Bible Students

1. Problem: A Foolish, Impure, and Disunited Church (1:1-6:20)
   1. Foundation of Problem: Love and Wisdom (1:1-2:16)
      1. Paul’s Good Example of Love (1:1-10)
         1. Greetings (1:1-3)
         2. Thanksgiving (vv. 4-6)
         3. Assurances (vv. 7-10)
      2. The Church’s Poor Example of Love (vv. 11-17)
         1. Problem (vv. 11-12)
         2. Response (vv. 13-17)
      3. True Wisdom of the Cross (vv. 18-30)
         1. Scriptural Foundation (vv. 18-19)
         2. Exegesis (vv. 20-25)
         3. Reflection (vv. 26-30)
      4. False Wisdom of Self (vv. 31-2:10)
         1. Paul’s Experience (1:31-2:5)
         2. Their Experience (2:6-10)
      5. Spirit of Wisdom (vv. 11-16)
         1. Spirit Reveals Wisdom (vv. 11-13)
         2. The One Without the Spirit (vv. 14-16)
   2. Development: A Church without Wisdom (3:1-4:21)
      1. The Foolish Church (3:1-23)
         1. The Church Without the Spirit (3:1-4)
         2. Paul is Nothing (vv. 5-8)
         3. Building the Temple Together (vv. 9-15)
         4. You Are the Temple (vv. 16-17)
         5. Wisdom and Foolishness (vv. 18-23)
      2. The Wise Apostles (4:1-21)
         1. Paul’s Experience (4:1-5)
         2. Their Experience (vv. 6-8)
         3. Apostle’s Experience (vv. 9-15)
         4. Follow Us (vv. 16-21)
   3. Development: A Church without Unity (5:1-6:20)
      1. Incorrect Unity (5:1-13)
         1. Sexual Immorality (5:1-3)
         2. Rebuke (vv. 4-7a)
         3. Holiness; the Higher Calling (vv. 7b-13)
      2. Incorrect Disunity (6:1-8)
         1. Unity; the Higher Calling (6:1-3)
         2. Rebuke (vv. 4-8)
      3. A Church United with Sin (6:9-20)
         1. Rebuke (vv. 9-13a)
         2. God’s Temple Cannot be Immoral (vv. 13b-17)
         3. The Temple; the Higher Calling (vv. 18-20)
2. Solution: Wisdom, Purity, and Unity (7:1-16:23)
   1. Foundation of Solution: Devotion to Christ (7:1-40)
      1. Sole Devotion to Christ (7:1-40)
         1. Married Living (7:1-6)
         2. Single in Christ (vv. 7-17)
         3. Stay As You Are (vv. 18-24)
         4. Stay As You Are (vv. 25-29a)
         5. Single in Christ (vv. 29b-35)
         6. Single Living (vv. 36-40)
   2. Development: Submission to Others (8:1-11:34)
      1. How to Submit to Others (8:1-13)
         1. The Strong (8:1-6)
         2. The Weak (vv. 7-13)
      2. How Paul Submits to Others (9:1-27)
         1. Paul’s Rights (9:1-6)
         2. Their Rights (vv. 7-14)
         3. Paul’s Reflection (vv. 15-27)
      3. Submit to God (10:1-22)
         1. Israel’s Sin (10:1-11)
         2. Flee Sin (vv. 12-17)
         3. Choose God Over Sin (vv. 18-22)
      4. Submit to Others (10:23-33)
         1. For Others (vv. 23-29a)
         2. For God (vv. 29b-11:1)
      5. Submission in Tradition (11:2-16)
      6. Submission in Purity (11:17-34)
   3. Development: Edification of Others (12:1-14:40)
      1. Edify Others in Unity and Diversity (12:1-31a)
         1. The True Body (12:1-3)
         2. Unity in Diversity (vv. 4-13)
         3. Diversity in Unity (vv. 14-21)
         4. Support One Another (vv. 22-27)
         5. Diversity in Unity (vv. 28-31a)
      2. Edify Others with Love (12:31b-13:13)
         1. Love is Everything (12:31b-13:3)
         2. What is Love? (vv. 4-10)
         3. Love; the Higher Calling (vv. 10-13)
      3. Edify Others with Gifts (14:1-21)
         1. Prophecy; The Better Gift (14:1-5)
         2. Tongues; The Inferior Gift (vv. 6-19)
         3. Gifts; the Higher Calling (vv. 20-21)
      4. Edify Others with Order (14:22-40)
         1. Order in Gifts (vv. 22-26)
         2. Order in Services (vv. 27-40)
   4. Climax: Supremacy of the Resurrection (15:1-58)
      1. Truth of the Gospel (15:1-11)
         1. Their Experience (15:1-7)
         2. Paul’s Experience (vv. 8-11)
      2. Center on the Gospel (15:12-32)
         1. Tragedy in Falsehood (vv. 12-18)
         2. Hope in Truth (vv. 19-28)
         3. Tragedy in Falsehood (vv. 29-32)
      3. Deviating from the Gospel (vv. 33-36)
      4. Truth of the Resurrection (vv. 37-58)
         1. Hope in Truth (vv. 37-45)
         2. Supremacy of Christ’s Truth (vv. 46-50)
         3. Hope in Truth (vv. 51-58)
   5. Encouragement: The Good Example of the Global Church (16:1-23)
      1. The Apostles’ Good Example of Love (16:1-14)
         1. Paul (vv. 1-9)
         2. Timothy (vv. 10-11)
         3. Apollos (vv. 12-14)
      2. The Global Church’s Good Example of Love (16:15-20)
      3. Paul’s Good Example of Love (vv. 21-23)

