The Book of I Corinthians addresses the challenges faced by the church in Corinth, a city known in Paul's time as a wealthy, influential Roman hub of trade, diverse peoples, and ideas, marked by a freewheeling, sensual, multi-cultural society. This environment mirrors the attitudes and ethics of modern Western culture, despite the span of 2,000 years, revealing that human nature remains unchanged. The same issues Paul confronted in Corinth—carnal behavior, sexual sins, legal and business disputes among brethren, marriage concerns, fears of demonic defilement, questions about a paid ministry, and disputes over personal appearance and church service formats—persist today. Paul's epistle to the Corinthians tackles these problems head-on, with major themes explored in this series. During his eighteen-month stay in Corinth, as detailed in Acts 18:1-18, Paul refined his approach to preaching the gospel without causing offense, a strategy honed from past experiences of being driven out of other cities. By the time he reached Corinth, likely around AD 52, he had developed an effective method. After Paul's departure, Apollos also ministered in Corinth for a similar duration, fostering close relationships with the congregation, which explains Paul's knowledgeable and authoritative tone in I Corinthians. In the opening of the epistle, Paul emphasizes the centrality of Jesus Christ, mentioning His name repeatedly to ground his arguments. He affirms the Corinthians as members of the church of God, sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints alongside all who call on His name, regardless of their location. Paul encourages them, asserting they lack no gift and are no less members of Christ's body despite living in a corrupt city. He reminds them that God is faithful, capable of completing the work He begins in them, instilling confidence as he prepares to address their issues. A primary concern in I Corinthians is the party spirit, or partisanship, within the church. Factions had formed, aligning with different leaders—Paul, Apollos, Peter, or even claiming to follow Christ alone. These divisions, though not yet schisms, had led to heated contentions and quarrels among members meeting together on the Sabbath. Paul pleads with them, invoking the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to speak the same thing, to be unified in doctrine and belief, presenting a united front in preaching the gospel. He urges them to be perfectly joined together, mending divisions so thoroughly that no trace of discord remains, achieving unity in opinion, understanding, purpose, and action. Paul challenges the Corinthians to make deep, painful changes in attitude, demanding they strive for the pinnacle of Christian virtue rather than superficial reconciliation. He recognizes the difficulty of overcoming factions, requiring significant faith and effort from each individual to shed selfish ambitions and embrace humility. He points to Christ's example of service and sacrifice as the model for unity, stressing that true unity among many demands all follow this path of lowliness and outgoing concern. Addressing the ministry, Paul insists that ministers build wisely on the foundation of Christ, ensuring their work aligns with His teachings. Their efforts will be tested, revealing the quality of their service, and while faithful ministers will be saved even if their work lacks skill, those who defile or destroy the church face God's judgment. Paul warns against deception in partisanship, urging the use of godly wisdom over carnal reasoning to discern God's work through His servants. Ultimately, Paul calls the Corinthians to maturity, to abandon the childishness of party spirit, recognizing that aligning behind men for their own sake is destructive. True servants of God point always to Christ and the Father, focusing on bringing glory to Them rather than themselves. Divisions, he notes in I Corinthians 11:19, are inevitable and serve to clarify who is spirit

The book of I Corinthians provides significant insight into the principles of order and authority within the church of God. It reveals the apostolic guidance given by Paul, who, despite being physically distant, maintained charge over the Corinthian church through his authoritative writings. His epistle is filled with instructions and commands on various matters, including judging, lawsuits, fornication, marriage and divorce, meats offered to idols, idolatry, the Passover service, preaching, church services, taking up a collection for the Jerusalem saints, and the treatment of the ministry. In I Corinthians 4, Paul establishes his role as a spiritual father to the Corinthians, emphasizing his authority and the prerogatives that come with it. He could speak gently or command with sternness, depending on their response to his guidance. His instructions on church administration are primarily found in chapters 9, 11, 12, and 14, covering ministerial rights and privileges, the principle of headship, conduct during the Passover service, the organized division of labor within the church, and order in church services. In I Corinthians 9, Paul defends his authority and rights as a minister, using rhetorical questions to affirm his position and citing examples from the law to support the principle that a servant of God who preaches the gospel should receive support from those he teaches. However, he chose not to exercise this right among the Corinthians to avoid hindering the gospel. I Corinthians 11 addresses the principle of headship, outlining a God-ordained order of authority from God the Father to Christ, to man, and to woman. Paul emphasizes maintaining church traditions and notes that one person's contentions are insufficient to overturn long-standing practices. This chapter also corrects the Corinthians' unchristian practice of the Passover service, instructing them to observe it with solemnity, focusing on the symbols of bread and wine as representations of Christ's body and blood, rather than treating it as a feast. In I Corinthians 12, Paul uses the analogy of the body to illustrate the organization and division of labor within the church. Christ, as the Head, directs the body through His Holy Spirit, with each member having a specific place and function determined by God the Father. Paul stresses contentment with one's role and the importance of discerning that differences in gifts and functions are guided by the same Spirit, as long as they do not profane Christ. Finally, in I Corinthians 14, Paul establishes order in church services, addressing the chaos caused by multiple languages in Corinth. He sets rules to ensure services build up the church, limiting speakers to two or three, requiring interpretation for foreign languages, ensuring sequential speaking, restricting women from preaching, and mandating that all preaching conform to the message from Christ through the apostles. This structure ensures that church services teach and encourage the brethren in an orderly manner, glorifying God.

