1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians challenges believers to examine every area of life through the lens of the Gospel. Specifically, Paul addresses divisions among believers, food, sexual integrity, worship gatherings, and the resurrection.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul applies the Gospel to the sin, conflicts, and problems within the church at Corinth. Many of these problems stemmed from the Greek's views about wisdom, which informed many of their moral and religious decisions. The Gospel of Jesus counteracts the world's wisdom because Jesus' death did not look like wisdom to most people. However, in this letter, Paul proves that Jesus going to the cross is the wisest thing that has ever happened.

At a Glance

• Overview
• 2009 1 Corinthians Series (Sundays)
• 2016-2017 1 Corinthians Series (Mid Week)
• 2024 1 Corinthians Series (Sundays)

Overview

NIV Bible 1 Corinthians Introduction

The book of Acts describes how Paul brought the royal news about Jesus the Messiah to Macedonia (northern Greece), but then had to flee to Achaia (southern Greece) for his own safety. He visited the city of Corinth there, a wealthy and cosmopolitan commercial center. Many people became believers, so he stayed for a year and a half to teach them.

After he left, the Corinthians wrote to Paul (in a letter we no longer have) with some key questions. The Corinthians had adopted the common Greek idea that physical things are bad, so they wanted to free the human spirit from the body. This affected the way they saw such things as marriage, attendance at ceremonial meals for pagan gods, and even the resurrection of Jesus. In the letter we know as 1 Corinthians Paul addresses all of these concerns, as well as questions about worship.

Paul writes that this world in its present form is passing away,but the Corinthians can give themselves fully to the work of the Lord since their labor in the Lord is not in vain. The coming resurrection of the dead, and the new world that will accompany it, will show the value of all their current efforts. Paul’s practical advice for how to consistently embody the new life of God’s kingdom during a particular scene in the biblical drama gives us great insight as we seek to take up our roles today.

Bible Project

1 Corinthians Introduction

Spoken Gospel

2009 1 Corinthians Series (Sundays)

Note: As of 2024, this series has been archived (i.e. is no longer available ), however the Study Guides are still available.

Cornerstone Chapel

2016-2017 1 Corinthians Series (Mid Week)

Cornerstone Chapel

2024 1 Corinthians Series (Sundays)

Cornerstone Chapel