1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 1
THE PERSONAL GREETINGS FROM PAUL (1:1-3)
The recipients (1:1-2)
Paul writes to the Corinthian believers (1:1-2a).
Paul writes to all believers (1:2b).
The blessing (1:3):
THE PRAYER OF PAUL (1:4-9)
Paul thanks God for the gifts God has given the Corinthian believers (1:4-7):
Paul thanks God for the guarantee God gave the Corinthian believers (1:8-9):
THE PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY PAUL (1:10-31):
They are elevating human leaders (1:10-17).
The individuals (1:10-12):
The issue (1:14-16):
The insanity (1:13, 17):
"Was I, Paul, crucified for you?" (1:13a).
"Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul?" (1:13b).
"Christ didn't send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News" (1:17).
They are exalting human wisdom (1:18-31):
The response to God's wisdom (1:18, 22-23)
In regard to unbelieving Jews and Gentiles (1:18, 22-23)
####### To the Jews who demand supernatural signs, it becomes a stumbling block (1:18a, 22a, 23a). ####### To the Gentiles who depend upon vain philosophy, it becomes foolishness (1:18b, 22b, 23b).
In regard to believing Jews and Gentiles (1:18c, 24-25):
The results of God's wisdom (1:19-21)
It is used to destroy worldly wisdom (1:19-20).
It is used to deliver repenting sinners (1:21).
The reason for God's wisdom (1:26-31):
Paul's overview (1:27-31):
Paul's observation (1:26):
1 Corinthians 2
THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS IS NOT OF THIS WORLD (2:1-6).
The apostle's resolve (2:1-4)
What he determines not to do (2:1):
What he determines to do (2:2-4):
The apostle's reason (2:5-6):
THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS WAS ORDAINED BEFORE THIS WORLD (2:7-8).
Handcrafted for the saved (2:7):
Hidden from the unsaved (2:8):
THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS WAS RESERVED FOR THE HEIRS OF THIS WORLD (2:9-16).
Concealed from the human spirit (2:9):
Revealed by the Holy Spirit (2:10-16)
What he does (2:10-12):
How he does it (2:13-16):
1 Corinthians 3
THE "BABY" CHRISTIANS IN THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH (3:1-10):
Paul's criticism (3:1-2)
What he hopes to do (3:1):
What he has to do (3:2):
Paul's correction (3:3-10)
Their sinful view of Christian leaders (3:3-4):
His scriptural view of Christian leaders (3:5-10)
What the leaders do (3:5a, 6a, 7a, 8-10):
What the Lord does (3:5b, 6b, 7b):
THE BEMA JUDGMENT AND THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH (3:11-23)
The works (3:11-15):
The objects in this test (3:11-13):
The outcome of this test (3:14-15)
The owner of the gold, silver, and jeweled works will receive a reward (3:14).
The owner of the wood, hay, and straw works will receive no reward (3:15).
The warning (3:16-23)
Don't defile your temple (3:16-17):
Don't deceive yourselves (3:18-21):
You belong to Christ as Christ belongs to God (3:22-23).
1 Corinthians 4
THE CONTRASTS BETWEEN FAITHFUL AND FAITHLESS STEWARDS (4:1-13)
The faithless steward (4:6-8, 10b, 10d-10e)
This person is filled with pride (4:6-7).
This person is presumptuous (4:8).
This person is wise in his own eyes (4:10b).
This person is physically strong (4:10d).
This person is well thought of by the world (4:10e).
The faithful steward (4:1-5, 9-10a, I0c, 10f-13)
This person possesses a clear conscience (4:1-4).
This person does not judge others (4:5).
This person becomes a spectacle (4:9).
This person is written off as a fool (4:10a).
This person may be physically weak (4:10c).
This person is laughed at by the world (4:10f).
This person is often hungry, thirsty, and without warm clothes (4:11a).
This person is brutally treated and homeless (4:11b).
This person is acquainted with backbreaking labor (4:12a).
This person blesses his or her enemies (4:12b, 13a).
This person is looked upon as the world's garbage (4:13b).
THE COUNSEL TO THE FAITHFUL AND FAITHLESS STEWARDS (4:14-21)
Paul's appeal (4:14-16)
His reminder (4:14-15):
His request (4:16):
Paul's ambassador (4:17):
Paul's appearance (4:18-21):
1 Corinthians 5
THE NEED FOR DISCIPLINE (5:1):
The notoriousness of their sin (5:1a):
The nature of their sin (5:1b):
THE REFUSAL TO DISCIPLINE (5:2):
THE COMMAND TO DISCIPLINE (5:3-5):
The authority (5:3-4):
The action (5:5)
What the church is to do (5:5a): They must hand this guilty man over to Satan.
Why the church is to do it (5:5b): This will hopefully bring him to repentance so that his spirit might be saved.
THE REASONS FOR DISCIPLINE (5:5-8)
To bring the offender back to God (This has already been seen 5:5.)
To keep the offense from spreading in the church (5:6-7): Thus, the church is to:
Cut out the cancer (5:6-7a)
Continue in the Savior (5:7b)
To keep the celebration of Christ, the Passover Lamb, pure and true (5:8)
THE EXTENT OF DISCIPLINE (5:9-13)
This discipline involves only church members (5:9-11).
The church has no right to judge godless outsiders (5:9-10).
The church has the responsibility to avoid godless outsiders (5:11). B.
The discipline involves all church members (5:12-13).
1 Corinthians 6
LAWSUITS (6:1-11)
The facts (6:1, 6):
The folly (6:2-5, 7-11):
It is illogical (6:2-5):
It is illegal (6:7-8):
It is inexcusable (6:9-11).
God has forgiven them of so many horrible sins (6:11).
