1 Corinthians 1

1 Corinthians 1:1

The words “to be” appear in italics. As is usually the case, when the translators added them to clarify the sentence, they actually clouded it. This verse should actually read: “Paul, called an apostle of Jesus Christ.” Apostleship was not an office he was trying to achieve, but rather a definition of who he wasone who was sent out by Jesus Christ. As Paul wrote this Epistle, a man named Sosthenes was beside him. Perhaps that name rings a bell. When Paul was in Corinth the first time, he preached the gospel in the synagogues. But when he proclaimed that Jesus is Messiah, the Jews protested so vehemently that Paul shook off his raiment and said, “Your blood be upon your own heads. I’m going to the Gentiles” (see Act_18:6). When he went to the Gentiles, where did Paul go? Right next door to the house of Justus, also called Gaius. When he started teaching there, many were convertedincluding Crispus, the leader of the synagogue. As a result, the Jews were “provoked to jealousy” (see Romans 1). When Gallio, a new deputy, was assigned to the region, the Jews wasted no time presenting their accusations against Paul. Led by a man named Sosthenes, they stormed into Gallio’s office, saying, “A man next door to our synagogue is teaching things contrary to the law.” Yet even before Paul could open his mouth in his own defense, Gallio said, “I don’t have time to settle religious disputes.” And he drove them out. Angry with the one who pled their case, the Jews beat Sosthenes. Evidently, it was at this point that something happened within himfor shortly thereafter, Sosthenes was converted. I remind you of this story for a reason. That is, although it was Sosthenes who led the protest against Paul, in our text we see Sosthenes laboring with Paul. The same is still true. People who are most violently opposed to you and your faith are often the very ones who are most convicted by the Spirit, the very ones who are closest to conversion. Just let them take a few more hits from their friends in the world, and, like Sosthenes, they’ll come around. When I share the gospel, the response I least want to hear is, “I’m glad that works for you.” On the other hand, when someone responds vehemently or angrily, I know I’ve got a candidate because he or she is provoked.

1 Corinthians 1:2

Paul doesn’t say, “Unto the church of Corinth.” He says, “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth.” There is not a church of Corinth. There is not a Church of England. There is only one church: the church of God. This church of God located at Corinth was in an interesting place. Corinth was a city in south central Greece that was prosperous economically due to its location geographically. You see, Corinth was only four miles from the Aegean Sea, so to avoid sailing around the southern tip of Greece where waters were rough and treacherous, sailors would sail through the channel to Corinth, unload their ships, put them on rollers, and roll them four miles to the Aegean. As a result, Corinth became a very prosperous port. And it was as wicked as it was prosperous. Every night, one thousand temple prostitutes left the temple of Aphrodite, the love goddess, and went through the city recruiting business in the name of worship. As a result, the coffers of the temple were filled. In addition, Corinth was a philosophical center. Along with Athens, Corinth was a favorite of philosophers. This made for an interesting mix in Corintha city engaged in lofty discourse by day and depravity and debauchery by night. Thus, it is no surprise that it was from Corinth that Paul penned his Epistle to the Romans, wherein he traced the devolution of man (Romans 1). The word “sanctified” literally means “set apart.” The Greek word has its roots in the idea of marriage, wherein one is set apart to someone and for someone. The Hebrew concept of sanctification is seen in the instruments used in the tabernacle and temple that were used exclusively for the offering of sacrifices. Thus, from the very get-go, Paul comes in with a powerful word to the Corinthians as he says to them, “I know the reputation Corinthians have, but you Christians are different. You’re set apart for God’s service exclusively. The words “to be” are in italics. Therefore, for a more correct rendering of this phrase, delete the words “to be.” We don’t work to be saints. It’s not an honor given to a holy few. No, every one of us is who is born again is a saint. These truths apply not only to those in Corinth but also to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:3

“Charis,” or “Grace,” was the typical Greek greeting. “Shalom,” or “Peace,” was its Hebrew counterpart. Here and in his other epistles, Paul marries these two ideasalways putting grace first because a person cannot have true and lasting peace unless he first understands God’s matchless grace.

1 Corinthians 1:4

Paul couldn’t say, “I thank my God for your righteousness,” because the Corinthians weren’t very righteous. He couldn’t say, “I thank my God for your faith,” because they weren’t very faithful. Paul could, however, say, “I thank my God for His grace given on your behalf"because they needed it! Although he realized the seriousness of the situation, I, nonetheless, picture Paul with a smile on his face as he wrote, “When I think about you, I thank God for grace.”