Synthesis

Author

Pauline authorship for this book is essentially uncontested by scholars across the board. This is theorized to be one of Paul’s earliest letters, and though some liberal scholars theorize some interpolation, the general consensus still holds genuine Pauline authorship. 

Date

General consensus holds that Paul wrote this letter during his stay in Ephesus on his second missionary journey, from 55-57 AD, with some scholars favoring earlier dates, and some older. Regardless of the exact date, scholars hold to a relatively early authorship. 

Purpose: Problem and Solution

The problem of I Corinthians is a clear lack of unity and presence of sin in the church. The Corinthian church did not exercise the 1) wise love of the Spirit (ch. 3-4), and was wicked in many sins, though more specifically 2) sexual sin (ch. 5-7). The solution given is to be 1) devoted to Christ (ch. 7), 2) submit to one another (ch. 8-11), 3) build one another up (ch. 12-14), 4) embrace the true gospel (ch. 15), and 5) follow in the example of godly Christians (ch. 16). If the Corinthians apply these instructions, both their rampant sin and divisions will be healed. 

Point of View: Historical and Theological

In the first century, Corinth was a wicked city. It was prosperous and sexually loose. Additionally, social status seems to have played a large role in this culture. Higher-status members would expect more pompous speakers (unlike Paul’s self-evaluation). The timing of the letter (c. 55-57 AD) places Christ’s resurrection approximately 20-30 years earlier. The early church had been expanding since the time of Acts 2 shortly after the resurrection. The Corinthian church had been planted on Paul’s second missionary journey, where he stayed for 18 months. 

This book explores the implications of the recent resurrection of Christ, which the church has yet to truly apply. Paul’s setting after the Messiah gives him access to the theology of the cross, which he relies almost entirely on to reason how the Corinthians should therefore live. The humility of Christ and His death is closely related to His exaltation in His resurrection. Paul draws upon this theme to show the upside-down dynamics of the cross throughout 1 Corinthians. 

Theme

A clear theme stems out of the purpose of this book: Unity in the body of Christ. Many less central themes of purity, proper worship, and a proper understanding of Christology and Pneumatology. In order to rectify the harm done from divisions and rampant sin, the church must keep in mind unity in the body of Christ. 

Message

The Corinthian church is called in this book to cast off their sin and stand united with one another in the body of Christ. Depending on the more specific purpose of the book, the Corinthian church must reject their cultural social status in favor of their status in Christ, understand their position in Him, and love their fellow Christian. Additionally, they must 

cast off sin and stand united with one another to build one another up in Christ. 

