The book of 1 Corinthians addresses many issues that the early church in Corinth was facing. Here are some common questions people have about this important New Testament letter:
Who wrote 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 1:1). Paul founded the church in Corinth around AD 50 during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-17). A few years later while in Ephesus, Paul received disturbing reports about immorality, divisions, and theological confusion in the Corinthian church. He wrote this letter in response, likely around AD 54-55.
Why was 1 Corinthians written?
Paul heard there were various problems causing division in Corinth, including factions rallying around certain leaders (1 Corinthians 1:10-13), incest (chapter 5), lawsuits among believers (chapter 6), confusion about marriage (chapter 7), food sacrificed to idols (chapters 8-10), disorderly worship (chapter 11-14), and confusion about the resurrection (chapter 15). Paul wrote to correct false teaching, answer their questions, and provide apostolic guidance for proper conduct and order in the church.
What are the major themes in 1 Corinthians?
Some key themes in 1 Corinthians include:
- Divisions and factionalism – Paul urges unity in Christ.
- Immorality – Paul condemns sexual sin and challenges them to holiness.
- Marriage – Paul answers questions and provides instructions about marriage.
- Liberty and legalism – Paul teaches that while believers have freedom in Christ, not everything is beneficial.
- Orderly worship – Paul regulates the exercise of spiritual gifts and proper observance of the Lord’s Supper.
- The resurrection – Paul affirms the historical reality of Christ’s bodily resurrection.
What was the city of Corinth like when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians?
In Paul’s day, Corinth was the political and commercial center of Greece, with a cosmopolitan population. It hosted the bi-annual Isthmian Games. Corinth was a hub for trade and was an immensely wealthy city, but it was also known for its immorality, pagan temples (including to Aphrodite), and philosophers. The Corinthian church was diverse, urban, and influenced by the surrounding culture. Paul addresses many issues stemming from their secular affluence and sins.
What is the overall message of 1 Corinthians?
Above all, Paul calls the Corinthians to unity, obedience, and order according to God’s standards, not the surrounding culture. He regulates their conduct, worship, and theology according to New Covenant principles. Paul also seeks to change their arrogant, factious attitudes to reflect the sacrificial mindset of Christ. While addressing practical issues, Paul repeatedly directs their focus to the cross and resurrection of Christ which should define their identity and shape their lives as believers.
Why does Paul talk about factions and division in 1 Corinthians 1-4?
There were rival factions in the Corinthian church rallying around dynamic leaders like Paul, Apollos, Cephas/Peter (1 Corinthians 1:12). Paul rebukes their immaturity, pride, and boasting about human leaders. He reminds them all leaders are merely servants and planters/waterers, it is God alone who gives the growth (3:5-9). The only true foundation and unifying center for the church is Jesus Christ and him crucified (3:11). Paul did not come with lofty words or wisdom, but simply preached Christ crucified (2:1-5). Thus believers have no grounds for arrogance before God or division from each other, since they all owe everything to the grace of the cross.
How does Paul address sexual immorality in chapter 5?
Paul confronts the shocking situation of a man sleeping with his father’s wife, likely his stepmother (5:1). He rebukes the church for boasting about their open-mindedness and failing to mourn and take disciplinary action (5:2). Claiming apostolic authority (5:3-5), Paul instructs them to immediately excommunicate this man so he will repent. Otherwise his sinful lifestyle could corrupt the whole church like leaven (5:6-8). Paul says not to associate with any “professing Christian” who is sexually immoral or greedy, swindling others (5:9-11). The Corinthians must judge those inside the church and exercise spiritual discipline.
How should disputes among Christians be handled according to chapter 6?
Paul condemns believers settling disputes between each other in secular courts. As people washed by Christ and destined to someday judge angels and the world, Christians should be able to judge trivial everyday matters (6:2-3). It is a defeat for the church when internal conflicts spill into the public square. Paul urges them to suffer wrongdoing and be defrauded rather than sue fellow believers. Unrepentant offenders within the church must be removed.
What is Paul’s advice to the unmarried and widows in chapter 7?
