1 Corinthians Notes

1 Corinthians 1

• Salutation (1:1-3)

  • Paul identifies himself as called by God's will to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, along with Sosthenes.
  • He addresses the church of God in Corinth, sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints.
  • He includes all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ in every place.
  • He extends grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Thanksgiving (1:4-9)

  • Paul thanks God for the grace given to the Corinthians in Christ Jesus.
  • They were enriched in every way, in all speech and knowledge.
  • The testimony about Christ was confirmed among them.
  • They are not lacking any spiritual gift while waiting for the revealing of Jesus Christ.
  • God will sustain them to the end, guiltless in the day of Jesus Christ.
  • God is faithful and called them into fellowship with His Son.

• Exhortation to Unity (1:10-17)

  • Paul appeals for unity, urging them to agree and avoid divisions.
  • He wants them to be united in the same mind and judgment.
  • Chloe's people reported quarreling among them.
  • Some claim to follow Paul, others Apollos, Cephas, or Christ.
  • Paul questions if Christ is divided or if Paul was crucified for them, or if they were baptized in Paul's name.
  • Paul is thankful he only baptized Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanus to avoid claims of being baptized in his name.
  • Christ sent him to preach the gospel, not to baptize, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross be emptied of its power.

• The Wisdom and Power of God (1:18-31)

  • The word of the cross is folly to those perishing, but to those being saved, it is the power of God.
  • It is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning, I will thwart. (Isaiah 29:14)
  • God has made foolish the wisdom of the world.
  • The world did not know God through wisdom, so God saves believers through the