1 Corinthians 1
Corinth had a strategic location on a narrow piece of land between two seas. Instead of traveling the long way around the ocean, ships came to Corinth where they picked up the ship and moved over land the few miles to the other sea. If the ship was too big, they unloaded the cargo and transported it to another vessel on the other side. As such an important port for cargo, Corinth became quite prosperous.
But it also became known for its debauchery, so much so the verb “to Corinthianize” or “act like a Corinthian” became known in local language for its debauchery (quite a feat in a pagan Greek culture worshiping many gods).
Corinth contained temples of Aphrodite, Poseidon and others, along with ritual temple prostitution. It wasn’t an area you wanted to be in if you had high moral character (think of San Francisco and Las Vegas together). Today, some use San Francisco similarly as a representation of an area pushing the limits of acceptable behavior — and proud of it, as Isaiah warns.
“Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope” (Isaiah 5:18 KJV)
They’re proud of their debauchery and want everyone to know about it, so have a parade and celebrate it! That’s the attitude of Corinth, and we see the same attitude making a comeback today as well. The idea sin is no longer sin, and everyone does what is right for themselves (that idea didn’t work out too well in the time of the judges, what makes us think it will work better today?).
It’s in this cesspool the church at Corinth existed.
Paul’s first visit to Corinth appears in Acts 18. As usual he went first to the Synagogue, but they were less than receptive, so he sets up shop literally next door. After 2 years Paul leaves for Ephesus, where he writes his first letter to the church at Corinth; a letter we don’t have.
Scholars call this the “previous letter”, as it’s alluded to in a few places in the letters we do have. But Paul gets bad news, prompting a second letter in AD 56 (what we know as 1 Corinthians). Paul visits Corinth again, writes a third letter (the “severe letter”) which we don’t have, and then a fourth letter we call 2 Corinthians. He then pays the church a final visit; Paul invested a lot of time in these people.
Why don’t we have the missing letters? Many people debate on why this book or that book is or is not included in the Bible. But those arguments are a waste of time — God preserved everything He wanted us to have. It’s just that simple. Arguments over why some just-discovered book isn’t included are unproductive, as God collected what He wanted to preserve for us; nothing more is needed, nothing needed is missing.
Paul reprimands them as they became a bit too much like the environment they found themselves in. As we go through the letter, you’ll see they had problems in just about every area — spiritual gifts, marriage, divorce, legal matters, communion and more.
Christians should change the world, not the other way around; be vary careful about melding Christian ideas with the world’s philosophy. A popular theme today calls for the church to change to remain relevant. Huh? If God is God, don’t you think He knew what circumstances would exist today when He inspired the authors to write? God’s Word doesn’t change, because it doesn’t need to.
The Church at Corinth was a troubled and carnal church, but this letter is practical. It covers spiritual gifts, communion, marriage, divorce, legal issues, Christian liberty and more. It’s not heavy with theology, it’s practical counsel designed to put out fires. It’s not hard like theology (Romans) and prophecy (Daniel), it’s hard (and uncomfortable) because it’s quite clear, and the problems it addressed are severe.
Yet through all this Paul doesn’t challenge their salvation. He corrects and gives new instruction, but never says their salvation is in danger. Some groups make the case if you’re not living a “pure” life (whatever that means) you’re not saved (a form of legalism). But it’s not for us to judge, and even in troubled churches like Corinth, Paul doesn’t imply they’ve lost their salvation.
People frequently ask what about my child living a carnal life? Have they backslidden? Just like the church at Corinth, it’s possible to be carnal, worldly, and unproductive — but still saved. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can live any way you want (1 John). The point is, while outward indications may be a sign of the inner condition, they are not always a sign. We hope the distinction is clear.
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother (1 Corinthians 1:1 KJV)
The “to be” isn’t in the original, it’s added by the translators. It really reads “Paul, called an apostle”. Who did the calling? God.
What are you called to be? We’ll talk of spiritual gifts later in the book, so for now what you need to know is God called you to something. If you’re trying to force something God didn’t call you in it won’t work out very well. Lots of opportunities for service exist. Dig in — Christianity isn’t a spectator sport.
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours (1 Corinthians 1:2 KJV)
To the church at Corinth, not the Corinthian church. Only one church exists — we’ll talk about unity soon, but understand only one church exists. It may have many manifestations, but no church exists in a vacuum.
Paul starts with an introduction before getting to the problems.