Synthesis of 1 Corinthians

(I) A Foolish and Disunited Church (1:1-6:20)

In the first half of 1 Corinthians, Paul lays a foundation for true wisdom and love. He gives examples of his wisdom and love for the church, as well as examples of God. This all works as grounds for Paul’s rebuke of the church for not following the examples he gives. He will continue to draw on this section in the second half of his book. 

(A) Foundation: Love and Wisdom (1:1-2:16)

1. Paul’s Good Example of Love (1:1-10)

The first ten verses of chapter one set the baseline for the theological development of the book. Paul presents the church with the clear example of his love for them, and of the Father and Christ’s love for them. This love of Christ enriches them, making them to not lack anything, confirming them to the end as blameless. This is the foundation for unity and love in reflection of God’s unity and love. 

2. The Church’s Poor Example of Love (1:11-17)

Paul then explains that the church has done a poor job unifying with one another, dividing over teachers. However, Paul informs them that all who follow Cephas, Paul, and Apollos actually follow Christ, not the teachers themselves. If the teachers were the ones to be followed, the cross would be emptied of its power. 

3. True Wisdom of the Cross (1:18-30)

In fact, the cross is foolish to those who are apart from Christ. Paul here lays an irreconcilable dichotomy: Either the cross is understood by the reader (and naturally from that, expressed in their life), or it is foolishness (not being worked out in the reader’s life). In a word, either the reader is being saved through the power of the gospel, or they are rejecting its power and regarding it as foolishness.

4. False Wisdom of Self (1:31-2:10)

Paul here aligns himself with the party who regards the cross as wise and themself as foolish (as opposed to those who see themself as wise, and by an assumed extension the cross as foolish, drawing a greater contrast in the previously mentioned dichotomy). Here, Paul ties the idea of wisdom (regarding the cross as wise) with the active Spirit. If one is relying on the Spirit, they both are being saved by the power of the gospel and are working that power out. This contrast eliminates any belief the reader may have that one can truly understand the cross and practice wickedness simultaneously (assuming unrepentance).

5. The Spirit of Wisdom (2:11-16)

Paul so strongly ties the Spirit and wisdom together here that he says the things of God can not be understood without the Spirit. Following his argument: One can not understand the cross without being sanctified by it. The Spirit of God allows understanding of the cross. Therefore, if you are not being sanctified, you can not be relying on the Spirit. For, the Spirit gives illumination of the cross, and that illumination leads to change. 

(B) Development: A Church without Wisdom (3:1-4:21)

1. The Foolish Church (3:1-23)

Paul here calls out the reader for not living by the Spirit, but rather being worldly. The church does not understand the gospel as they claim to, shown by their division and rampant sin. In fact, while they claim to follow certain teachers, they do not follow the One those teachers point to. Paul also calls them out for believing themself to be wise, thereby making the cross into foolishness. Their division for the sake of wisdom actually demonstrates their foolishness. 

2. The Wise Apostles (4:1-21)

Paul then models for the church his (in addition to Cephas and Apollos) example of wisdom according to the Spirit. For, the Corinthians’ wisdom according to the world makes them wise and the cross into foolishness, but the Apostle’s wisdom according to the Spirit makes them fools and the cross into wisdom. Their wisdom is foolishness, their riches are poverty, and their strength is weakness. Paul further calls out the pompous nature of the church, citing their arrogance regarding Paul. 

(C) Development: A Church without Unity (5:1-6:20)

1. Incorrect Unity (5:1-13)

In fact, the Corinthian church has its head on so backwards that they view sin as a place to boast, and “unify” for the sake of sin! Paul references reports of a man sleeping with his father’s wife, and the pride the church holds regarding that. Paul tells this church to cast the man out, cleansing them of the presence of his sin, for a little leaven leavens the whole loaf. In other words, the only unity the Corinthian church practices is unity in sin. Their view of unity is the opposite of Paul’s. 

2. Incorrect Disunity (6:1-8)

After Paul gives a proper example of a circumstance where division is good, he shows the church examples of their own improper divisions. The church divides before the world (specifically in the case of lawsuits), when they should be handling disagreements within the unity of the church. Where they should be casting out (dividing) the ungodly from themselves, they ironically end up casting (dividing) themselves before the ungodly! 

