1 Corinthians 1

This is the first chapter of 1 Corinthians. It opens with the letter's greeting and thanksgiving and then turns to the first issue the letter addresses: divisions within the church.

Outline

• Verses 1–3 Paul and Sosthenes, a brother, greet the church of God at Corinth. The greeting also extends to all who call upon the name of the Lord in every place.
• Verses 4–9 Paul gives thanks that the believers are enriched in all utterance, in all knowledge, and in spiritual gifts. He declares that God, who will confirm them until the day of the Lord, is faithful.
• Verses 10–17 Word of divisions reaches Paul through those of the house of Chloe. The believers were divided, saying, "I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ." Paul states that he does not recall baptizing anyone except Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas, and he says that his commission was to preach the gospel.
• Verses 18–25 The preaching of the cross is foolishness to them that perish, but to those who are saved it is the power of God. The Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but Paul and his companions preach Christ crucified.
• Verses 26–31 Paul reminds the believers that not many among them were wise, mighty, or noble. He closes the chapter by saying that, since God has chosen the weak and base things, they should glory only in the Lord.

Key Verses

• 1 Corinthians 1:10 "Be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." This is a well-known verse urging the unity of the church.
• 1 Corinthians 1:18 "The preaching of the cross is … unto us which are saved it is the power of God." This verse expresses the central theme of the chapter.
• 1 Corinthians 1:23–24 "We preach Christ crucified." This passage contrasts the expectations of Jews and Greeks with the gospel.

People and Places

• Paul: The apostle who sent the letter.
• Sosthenes: The brother who sent the letter together with Paul. Whether he is the same person as Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue in Acts 18:17, is uncertain.
• Chloe: Members of her household brought word of the divisions to Paul.
• Apollos: An evangelist who taught in Corinth; some of the believers followed him.
• Cephas: The Aramaic name of Peter.
• Crispus, Gaius, and Stephanas: Corinthian believers whom Paul baptized personally.
• Corinth: A port city in southern Greece and the home of the church that received the letter.

Points for Reflection

• Interpretations differ regarding "I of Christ" (verse 12). Some regard it as a distinct faction that actually existed, while others see it as a phrase Paul added for contrast with the other factions.
• The "household of Stephanas" in verse 16 is frequently cited in the infant baptism debate. Presbyterians, Methodists, and others who practice infant baptism cite this verse as an example of household baptism. Baptists and others point out that the text makes no mention of infants in that household.
• Verse 7 is likewise interpreted differently in the debate over cessationism and continuationism. Continuationists cite this verse as evidence that the spiritual gifts continue until the Second Coming. Cessationists understand the verse as describing the situation of the Corinthian church at that time.
• Verse 19 is understood to quote Isaiah 29:14, and verse 31 to quote Jeremiah 9:24. The theme of the cross continues in 1 Corinthians 2:2, and the issue surrounding Paul and Apollos is taken up again in 1 Corinthians 3.