I Corinthians 1: Commentary - United in Christ
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
But unto them which 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 ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
This commentary on I Corinthians 1 aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Paul's opening address to the church in Corinth. We'll explore the historical context, theological significance, and practical applications of this chapter, blending scholarly insights with accessible language to enrich your study and encourage spiritual growth.
Context: A Church in Need of Correction
First Corinthians opens Paul's letter to the church in Corinth, a bustling, cosmopolitan city strategically located on a major trade route. Paul had spent a significant time there—a year and a half— establishing the church and leading many to Christ. Now, writing from Ephesus, he addresses reports of division, misconduct, and doctrinal misunderstandings. He also answers questions the Corinthians had posed to him. Before diving into these specific issues, Paul begins by expressing gratitude for God's grace evident in their lives.
Salutation and Thanksgiving (I Corinthians 1:1-9)
Paul identifies himself as "Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God" (I Corinthians 1:1). He emphasizes his divinely appointed role, underscoring the authority with which he writes. He includes Sosthenes, a Christian brother, in the greeting, possibly as an amanuensis (secretary) who assisted in writing the letter, much like Tertius in Romans 16:22. Although Sosthenes may have helped pen the letter, the message undoubtedly originated from Paul, as indicated by his frequent use of "I" throughout the text.
He addresses the recipients as "to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints" (I Corinthians 1:2). Paul calls the Corinthians saints, those who call on the name of Jesus Christ. He recognizes them as "saints," set apart for God through their faith in Jesus Christ. This designation is significant. Even though he will address serious problems within the church, he affirms their fundamental identity as believers. He acknowledges their unique privilege of appealing to their Savior for divine intervention in their lives. He extends grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:3).
Despite the challenges within the Corinthian church, Paul begins with thanksgiving. He expresses gratitude for the grace of God bestowed upon them in Christ Jesus (I Corinthians 1:4). This grace is the foundation of their salvation. He acknowledges that they had been enriched in Him in all utterance and all knowledge (I Corinthians 1:5), highlighting the spiritual gifts they had received. These gifts served as a testimony to the validity of Christ's work among them. Paul was confident that they would stand blameless on judgment day because of the finished work of Jesus Christ for them (I Corinthians 1:8).
Paul assures them that they are not lacking in any spiritual gift as they eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:7). He is confident that God, who is faithful, will sustain them until the end, so that they will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:8). He emphasizes God's faithfulness as the basis for their assurance, reminding them that God will confirm them to the end, 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 (I Corinthians 1:9). He reminds them that God has called them into fellowship with His Son. This fellowship is not just a future hope but a present reality.
The Problem of Divisions (I Corinthians 1:10-17)
Paul transitions to addressing a critical issue: the divisions within the church. He appeals to them "by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (I Corinthians 1:10). He urges them to unity, to speak with one voice, and to be united in mind and purpose.
He reveals that he has learned of these divisions through reports from "Chloe's people" (I Corinthians 1:11). The problem is that they were aligning themselves with different leaders: "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'" (I Corinthians 1:12). Some claimed allegiance to Paul, likely those who had been present since the church's founding. Others favored Apollos, perhaps drawn to his eloquence and learning (Acts 18:24-28). Still others aligned themselves with Cephas (Peter), possibly Jewish believers who clung to their traditions. And some even claimed to follow Christ exclusively, perhaps viewing the other leaders as unnecessary intermediaries.
Paul uses a series of rhetorical questions to expose the absurdity of their divisions: "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (I Corinthians 1:13). The answer to each question is a resounding "No!" Christ alone is the one to whom they owe their allegiance. Christ is not divided. They were not baptized in Paul's name. Rather, Paul had been sent to preach the gospel—a message about Christ, not about himself.
Paul downplays the importance of baptism in this context, stating that "Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel" (I Corinthians 1:17). This is not to diminish the significance of baptism as an act of obedience and identification with Christ, but to emphasize that it should not be a source of division. Paul is grateful that he baptized so few of them, so no one could claim he'd been simply dunking personal supporters. For Paul, gospel ministry wasn’t about winning a following for anyone but for Jesus.
The Wisdom and Power of God (I Corinthians 1:18-31)
Paul shifts his focus to the nature of the Gospel message itself. He declares that "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" (I Corinthians 1:18). The cross is the central point of the Gospel, but its meaning is radically different depending on one's perspective. To those who reject Christ, it seems absurd and weak. But to those who believe, it is the very power of God at work.
He quotes Isaiah 29:14, "For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent'" (I Corinthians 1:19). He emphasizes that the wisdom of the world is ultimately futile and cannot lead to salvation. Why? Because the world’s wisdom is foolish; it lacks the divine point of view and considers life from a merely human perspective. The Corinthians were aligning themselves with human teachers and against one another. As a result of their pursuing such a worldly way of thinking, sin was running rampant among them and they lacked God’s power.