Could they not forgive one another of a few lesser sins (6:9-10)?
LASCIVIOUSNESS (6:12-20):
The realms (6:12-18)
In regard to food (6:12-13a):
In regard to sexual matters (6:13b-18):
The rationale (6:19-20):
1 Corinthians 7
MARRIAGE-SOME GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS (7:1-2, 7-9, 17-24, 29-35)
The argument (7:1-2, 7-9, 32-35):
The advantages of marriage (7:2, 7, 9)
It helps prevent immoral actions and attitudes (7:2, 9).
It is God's will for many people to marry (7:7).
The advantages of remaining single (7:1, 8, 32-35):
The answer (7:17-24, 29-31):
God's will must govern any decisions concerning marriage (7:17).
Pleasing God is the supreme objective (7:18-19).
We are not our own but have been bought and paid for by Christ (7:20-24).
Even if married, Christ must occupy first place in our life (7:29-31).
MARRIAGE-SOME SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS: (7:3-6, 10-16, 25-28, 36-40): Paul now addresses four groups.
Saved couples (7:3-6, 10-11)
Both are to submit their bodies to each other (7:3-4).
Both must agree if physical intimacy is set aside for a while to facilitate prayer and fasting (7:5-6).
Both must strive to stay together and not divorce (7:10-11).
Spiritually mixed couples (7:12-16)
The saved spouse should continue living with the unsaved spouse if possible (7:12-13).
This action may result in the salvation of the unsaved spouse (7:14).
The saved spouse should allow the unsaved spouse to depart if he or she insists on it (7:1516).
Virgins (7:25-28, 36-38):
A widow (7:39-40):
1 Corinthians 8
THE CONFUSION (8:4a):
THE CLARIFICATION (8:4b-6, 8)
There are many idols, all of which represent gods who do not exist (8:4b-5).
There is only one true God, the creator of all things and the giver of life (8:6).
In light of the above, there is no connection between food and spirituality (8:8).
THE CONCERN (8:7):
THE CHALLENGE (8:1-3, 9-12)
Don't become a stumbling block to other Christians (8:9-12).
To do so is to sin against your weaker brother (8:9-11).
To do so is to sin against your Savior (8:12).
Do become a stepping-stone (8:1-3):
THE CONCLUSION (8:13):
1 Corinthians 9
CHRISTIAN LIBERTY-PAUL'S APPROACH (9:1-23):
The basis of his rights (9:1-3)
He is an apostle of Christ (9:1).
He has seen Christ (9:1b).
He has led many to Christ (9:1c-3).
The extent of his rights (9:4-12a, 13-14):
The right of hospitality (9:4):
The right to travel with his family (9:5-6)
The right to enjoy financial support (9:7-12a, 13-14)
A soldier is paid for his services (9:7a).
A vineyard owner eats from the grapes he harvests (9:7b).
A shepherd drinks from the milk of his flock (9:7c).
A farmer shares in the fruit of his crops (9:8-12a).
A priest partakes from the animal sacrifices he offers (9:13-14).
The use of his rights (9:12b, 15-18, 20-22):
What he does not do (9:12b, 15-18):
What he does (9:19-22a):
To the Jews he becomes like a Jew (9:19-20).
To the Gentiles he becomes like a Gentile (9:21).
To the weak he becomes weak (9:22a).
Why he does it (9:22b-23):
CHRISTIAN LIBERTY (9:24-27):
The apostle's challenge (9:24-26)
Run to win the race (9:24-25).
Fight to win the battle (9:26).
The apostle's concern (9:27)
What he does (9:27a):
Why he does it (9:27b):
1 Corinthians 10
EXAMPLES (10:1-10):
The advantages enjoyed by Israel (10:1-4)
They were led by the cloud of God's glory (10:1).
The waters of the Red Sea parted for them (10:2).
They were supernaturally provided with food and water (10:3-4a).
Christ himself accompanied them (10:4b).
The apostasy committed by Israel (10:5-10)
They displeased God, and many were killed (10:5-6).
They were guilty of idolatry (10:7):
They were guilty of immorality (10:8):
They were guilty of impunity (10:9):
They were guilty of ingratitude (10:10):
EXHORTATIONS (10:11-33): The factors that lead to our deliverance.
The faithfulness of God (10:11-13):
God has not promised to shield us from temptation (10:11-12).
God has promised to see us through temptation (10:13).
The fellowship with God (10:14-22): Among all of Israel's sins, idolatry was apparently the most serious. Paul explains and contrasts divine fellowship with devilish fellowship.
Divine fellowship (10:14-18):
Devilish fellowship (10:19-22):
Freedom in God (10:23-33): Paul addresses two issues.
What believers can do (10:23):
What believers should do (10:24-33):
Do what they do for the good of all (10:24-30, 32-33)
Do what they do for the glory of God (10:31)
1 Corinthians 11
GUIDANCE CONCERNING CLOTHING (11:1-16):
The pattern (11:1-3)
The role model (11:1-2):
The relationships (11:3)
The head of the woman is man (11:3b).
The head of the man is the Savior (11:3a).
The head of the Savior is the Father (11:3c).
The parties (11:4-16)
Rules concerning the man (11:4, 7-9, 14)
His head is to be uncovered (11:4, 7-9).
####### Demonstrating his relationship to his Savior (11:4, 7) ####### Demonstrating his relationship to his spouse (11:8-9)
His hair is to be cut (11:14).
Rules concerning the woman (11:5-6, 10, 13, 15-16)
Her head is to be covered (11:5, 10, 13).
####### Demonstrating her submission to her Savior (11:13) ####### Demonstrating her submission to her spouse (11:5) ####### Demonstrating her submission to the angels (11:10)