First Corinthians deals with divisions (1 Cor.1-4), morality, especially sexual morality (1 Cor.5-7), asserting one’s rights (1 Cor.8-10), the role of women, together with the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor.11), the use of gifts (1 Cor.12-14), and the resurrection body (1 Cor.15). Martyn Lloyd-Jones once commented that First Corinthians was closest to our modern age.
Paul had founded the church at Corinth, and he spent 18 months there (Acts 18:11). Later, while at Ephesus on his third missionary journey, Paul heard about the situation at Corinth from some of Chloe’s household (1 Cor.1:11; also 5:1; 11:18) and from a letter which the Corinthians themselves had written (e.g. 1 Cor.7:1; also 8:1; 12:1; 16:1).
Gordon Fee says that Corinth was ‘at once the New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas of the ancient world.’
- Paul was chosen to be an apostle.
- 1:1; Acts 9:15; Gal.1:15. Sosthenes from Acts 18:17? If he is the same man, he had become a Christian.
- God sets apart His saints.
- 1:2. They are called to be saints (ESV, NKJV) or called to be holy (NIV). Paul often refers to saints in his letters about 60 times. H. A. Ironside explained he was a saint to eight nuns on a train.
- call on the name of Christ. Acts 7:59; 2 Tim.2:22 compared to Gen.4:26; Isa.43:7. Christ is God in the flesh.
- Paul prays they would know grace and peace.
- 1:3. The Greeks used to send greetings which closely resembled the word for ‘grace’, and the Jews, of course, would greet others with a ‘shalom’. It appears that Paul has combined these two greetings, and given them a Christian flavour.