1 Corinthians: Correction And Instruction For A Divided Church
1 Corinthians addresses serious problems in the assembly at Corinth and gives needed instruction about unity, purity, spiritual gifts, love, worship, and the resurrection.
I. Division And The Wisdom Of God
📖 1 Corinthians 1–4
🔹 The Corinthian believers were divided over human leaders.
🔹 Paul pointed them back to Christ crucified.
🔹 God’s wisdom is greater than man’s wisdom.
🔹 Spiritual leaders are servants and stewards, not objects of pride.
🔹 Believers must not boast in men, but in the Lord.
II. Sin, Purity, And Judging Matters In The Assembly
📖 1 Corinthians 5–6
🔹 Paul corrected tolerated sexual immorality in the assembly.
🔹 The assembly was instructed to judge sin among those inside.
🔹 Believers were rebuked for taking one another to court before unbelievers.
🔹 The body belongs to the Lord and must not be joined to immorality.
🔹 Believers were bought with a price and are to glorify God in body and spirit.
III. Marriage, Singleness, And Christian Freedom
📖 1 Corinthians 7–10
🔹 Paul gave instruction about marriage, singleness, separation, and remarriage.
🔹 Believers were warned not to use knowledge in a way that harms weaker believers.
🔹 Paul gave up personal rights for the sake of the gospel.
🔹 Israel’s wilderness failures were given as warnings.
🔹 Believers must flee idolatry and do all to the glory of God.
IV. Order In Worship And The Lord’s Supper
📖 1 Corinthians 11
🔹 Paul addressed proper order between men and women.
🔹 He corrected disorder at the Lord’s Supper.
🔹 The believers were not properly discerning the body.
🔹 Each believer was to examine himself.
🔹 The Lord’s Supper proclaims the Lord’s death until He comes.
V. Spiritual Gifts, Love, And Edification
📖 1 Corinthians 12–14
🔹 The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to believers.
🔹 The assembly is one body with many members.
🔹 Love is greater than gifts without love.
🔹 Spiritual gifts must be used to build up the assembly.
🔹 Worship must be done decently and in order.
VI. The Resurrection Of Christ And Believers
📖 1 Corinthians 15
🔹 Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.
🔹 Many eyewitnesses saw the risen Christ.
🔹 If Christ is not risen, faith is empty.
🔹 Christ’s resurrection guarantees the resurrection of believers.
🔹 Death will be swallowed up in victory.
VII. Final Instructions And Exhortations
📖 1 Corinthians 16
🔹 Paul gave instructions about giving for the saints.
🔹 He shared his travel plans and ministry concerns.
🔹 The believers were urged to stand fast in the faith.
🔹 They were to do all things with love.
🔹 Paul closed with greetings and a solemn reminder to love the Lord Jesus Christ.