A summary of 1st. Corinthians

First Corinthians, was written by the Apostle Paul around AD 55. It was penned in Ephesus, during his third missionary journey. Paul starts the letter by identifying himself and greeting the church in Corinth 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 , [AMP] Paul establishes his credentials and purpose for writing, while also greeting the church in Corinth. In verse 1 , Paul identifies himself and states his role as an apostle, chosen by Jesus Christ through the will of God. He also mentions Sosthenes, who is possibly a co-author or scribe for the letter. In verse 2, Paul addresses the letter to the church of God in Corinth, emphasizing that they are made holy, or sanctified, by Christ Jesus and are called to be saints. This call is not limited to just them but extends to all those, everywhere, who call upon the name of Jesus Christ, and then in verse 3, Paul offers a blessing of grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace represents God's undeserved favor and love, while peace refers to the state of spiritual well-being and wholeness that comes from a right relationship with God. A significant portion of this letter is devoted to addressing the various issues and disputes that had arisen in the Corinthian church. Each of these passages in 1 Corinthians addresses specific issues that the early church in Corinth was dealing with, and Paul provided instruction and correction on these matters. 1. Divisions in the Church - 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 [AMP]: Paul addressed the issue of divisions in the church due to believers identifying themselves with different leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ). Paul emphasized the unity in Christ, stating that Christ is not divided and believers are one in Him. He appealed to the believers to be unified in thought and purpose, focusing on the message of the cross rather than boasting about human leaders. 2. Sexual Immorality - 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, [AMP]: Paul addressed an instance of sexual immorality among the believers that was even shocking to the non-believers (a man having a relationship with his father's wife). Paul instructed the church to remove the immoral person from their midst. The goal of such discipline was to bring about repentance and eventual restoration, preserving the purity of the church. 3. Lawsuits Among Believers - 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, [AMP]: Paul expressed his dismay that believers were taking their disputes to secular courts rather than resolving them within the church community. He taught that it is better to suffer wrong than to publicly air grievances and thus tarnish the church's witness. 4. Marriage and Singleness - 1 Corinthians 7, [AMP]: Paul responded to specific questions regarding marriage and singleness. He affirmed the value of both states, saying that each has its own gifts and challenges. He offered guidance for various situations (like marriages between believers and non-believers), always emphasizing the priority of serving God faithfully. 5. Food Sacrificed to Idols - 1 Corinthians 8, [AMP]: Paul addressed the question of whether it was acceptable for Christians to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols. He emphasized that the knowledge of there being only one true God makes the idols nothing. However, he urged believers to exercise their freedom with sensitivity to the conscience of other believers who may be weaker in faith, and to act in love to avoid causing others to stumble.

6. Use of Spiritual Gifts - 1 Corinthians 12-14 [AMP]: Paul emphasized the unity and diversity in the body of Christ. He pointed out that all spiritual gifts come from the same Spirit and are given for the common good. He urged believers to desire the higher gifts, and especially to pursue love, as it is the most excellent way. 7. The Superiority of Love - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, [AMP]: Paul beautifully describes love's superior importance over all spiritual gifts. Even the most impressive spiritual gifts are worthless without love. Love, unlike the spiritual gifts which are temporal, is eternal. Chapter 15 1 Corinthians 15, Paul addresses the resurrection, first of Christ and then of believers, calling it of first importance (Paul is asserting the vital role that Christ's resurrection plays in Christian belief and salvation. Without the resurrection, the faith and hope placed in Christ would be meaningless.) 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, (AMP) • In Verse 1 and 2, Paul reminds the Corinthians about the gospel, the Good News, he preached, which they received and on which they have taken their stand. Their salvation is tied to this message, assuming they hold firmly to it. • In Verses 3 and 4, Paul states the foundational truths of this gospel: o Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, o he was buried, and he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. o These three truths - Christ's death, burial, and resurrection - are central to the Christian faith . o Paul emphasizes that these events occurred "according to the Scriptures", indicating they were fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. • He concludes the letter with final exhortations, greetings, and a blessing of grace 1 Corinthians 16:19-24, [AMP]. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are prophesied in the Old Testament. 1. Death: Isaiah 53 is a significant passage in this regard, especially Isaiah 53:5-12. These verses speak of the suffering of Jesus who was "wounded for our transgressions" and whose "life is poured out unto death." Psalm 22 is also seen as a prophetic account of Jesus's crucifixion, especially Psalm 22:1, 7-8, and 16-18. 2. Burial: Isaiah 53:9 prophesies about the burial of the suffering of Jesus: "He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death..." This is seen as being fulfilled in the account of Jesus's burial in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man (Matthew 27:57-60). 3. Resurrection: Psalm 16:10 is often quoted in reference to Jesus's resurrection: "For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption." In Acts 2:27 and Acts 13:35, this verse is quoted by Peter and Paul respectively as being fulfilled in Jesus's resurrection, meaning that His body did not decay in the grave but was raised to life.