INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS
Corinth was the chief commercial city of Greece, with a population of about 650,000 (including 400,000 slaves) in Paul's time. It was located on a narrow isthmus connecting the Greek mainland with the Peloponnesian Peninsula. The religion of the Corinthians focused on Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Religious prostitution was practiced, and sexual immorality was so common that 'to Corinthianize' meant to practice sexual immorality. In 1:26-31, and again in 6:9-11, Paul reminded the Corinthian Christians of their humble origins and sinful past.
Paul pioneered the church in Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18). He spent about a year and a half there, working as a tentmaker with Priscilla and Aquila. Later, on his third journey, he wrote the epistle to the Romans from Corinth.
Paul wrote this letter from Ephesus to respond to a letter from the Corinthians. He was their shepherd and he knew them well. In this letter he applied the gospel to practical problems such as divisions in the church, marriage, lawsuits, differences in opinion about eating and worship, etc. He rebuked them in love. Chapter 13 is a description of Jesus' love, which is the best gift and the most excellent way to live. Chapter 15 calls us to practical belief and hope in the resurrection of Jesus, for the resurrection is the heart of the gospel. No one can be a Christian without resurrection faith.

1. Paul's thankful prayer (1-9)

Paul was very thankful for the Corinthian Christians. He was so thankful, he 'always thank(ed) God' for them. How could Paul be so thankful for the people of Corinth despite their sinfulness? There were many sins Paul brought to light in this letter. But Paul was thankful because of the grace of Jesus Christ, given to them. The grace of Christ enriched the Corinthian Christians in many ways. His grace brought them many spiritual gifts, and kept them strong in their faith.

2. Many divisions (10-17)

One sin Paul heard about divisiveness within the church. The Corinthian Christians were rightly proud of their Bible teachers. Nothing is wrong with that-except when it gets in the way of the gospel work. Their pride led to quarrels about whose faction they belonged to. They were divided. But Christ is not divided! Paul was not sent to baptize in his name or be the leader of a rival fellowship. He was sent by the Risen Jesus to preach the gospel, not with fancy words to persuade people, but by relying on the power of the cross itself.


Application: Father, help us not to be divided, but to preach the gospel with the power of the cross.
One Word: The cross of Christ has power!