About This Book
First Corinthians addresses numerous practical problems in the Corinthian church, calling believers to unity, moral purity, and proper use of spiritual gifts. Paul received reports of divisions—people claiming allegiance to Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ. Paul rebukes this sectarianism. Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom's words lest the cross be emptied of power.
God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom. God chose the foolish, weak, and lowly things to shame the wise and strong. Believers have the mind of Christ through the Spirit who searches all things. Paul confronts sexual immorality—a man living with his father's wife must be removed from fellowship.
Believers shouldn't sue each other in secular courts. Sexual immorality is particularly serious because bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, joined to Christ. Flee sexual immorality. Regarding marriage, Paul advises that while singleness allows undivided devotion to the Lord, marriage is good and sexual relations within marriage are important.
Divorce should not occur between believers. Concerning food offered to idols, while idols are nothing and believers have freedom, love limits freedom to avoid causing weaker believers to stumble. Knowledge puffs up but love builds up. Paul defends his apostleship and right to financial support, though he waives this right.
He disciplines his body lest after preaching to others he be disqualified. Israel's failures warn believers not to be idolatrous or sexually immoral. God provides escape from temptation. Regarding worship, women should have head coverings as a sign of authority.
When celebrating the Lord's Supper, divisions and selfish behavior profane it—some eat while others go hungry. Whoever eats unworthily drinks judgment on themselves, explaining why some are weak, sick, or have died. Spiritual gifts come from the same Spirit for the common good. There are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit.
The body has many members with different functions—all are needed. Without love, gifts are worthless. Love is patient and kind, not envious or proud, doesn't dishonor others, isn't self-seeking or easily angered, rejoices in truth. Prophecy is greater than tongues for edifying the church.
Everything should be done decently and in order. Paul defends the resurrection's centrality—if Christ isn't raised, faith is futile. But Christ is raised as firstfruits. Death came through Adam, resurrection through Christ.
The dead will be raised imperishable. Death is swallowed up in victory. Stand firm, always abounding in the Lord's work. Paul concludes with instructions about the collection for Jerusalem saints and final greetings.