1 Corinthians 1:5

“Utterance and knowledge” is a reference to the charismathe gifts of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 1:6

The grace of God was shown to the church in Corinth in that they lacked no spiritual gift. This tells me something very important: The flow of spiritual gifts either in a man individually or in a congregation corporately is not an indication of spirituality. It’s an indication of grace. When someone has a gift of healing, a word of prophecy, or otherwise moves in the miraculous, our tendency is to assume he must be very holy. The gifts of the Spirit, however, are not dependent upon our attaining a certain level of spirituality. They’re simply a matter of our being recipients of grace. This means ministry and spiritual gifts are not based upon how we’re doing at allbut solely upon what God wants to do in and through us.

1 Corinthians 1:8

“God’s been good to you Corinthian Christians,” says Paul. “He’ll see you through.” Why? Read on.

1 Corinthians 1:9

We’re going to make it. Why? Not because of anything within ourselvesbut because God is faithful. That’s why the psalmist says that we are held by His right hand (Psa_73:23). When my son, Benjamin, was five years old, if he and I were crossing a busy street on a cold, rainy day, I would say, “Hold my hand, Benjamin. He would put his hand in mine, and we would start across the street. But if he slipped and let go of my hand, would it be curtains for him? No, because, although I said, “Hold my hand, Ben,” in reality, I would be holding his. So if he slipped, it would be no problem because no matter what, I would never let go. So, too, even to these Corinthian Christians who were entangled in a whole host of problems, Paul says, “You’re going to make it. Why? Because God is faithful.”

1 Corinthians 1:10

When Paul was in Rome, he heard from members of Chloe’s house that the church in Corinth was splintering into factions and deep divisionssomething he knew he needed to address.

1 Corinthians 1:12

The church at Corinth was divided into four groups: Some said, “We follow Paul, the founder of this fellowship.” Others said, “Paul’s not impressive. We follow Apollos. He is an eloquent orator, a powerful personality, a true intellectual.” A third group said, “Apollos may be a skilled speaker, but we can’t figure out what he says. We follow Peter, the great big fisherman. He speaks practically and simply.” A fourth group said, “We don’t follow any man. We follow Christ.” These same four groups can still be seen today… “We’re going to stay with the pastor who founded this church,” some say. Others say, “We want someone more eloquent.” “We want someone more practical,” says a third faction. “We only need Jesus,” says a fourth. Perhaps it is the last group that is the most proud because their mentality would be that of a private in the U.S. Army who, when asked what division he is with, would answer, “I’m not into companies or divisions. I’m a freelancer. I fight where I want; I come and go as I please. I’m a soldier, but I’m not into the structure of command. It’s too restrictive. I only answer to my Commander in Chief, the President of the United States.” There are those who say, “I’m not responsible, accountable, linked to any elder, pastor, or group of brothers. I answer only to Jesus.” Although Jesus is indeed our Commander in Chief, and we do answer to Him, He has chosen to work through the structure of the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:13

When the body of Christ is divided, who bleeds? Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:14

The leader of the synagogue, Crispus, got saved when Paul first went to Corinth (Act_18:8). Gaius was Paul’s host in Rome (Rom_16:23).

1 Corinthians 1:15

“I didn’t baptize any of you except for Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas because I wasn’t trying to draw people to myself,” said Paul.

1 Corinthians 1:17

Can we say the same thing concerning our family, our community, or our church corporately? What are we to be about? So often we who are teaching or preaching are inundated with the latest trend or the newest doctrine. But attempting to keep up with these fads only causes fatigue in the pastor and frustration in the congregation. Paul never burned out because his goal was simple and singular, never changing, never wavering. “I came to you,” he said, “preaching nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” “Come on, be practical,” people say. “We need more than just hearing about Jesus Christ crucified. We have problems in our marriage. We have problems with addictions. We have problems with our children. We have problems with guilt. We have problems with doubt.” But I suggest that throughout the Epistle, we’ll see that the solution to every problem that plagues every person is the same: Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

1 Corinthians 1:18

The literal translation would more correctly render this verse: “For the preaching of the Cross is to them that are perishing foolishness.” When we tell people that Jesus loves them, died in place of them, and offers a new life to them, those who are perishing just don’t get it because to deny one’s self and take up the Cross seems foolish to them. Again, a more literal rendering of this verse would be “…but unto us which are being saved, it is the power of God.” Salvation is, in a sense, progressive. When you opened your heart to Jesus Christ, you were saved from the penalty of sin. Day by day, we’re saved from the power of sin. And when Jesus comes to take us to heaven, we’ll be saved from the presence of sin. The message of the Cross gives hope when I have failed because Jesus’ blood cleanses me from all sin. It also gives direction to the way I live, for it is only when I deny myself and take up the Cross that I find life (Mat_10:38-39).