3. A Church United with Sin (6:9-20)

Paul gives a blanket statement to the entire church: The Corinthians all are sinners and ungodly. However, they are called out of that lifestyle to be united with Christ. Paul gives examples of the godlessness that was in the past or was presently in the church: sexual perversion, greedy, and slanderers, to name a few. The Corinthians are called to recognize themselves as temples of the Spirit both in word and deed, calling back on their practical denial of the Spirit’s presence. Here, Paul clearly makes a division between the claims and the actions of the Corinthian church. While they claim to be God’s, they do not act in a manner consistent with that. This call is a sort of introduction to the rest of the book, where Paul calls the church into unity. 

(II) Wisdom, Purity, and Unity (7:1-16:23)

In this section, Paul answers questions seemingly sent by the Corinthian church, while at the same time contributing to his overall message of attaining unity. He draws upon the foundational half of the letter in order to point the church to new behavior. While the first half focuses on overall inconsistencies in the behavior of the Corinthians, the second half talks about specific examples and ties those to the overall development of unity. 

(A) Foundation: Devotion to Christ (7:1-40)

1. Sole Devotion to Christ (7:1-40)

Paul begins the Corinthians’ road to redemption with a foundational message: Devotion to Christ must be the grounds which Christian living is built on. Paul here answers the question of whether it is better to marry or remain single. He uses this as a springboard for his foundation of Christian living (more specifically, unity) to speak of the sole devotion to Christ each Christian needs. In essence, Paul writes that marriage is good, but marriage to Christ is better. If singleness causes them to sin (betray Christ), then marry. If singleness brings them closer in devotion to Christ, stay that way. Whether single or married, the devotion to Christ is far more important. 

(B) Development: Submission to Others (8:1-11:34)

1. How to Submit to Others (8:1-13)

Second to devotion to Christ is devotion to one another (above devotion to self). Paul next answers a question of Christian rights (whether to eat meat sacrificed to idols). In essence, he says that even good things can be sin if they cause others to sin. The “freedoms” of the Corinthians should be put under bondage for the sake of their brothers in the faith. Paul clarifies that eating food dedicated to idols is no offense, because God has made the food, and idols do not hold any authority on a Christian. However, if an idol is to hold authority on a Christian (in the form of a weak conscience), then the one who is free should make themself a slave for the sake of the one enslaved by conscience. Again, the wisdom of the Corinthians (knowledge that the idols are nothing) works itself into foolishness (stumbling brothers). 

2. How Paul Submits to Others (9:1-27)

Paul then explains how conscience is worked out by his example. Though Paul has “freedoms,” he chooses to be a slave for the gospel. Whoever chooses to make themself a slave for their brother will become free in Christ. Paul gives the Corinthians his example of submission, noting that if he were to flex his “freedoms,” he may actually be hindering the work of the Spirit. 

3. Submit to God (10:1-22)

Paul warns the Corinthians of the failings of Israel. Building on the previous ideas, Paul tells them that if they choose the road apart from God, they will likewise fall. If they do fall for idols and other things (which they may well be on their way to), then they have no part at the Lord’s table. Paul puts it in no uncertain terms. If one chooses the world over God and practices godliness only on the outside, then they bring condemnation on themselves. 

4. Submit to Others (10:23-11:1)

Therefore, pursue God in community and do all things for the glory of God. Paul tells them to not harm another’s conscience, thus harming their relationship with God, but rather stand with others in community with Him. In that way, they will not be stolen away by vain lusts. 

5. Submission in Traditions (11:2-16)

Submission must be communicated in an understandable way. Therefore, submit to one another in dress, and be united in traditions. Paul likely gives this instruction to give a cultural foundation for edification. If the culture expresses submission in a certain way, then make an effort to express submission in an intelligible way. Speak the language of submission everywhere. The church must submit to their fellow church members in ways they can understand to be submission. 

6. Submission in Purity (11:17-34)

Paul says these warnings to an audience who is already participating in them. They are committed to the world, yet partake in the Lord’s Supper, and bring condemnation on themselves. Their claim to follow Christ expressed in taking communion is actually doing more harm, for their double-mindedness will not go unpunished. Instead, be of one body! Support one another. 

