One of the most popular scriptures from the book of 1 Corinthians is 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, which speaks about love:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (NIV)
This passage is often read at weddings and is celebrated for its beautiful description of love’s qualities.
The First Book of Corinthians (Download)
An Overview
The First Epistle to the Corinthians, commonly known as 1 Corinthians, is a significant letter in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It was written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Corinth, Greece, during his third missionary journey, likely around AD 55-56. Here’s an introduction to 1 Corinthians:
- Background: Corinth was a bustling and diverse city in ancient Greece known for its commerce, culture, and religious pluralism. The Corinthian church was composed of both Jews and Gentiles and faced various challenges and moral issues stemming from the city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere.
- Authorship: The Apostle Paul is traditionally considered the author of 1 Corinthians. He founded the Corinthian church during his second missionary journey and later wrote this letter from Ephesus in response to reports he received about divisions, immorality, and doctrinal controversies within the Corinthian church.
- Purpose: The primary purpose of 1 Corinthians is to address specific issues and concerns within the Corinthian church and to provide pastoral guidance, correction, and instruction on matters of doctrine, ethics, and Christian living. Paul seeks to foster unity, holiness, and maturity among believers and to address misunderstandings about the gospel and Christian conduct.
Themes
- Unity and Division: Paul addresses divisions and factions within the Corinthian church, urging believers to be united in mind and judgment and to avoid schisms and quarrels.
- Church Discipline and Moral Conduct: Paul addresses cases of immorality, lawsuits among believers, and abuses in worship, emphasizing the importance of discipline, purity, and proper order within the church.
- Marriage and Singleness: Paul provides guidance on matters related to marriage, singleness, divorce, and celibacy, highlighting the importance of honoring God in all relationships and life circumstances.
- Spiritual Gifts and Worship: Paul discusses the use and abuse of spiritual gifts in the worship gatherings of the Corinthian church, emphasizing the importance of love, order, and edification in corporate worship.
- The Resurrection: Paul defends the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, affirming its centrality to the Christian faith and its implications for believers’ hope and future resurrection.
- Christian Freedom and Responsibility: Paul addresses questions related to the consumption of food sacrificed to idols and the exercise of Christian liberty, urging believers to consider the welfare of others and to avoid causing stumbling blocks.
Structure
The letter is structured around various issues. It includes:
- Greeting and Thanksgiving (1 Corinthians 1:1-9)
- Addressing Divisions in the Church (1 Corinthians 1:10-4:21)
- Correcting Immorality and Conflicts (1 Corinthians 5-6), Addressing Questions about Marriage and Singleness (1 Corinthians 7)
- Concerning Food Offered to Idols (1 Corinthians 8-10)
- Instructions for Worship and Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 11-14)
- The Resurrection of the Dead (1 Corinthians 15)
- Final Instructions and Greetings (1 Corinthians 16)
In summary, 1 Corinthians offers practical guidance, correction, and encouragement. It emphasizes the importance of love, unity, holiness, and the centrality of the gospel message in shaping the life and witness of the church.