In the exploration of the apostle Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians, it becomes clear that the culture of Corinth deeply influenced the new converts, leading them to bring attitudes, ideas, and sins into the church. Paul, as the founding apostle with authority over this church, felt compelled to correct these issues out of love, desiring them to live uprightly before God. He addressed their divisions into factions based on Greek notions of wisdom and rhetoric, their tolerance of perverse sexual sin, their worldly judgments, and their disorderly conduct during Passover and Sabbath services, labeling them as carnal and in need of basic instruction. Paul's teachings in I Corinthians also delve into personal and domestic relationships within the Corinthian church, set against the backdrop of a society influenced by both Greek and Roman customs. He faced the challenge of teaching a new way of life, radically different from the surrounding philosophies like Cynicism, Stoicism, Epicureanism, and emerging Gnostic ideas, which were underpinned by human nature and the adversarial influences against God. Paul often started from the basics, using Greek philosophies either to contrast with godly principles or to highlight occasional alignments with God's way, as seen in his approach throughout the middle chapters, six through ten. In I Corinthians 6, Paul tackles relationships among brethren, particularly regarding lawsuits. He emphasizes that the church and its members must operate separately from the world, using the term "saints" to signify their set-apart status. He argues that worldly judges are unqualified to settle disputes between brothers in Christ, asserting that taking a brother to court is a spiritual failure. Paul urges Christians to accept wrong and even be defrauded rather than pursue legal conflict, which he likens to war, promoting division and rancor. He elevates the standard further by reminding them that they are redeemed by Christ, owning no rights as His bond slaves, and must follow His example of submission and self-sacrifice out of love. Regarding sexual relationships in I Corinthians 6:12-20, Paul counters popular Greek sayings like "all things are lawful for me" by stating that not all things are helpful or should bring one under their power. He challenges the notion that sexual acts are merely natural and inconsequential, asserting that the body is for the Lord and the Lord for the body, with a higher purpose of serving God. Paul warns against sexual immorality, highlighting its defilement of the intimate union with Christ, and stresses that such sins affect the body and spirit, contradicting philosophies claiming sins are external and harmless. He concludes that the chief aim is to glorify God in body and spirit, which belong to Him. On marriage relationships in I Corinthians 7, Paul addresses extremes of promiscuity and asceticism within Corinth. Responding to the idea that it is good for a man not to touch a woman, he advocates for sexual relations within marriage to avoid immorality, affirming that God created such intimacy as good. He teaches that each spouse has authority over the other's body, second only to God's ownership, making sexual purity doubly important to preserve relationships with both God and spouse. Paul advises resuming marital relations after periods of abstinence for spiritual reasons to prevent temptation, offering balanced guidance on maintaining focus on God while acknowledging human needs. Finally, in I Corinthians 10, Paul lays down principles for Christian conduct, emphasizing seeking others' well-being and doing all to the glory of God. He instructs believers to consider whether their actions are helpful, profitable, or edifying to others, refraining from anything harmful or against God's law. As witnesses of God, redeemed from bondage, they are to proclaim His righteousness in word and deed, prioritizing His interests and the good of others over personal desires.

