhetorical techniques, including diatribe (posing and answering questions) and vivid metaphors, such as the church as God’s temple and Christ as the foundation. Paul’s use of contrasts—wisdom vs. foolishness, love vs. spiritual gifts—emphasizes his key points. The letter’s structure is shaped by responses to specific issues reported by the Corinthians, making it more dialogical and situational than some of Paul’s other epistles.
Relevance to Audience
For the original audience, 1 Corinthians addressed immediate concerns about divisions, morality, and worship practices. Today, the letter remains relevant for churches facing internal conflicts, ethical challenges, or misunderstandings about spiritual gifts and the resurrection. Its teachings on love, unity, and living a holy life offer timeless guidance for believers navigating complex cultural contexts while staying faithful to Christ.
Expression of Jesus
1 Corinthians highlights Jesus as the wisdom and power of God, whose sacrificial death and resurrection are the foundation of Christian faith and life. Paul portrays Christ as the ultimate source of unity, the head of the church, and the model of selfless love. The call to live in love, humility, and purity reflects Jesus’ own life and teachings. The resurrection, central to the letter, affirms Jesus as the firstfruits of those who have died, securing the hope of eternal life for all believers.
Gospel Connections
1 Corinthians reinforces the gospel’s transformative power, urging believers to live in a way that reflects their new identity in Christ. The letter’s emphasis on unity, holiness, and love directly connects to the gospel message of reconciliation and new life. Paul’s teaching on the resurrection points to the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, assuring believers of their future resurrection and the hope of eternal life.
Unique Artworks & Media
Click/touch to open gallery:
No folder selected.
- “Paul Preaching in Corinth” by Raphael: This artwork captures Paul’s passionate teaching and engagement with the Corinthian believers.
- “The School of Athens” by Raphael: Though not directly depicting Corinth, it reflects the intellectual atmosphere that Paul confronted with the message of the cross.
- “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci: While depicting Jesus with His disciples, it parallels Paul’s teachings on communion in 1 Corinthians 11.
Video Media:
Suggest more media: Submit your ideas to the F.O.G project.
Impact & Events
1 Corinthians profoundly shaped early Christian thought and practice. It has been a key text in discussions about church unity, spiritual gifts, and the role of love in the Christian community. The letter’s instructions on the Lord’s Supper and spiritual gifts have guided liturgical practices and church governance. Its teachings on resurrection have provided hope and assurance for countless believers facing persecution and hardship.
Devotional Reflection
Consider the life of Florence Nightingale, who, inspired by her Christian faith, revolutionized nursing during the Crimean War. Like Paul’s call to selfless love in 1 Corinthians 13, Nightingale’s dedication to serving the sick and wounded, often in dire conditions, exemplifies love in action. How can you demonstrate God’s love in your own context, using your gifts to serve others selflessly?
Eye-Opening Facts: Did You Know?
- 1 Corinthians is one of Paul’s longest letters.
- The phrase “love is patient, love is kind” from 1 Corinthians 13 is among the most quoted scriptures at weddings.
- The letter addresses more practical issues than any other Pauline epistle.
- Corinth was known for the Isthmian Games, which Paul alludes to when discussing discipline and self-control.
- Paul visited Corinth twice, the second time being after writing this letter.
- The term “Corinthianize” was synonymous with immorality in ancient times.
- Paul’s emphasis on the resurrection counters Greek skepticism about bodily resurrection.
- The letter’s references to head coverings and women’s roles reflect cultural issues of the time.
- Paul’s teaching on the body as a temple challenges both sexual immorality and dualistic views of the body.
- The letter’s focus on love as the highest virtue was radical in a status-conscious society.
- Paul’s guidance on spiritual gifts emphasizes order and mutual edification.
- The phrase “all things are permissible” in 1 Corinthians 6:12 reflects a misunderstanding Paul corrects.
- The letter ends with a call to stand firm in faith and love.
- Paul’s discussion of the Lord’s Supper addresses divisions between rich and poor.
- 1 Corinthians contains one of the earliest written references to the resurrection.
- The letter was delivered by Timothy, Paul’s close companion.
- 1 Corinthians 15 is known as the “resurrection chapter.”
- Paul’s description of love in chapter 13 has inspired countless artistic and literary works.
- The letter’s emphasis on unity remains a cornerstone of ecumenical dialogue.
- Corinth’s diverse church included Jews, Greeks, slaves, and free people.
- Paul’s closing words, “My love be with you all in Christ Jesus,” reveal his deep care for the church.
