A 1:-9. Introduction.
B D 1:10-4:16. Ministerial. Reproof and Explanation.
E F 4:17. Mission of Timothy.
G 4:18-21. Visit of Paul.
C 5:1-6:20. Things heard by Paul.
C 7:1-8:13. Things written to Paul.
B D 9:1-15:58. Ministerial. Reproof and Explanation.
E G 16:1-9. Visit of Paul.
F 16:10-18. Mission of Timothy.
A 16:19-24. Conclusion.
An account of Paul's labors in Corinth is given in Acts 18:1-18. Some time after this Apollos, commended by the brethren at Ephesus, came to Corinth and produced a powerful impression by his eloquent presentation of the gospel [vv.27,28].
Two parties soon began to show themselves; one adhering to Paul and his simple preaching, the other to Apollos; to these was added a third, evidently the outcome of the visit of some Judaizers who claimed the authority of Peter, while a fourth, repudiating the other three, claimed that they were the true followers of Christ. This was but one of the difficulties the apostle had to deal with in the infant church he had founded. Already he had written to them of the dangers due to their corrupt surroundings in such a city [1 Cor. 5:9]. He had moreover received a letter from them, asking advice on certain questions, but making no reference to their divisions. Of these he was informed by visitors to Ephesus [1:11; 5:1; 11:18; 15:12], who brought word also of the profanation of the Lord's Supper, of the toleration of the incestuous offender, and of the skepticism as to the resurrection. Paul thus had many matters to deal with. He begins by referring to the notorious offender of whom even the Gentiles would be ashamed, and whom he charges them to tolerate no longer, but to cut off from their assembly. He blames their litigious spirit, and charges them to settle their differences without the scandal of appealing to heathen courts. Next he takes up the question of marriage, which was one of the subjects of their letter, and the eating of food offered to idols, which was another, and again makes a defense of his apostolic authority. The rest of the Epistle deals with errors which affected the life of the assembly, the behavior of women and their leaving the head uncovered, the disorder at the Lord's Supper, then spiritual gifts [especially speaking with tongues], and the skepticism as to the resurrection which evoked the noble 15th chapter.
In Paul's day Corinth was the chief city of the Roman province of Achaia. Situated on the Isthmus of the same name, and having a harbor on each side, it was notable for its commerce. And no less was it noted for the wealth and profligacy of its citizens. The great city has now become a mean village.
Corinth was a great city of commerce, and any time you have that much commerce, you will find sin. You have input from all religions. Paul was not a soothsayer. When you teach God's Word, teach it with proper emotion in which it is written. 10 times in the Introduction, he uses the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in respect.
A A¹ 1-3. Benediction. A² 4-9. Thanksgiving.
1 Corinthians 1)
1 Paul called to be an apostle (see Rom. 1:1) of Jesus (Gr. Iesous is the same as Heb. Yahshua, and means Salvation of Yahaveh, or Yahaveh the Savior) Christ (Christ is the Greek translation of Messiah. Christos has the same meaning, from chrio, to anoint) through the will of God (Gr. Theos corresponds generally to Elohim, the Creator, of the O.T.), and Sosthenes the brother, (= savior of his nation. If he is the same as in Acts 18:17, he had followed in the steps of Paul [Gal. 1:23].)
2 To the church of God which is in Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus (see John 17:17,19), called to be saints (see Acts 9:13), with all that in every place call upon (see Act 2:21; 25:11,&c.) the name (see Acts 2:38 and cp. v.10) of Jesus Christ our Lord (Gr. Kurios means owner used of each Person of the Trinity), both theirs and ours: (Paul is writing to the body of people that believe on Jesus Christ. He is also letting us know he will be teaching on the third level to those that are "called to be saints", the elect.)
3 Grace (see Rom. 1:7) be unto you, and peace (this has no reference to their divisions, as the same salutation is given in all Paul's epistles except those to Timothy and Titus), from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (Grace means unmerited favor. From God and Jesus Christ, we receive favor and the only true peace. What do you have to be afraid of?)
4 I thank my God always concerning you (see Acts 27:35), upon the grace of God which is given you in Jesus Christ; (Cp. Eph. 1:3. Giving credit where credit is due.)
5 That in every thing you were enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; (See Prov. 1:7. Your life, your family and your self-esteem are all enriched by Him. All wisdom and knowledge is also from God.)
6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed (see Rom. 15:8) in you: (When you speak out.)
7 So that you are not lacking in any gift; [while] eagerly expecting (see Rom. 8:19) the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ: (See Matt. 24:3. 2 Thess. 2:8. Cp. 1 Thess. 1:7. 1 Pet. 1:7,13. The testimony of Jesus Christ is the good news of the Gospel. God will enrich you, and you will not be lacking in any gift, if you have knowledge of His Word. To wait one must have patience. Most of us want patience right now! Mellow, my friends. Don't let them see you sweat on your first cruise. We have work to do while we are watching and waiting for the return of Jesus Christ. Make sure you are doing the work God would have you do, not the work some man would have you do. Remember, God is in charge. If you want enrichment, peace, and gifts, do it His way.)
8 Who shall confirm you also until the end (see Matt. 10:22. At His coming, not "rapture"), that you may be blameless (wait! See 1:23. 1 Tim. 3:10. Tit. 6,7) in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (The day of our Lord Jesus Christ is the day He returns at the seventh trump. Some will be worthy of blame, and I am certain they will be feeling very guilty. You see, they will have worshipped the first messiah to return.)
9 God is faithful, by whom you were called to the fellowship (in His Word. Cp. 2 Cor. 13:14. 1 John 1:3) of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (You can trust God. If He tells us through His Word this is what is going to happen, you can count on it to happen exactly as He said. There is no reason to be afraid. Be intelligent, and prepare for the events He foretold us would happen. Did God tell us to trust Him in the Old Testament? Did He tell us there is no reason to be afraid anywhere else in the Bible? He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.)