The book of I Corinthians holds significant relevance for us today, despite being separated from its inception by nearly two millennia. Its teachings closely parallel our present circumstances, offering valuable insights for navigating the challenges of our time. Unlike a systematic doctrinal text, I Corinthians focuses on the practical application of Christian teaching, emphasizing not just the knowledge of God, but the daily living of His will to develop character. Its primary focus is on Christian living, addressing the question of how a member of God's church, a called-out saint, should conduct himself in an unchristian world, or how a Christian is to live in this present, evil age. The situation in cosmopolitan first-century Corinth provides answers for living confidently in our current era. The epistle was written during a time of cultural and religious diversity in Corinth, a prosperous city and major commercial hub in Greece, comparable to Ephesus and Antioch. Located on an isthmus connecting central Greece and the Peloponnesus, Corinth thrived as a transit point between its two port cities, Cenchrea and Lechaeum, facilitating Mediterranean shipping and commerce. This strategic position made it a melting pot of Romans, Greeks, Jews, Egyptians, Syrians, and others, creating a diverse, multi-cultural society. Corinth's religious landscape was equally varied, with temples to numerous gods and goddesses, including Aphrodite, Isis, Artemis, and Zeus, alongside mystery religions and the Roman imperial cult. This eclectic environment, combined with a laissez-faire attitude where anything was permissible as long as peace and commerce were maintained, shaped the backdrop against which Paul ministered. Arriving in Corinth around 50 or 51 AD during his second missionary journey, after a disappointing experience in Athens, Paul adapted his approach to this volatile, diverse audience. He initially worked as a leather artisan with Priscilla and Aquila, integrating into the Jewish community by reasoning in the synagogue on the Sabbath, building trust before proclaiming the gospel more openly. Paul's strategy in Corinth, as reflected in I Corinthians 9, was to become all things to all men, adjusting his methods to his audience while remaining under the law toward Christ. He aimed to persuade rather than confront directly, recognizing the potential for hostility in such a varied setting. Despite initial resistance and conflict with some Jews, leading to a legal confrontation before the proconsul Gallio in AD 51, Paul persisted. Gallio dismissed the case as an internal Jewish matter, reinforcing Paul's later advice in I Corinthians to settle disputes within the church, as the world's legal systems are often unworthy to judge spiritual matters. Paul's ministry in Corinth eventually bore fruit, with influential converts like Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and Justus, possibly from a prominent family. Encouraged by a vision from God affirming that He had many people in the city, Paul continued preaching fearlessly, establishing a significant congregation despite ongoing challenges. The epistle of I Corinthians, written later from Ephesus, reflects these experiences and the lessons learned, offering guidance for the church of God today in navigating a world with striking similarities to ancient Corinth.

The book of I Corinthians holds significant relevance for us today as we navigate a world increasingly distant from godly principles. Unlike the systematic doctrinal approach of Romans, I Corinthians focuses on practical Christian living, addressing the daily challenges a believer faces in an un-Christian environment. It provides guidance on how members of God's church should conduct themselves and live in a godly manner amidst a society that mirrors the moral and cultural complexities of ancient Corinth. Corinth, in the first century, was a wealthy Roman city and a crossroads of trade, peoples, and ideas, fostering a free-wheeling, highly sexualized, and multicultural society. The Corinthian church members were constantly exposed to perverse sins, including cult prostitution, idolatry, extortion, drunkenness, and gambling. This environment parallels the diverse and tolerant 'anything goes' lifestyle prevalent in our modern world, where human nature remains unchanged despite advancements in technology and communication. Paul's letter to the Corinthians addresses issues that still plague the church today, such as factions, carnal behavior, sexual sins, legal and business disputes, marriage problems, concerns over young people marrying, controversies over food, questions about a paid ministry, and issues of dress, modesty, and decorum. Through I Corinthians, Paul offers clear instruction that can be adapted to our current situations, helping us not merely to cope but to overcome and grow in Christ-like character in an anti-God world. Paul begins by establishing his authority as an apostle called by Jesus Christ, emphasizing that the Corinthians are set apart and called to be saints, distinct from their perverse society. He underscores the universal application of his teachings to all Christians in every place and time, uniting them under Christ as brethren. Throughout the letter, he tackles specific problems, starting with divisions in the church, urging unity under Christ rather than loyalty to specific ministers. In subsequent chapters, Paul addresses carnal thinking, the proper role of ministers as servants accountable to God, and the need for the church to handle internal disputes without relying on worldly judges. He confronts issues of sexual immorality, marriage, and the eating of meats offered to idols, emphasizing love over knowledge to avoid offending brethren. Paul also discusses ministers' rights to support, the dangers of idolatry, and the importance of submission to authority in various contexts. Further, Paul covers behavior during sacred observances like Passover, the diversity of spiritual gifts for the church's benefit, and the paramount importance of love as an act of spiritual maturity. He addresses the misuse of spiritual gifts like tongues, the belief in the resurrection amidst worldly philosophies, and concludes with exhortations to watch their spiritual state, stand fast in doctrine, be brave and strong in facing persecution, and do all in love, fostering a cooperative relationship with the ministry. Thus, I Corinthians serves as a vital guide for living godly lives in a world akin to Sodom or Corinth, urging us to grow in righteousness and holiness as we prepare for the Kingdom of God.