Paul contrasts the world's expectations with God's methods: "For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (I Corinthians 1:22-24). Jews sought miraculous signs as proof of God's power, while Greeks valued intellectual reasoning and philosophical arguments. But Paul proclaims "Christ crucified," a message that was offensive to both groups. Yet, for those who are called by God, Christ is revealed as both the power and the wisdom of God.
He explains that "because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (I Corinthians 1:25). God's ways are often counterintuitive to human understanding. What seems foolish or weak from a human perspective is, in reality, far superior to human wisdom and strength. God’s wisdom enables us to see things from a divine perspective, make wise choices, and open ourselves to his intervention in our circumstances. God’s power enables us to identify sin problems in our lives and to be delivered from them. So why would anyone prefer human wisdom and strength, which are incapable of delivering results?
Paul points to the composition of the Corinthian church itself as evidence of God's unconventional ways: "For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called" (I Corinthians 1:26). He reminds them that God typically chooses the weak, the foolish, and the insignificant to accomplish His purposes. The Corinthians, for example, hadn’t been wise or powerful or noble. Instead, God brought his saving message of the cross of Christ to ordinary sinners. He chose insignificant and despised people like fishermen and tax collectors to do his kingdom work so that those from the upper crust of society would be put to shame.
God's purpose in this is clear: "that no flesh should glory in His presence" (I Corinthians 1:29). By choosing the unlikely, God ensures that all glory goes to Him alone. If you have low self-esteem, come from humble beginnings, have experienced significant struggles, or are despised by the in crowd, then you’re a choice candidate to be used by God for his kingdom program. If you are a child of God through Jesus Christ, it’s not because of who you are but in spite of it.
Paul concludes by emphasizing that "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the Lord'" (I Corinthians 1:30-31). Christ is our all in all. He is the source of our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Therefore, our boasting should be in Him alone. As a believer, everything you need comes from Jesus Christ; he is your sufficiency. Aligning yourself with notable people will get you rivalries, divisions, and disappointment. But aligning yourself with King Jesus and his agenda will get you righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Only one person deserves any credit—and all of it. Worldly wisdom gets you nothing in the end. But the so-called foolishness of God gives you access to all you need and more.
This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that true unity and spiritual strength are found not in human wisdom or worldly status, but in Christ alone. By focusing on the message of the cross and recognizing our dependence on God, we can overcome divisions and experience the fullness of His grace.
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
But unto them which 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 ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
This commentary on I Corinthians 1 aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Paul's opening address to the church in Corinth. We'll explore the historical context, theological significance, and practical applications of this chapter, blending scholarly insights with accessible language to enrich your study and encourage spiritual growth.
Context: A Church in Need of Correction
First Corinthians opens Paul's letter to the church in Corinth, a bustling, cosmopolitan city strategically located on a major trade route. Paul had spent a significant time there—a year and a half— establishing the church and leading many to Christ. Now, writing from Ephesus, he addresses reports of division, misconduct, and doctrinal misunderstandings. He also answers questions the Corinthians had posed to him. Before diving into these specific issues, Paul begins by expressing gratitude for God's grace evident in their lives.
Salutation and Thanksgiving (I Corinthians 1:1-9)
Paul identifies himself as "Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God" (I Corinthians 1:1). He emphasizes his divinely appointed role, underscoring the authority with which he writes. He includes Sosthenes, a Christian brother, in the greeting, possibly as an amanuensis (secretary) who assisted in writing the letter, much like Tertius in Romans 16:22. Although Sosthenes may have helped pen the letter, the message undoubtedly originated from Paul, as indicated by his frequent use of "I" throughout the text.
He addresses the recipients as "to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints" (I Corinthians 1:2). Paul calls the Corinthians saints, those who call on the name of Jesus Christ. He recognizes them as "saints," set apart for God through their faith in Jesus Christ. This designation is significant. Even though he will address serious problems within the church, he affirms their fundamental identity as believers. He acknowledges their unique privilege of appealing to their Savior for divine intervention in their lives. He extends grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:3).
Despite the challenges within the Corinthian church, Paul begins with thanksgiving. He expresses gratitude for the grace of God bestowed upon them in Christ Jesus (I Corinthians 1:4). This grace is the foundation of their salvation. He acknowledges that they had been enriched in Him in all utterance and all knowledge (I Corinthians 1:5), highlighting the spiritual gifts they had received. These gifts served as a testimony to the validity of Christ's work among them. Paul was confident that they would stand blameless on judgment day because of the finished work of Jesus Christ for them (I Corinthians 1:8).
Paul assures them that they are not lacking in any spiritual gift as they eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:7). He is confident that God, who is faithful, will sustain them until the end, so that they will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:8). He emphasizes God's faithfulness as the basis for their assurance, reminding them that God will confirm them to the end, 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 (I Corinthians 1:9). He reminds them that God has called them into fellowship with His Son. This fellowship is not just a future hope but a present reality.