(C) Development: Edification of Others (12:1-14:40)

1. Edify Others in Unity and Diversity (12:1-31a)

Paul here gives a short foundation for the Spirit, explaining that those who genuinely profess Christ have the Spirit, and those that genuinely curse Him do not. With that, Paul gives direction for how the gifts are to be used, which is as vehicles to love one another. There is both unity and diversity in the body of Christ, contrary to the divisiveness of the Corinthians. Paul here shows both the individuality and unity that is truly present in the body, eliminating any other belief about sectarianism. 

2. Edify Others with Love (12:31b-13:13)

But, even better than gifts is love. I believe Paul anticipates that the Corinthians will abuse these gifts in order to have social standing in the church. Better than the gifts of the Spirit, Paul says, is the way of love. More important than any social standing or gift is the giving of genuine love by the church member. If anyone was to put stock in their status, this would break it down. Status is nothing when compared to love. 

3. Edify Others with Gifts (14:1-21)

In fact, love is the foundation for the gifts themselves. If one believes the gifts are to build up their status, then they are again choosing the wisdom of the world to shame the cross. Instead, Paul says that the Corinthians should desire gifts that edify one another, rather than themselves. 

4. Edify Others with Order (14:22-40)

The gifts also must be used in order as a framework for edification. One can not be edified if there are unintelligible gifts. This order will allow the body to be built up. He explains in more detail some guidelines. 

(D) Climax: Supremacy of the Resurrection (15:1-56)

1. Truth of the Gospel (15:1-11)

After explaining that submission to others and choosing them over oneself is the core of Christian practice, Paul gives an extended defense for this practice. The gospel is truth, delivered by the Apostles to the churches. If the church is to be consistent, then they must work out the true gospel. 

2. Center on the Gospel (15:12-56)

The church is so focused on this world, that they clearly do not have the age to come in mind. After reminding the audience of the truth of the gospel, Paul explains that the gospel includes the resurrection of the dead. In fact, Jesus’ resurrection (which is the model for all Christians) turned his earthly humility into heavenly exaltation. Therefore, when Christians are raised, their earthly humility will be transformed into heavenly exaltation. The implication is for the Corinthians to choose which exaltation they truly want: temporary earthly, or eternal heavenly. They have been choosing the former, and Paul tells them as much. The wisdom of the cross is the foundation for wisdom in the Christian life, and the resurrection of Jesus unites all believers. 

3. Deviating from the Gospel (vv. 33-36)

Paul does not want the church to be misled by bad character, calling back on the commands to cleanse their church of the blatant sinning. This sin and falsehood corrupts the truth and goodness of the expressed gospel. 

4. The truth of the Resurrection (vv. 37-58)

Paul here gives a well-rounded reasoning for the Corinthians to choose the latter (eternal heavenly exaltation). He writes that the corrupted, humbled body will be transformed at Christ’s return to be an incorruptible, exalted body. Therefore, stand firm and know godly labor is not in vain. 

(E) Encouragement: The Good Example of the Global Church (16:1-23)

2. The Apostles’ Good Example of Love (16:1-14)

Paul encourages the church that through their struggle to apply what Paul has written them, he believes in them. He still sees them as brothers and sisters and depends on them for provisions. He loves them and stands as an example to them of Christ-like love. 

3. The Global Church’s Good Example of Love (16:15-20)

Paul continues to encourage them that there are great believers among them who support them, and there are a great many who support the Corinthians throughout the world. Do not give up on the long journey of becoming more Christ-like, for there are many who still hold stock in the Corinthians and love them. 

4. Paul’s Good Example of Love (vv. 21-23)

Paul here writes his loving farewell, calling back on his loving introduction. He stands as the example to the church of love, both in praise and rebuke.

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Barker, Kenneth L. eds John R. Kolenberger III. The Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary.
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Elwell, Walter A., Yarbrough, Robert W. Encountering the New Testament. Grand Rapids,
Michigan. Baker Books, 1998.
J. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible: 1 Corinthians through Revelation. Nashville, Tennessee.
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