I Corinthians Chapter 1
This letter was written to the church at Corinth by Paul while he was at Ephesus. Paul had received reports of a very troubled church at Corinth, a church of division, of immorality, idolatry and confusion. He mentions in his letter a man that was with him that the church people would know, Sosthenes. This man mentioned in the book of Acts, had been the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth. Sosthenes (who protected Paul) received a beating by Roman officials who were trying to stop a Jewish uprising when the Jews tried to persecute Paul. Sostenes may have felt it was safer for him to leave the work of the synagogue and travel with Paul than to stay. This greeting indicates he may have been serving as Paul’s personal writer.
Let's Reflect
1. In his greeting to the church at Corinth, what title did Paul call himself?
2. Despite the problems that the church was having, Paul reminds them of their calling in Jesus Christ. What were the believers in Corinth called to be? This is also true of all believers in Christ.
3. Paul had previously spent a lot of time at this church and the people meant a great deal to him. He reminds them, that though they came from nothing, no status of wealth or wisdom in life, they were enriched in Jesus. This is an area where believers sometimes struggle. They find it difficult to believe that God would love them enough to save them from the sinful lifestyle they once lived. The enemy will constantly remind them of the shame and the guilt associated with the old lifestyle. The enemy torments them to feel defeated and therefore useless for God’s service. They need to hear what Paul said in this passage that Christ is confirmed in them! They also need to hear the truths about what God has given them, found in verses 7-9. What three things has God given the believer?
4. In his letter Paul calls for the people at Corinth to be united. What has he heard about them that is causing divisions?
5. Paul clarified that he did not want anyone in the church following after him, idolizing him. He told them he was not sent to baptize the people, but to do what?
6. People who get saved may not be the wisest people or the richest people on earth but when they are saved, they are transformed in a miraculous way. According to verse 18 what miracle happens at the moment of salvation?
7. There were many great philosophers in Paul’s day, many wise people. These wise people missed the truth of the crucifixion. Paul is saying that the cross was almost too simple for them to understand. Paul uses a funny word to describe the simplicity of the cross and the gospel. What word did he use in verse 25 to describe the gospel?
8. What did Paul say was the reason that God called the simple-minded people of the world, rather than the wise people, to see and believe the gospel?
9. As believers who are we to boast about?
Devotionals