D B D 1:10-12. Reproof for their divisions.
E 1:13. Questions. Is Christ divided? &c.
F 1:14-16. Answer.
C 1:17-3:2. Paul's apostolic commission.
D 3:3,4. Reproof for their divisions.
E 3:5. Questions.
F 3:6-8. Answer.
C 3:9-4:16. Paul's apostolic commission.
10 But I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, in order that you all say the same thing, and that there be not divisions among you (11:18; 12:25. Matt. 9:9:19. Mark 2:21. John 7:43; 9:16; 10:19. Gr. schisma. Hence Engl. "schism". Don't have denominations); but that you be perfected in the same mind and in the same opinion (In the Word.).
11 For it has been shown (to make manifest) to me concerning you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe (= green. She was a Christian woman), that there are strifes among you. (See Rom. 1:29. They were splitting into denominations.)
12 Now I mean this, that every one of you says (i.e. each one is attached to some party), "I am of Paul"; and "I of Apollos" (see Acts 18:24); and "I of Cephas" (see John 1:42); and "I of Christ". (Already denominations in the Church)
13 Is Christ divided? (implies the answer must be affirmative, "He is indeed". Cp. 12:12-25. You are rending Him.) was Paul crucified on behalf of you? or were you baptized into the name of Paul? (It better be the ministry of The Shepherd!)
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, except Crispus (see Acts 18:8) and Gaius; (See Acts 19:29. Rom. 16:23.)
15 Lest (lit. in order that) any should say that I baptized in my own name. (He's angry.)
16 And I baptized the household of Stephanas (cp. 16:15,17) also: for the rest, I know not if I baptized any other.
C G¹ 1:17. Personal. Commission given.
H¹ 1:18-31. General. The subject. Christ and the Cross.
G² 2:1-5. Personal. Commission carried out. Manner.
H² 2:6-16. Special 9in private0. The wisdom of God to be initiated.
G³ 3:1. Personal. Commission carried out. Speaking.
H³ 3:2. General. Subject. The condition of the Corinthians.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to evangelize: not with wisdom of words (this means either "eloquent language", or "cleaver reasoning". Not as some great orator. Perhaps both ideas were in the apostle's mind), lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (See Rom. 4:14)
H¹ J 18. The Cross. Opposite effects.
K 19-22. Reason. "For."
J 23,24. Christ. Opposite effects.
K 25-31. Reason. "Because."
18 For the message of the cross is to those that are perishing, foolishness (they don't know what we are talking about); but to those who are being saved, [even] us, (Salvation has more than one aspect. See Rom. 13:11. Phil. 2:12. 1 Thess. 5:8,9. 2 Tim. 1:9; 3:15; 4:18. 1 Pet. 1:5) it is the power of God. (Cp. Rom. 1:16. Heb. 2:14.)
19 For it has been written (quoted from Isa. 29:14), "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will annul the understanding of the prudent." (See Acts 13:7)
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? (only the scribe God chooses) where is the disputer of this age? (it is an age of speculation. See Acts 17:21) has not God made foolish (see Rom. 1:22) the wisdom of the world? (The wisdom of the world is human wisdom generally. See Rom. 1:22.)
21 For since in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom (their own, not God's) knew not God, God was well pleased by the foolishness of the thing proclaimed to save them that believe.
22 For Judeans ask for signs, and the Greeks seek wisdom (of the world):
23 But we preach Christ crucified (that is, a crucified Messiah. Ps. 22 - 1,000 years before), unto the Judeans a stumbling-block (instead of the signs of the kingdom promised by the prophets, the One who claimed to be their Messiah was crucified. This staggered them), and to the Gentiles (Gr. ethnos, nations) foolishness; (Always learn the 4 W's: [1] Who - Satan's little Kenites shouting "Crucify Him"; [2] What - For paying the price for the sins of yours, mine, and the whole world whereby Satan could be defeated; [3] When - When it was exactly time for it to come forth according to the "Day" of Daniel; [4] Where - Jerusalem, Mt. Zion. See Rev. 11)
24 But to them that are called themselves, both Judeans and Gentiles, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolish thing of God is wiser than men; and the weak thing of God is stronger than men. (We cannot compare to Him. Cp. Dan. 11)
26 For see your calling (See Rom. 11:29. Here it means the way you are called, i.e. the kind of person whom God sent to call you. Hence instead of "are called" as in A.V. and R.V., the ellipsis should be supplied thus: "not many are wise",&c. Apollos was an eloquent man, but as to Paul, his speech was regarded as contemptible. See 2 Cor. 10:10, and cp. Acts 17:18), brethren, how that not many wise men according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble (see Acts 17:11), are called: (Cp. Rom. 8. Jer. 1:4.)
27 But God chose the foolish things of the world in order to put to shame the wise (see Rom. 5:5); and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; (Compare anointing.)
28 And base things of the world (lit. without family, or decent. Opp. "noble", v.26), and things which are despised lit. counted as nothing. See Acts 4:11, has God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to bring to nothing things that are: (See Rom. 3:3. He's in another dimension. We serve an invisible God which flesh cannot see.)
29 That no flesh should boast in His presence. (See Rom. 2:17)
30 But of Him are you in Christ Jesus, Who from God became unto us wisdom, both righteousness, and holiness, even redemption: (For those who understand. See Rom. 3:24 and cp. Eph. 1:7,14; 4:30)
31 That, according as has been is written, "He that boasts, let him boast in the Lord." (See Jer. 9:23,24)