The First Letter of the Apostle Paul to the
CORINTHIANS
Author:
Paul an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Date:
About 56 AD.
Themes:
God had used Paul to found the church at Corinth (Acts 18:1-18), but after his departure teachings and practices contrary to the gospel of Christ had found a place among the Christians there. Individuals were guilty of various errors and sins and the church as a whole was being damaged by factions. Paul wrote this letter to correct the faults there. He pointed out to them the holy, humble way believers should live, worship, and serve God. Above everything else he emphasized the way of love (chapter 13).
Contents:
Introductory remarks 1:1-3
Paul expresses his thanksgiving for them and
his confidence that God would keep them 1:4-9
The divided Corinthian church 1:10-17
True wisdom and power 1:18-31
Paul’s preaching at Corinth 2:1-5
God’s Spirit gives God’s wisdom 2:6-16
Corinth’s carnal Christians 3:1-4
God’s servants 3:5-9
Every believer’s work to be tested 3:10-15
Foolishness and wisdom 3:16-20
The believer’s possessions in Christ 3:21-23
Christ’s apostles 4:1-21
Immoral behavior and what Christians should do
about it 5:1-13
Lawsuits among Christians 6:1-11
Immorality 6:12-18
The bodies of believers belong to God 6:19-20
Marriage among believers 7:1-40
Freedom and love in Christ 8:1-13
Paul’s rights as an apostle 9:1-18
Paul’s use of his freedom 9:19-23
How believers can gain a crown 9:24-27
Lessons from Israel’s history 10:1-11
Escape from temptation 10:12-13
The table of demons and the Lord’s table 10:14-22
Freedom and principles believers should follow 10:23-33
Public worship 11:3-16
The Lord’s supper 11:17-34
Spiritual gifts and abilities 12:1-11
One body of Christ, many spiritual gifts 12:12-31
Love – the best gift of all 13:1-13
Using the gifts of prophecy and tongues 14:1-40
The gospel Paul preached 15:1-11
The resurrection of Christ and of believers 15:12-34
A new kind of body 15:35-50
The last trumpet 15:51-58
Money collected for poor believers 16:1-4
Paul’s requests 16:5-18
Final remarks 16:19-24