Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who did Paul introduce, along with himself, when writing his first letter to the Corinthians?
Who did Paul introduce, along with himself, when writing his first letter to the Corinthians?
Sosthenes
Who was 1st Corinthians addressed to?
Who was 1st Corinthians addressed to?
The church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.
How many chapters are in the book of 1 Corinthians?
How many chapters are in the book of 1 Corinthians?
16
Which chapter of 1 Corinthians describes what love is?
Which chapter of 1 Corinthians describes what love is?
At the beginning of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, what did Paul thank God for giving the Corinthians by Christ Jesus?
At the beginning of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, what did Paul thank God for giving the Corinthians by Christ Jesus?
What were the Corinthians enriched in, that Paul thanked God for?
What were the Corinthians enriched in, that Paul thanked God for?
How was the testimony of Christ confirmed in the Corinthians?
How was the testimony of Christ confirmed in the Corinthians?
For what reason will God also confirm the Corinthians to the end?
For what reason will God also confirm the Corinthians to the end?
By whom were the Corinthians called into fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord?
By whom were the Corinthians called into fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord?
Why did Paul plead with the Corinthians to speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among them?
Why did Paul plead with the Corinthians to speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among them?
Who declared to Paul that there were contentions among the Corinthians?
Who declared to Paul that there were contentions among the Corinthians?
Who were the different people the Corinthians followed, saying 'I am of'?
Who were the different people the Corinthians followed, saying 'I am of'?
Who did Paul say he baptized?
Who did Paul say he baptized?
Why did Paul thank God that he baptized none of them except Crispus and Gaius?
Why did Paul thank God that he baptized none of them except Crispus and Gaius?
Why did Paul say that Christ had sent him?
Why did Paul say that Christ had sent him?
Why did Paul say Christ did not send him to preach the gospel with wisdom of words?
Why did Paul say Christ did not send him to preach the gospel with wisdom of words?
What is the message of the cross to those who are perishing?
What is the message of the cross to those who are perishing?
What is the message of the cross to those who are being saved?
What is the message of the cross to those who are being saved?
What will happen to the wisdom of the wise?
What will happen to the wisdom of the wise?
Whose understanding will be brought to nothing?
Whose understanding will be brought to nothing?
When Paul spoke of God making foolish the wisdom of this world, what three types of people did he ask, where are they?
When Paul spoke of God making foolish the wisdom of this world, what three types of people did he ask, where are they?
How did Paul say the world did not know God?
How did Paul say the world did not know God?
Through what did it please God to save those who believe?
Through what did it please God to save those who believe?
What did Paul say the Jews request?
What did Paul say the Jews request?
What did Paul say the Greeks seek?
What did Paul say the Greeks seek?
What was a stumbling block to the Jews?
What was a stumbling block to the Jews?
What was preaching Christ crucified considered to the Greeks?
What was preaching Christ crucified considered to the Greeks?
What was preaching Christ crucified considered to those who are called both Jews and Greeks?
What was preaching Christ crucified considered to those who are called both Jews and Greeks?
What is wiser than men?
What is wiser than men?
What is stronger than men?
What is stronger than men?
Who did Paul say are not called?
Who did Paul say are not called?
What did God choose to put to shame the wise?
What did God choose to put to shame the wise?
What did God choose to put to shame the things which are mighty?
What did God choose to put to shame the things which are mighty?
What two things of the world has God chosen?
What two things of the world has God chosen?
Study Notes
Introduction to 1 Corinthians
- Paul introduces himself and Sosthenes in his first letter to the Corinthians.
- The letter is addressed to the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints.
Structure of 1 Corinthians
- The book consists of 16 chapters.
- Chapter 13 specifically describes the nature of love.
Key Themes and Teachings
- Paul expresses gratitude for God's grace given to the Corinthians through Christ (1:4).
- The Corinthians were enriched in utterance and knowledge (1:5).
- Their faith was confirmed as they lacked no spiritual gifts (1:7).
- God will confirm the Corinthians until the day of the Lord to ensure they are blameless (1:8).
- They were called into fellowship with Jesus Christ by God (1:9).
Divisions and Contentions
- Paul urges the Corinthians to unify by speaking the same thing, avoiding divisions (1:10).
- Chloe's household reported contentions among the members (1:11).
- The Corinthians were divided, claiming allegiance to various figures such as Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and Christ (1:12).
Baptism and Purpose
- Paul identifies those he baptized: Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas (1:14-16).
- He expresses relief for not baptizing many to prevent claims of personal allegiance (1:14-15).
- Christ sent Paul to preach the gospel, avoiding the use of eloquent wisdom (1:17).
The Message of the Cross
- The message of the cross is perceived as foolishness by those perishing (1:18) yet is the power of God for those being saved.
- God plans to destroy worldly wisdom (1:19) and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent (1:19).
- Paul questions the whereabouts of the wise, scribes, and disputers in the context of God's wisdom (1:20).
Wisdom of God vs. Worldly Wisdom
- The world did not know God through wisdom; instead, God chose to save believers through the "foolishness" of preaching (1:21).
- Jews seek signs (1:22), Greeks seek wisdom (1:22), but Christ crucified is both a stumbling block and foolishness to them (1:23).
- For those called, Christ represents the power and wisdom of God (1:24).
Divine Reversal of Expectations
- God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and His weakness is stronger than human strength (1:25).
- Not many of the wise, mighty, or noble are called (1:26); God uses the foolish and weak things of the world to confound the wise (1:27-28).
- God chooses base and despised things of the world to shame the proud (1:28).
Summary of God’s Choice
- The contrast between worldly measures of wisdom and strength compared to God's unconventional choices highlights the transformative nature of faith and divine purpose.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge on the first seven chapters of 1 Corinthians with these flashcards. Each card focuses on key individuals, themes, and messages presented by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians. Perfect for students studying the New Testament!