Some in Corinth felt pressured to abandon marital relations and celibacy was a more spiritual state. Paul affirms singleness can be good and right, allowing greater devotion to God without divided interests (7:32-35). However, he clarifies marriage is not sinful and couples should continue normal marital intimacy. Paul preferred singleness himself, but acknowledged it is better to marry than burn with passion (7:7-9). He discouraged divorce between believers. Widows should consider remarriage. Ultimately both marriage and singleness are gifts from God to be received with thankfulness and contentment.
How does Paul address food sacrificed to idols in chapters 8-10?
In Corinth, meat from temple sacrifices frequently ended up in the public meat market for sale. Some Corinthian Christians still attended idol temples and feasts. Paul acknowledges that idols are not real gods, so food itself is not spiritually defiled (8:4-6; 10:19). But not all believers have this knowledge, thus for the sake of conscience it’s best to avoid meat sacrificed to idols (8:7-13). Paul also says joining idol feasts is incompatible with the Lord’s table and provokes God’s jealousy (10:14-22). In disputed matters of moral indifference, Christians must lay down their rights and not cause others to stumble.
How does Paul regulate public worship practices in chapters 11-14?
In chapters 11-14, Paul regulates the proper exercise of spiritual gifts especially prophecy and tongues-speaking which were causing confusion in the assembly. Women must have heads covered when publicly praying and prophesying as a sign of authority (11:2-16). The Lord’s Supper must be partaken in a worthy manner, remembering Christ’s sacrificial body and blood (11:17-34). All gifts like prophecy and tongues must be used for edifying the church in an orderly way, with things being done decently and in order (14:26,40). Intelligible prophecy must be given priority over uninterpreted tongues (14:1-28).
Why does Paul focus so much on the resurrection in chapter 15?
Some in Corinth denied a future bodily resurrection (15:12). Paul shows this belief is incompatible with the historical, eyewitness testimony to Christ’s literal, physical resurrection which is the nonnegotiable foundation of the Christian faith (15:1-11, 12-19). Christ as the “firstfruits” secures the future resurrection for all who belong to him (15:20-23). There will be continuity between our currentnatural body and our resurrected spiritual body (15:35-49). The resurrection empowers our final victory over sin and death (15:54-57). Resurrection hope should produce steadfastness, faithful labor, and wholehearted devotion to Christ and his kingdom (15:58).
What does 1 Corinthians 16 reveal about early church practices?
1 Corinthians 16 provides a glimpse into early church life and Paul’s missionary tactics. Paul gives instructions about the collection for the famine-stricken church in Jerusalem (16:1-4), mentioning he may spend winter in Corinth (16:5-9). He plans to visit Corinth after passing through Macedonia. Paul requests they receive Timothy well (16:10-11). Apollos refused to currently visit Corinth, but Paul urges him to come when he has opportunity (16:12). Paul gives numerous personal greetings to believers in Corinth, highlighting his many relationships there (16:13-24). Names like Chloe (1:11), Aquila and Priscilla (16:19) remind us of the diversity and real people who made up the early churches.
What were some of the strengths of the Corinthian church?
Though rebuked for many issues, the Corinthians did exemplify some strengths including:
- They had been enriched by God with speech, knowledge, and spiritual gifts (1:4-7).
- They were not lacking any spiritual gift and eagerly desired spiritual manifestations (1:7).
- They willingly gave to the collection for the Jerusalem church (16:1-4).
- The majority rejected the false teaching of the resurrection being past (15:1-2).
- They boasted about their apostle Paul and looked to him for teaching (1 Cor 4:14-16).
What can modern churches learn from the rebukes and instructions in 1 Corinthians?
Here are some ongoing applications from 1 Corinthians:
- Beware theological chaos when the world sets the agenda for the church.
- Flee sexual immorality which destroys God’s temple, the church.
- Pursue unity by humbly boasting in Christ alone.
- Value all Spirit-empowered members of Christ’s body.
- Orderly but passionate worship pleases God.
- Exercise discipline and accountability within Christ’s flock.
- Remember Christ’s physical resurrection guarantees our future.
- Stand firm in sound doctrine.
