Bible Commentary on 1 Corinthians at Secureforever.org
BibleLine (Calvary Community Church)
1 Cor: 1:1-10
1 Cor: 1:10-17
1 Cor: 1:17-31
1 Cor: 2:1-8
1 Cor: 2:9-16
1 Cor: 3:1-8
1 Cor: 3:8-15
1 Cor: 3:16-23
1 Cor: 4:1-21
1 Cor: 5:1-13
1 Cor: 6:1-11
1 Cor: 6:12-20
1 Cor: 7:1-24
1 Cor: 7:22-40
1 Cor: 8:1-13
1 Cor: 9:1-19
1 Cor: 9:19-27
1 Cor: 10:1-14
1 Cor: 10:15-33
1 Cor: 11:1-16
1 Cor: 11:17-34
1 Cor: 12:1-11
1 Cor: 12:12-31
1 Cor: 13:1-7
1 Cor: 13:8-13
1 Cor: 14:1-25
1 Cor: 14:26-40
1 Cor: 15:1-21
1 Cor: 15:22-34
1 Cor: 15:35-50
1 Cor: 15:50-16:4
Note:
1 Cor: 16:5-24 are not covered
Introduction to 1 Corinthians
First Corinthians stands as a foundational letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth, a bustling city marked by commercial success and moral challenges. Most conservative Christians believe Paul wrote this letter around AD 55, likely during his extended stay in Ephesus as part of his third missionary journey. Importantly, Paul addresses this epistle to believers—men and women who have trusted Christ for salvation and are part of the body of Christ. Yet, despite their spiritual standing, the Corinthian church was plagued by carnality, with many members living in a fleshly manner and tolerating serious sin within the congregation.
Paul’s desire is for these saved believers to grow in spiritual maturity and live in a manner worthy of their calling. He confronts their divisiveness, immorality, and misuse of spiritual gifts, urging them to forsake worldly behaviors and pursue holiness. While responding to the immediate needs of the Corinthian church, Paul’s teachings are relevant for all who comprise the body of Christ today. His instructions reveal distinct principles for Christian worship, order, and spiritual authority, setting them apart from previous ages.
A central theme in First Corinthians is the regulation of the Lord’s Supper, the exercise of spiritual gifts, and the doctrine of resurrection. Paul explains that spiritual gifts are given to build up the church and provides guidelines for their orderly use in public worship. Some gifts served a foundational purpose in the early years, helping to establish the church’s witness. The fifteenth chapter offers a profound affirmation of bodily resurrection, anchoring the believer’s hope in Christ’s return and the promise of eternal life.
In summary, First Corinthians is a vital resource for understanding the conduct and beliefs of Christians in this age. Paul’s inspired counsel equips believers to face challenges with biblical wisdom, maintain sound doctrine, and look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises. This epistle remains essential for the church’s faith and practice as it awaits the coming of the Lord.
Previous Letter (Lost Letter)
In 1 Corinthians 5:9, Paul refers to an earlier letter he had written to the Corinthian church: “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people.” This statement clearly indicates that Paul had already corresponded with the Corinthians before what we know as 1 Corinthians. The contents of this previous letter are not preserved in the New Testament, and no manuscript evidence of it exists today. Based on Paul’s reference, it appears that the letter addressed issues of moral conduct within the church, specifically warning believers about associating with those living in unrepentant sin.
This “previous letter” is often called the “lost letter” to the Corinthians. While we do not know its full contents or how the Corinthians responded, its existence shows that Paul maintained an ongoing relationship and communication with the church, addressing problems as they arose. The mention of this letter also helps explain some of the misunderstandings Paul clarifies in 1 Corinthians, as the church may have misinterpreted or not fully followed his earlier instructions. Ultimately, the “previous letter” reminds us that the biblical correspondence we have is part of a broader pastoral effort by Paul to guide and correct the early believers.