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:3 KJV)
Paul’s standard greeting appearing in most of his letters, a combination of Greek and Hebrew (charis and shalom). You have to know the grace before you experience peace.
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; (1 Corinthians 1:4 KJV)
Paul doesn’t have much commendation as the church had lots of problems — Paul doesn’t thank God for their devotion, living or example. But he does thank God for grace. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve — if you’ve earned it, it’s not grace.
Grace is not earned through works. It’s not Jesus plus, it’s Jesus. If it’s Jesus plus anything, it’s no longer grace, but works. You didn’t do anything to earn your salvation. But some ask, if I don’t do anything for salvation, why go through all this? Some people receive comfort by works — I got a list of stuff to do and I can check off items to see how I’m doing — if this life gives a chance to prove yourself, it makes sense.
But not to God. So why go through all the world stuff? Paul tells you in Ephesians 2:7 “That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” I don’t deserve it, don’t merit it, did nothing to earn it and for all eternity we’ll try to understand it.
Paul says God gives His grace — grace is getting what you don’t deserve, mercy is not getting what you do (Corinth needed lots of both).
That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you; So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: (1 Corinthians 1:5-7 KJV)
This church had all the spiritual gifts. They weren’t using them right, and Paul issues corrective instruction, but they had them all. The church needs all the gifts, and all should be in operation. We’ll deal with it more later, but if you don’t know what your gift is it’s simple: Ask the Lord to show it to you, and give you something to do.
Then you’ll naturally do something, and it will be so natural you’ll likely miss it’s your gift until someone else points it out. And you’ll say, that’s not a gift, it’s too easy — and then the light bulb should come on.
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8 KJV)
Who’s job is it to keep sheep? “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6 KJV). It’s back to grace — you did nothing to earn it, thus it’s not your job to keep it. The shepherd keeps the sheep, not the sheep themselves.
Blameless means unaccused and unaccusable, not sinless. Just recall back to Daniel 6 with Daniel in the lions den as his adversaries desired to eliminate him, but couldn’t find any reason to accuse him. The only way comes from creating a conflict between man’s law and God’s — Daniel certainly would follow God’s law. That’s blameless (Daniel obviously wasn’t sinless).
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV)
Who is faithful? The pastor, elders? This isn’t Paul saying I’m going to stick it out, and we’ll get through it together. No, it’s Jesus — He’s the answer to all the problems the Corinthian church had, and He’s also the answer to all the problems any church has.
Too many people look everywhere but Jesus for answers. Don’t depend on your pastor — he’ll let you down as he’s not infallible and makes mistakes. The pastor’s job is to confirm what the Bible already says and motivate you to do what you already know is right. But if you look for answers from your pastor you’ll be sorely disappointed. Paul reminds us it’s God who is faithful, not man.
Now Paul dispenses with the polite introduction and gets down to problems. First up, divisions.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV)
Paul calls them brethren — these are Christians he’s speaking to, in spite of all the problems they had.
Unity is widely misunderstood. It’s not a “big tent” where all religions get together and sing kum-by-ya. It doesn’t mean abandoning your principles. It doesn’t mean trying to meld Christianity with the world. It’s for the church. It’s an internal concept.
What is unity? Paul explains in Ephesians.
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV)
Divisions in Greek is “schism” (Strongs 4978), literally meaning a division, gap or tear. We are all bound together as one church. But unity and a lack of division has come to mean the “big tent”, like the following:
The minister at Toronto’s West Hill United Church, Rev. Gretta Vosper, does not teach her congregation to recite the Apostle’s Creed. She does not believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit or born of a virgin. She does not believe that Jesus rose again from the dead or ascended into heaven … or most of the basic tenets of Biblical Christianity. In fact, when her congregation sings famous hymns, the references to Christ and God are removed. Yet, Ms. Vosper calls herself a “Christian” and runs a church in one of Canada’s largest Protestant denominations.
A chasm has steadily grown between those who hold conservative, Bible-based beliefs and those who affirm more liberal, man-centered views [1]
That chasm continues to grow as many attempt to take Christianity and fit it to the world for political, social, educational or other reasons. Trying to fit in, instead of standing out. It’s not always as extreme as that Toronto church, but be very careful of yielding to man’s wisdom instead of God’s.
We can make a list of what you must believe to be a Christian — virgin birth, Jesus’ death and resurrection for our sins, reality of hell, and so on. If you don’t accept that list, you’re not a Christian, no matter what it says on your door.
