First Corinthians

Though addressed to “the church of God which is at Corinth” (1 Cor. 1:2), the contents of this letter are not specific to the saints of that city, for we find that it is also addressed to “all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:2).
Divisions had arisen among the believers in Corinth. Evil was tolerated in their midst, and some were even denying the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15:12). The Apostle, having received notice through the house of Chloe and a letter from themselves (1 Cor. 1:11; 7:1), finds it necessary to defer a visit—lest he should come with a rod (1 Cor. 4:21; 2 Cor. 1:23)—and directs this divinely inspired communication to them.
A key to the book may be found in verse 9 of the first chapter: “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord”. The Lordship of Christ is impressed upon them—the Lord’s table, the Lord’s supper (1 Cor. 10:21; 11:20)—and it is into His fellowship that we are called. It is not our own. Likewise, the power of the Spirit is everywhere presented in contrast to the wisdom of man: “We speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, communicating spiritual things by spiritual means” (1 Cor. 2:13 JND).
Outline
After a brief introduction of nine verses, the Apostle immediately addresses the subject of divisions (chapters 1-4). Schools of thought were common amongst the Greek philosophers; with the gospel there was no place for such. What Paul or Apollos taught could not be separated from Christ or each other. Paul determined not to know any thing among them save Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2)—he meets, and silences all thought of division with the cross of Christ. The one foundation had been laid; man was responsible for how he built upon it (1 Cor. 3:10-15).
From chapter 5 through to the end of chapter 11, Paul addresses various moral questions. Before considering the things that they had written him (ch. 7), the Apostle is compelled to deal with a specific instance of immorality amongst them (1 Cor. 5:1). “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (1 Cor. 5:6). They were to judge those that were within, and the wicked person was to be put away from among them (1 Cor 5:13). Paul then addresses going to law, marriage, and eating things offered to idols. Some accused him of ministering for gain, questioning his apostleship and undermining that which he taught.
In chapter 10 Paul warns the professing church with examples from Israel’s history. Departure from Christ will ultimately lead to apostasy. It is at this juncture that the subject of the Lord’s Table is introduced: “Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” (Ps. 78:19). The collective nature of the remembrance feast, particularly the unity of the body as expressed in the loaf, is emphasized here. “For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread” (1 Cor. 10:17). Whether it is the remembrance of the Lord, the Jewish sacrifice, or the pagan feast, the eaters are collectively identified with the table or altar as the case may be (1 Cor. 10:18-21).
Chapter 11 begins with something that is perceived to be of little relevance today, but which, nonetheless, has never lost its significance. The woman’s head covering (and the man’s lack) is an outward display of God’s order in creation (1 Cor. 11:1-16). The latter part of the chapter brings before us the Lord’s Supper, a subject of special revelation received by Paul (1 Cor. 11:23). In the Lord’s Supper we remember the Lord and show—or announce—“the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Cor. 11:26). The bread and cup are not to be partaken of in an unworthy manner—individual self-judgment is essential (1 Cor. 11:27-29). In chapter 11 it is the individual responsibility that is brought before us.
In chapters 12-14, Paul takes up the subject of spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:1). By one Spirit gift is divided to each as He pleases, and, by one Spirit, gift works (1 Cor. 12:11). Though there are various gifts, there is one Spirit—“by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” (1 Cor. 12:13). Gift cannot be exercised without love (ch. 13), and when gift is appropriately exercised, there is order and the church is edified (ch. 14).
In chapter 15 we find that some were calling into question the resurrection from the dead—“Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Cor. 15:12). Without the resurrection, there is no Gospel—“we are of all men most miserable” (1 Cor. 15:19). The resurrection of the saints from among the dead, of which Christ was the firstfruits, is another of those mysteries revealed to the Apostle (1 Cor. 15:51). All that separated us from God is entirely put away—death, the wrath of God, the power of Satan, sin, disappear as far as we are concerned, in virtue of the work of Christ; and He is made to us that righteousness which is our title to heavenly glory. “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).
Paul concludes the letter in chapter 16 with a final word on collections, his travel plans, and a closing salutation.