1 Corinthians - Division, Gifts, Marriage, Love, & Resurrection
Session 1 – Introduction Spiritual Gifts & Divisions
(1 Corinthians 1:1-17)
What happens in Corinth…stays in Corinth!
It was an ancient day “Hollywood, Las Vegas, and New York” with all the immorality and debauchery of today.
Map of Greece / Asia Minor (Modern day Turkey):
Corinth
Olympia
Athens
Thessalonica
Philippi
Ephesus
Smyrna
Pergamos
Sardis
Laodicea
(Halley’s Bible Handbook)
Corinth lies 56 miles west of Athens, on the narrow strip of land (isthmus) between the Peloponnesus and the Greek mainland. Ever since the Golden Age of Greece, Athens had been the leading cultural center, but under Roman rule, Corinth had been made the capital of the Roman province called Achaia (which also included Athens) and was the most important city in the country. Land traffic between the north and south had to pass the city, and much of the commerce between Rome and the East was brought to its harbors.
In Roman times Corinth was a city of wealth, luxury, and immorality – with a growing population that reached more than 300,000 free citizens and 460,000 slaves in the 2nd century A.D. The theater in Paul’s day seated 14,000 spectators. In the past, more than 1,000 hierodouloi – temple prostitutes – had been active in pagan worship rites, but these practices probably had ceased by Paul’s time, although the memory of that era was still fresh. “To live like a Corinthian” meant to live a life of sexual immorality and drunkenness. The Isthmian games, held every two years, made Corinth a great center of Hellenic life. (The Olympian Games were held every four years at Olympia, some 100 miles west of Corinth).
Paul visited Corinth for the first time on his second missionary journey (Acts 18). He became acquainted with Aquila and Priscilla, fellow Christians and, like himself, tentmakers. During his stay of 1 ½ years he lived at their home. Paul later wrote two New Testament letters to that church and at least two other letters, now lost (1 Cor 5:9) and the severe letter (2 Cor 7:8). Paul also wrote the letter to the Romans while in Corinth (Romans 16:23).
(Chuck Missler – 1&2 Corinthians Commentary 1995)
Occasion of 1 Corinthians
Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian church, a letter which apparently perished (1 Cor 5:9). (Some scholars believe it is preserved as 2 Cor 6:14-7:1.) This letter had been misunderstood (1 Cor 5:9-10) and Paul mentions it to clear up a misconception. [Remember: The chapters were not divided up until the 13th century; the verses not until the 16th.] The household of Chloe brought him news of cliques in the church (1 Cor 1:11) and the church wrote him a letter (re: 1 Cor 7:1), presumably brought to Ephesus by Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus (1 Cor 16:17) who probably added their own comments. The situation was serious. Paul responded with the letter we know as 1 Corinthians.
The “Painful visit”
The situation worsened. Paul felt it necessary to leave his work in Ephesus and pay a hurried visit in the attempt to set things right. (This visit is implied in passages in 2 Corinthians, which speak of Paul as being ready to pay a third visit to Corinth (2 Cor 12:14; 13:1; his second visit is past, 13:2).
His references to “coming again in sorrow” (2 Cor 2:1) indicate that this visit had been an unpleasant one. It failed to clear up the situation and Paul went away profoundly disturbed.
The “Severe Letter”
Paul determined to write another letter, obviously very severe in tone, and it cost him much to write (2 Cor 2:4; 7:8). Had it not been successful it might conceivably have meant a final rupture between Paul and this church he had founded. This letter seems to have been lost. (Many scholars feel part of it is preserved in 2 Cor 10-13.) The letter was apparently taken by Titus, who was to return via Macedonia and Troas. Paul was impatient to know how it had been received. When he eventually catches up to Titus, he learns that all is well (2 Cor 2:12-17; 7:5-7, 13). Out of his great relief and joy, Paul wrote the letter we call 2 Corinthians. Almost certainly he visited the church soon afterwards.
Three Visits:
1) When church was founded;
2) The “painful” visit;
3) A visit after 2 Corinthians had been sent.
Four letters:
1) The “Previous Letter”;
2) 1 Corinthians;
3) The “Severe Letter”;
4) 2 Corinthians.
Authorship
There is no doubt that Paul is the author. He is cited as the author in 1 Clement 47:1, a first century letter, and freely quoted by Ignatius and Polycarp; plus subsequent frequent references.
The church at Corinth is the “carnal church.” Spiritual babes, immature and undeveloped spiritually. Unseparated from the world. They have only a minimum of doctrine; what they have is mostly practical, conduct-related. Paul addresses the following:
Discipline, Chapter 5;
Going to Law, Chapter 6;
Marriage and Divorce, Chapter 7;
Christian Liberty, Chapters 8, 9, 10;
Lord’s Table, Chapter 11;
Tongues, Chapters 12-14;
Resurrection, Chapter 15.