The Problem of Divisions (I Corinthians 1:10-17)
Paul transitions to addressing a critical issue: the divisions within the church. He appeals to them "by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (I Corinthians 1:10). He urges them to unity, to speak with one voice, and to be united in mind and purpose.
He reveals that he has learned of these divisions through reports from "Chloe's people" (I Corinthians 1:11). The problem is that they were aligning themselves with different leaders: "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'" (I Corinthians 1:12). Some claimed allegiance to Paul, likely those who had been present since the church's founding. Others favored Apollos, perhaps drawn to his eloquence and learning (Acts 18:24-28). Still others aligned themselves with Cephas (Peter), possibly Jewish believers who clung to their traditions. And some even claimed to follow Christ exclusively, perhaps viewing the other leaders as unnecessary intermediaries.
Paul uses a series of rhetorical questions to expose the absurdity of their divisions: "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (I Corinthians 1:13). The answer to each question is a resounding "No!" Christ alone is the one to whom they owe their allegiance. Christ is not divided. They were not baptized in Paul's name. Rather, Paul had been sent to preach the gospel—a message about Christ, not about himself.
Paul downplays the importance of baptism in this context, stating that "Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel" (I Corinthians 1:17). This is not to diminish the significance of baptism as an act of obedience and identification with Christ, but to emphasize that it should not be a source of division. Paul is grateful that he baptized so few of them, so no one could claim he'd been simply dunking personal supporters. For Paul, gospel ministry wasn’t about winning a following for anyone but for Jesus.
The Wisdom and Power of God (I Corinthians 1:18-31)
Paul shifts his focus to the nature of the Gospel message itself. He declares that "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" (I Corinthians 1:18). The cross is the central point of the Gospel, but its meaning is radically different depending on one's perspective. To those who reject Christ, it seems absurd and weak. But to those who believe, it is the very power of God at work.
He quotes Isaiah 29:14, "For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent'" (I Corinthians 1:19). He emphasizes that the wisdom of the world is ultimately futile and cannot lead to salvation. Why? Because the world’s wisdom is foolish; it lacks the divine point of view and considers life from a merely human perspective. The Corinthians were aligning themselves with human teachers and against one another. As a result of their pursuing such a worldly way of thinking, sin was running rampant among them and they lacked God’s power.
Paul contrasts the world's expectations with God's methods: "For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (I Corinthians 1:22-24). Jews sought miraculous signs as proof of God's power, while Greeks valued intellectual reasoning and philosophical arguments. But Paul proclaims "Christ crucified," a message that was offensive to both groups. Yet, for those who are called by God, Christ is revealed as both the power and the wisdom of God.
He explains that "because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (I Corinthians 1:25). God's ways are often counterintuitive to human understanding. What seems foolish or weak from a human perspective is, in reality, far superior to human wisdom and strength. God’s wisdom enables us to see things from a divine perspective, make wise choices, and open ourselves to his intervention in our circumstances. God’s power enables us to identify sin problems in our lives and to be delivered from them. So why would anyone prefer human wisdom and strength, which are incapable of delivering results?
Paul points to the composition of the Corinthian church itself as evidence of God's unconventional ways: "For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called" (I Corinthians 1:26). He reminds them that God typically chooses the weak, the foolish, and the insignificant to accomplish His purposes. The Corinthians, for example, hadn’t been wise or powerful or noble. Instead, God brought his saving message of the cross of Christ to ordinary sinners. He chose insignificant and despised people like fishermen and tax collectors to do his kingdom work so that those from the upper crust of society would be put to shame.
God's purpose in this is clear: "that no flesh should glory in His presence" (I Corinthians 1:29). By choosing the unlikely, God ensures that all glory goes to Him alone. If you have low self-esteem, come from humble beginnings, have experienced significant struggles, or are despised by the in crowd, then you’re a choice candidate to be used by God for his kingdom program. If you are a child of God through Jesus Christ, it’s not because of who you are but in spite of it.
Paul concludes by emphasizing that "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the Lord'" (I Corinthians 1:30-31). Christ is our all in all. He is the source of our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Therefore, our boasting should be in Him alone. As a believer, everything you need comes from Jesus Christ; he is your sufficiency. Aligning yourself with notable people will get you rivalries, divisions, and disappointment. But aligning yourself with King Jesus and his agenda will get you righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Only one person deserves any credit—and all of it. Worldly wisdom gets you nothing in the end. But the so-called foolishness of God gives you access to all you need and more.
This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that true unity and spiritual strength are found not in human wisdom or worldly status, but in Christ alone. By focusing on the message of the cross and recognizing our dependence on God, we can overcome divisions and experience the fullness of His grace.