1 Corinthians 1:19

“Where are the debaters, scribes, and thinkers? Where are the psychiatrists and psychologists?” asks Paul. “What have they done for your culture? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” We can either become depressed over the foolish political and judicial decisions of our leadersor we can realize they are exactly what God planned to do all along. We won’t be upset if we realize that even the foolishness of the world is part of God’s plan.

1 Corinthians 1:21

People have their hope restored in the big picture of eternity through that which the world deems foolish: the preaching of the Word. Paul doesn’t say that people are saved by the preaching of foolishness. You’ll know the difference between the preaching that is the power of God and the preaching of foolishness by one simple rule of thumb: Does what is being said match up with the Scriptures? Is it seen specifically in the life of Jesus? Is it practiced throughout the Book of Acts? Is it taught by Paul in the Epistles? In other words, is it consistent with the entire New Testament? Every true teaching, doctrine, and practice is seen in the life of Jesus, practiced in the Book of Acts, and taught by Paul in the Epistles. Therefore, if a teacher of preacher suggests something that doesn’t match up in all those areas, reject it. Because there is enough in the Word to keep us busy for every day of our lives, there is no need to supplement it with deviant doctrine or bizarre practices.

1 Corinthians 1:22

Whether relating to marriage or government, depression or addiction, parenting, finances, or doubt, the Cross is indeed the crux of every matter. The Jews stumble at the crucified Christ. Why? They were looking for a Messiah to lead them militarily and provide for them economically. Therefore, when Jesus came on the scene and was nailed to a Cross, they discounted Him immediately. Today we see crosses around necks, on bookmarks, or above churches. In Jesus’ day, however, this would have been equivalent to wearing a little gold electric chair around one’s neck, attaching a mini gas chamber to a bookmark, or hanging a noose atop a church. The Greeks didn’t find the Cross to be humiliating. They found it to be too simple. And the Greek mind-set is still present today in those who think the preaching of the Cross is too simple, that it doesn’t deal with the dysfunctional families, drug addictions, and cultural differences of our complex culture. We who have personally experienced its power know otherwise.

1 Corinthians 1:26

The same is still true. Look around. How many of you are listed in Who’s Who in America? The only place most of us would find our names would be in Who’s He?!

1 Corinthians 1:27

God uses weak and foolish things. Why? Read on.

1 Corinthians 1:29

The Lord uses weak things in order that only He gets credit. Why? Is He on some huge ego trip? Is He saying, “I don’t want anyone else to get any glory because I need to be affirmed?” Obviously not! God uses weak things not because of a lack in His nature, but due to a lack in ours. You see, God knows when He uses someone who is impressive in the eyes of the world, people set themselves up for a huge fall because they look to him rather than to God. Therefore, He says, “I don’t want any flesh to glory because all flesh will fail ultimately.” It was not until Uzziah died that Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up (Isa_6:1). Who was Uzziah? One of the most powerful, successful, gifted kings in the history of Judah and Israel, Uzziah increased the boundaries of the nation, ushered in economic prosperity, and invented war machinery. Yet although his name was on the lips of all people (2Ch_26:8), it wasn’t until he died that Isaiah saw the Lord. The Lord still allows people to dienot physicallybut in the estimation of others in order that our focus can more clearly be upon Him. Therefore, wise is the man and mature the church that realizes that Uzziah’s death is not a reason to quit. Instead, it’s a reason to say, “Once again, Lord, I see that You are the only One upon whom I can truly and totally rely.”

1 Corinthians 1:30

Wisdom doesn’t come from the Lord. Wisdom is in the Lord. All the promises of God are in Him yea and Amen (2Co_1:20). Wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption, all that we could ever need or want both now and eternally are wrapped up in Jesus.