Contrast:
1) Exciting speech of men vs. the Spirit filled preaching of Paul.
2) Wisdom of the world vs. the wisdom of God.
3) The spirit of the world vs. the Spirit of God.
4) The natural man vs. the spiritual man.
READ (All) 1 Corinthians 1:1-17
CHRIST JESUS, THE WISDOM OF GOD (vs. 30)
Starts with the greeting and thanksgiving.
1) (1 Corinthians 1:1) Paul’s salutation.
[1] Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother.
a) Called to be an apostle: Paul explains what kind of apostle he is, a “called apostle.” Paul was not one of the twelve apostles, but he is still like one of them because God chose him (Rom 1:1; Gal 1:1; 2 Cor 1:1).
b) An apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God: Paul begins with a contentious point, he is an apostle by “the will of God,” and not by the will of man.
i) Paul taught by Jesus in Arabia. (Galatians 1:11-2:10)
ii) How sure are you of your calling in Jesus Christ? What have you done to expand His kingdom?
2) (1 Corinthians 1:2) To: The church of God at Corinth.
[2] 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.
a) To the church of God: It is commonly thought that “church” means a building where Christians gather to worship. But the Greek word for church (ekklesiai) is a non-religious word for an “assembly of people” that gather together for a specific purpose; in this case “for God.”
i) What are some of the excuses that people use to skip church? Are they valid?
b) Those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints: “To be” is italicized, which means it is inserted by the translators. The Corinthians were called saints, NOT called “to be” saints.
c) “Sanctified” and “saints” are communicating the same idea that Christians are set apart from the world unto God.
d) We are going to see that the Christians at Corinth are not the best example. These Christians have morality problems, doctrinal problems, church governance problems, spiritual gifts problems, church order of service problems, and authority problems. We might think that they were not saved, but they are!
i) Why is important to be careful when we look at behavior to determine someone’s salvation? What is required for salvation (Rom. 10:9)?
3) (1 Corinthians 1:3) Grace and peace greeting.
[3] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
a) Grace to you and peace: Paul uses this greeting five other times. Grace is always first, and then we can have peace. (Greek and Jewish terms).
4) (1 Corinthians 1:4-9) Spiritual Gifts at Corinth
[4] I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,
a) I thank my God always: Paul starts off being thankful for God’s work in the Corinthian Christians. Most of the letter will be designated for rebuking sin and correcting the errors in these “Christians.” Today we seem to very good at correcting and giving advice, but not so good at encouraging one another.
i) Why is important for Christians to give and receive correction?
b) Given: God’s grace is given! It is not earned or accomplished by achievements.
[5-9] that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
5) Confirmed: This verb in the Greek is saying that, in the legal sense, it is guaranteed.
Philippians 1:6 (NKJV), “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
a) You come short in no gift: Paul is thankful for the gifts among the Corinthians, even though they were causing trouble because of it. Paul recognizes that the gifts were not the problem, but their attitudes and beliefs about the gifts was the problem.
i) Why are gifts such a difficult topic?
b) His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord: In these first 10 verses, Paul refers to Jesus in every verse, for a total of 12 times. In this emphasis on Jesus, Paul promotes the sure cure for the problems of the Corinthians: getting your eyes off self and on Jesus.
6) (1 Corinthians 1:10) Paul initially asked them to be united.
[10] Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
a) I plead with you, brethren…that there be no divisions: The apostle Paul has the authority and the right to command the Corinthian Christians in all these areas. But he reveals his loving heart as he begs and pleads with them to be in unity as believers.
b) Disunion in the church is unnatural and must be resolved.
c) That there be no divisions among you: Paul is pleading for these Christians to stop ripping each other apart. They are tearing up the Body of Christ.
i) What are some of the things that you can do when you are experiencing “division” with a fellow believer?
7) (1 Corinthians 1:11-13) Foolishness exposed.
[11-13] For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
a) Contentions among you: This church has given into quarreling and conflict. The conflict has caused Christians to divide up into “parties” or “cliques,” and each of these had their own “leader.”
i) What can you do individually to prevent cliques forming at church?
b) Is Christ divided? Jesus does not belong to any one group, clique, or party. There must be unity over all the diversity in the church.
8) (1 Corinthians 1:14-17) Paul grateful that he was not part of the debate.
[14-17] I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
a) I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius: Some people were making a big deal out of the fact that Paul had baptized them (the “Paul clique”). It was becoming a divisive issue. So, Paul was grateful that he didn’t baptize that many people.
b) I thank God… Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel: For Paul, preaching was more important than baptizing, though he was certainly not opposed to baptism. Yet, we can see by this that baptism is not essential to salvation.
c) Lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect: Paul makes it clear that it is possible to preach the gospel in a way that makes it of no effect. If the preacher relies on wise words (Ted Talk Preaching), they can make the gospel of no effect.
i) What is effective preaching for you personally?