As we approach the Passover season, the importance of self-examination becomes evident, particularly in the context of the Corinthians' experience. The Corinthians had received spiritual gifts from God, which they viewed as evidence of divine favor. However, Paul pointed out contrary evidence, including schisms, prideful tolerance of sin, and mistreatment of the poor and weak among them. This selective ignorance of their shortcomings put them at risk of God's judgment. Paul admonished them to examine themselves before partaking in the Passover, warning that failure to do so could lead to severe consequences, as many were sick and some had died due to their unworthy participation. Yet, this judgment was a form of discipline from the Lord, intended to prevent their condemnation with the world. Through this, Christ works to encourage His people to undertake a proper accounting of their spiritual state, urging them to see beyond their self-constructed evidence of righteousness.

The Book of I Corinthians reveals the struggles and weaknesses of the Corinthian church, mirroring many issues faced by modern congregations. The apostle Paul addresses a congregation still carnal, behaving like those outside the faith, with problems ranging from party spirit and sexual immorality to lawsuits among brethren and marriage difficulties. Throughout the first epistle, Paul offers valuable advice, doctrine, and wisdom applicable to similar human challenges across generations. Called out of a pagan world, the Corinthians faced divisions into factions, deviant sexual practices infiltrating the church, rampant divorces, unresolved disputes taken to worldly courts, and careless behaviors causing offenses and leading weaker members astray. A fundamental issue was their lack of love for one another, prioritizing personal desires over the impact on others in the church. In I Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul describes the transformation of these sinners— fornicators, idolaters, revilers, and extortioners—whom God has washed, sanctified, justified, and imbued with His Spirit, providing an opportunity for perfection like Him and His Son. In I Corinthians 9, Paul defends his apostolic authority and freedom, yet explains his restraint in using these rights to avoid further problems in a church on the brink of turmoil. He chose to support himself through his trade as a tentmaker rather than burdening the congregation, demonstrating his commitment to their spiritual welfare over personal gain. From verses 19-23, Paul speaks of using his freedom in Christ to become a servant to all, aiming to win more for the gospel and to share in its rewards, ensuring his liberty produces fruit for himself and others without descending into selfish pursuits. In I Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul employs metaphors from the Isthmian Games, familiar to the Corinthians, urging single-minded dedication and self-discipline akin to athletes striving for victory. He advises running with maximum effort, exercising self-control to achieve the imperishable crown of eternal life, avoiding aimless pursuits and ineffective actions. Paul emphasizes mastering one's carnal desires to prevent disqualification from God's Kingdom, highlighting that self-discipline is essential to both personal salvation and serving others. His counsel underscores the need for total commitment to the goal God has set, ensuring that human nature does not rule over the pursuit of an unleavened life before Him.

In I Corinthians, the spiritual state of the Corinthian congregation reveals a troubling abundance of bad fruit, indicative of false teaching influencing their belief and conduct. Despite the presence of esteemed teachers like Paul, Apollos, Cephas (Peter), and even Christ Himself, the congregation was marked by division and carnality. Paul, who founded the congregation and refers to himself as their father in the faith, was not leading them astray. Apollos, described as eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures, also failed to steer the Corinthians from their degenerate state. Cephas, a leader among the apostles, was not promoting a false gospel or seeking a personal following. Even the Christ-faction, though seemingly aligned with the highest Teacher, was included in Paul's critique of carnality, suggesting they were not as aligned with Christ as they claimed, possibly rejecting the need for other God-given teachers in the church. Yet, amidst these recognized teachers, the pervasive bad fruit points to the influence of a fifth, unnamed teacher. This false teacher was inciting the Corinthians to overemphasize or disregard God's servants, encouraging pride, diminishing the fear of God, and fostering laxity in obedience, contrary to the godly practices outlined in Deuteronomy 13. This hidden influence drowned out the instruction of even the best teachers, preventing the spiritual fruit that should have resulted from their guidance.

