The Book of 1 Corinthians

If ever there were a church that felt shockingly modern, it’s Corinth. In 1 Corinthians, we meet a congregation full of division, pride, immorality, spiritual confusion, and relational dysfunction—yet also rich in spiritual gifts, potential, and divine love. It’s a messy church. But it’s Christ’s church.

Paul doesn’t write off this troubled group. Instead, he writes to correct, instruct, and call them back to the cross-shaped life. In doing so, 1 Corinthians gives us one of the clearest pictures of how the gospel applies to every aspect of life—from our sexuality and worship to our relationships and convictions.

Author & Setting

1 Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul around A.D. 54–55 from the city of Ephesus. Paul had planted the Corinthian church during his second missionary journey (Acts 18) and spent about 18 months there.

Corinth was a wealthy, cosmopolitan, and morally corrupt port city in Greece—famous for its sexual promiscuity, religious pluralism, and obsession with status. In many ways, it was the New York, Las Vegas, and Hollywood of the ancient world all rolled into one. The church had begun to reflect the city more than Christ, and Paul writes to confront that drift.

Big Picture Theme

1 Corinthians is a call to gospel-centered unity, holiness, love, and wisdom in the midst of a confused and broken culture. Paul applies the cross and resurrection to every area of church and personal life.

Key Verses

• 1 Corinthians 1:18

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures... he was buried... he was raised on the third day…”

Major Themes

1. The Centrality of the Cross
   Paul rebukes the Corinthian obsession with worldly wisdom and status, insisting that the message of the cross—foolish to the world—is the true wisdom and power of God.
2. Unity in Christ
   The church was splintered into factions (following Paul, Apollos, Peter, or Christ). Paul calls them to gospel unity based not on personalities but on the person and work of Christ.
3. Holiness and Sexual Purity
   Chapters 5–7 address shocking cases of sexual sin and confused ideas about marriage and singleness. Paul reminds them: your body matters, and it belongs to the Lord.
4. Spiritual Gifts and Worship
   Chapters 12–14 deal with spiritual gifts like prophecy, tongues, and healing. Paul teaches that gifts must build up the body—and be exercised in love and order.
5. Love Above All
   1 Corinthians 13 is Paul’s great “love chapter.” Spiritual maturity is not found in gifting or knowledge but in Christlike love that is patient, kind, and enduring.
6. The Hope of the Resurrection
   Chapter 15 is one of the clearest explanations of the bodily resurrection of Christ—and our future resurrection. The gospel is not just for now—it’s for eternity.

1 Corinthians’ Structure

1 Corinthians is a pastoral letter, addressing specific problems reported to Paul or asked about in a previous letter. Its structure weaves back and forth between rebuke, instruction, and encouragement.

Broadly:

1. Ch. 1–4: Divisions in the church and the wisdom of the cross
2. Ch. 5–7: Sexual immorality, marriage, and singleness
3. Ch. 8–10: Christian freedom and conscience
4. Ch. 11–14: Worship, head coverings, the Lord’s Supper, and spiritual gifts
5. Ch. 15: The resurrection of Christ and believers
6. Ch. 16: Final greetings and exhortations

Throughout the letter, Paul applies the gospel to real problems—bringing Christ to bear on everything.

Why 1 Corinthians Matters Today

The Corinthian church was marked by individualism, consumerism, doctrinal confusion, and sexual compromise—sound familiar? In our culture of moral chaos and personal autonomy, 1 Corinthians speaks with striking relevance.

• It teaches us that truth and love are not opposites.
• That our bodies are not playgrounds, but temples.
• That unity matters more than preference.
• That maturity is measured not by gifts, but by love.
• That the resurrection changes everything.

1 Corinthians reminds us that the church is not for perfect people—but for repentant, growing sinners clinging to a perfect Savior.

How 1 Corinthians Points Us to Jesus

Jesus is the foundation, the model, the Savior, and the hope of 1 Corinthians:

• He is the wisdom of God (1:24)
• The Passover Lamb sacrificed for us (5:7)
• The Head of the body (11:3)
• The One who gives spiritual gifts (12:4–11)
• The perfect example of love (13:4–7)
• The risen Lord who guarantees our resurrection (15:20)

At every turn, Paul brings the church back to Christ crucified and risen—our only hope.

Reflection Question

Is your life—and your church—shaped by the cross?
1 Corinthians invites us to ask hard questions: Are we loving one another well? Are we walking in purity? Are we worshiping in unity? Are we living in light of the resurrection?

Up Next in the Bible Series

Next, we’ll look at 2 Corinthians, Paul’s most personal and emotional letter, where the power of God is revealed through weakness, suffering, and grace.