Book 46 The Book Of 1st Corinthians
Who wrote the book of 1st Corinthians: Paul When was it written: 5 5 A.D.
The focus of 1st Corinthians is Christian living. In this first letter to the church of Corinth, Paul addresses several issues that can distance us from Christ and keep us from developing our character to be more like him.
Paul’s warnings and encouragements come from a heart that truly cares for the people he is writing to. Paul wasn’t trying to sound superior or holier than the people he was writing to (or to us, for that matter).
Paul also knew the obstacles they were facing. He knew what a sinful, corrupt, and evil place Corinth was. But Paul also knew that God was bigger and mightier than all of it and if the people would stay focused on God, they would be victorious over sin.
The other primary message in the book of 1st Corinthians is love. Paul reminds us that at the root of everything—including God’s gift of salvation through Jesus—is love. God’s love for us, Jesus’ love for us, and the fact that we are to share that love back both with them and with others—it all comes down to love.
But love as the world knows it is often very different than God’s definition (which is the only one that should matter to us) of love. As we look at God’s definition of love toward the end of this chapter, I encourage you to prayerfully consider how well your definition and exhibition of love line up with God’s.
What We Learn From The Book Of 1st Corinthians
God has called us into fellowship with Jesus (1:9)
We are to be united with our brothers and sisters in Christ (1:10)
Our faith is to be in Jesus—not men (1:121-17)
The wisdom that comes from God is far greater than earthly or worldly wisdom (2:6-8)
We cannot even begin to comprehend the amazing things God has prepared for us when we love him faithfully and obediently (2:9)
We aren’t to give up or consider our witness useless if we don’t see immediate results (3:6-9)
Those who call themselves Christians cannot be allowed to live sinful lifestyles and remain a part of the church (if they refuse to repent) (5:1-5)
We can’t expect non-Christians to have Christ-like behavior, but we are to set an example for them (5:12-13)
God says those who do the following cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven: sexually immoral, idolaters, those who commit adultery, homosexuals, prostitutes, thieves, drunkards, slanderers, those who are greedy, and those who cheat and swindle (6:9-10)
Our bodies are not our own if we have accepted Christ as Savior—they are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we should treat them as such (6:15-20)
Marriage is between one man and one woman and should last as long as both are alive
We should live in such a way that we do not dishonor God nor cause others to stumble in their faith or be able to call us hypocrites (8:9-11)
We will never be tempted to do anything God does not supply a way out from—even if that ‘way out’ is turning around and running as fast as you can (10:13)
Instructions regarding worship and the LORD’S Supper
We are all members of one body—the Church and body of Christ, and we have all been given gifts, talents, and abilities for the purpose of serving, praising and worshipping him, and to use for serving others and sharing the Good News of the Gospel
The second coming of Christ and the victory we have over death and eternity in hell because of Jesus