In the Book of I Corinthians, Paul addresses the pervasive influence of worldly wisdom among the Corinthians, identifying it as a fifth teacher that rivaled the true teachings of godly servants like himself, Apollos, Peter, and Christ. This wisdom of the age, originating from the prince of the power of the air, was more influential than the outstanding teachers God had provided, leading to division and carnality within the congregation. Paul mentions wisdom or wise people 29 times in the first four chapters, with two-thirds of these references being negative, highlighting the detrimental impact of this worldly influence. He contrasts the gospel message he preached with the wisdom of words, noting that the Greek culture's high regard for eloquent arguments caused the Corinthians to cast aside apostolic teaching. Paul juxtaposes the wisdom of Christ's message against the prevailing ideas of Greeks and Jews, which damaged the faith of the first-century church by encouraging evaluation of truth through cultural lenses rather than divine standards. He emphasizes that the new Spirit received by believers was unlike the spirit of the world, yet the fifth teacher's influence made it difficult for the Corinthians to discern the spirits. Paul also warns against defiling the temple of God's Spirit, suggesting this pertains more to what enters the mind than the body, and cautions against partaking in both the Lord's table and the table of demons, focusing on the spiritual food that fueled their worldliness. The contrary messages of this fifth teacher, coming from numerous daily sources rather than a single false minister, drowned out the true biblical instruction, resulting in the Corinthians' shameful conduct.

In the Book of I Corinthians, the apostle Paul addresses the peril of knowledge when it is not tempered by humility, warning that knowledge puffs up, but love edifies (I Corinthians 8:1). He challenges the notion of complete understanding by stating that if anyone thinks he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know (I Corinthians 8:2). Paul further emphasizes the partial nature of human knowledge, declaring that we know in part and prophesy in part (I Corinthians 13:9), a humble admission from one who received great revelation from Jesus Christ. He underscores that without love, which reflects acting as God acts, all knowledge is vanity (I Corinthians 13). Paul shifts focus to the knowledge that truly matters, asserting that if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him (I Corinthians 8:3). This divine relational knowledge stands apart, producing humility rather than pride. Addressing the divisions within the Corinthian congregation, Paul pleads for unity, a concern relevant to any divided community. He implies that more could be done to mend such rifts, weaving this theme throughout the epistle. A key to unity is found in possessing the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16), suggesting that alignment with His mind, rather than imposing personal knowledge, fosters agreement among brethren. Paul acknowledges that not everyone pursues God's thoughts to the same degree, and even with Christ's mind received through the Holy Spirit, its fullness develops over a lifetime, necessitating continuous humility and application of God's principles.

In the opening chapters of I Corinthians, Paul lays a foundation for addressing a divided and troubled congregation by contrasting the wisdom of God with what he terms the wisdom of men. He asserts that Christ embodies the wisdom and power of God unto salvation, presenting Christ's life, death, and resurrection as God's response to the misguided notions of both Jews and Greeks about living an abundant life. To the Jews, Christ was a stumbling block, and to the Greeks, He was foolishness, yet Paul emphasizes that their worldly wisdom did not originate from God. In I Corinthians 2, Paul explains that he preached wisdom to those he calls perfect, meaning the brethren, through the revelation of God's Spirit, which imparts the power to understand spiritual truths. He highlights that through union with Christ, believers have direct access to God's wisdom, which manifests as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, practically impacting lives for abundance. Paul scorns the wisdom of men, evident in the attitudes of the Jews and Greeks, as it led to hostility against God, with the Jews ultimately putting Him to death and the Greeks mocking Him as foolish. In I Corinthians 3, Paul addresses the Corinthian church, noting their carnal state despite being converted. He could not speak to them as spiritual but as babes in Christ, indicating a shallow conversion marked by envying, strife, and division. This carnality reflects a susceptibility to the wisdom of men, affecting their unity and depth of faith, a condition not unique to Corinth but applicable broadly across congregations.

