1 Corinthians 1
Paul's first letter to the Corinthians addresses the issues facing the church in Corinth, which include divisions, immorality, disputes, and doctrinal confusion. The letter aims to guide, correct, and teach the Corinthians how to live in unity and holiness in a secular society.
1 Corinthians 1:1-3 (NKJV) Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul introduces himself as an apostle by divine call, not by human appointment, highlighting his authority and purpose in addressing the church. He includes Sosthenes, possibly the same figure mentioned in Acts 18, indicating a partnership in his ministry. The greeting extends grace and peace, typical of Paul’s salutations but deeply meaningful, expressing a desire for spiritual blessings rather than just a polite hello.
1 Corinthians 1:4-5 (NKJV) I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,
Paul begins his letter with gratitude, focusing on the positives. He acknowledges the Corinthians' enrichment in speech and knowledge through Christ's grace. This sets a tone of affirmation before addressing the issues, suggesting that their spiritual gifts should lead them to better unity and maturity.
1 Corinthians 1:6-9 (NKJV) even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul reinforces the authenticity of the Corinthians' faith and spiritual gifts, indicating that these are confirmations of the gospel's truth. He looks forward to the return of Christ, emphasizing that the gifts they possess are meant to prepare them for His coming. Paul closes this section by reminding them of God's faithfulness, ensuring them that the God who called them into fellowship with Jesus will sustain them to the end.
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV) Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there are no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Here, Paul directly addresses the issue of divisions within the Corinthian church. His appeal is made in the name of Jesus, emphasizing the seriousness of the plea for unity. He urges them to eliminate factions and to unify their thoughts and judgments, aligning their beliefs and practices as one body under Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:11-13 (NKJV) For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Paul references a report from Chloe's household, highlighting the specific nature of the divisions: allegiances to different leaders within the church. He confronts this factionalism with rhetorical questions, underscoring the absurdity of dividing Christ, who is the true center of their faith. These questions are meant to provoke thought and remind the Corinthians that their unity should be in Christ alone, not in any human leader.
1 Corinthians 1:14-17 (NKJV) I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
Paul clarifies his role in the church, stating his primary mission was to preach the gospel, not to baptize. By minimizing his role in baptism, Paul aims to redirect their focus from human leaders to the message of the cross. This statement emphasizes that the power of the gospel comes from God, not from eloquent speech or personal charisma, preventing any misconceptions that might elevate him above Christ.
Why Did Paul Say He Was Sent Not to Baptize?
Paul made this statement to clarify the distinction between his role and the importance of baptism. While baptism is a commandment and a significant act of faith, it is not the primary focus of Paul's apostolic mission. His calling was to preach the gospel, which is the heart of Christian salvation. Baptism, while important, is an outward sign of the inward change brought by believing the gospel. Paul's mission was to spread the message of salvation and allow the power of Christ to be the focus, not his personal involvement in the baptismal ritual.
In summary, Paul’s point was to refocus the Corinthians on the gospel message and the unity that should come from it. He was concerned that people were attaching too much importance to who baptized them rather than what the gospel meant and who Jesus Christ was. Therefore, Paul underscores that the true power of salvation is in the message of the cross, not in the person who performs the baptism.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Paul states that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those being saved, it is the power of God. The cross, which seems like defeat to the world, is the means by which God saves humanity, showing His superior wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:19-20 (NKJV)
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
Paul cites Isaiah to demonstrate that God overturns human wisdom. He points out that the world’s wisdom failed to know God, and through the gospel, God reveals His wisdom in a way that challenges human expectations.
1 Corinthians 1:21 (NKJV)
"For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe."
Paul explains that, in God's wisdom, human reasoning and intellect failed to truly know God. Because of this, God chose to reveal Himself and bring salvation through what the world sees as "foolish"—the message of Christ crucified. Though it seems foolish to human wisdom, this simple gospel is the powerful means of salvation for those who believe.
1 Corinthians 1:22 (NKJV)
"For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;"
Paul highlights the differing expectations of two groups:
- The Jews wanted miraculous signs as proof of divine authority, expecting the Messiah to perform powerful works.
- The Greeks (Gentiles) sought wisdom, valuing philosophical reasoning and intellectual depth.
Both groups missed the significance of Christ because they were looking for something that matched their own expectations, not God's plan of salvation through the cross.
1 Corinthians 1:23 (NKJV)
"But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,"
Paul states that the message of Christ crucified did not meet the expectations of either group:
- To the Jews, it was a stumbling block because they expected a powerful, victorious Messiah, not a suffering and crucified one.
- To the Greeks, it seemed like foolishness because it didn't align with their intellectual or philosophical ideals. The idea of a crucified savior was irrational and weak to them.
Paul emphasizes that the cross defies both worldly power and wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:24-25 (NKJV) but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For believers, whether Jew or Greek, Christ embodies God’s power and wisdom. Paul asserts that what seems foolish in God’s actions is actually far beyond the highest human wisdom, and what might seem weak is stronger than any human strength. This establishes a divine perspective that redefines wisdom and power.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NKJV) For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.
Paul points out that the demographic of the Corinthian church primarily includes those not esteemed by societal standards—few were wise, powerful, or of noble birth. God’s choice to use what the world considers lowly or insignificant demonstrates His power to subvert worldly values, ensuring that no one can boast before Him based solely on worldly status or personal achievements.
1 Corinthians 1:30 (NKJV)
"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—"
Paul is explaining that it is through God’s work that believers are united with Christ Jesus. Christ becomes for us the embodiment of God's wisdom, which means that through Him, we gain access to divine wisdom. This wisdom is far greater than any human understanding. While the verse highlights that Christ is the "wisdom from God," it also implies that, by being in Christ, we become wise. We grow in true wisdom when we have Jesus because we are guided by His teachings and the Holy Spirit.
Additionally, Christ doesn’t just provide wisdom—He also becomes our righteousness, making us right with God; our sanctification, setting us apart and making us holy; and our redemption, freeing us from sin. Thus, in Christ, we receive all that we need for a transformed life. When we are in Christ, not only do we receive His wisdom, but we also live out that wisdom as we are shaped by His presence in our lives.
1 Corinthians 1:31 (NKJV) "that, as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.'"
This verse is a conclusion to Paul’s argument in the preceding verses. Paul is quoting from Jeremiah 9:23-24, reminding the Corinthians that their boasting or "glorying" should not be in human wisdom, power, or personal achievements but in God alone. Since all that believers have—wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption—comes from Christ and not from their own efforts, their only reason for boasting is what God has done for them through Jesus.
Paul is emphasizing humility and directing the Corinthians to recognize that any success or spiritual growth is due to God’s work in their lives, not their own merits or the leadership of certain individuals. Therefore, any glory or praise should be given to the Lord, as He is the source of all good things in the believer's life.