But the church frequently divides over pre-trib/post-trib, baptism, bible translations and other non-important matters. Growing up our family went to a church dad had lots of disagreement with — but he called it fluff and didn’t choose fellowship by minor doctrinal differences. Likewise Paul advised Timothy to not argue over endless genealogies, and instead glorify God.
Why the church divides over such things escapes us — it’s Chuck Missler asking why Christians organize firing squads in circles. In Corinth, divisions developed over following certain teachers, and today is no different as people claim I follow Chuck Smith, no I’m a follower of Jon Courson. No, I’m for John McArthur.
Satan laughs while we’re fighting over nothing. That doesn’t mean doctrine isn’t important, but don’t major in minors; if we agree on majors, it’s an education issue, not a salvation issue. For example, in Acts 18:26 Priscilla and Aquilla tutored Apollos as they saw him teaching, yet without complete knowledge. They didn’t interrupt him and call him names, they took him aside and explained more throughly. That’s unity, while preserving doctrine.
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. (1 Corinthians 1:11 KJV)
Paul names his source as Chloe’s house. Everyone would have known who that was, and if they made things up it would come back to them. I don’t think they’re exaggerating.
Paul lists the problems growing in the church like cancer. But you don’t talk nice to it, you cut it out! You cut out the cancer, and deal with it; Paul will deal with the cancer straight out. It may not be popular, and it will be uncomfortable, but speaking the truth in love must to be done.
Anytime we hold back for fear of “offending” someone we’ve done a disservice to them; you’ve got to speak the truth, although that’s not a license to be a jerk or gossip. Sadly, some feel it’s their ministry to publicly point out the faults of others. As we’ll see when Paul teaches on spiritual gifts, no such gift appears in the list. If any correction is required, it should be done privately.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:12 KJV)
Four factions develop at Corinth. Debate exists on if these were actually the real four, or if Paul just uses them for an example. But it doesn’t matter to the point as Paul answers by a rhetorical question guaranteed to have a negative response.
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:13 KJV)
It’s Jesus, not man. The Corinthians followed men, not God — we’ll see the trap they fell into soon.
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas; besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. (1 Corinthians 1:14-16 KJV)
Imagine Paul as he dictated this letter, pacing back and forth and disgusted with the whole lot of ‘em — he doesn’t want to be named in their fight.
Paul didn’t remember who he baptized, and if it’s so important, why not? Baptism fuels the division of churches, yet the teaching should be clear. If it’s required to be saved, why would Paul not only not remember it, but not include considerable teaching on it?
Simply because it’s not required for salvation. Baptism is a work, and works can’t save. Anyone believing baptism is required for salvation is confused about grace. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve; if you worked for it, you’ve earned it, and it’s no longer grace.
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel; not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (1 Corinthians 1:17 KJV)
Again, if baptism is required, wouldn’t Christ have sent Paul to preach the gospel and baptize? Yet Paul mentions he’s not sent to baptize, and even mentions he can’t recall who he baptized — it doesn’t sound like Paul viewed baptism as required.
Paul teaches not with wisdom of words, in contrast to philosophy (love of wisdom) — the Greeks liked to wax poetic about philosophy and argue all day. Don’t be sucked in by “scholars” or PhD’s as the failure of man’s wisdom is simple — it can’t get to the heart, which is where the problem lies.
For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12 KJV)
Only the Word of God can get to soul and spirit.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV)
We could talk about that for hours, but just read the letters to the editor in your newspaper. How many speak of the cross as foolish? How many people think religion is a complete waste of time?
Your view of the cross also provides assurance of salvation — what do you think of the cross? Do you think it’s foolish and a fiction? Or the power of God for salvation? Your answer provides clues to your eternal destiny.
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. (1 Corinthians 1:19 KJV)
Philosophy worships wisdom. The Christian has no use for philosophy — if it agrees with Bible, it’s not needed, and if it contradicts, it’s wrong. Why waste your time? This doesn’t mean Christians shouldn’t go to college by any means, but don’t waste your time arguing about how many angels can fit on the head of a pin, or if God is all powerful, can He create a rock so big He can’t move it? Those kind of discussions are unproductive.
Yet the Greek culture loved to argue all day (without resolution), as Paul found out at Athens.
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market place daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? Other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods; because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears; we would know therefore what these things mean. (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) (Acts 17:16-21 KJV)
God’s wisdom is different. “It is honorable for a man to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel.” (Proverbs 20:3) After arguing all day, what gain is it? Do you resolve anything? Or just on to the next debate? For some, debate provides entertainment, not a means to understanding.
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (1 Corinthians 1:20-21 KJV)
The message isn’t foolish, but sometimes the delivery is. It’s the delivery system, not the message itself.
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: (1 Corinthians 1:22 KJV)
The Jews always request a sign in the Gospels (Matthew 12 & 16, John 2). Even after Jesus performs a miracle, they seek a sign as they failed to understand the prophecy regarding their own Messiah.
In contrast the Greeks worship wisdom — Proverbs 26:12 “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Wisdom by itself is useless; it’s what you do with it that counts. Simply acquiring knowledge for knowledge’s sake accomplishes nothing.
Two groups — Jews and Gentiles. The Jews look for their Messiah, and the Greeks look for philosophy; the Jews had ritual instead of a relationship, and the Greeks worshiped wisdom and philosophy. Both missed out.
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Gentiles foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:23-24 KJV)
The Jews missed it, and the Gentiles didn’t understand it. But to those who are saved, it makes sense. Perhaps you’ve had the opportunity to explain Jesus to someone who just doesn’t understand; no matter what you say they look like a deer in the headlights. That’s the difference — to you it’s the power of God, to them it’s foolishness.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:25 KJV)
A big move exists today to replace God’s wisdom with man’s in science, politics and education; not a wise thing to do. God lays out life’s laws; it’s the instruction manual for life. Why throw it away? Why substitute perfection with inferior wisdom?
If you hold to God’s wisdom, you’re going to be in the minority and going against the world — read the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11; all those guys held to God’s wisdom and shunned mans’, and the world didn’t think too highly of them.
The foolishness of God is an oxymoron (self-contradicting words) like “Microsoft works” or “earned grace”.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: (1 Corinthians 1:26 KJV)
The more intellectually and “smarter” you are, the less likely you are to be saved as you tend to rely on your own wisdom instead of God; educated people worshiping knowledge instead of the creator Paul dealt with early in Romans.
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:21-22 KJV)
Philosophy seeks after wisdom (apart from God), just like the Greeks. Ironically, in their pursuit of wisdom they become fools. They worship Nebo — the god of knowledge and wisdom. That old pagan god remains today, just walk on any college campus. They may not have an idol, yet it’s worship the same.
Be careful, the old pagan gods are still around, waiting to ensnare you.
- Ashtoreth — Pleasure and sexuality. It’s good for me, and it doesn’t matter who gets hurt as long as my needs are met.
- Baal — Power. Looking at any recent presidential race proves the popularity of Baal remains; people who still bow down to Baal fill the political arena.
- Mammon — Money. Wall Street overflows with people worshiping Mammon as greed runs rampant in our society. Nothing is ever enough.
- Molech — Practicality. Molech’s statue had arms outstretched and they built a fire in his belly until he glowed red-hot; the idea was if you sacrificed your first child Molech would honor your sacrifice and bless you. It was practical to sacrifice one to be blessed. But we don’t do such hideous acts today — today we use salt water instead of fire and call it planned parenthood. If you sacrifice your first child, you’ll have a better career and be better able to take care of your next child.
- Nebo — God of knowledge and wisdom. Take a walk on any college campus and you’ll still see this god bowed down to daily, even if the idol itself doesn’t exist.
They’re still around, and still worshiped today. Man isn’t getting better, entropy says everything winds down and becomes more chaotic.
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are (1 Corinthians 1:27-28 KJV)
An interesting study comes from studying the phrase “But God” through the Bible (it appears 52 times — Genesis 31:7, 48:21, 50:20, 1 Samuel 23:14, Psalm 73:26, Acts 7:9, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4, Philippians 2:27, etc); notice the contrast between God’s view and man’s, God’s wisdom vs. man’s wisdom and God’s plan vs. man’s plan.
Why is this? Is God mean? Does He just sit up there and devise ways to torment people? Paul answers the question of why the cosmos exists, and we’re born and die in the next verse.
That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:29 KJV)
It’s all a gift. God did all the work, and freely grants mercy to whoever asks — that’s why works is such a harmful problem; you did nothing to earn salvation — if you did, you could boast (earned grace is an oxymoron). But God will not share His glory with another, and if you did anything to earn your salvation you would have reason to boast, but no flesh can glory in His presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption; That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:30-31 KJV)
Boasting is excluded. You didn’t earn it, all you can do is thank God for it.
So where are we at after chapter one? We can sum up the instructions with a verse from Micah.
He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8 KJV)
[1]http://www.khouse.org/enews_article/2008/1316/