In the epistle of I Corinthians, the issue of disunity within the congregation is a central theme. The letter addresses numerous areas of attitude and conduct that create division among the members, separating them from God and from each other. Divisions are permitted by God as a test to reveal who is truly loyal to Him. This instruction was given to a congregation in Corinth that was fragmented along various lines, yet many did not recognize the gravity of their disunity. Paul emphasizes personal responsibility toward Christ and the Body, which is the church. In I Corinthians 11, he urges the Corinthians to examine themselves deeply, considering Christ's personal sacrifice for each individual. He warns that failing to do so, without repentance and change, risks bringing condemnation upon oneself. This judgment from God, the ultimate Judge, is evident in the physical, psychological, and emotional sickness among many, and even death for some, due to their failure to discern the Lord's Body, which primarily refers to the church rather than Christ's physical body. The specific sin highlighted in I Corinthians 11 occurred during communal meals, where members prioritized themselves over others, revealing pride in their hearts. God judged this behavior severely, demonstrating that what may seem minor to human understanding is significant to Him. Pride, as shown here, is a major sin in God's eyes, leading to dire consequences. In I Corinthians 12, Paul uses the analogy of the human body to illustrate the church, with Christ as the Head and members as various parts. If any part is not in harmony, it affects the whole, causing pain and inefficiency. Unlike the human body, which functions automatically, each church member must deliberately choose to act in love and wisdom to produce unity. This choice is critical, as disunity within the Body impacts the relationship with the Father and the Son. Paul continues in I Corinthians 13, presenting love as the better way to overcome disunity. He outlines how love fosters unity, not only within the church but also in personal relationships. The connection between unity and divine healing is evident; godly conduct that promotes unity results in healing, both physical and spiritual, as spiritual salvation is described in terms akin to physical healing. The seriousness of disunity is underscored by the potential for God to withhold responses to prayers, allow sickness, or even cause death as a witness to the importance of unity. Rejecting brethren is akin to rejecting Christ Himself, as the Head cannot be separated from the Body. God's desire for unity is paramount, and He acts to preserve His Family, responding to disunity with measures intended to prompt repentance and restoration.

In the context of living by faith, the Book of I Corinthians provides valuable instruction on humility and proper self-evaluation within the Christian congregation. In I Corinthians 1, Paul addresses the relationship problems among the Corinthians, challenging their prideful judgments by reminding them that God has called the weak, the base, and the foolish of the world. He emphasizes that any worthwhile qualities in their lives result from their calling and the presence of Jesus Christ within them, urging them to recognize their spiritual poverty and dependence on God. Further, in I Corinthians 3, Paul continues to guide the Corinthians toward humility by illustrating that he and Apollos are no better than they are, but have been given specific responsibilities and gifts by God to fulfill their roles. He stresses that the same God is willing to work with them if they yield and humble themselves before Him. Paul notes that each member is important to the body, though they cannot perform the roles assigned to others, as God has not given them those specific responsibilities or gifts. He encourages them to build carefully on their assignments, warning that prideful quarreling and carnal behavior will result in their works becoming ashes. In I Corinthians 4, Paul directly confronts the pride driving the quarrels within the congregation, where members sought to elevate themselves above others through their opinions. He points out that this behavior reflects a disagreement with God's oversight of the church, underscoring the necessity of humility to align with God's purpose and maintain proper relationships within the body.

In the book of I Corinthians, Paul addresses the critical distinction between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of men, which serves as the foundation for understanding the issues within the Corinthian church. He introduces the concept of wisdom in chapter 1, verse 17, and continues to elaborate on it in chapter 2, emphasizing that the gospel is not delivered with the eloquence of Greek orators using wisdom of words, but in plain, straightforward terms. Paul asserts that faith leading to salvation comes through God's revelation, not through human arguments or rhetoric, for the effectiveness of the gospel relies on the working of God's Spirit and truth, not specious human reasoning. Paul explains that the message of Christ's death and role as High Priest is of historical and theological significance, pointing to Him as the source of eternal destiny, which contrasts with the human-originated wisdom of words. To the Greeks, following a man who died a criminal's death was foolishness, and to the Jews, Christ was a stumbling block due to their preconceived notions of the Messiah. Both perspectives, stemming from human intellect rather than divine revelation, were at the root of the problems in Corinth, influencing divisions and carnal thinking within the church. Further, Paul declares that Christ is the power and wisdom of God, not in reference to His creative power, but to His ability to recreate believers into God's spiritual image for salvation. In chapter 1, verse 30, Paul clarifies that Christ has become wisdom from God for believers, through their union with Him, granting spiritual wisdom to know God and appropriate His work for salvation. This wisdom encompasses righteousness, holiness, and redemption, contrasting sharply with the wisdom of men, which Paul warns is alive and active, impacting the church by causing division, spiritual slumber, and a Laodicean attitude. He urges believers to recognize that salvation and the abundant life come solely through the revealed message of God, not through any human means or worldly wisdom.

The book of I Corinthians vividly illustrates the deep divisions and disunity that plagued the early church, reflecting challenges that persist in the church of God today. Paul addresses the Corinthians with a poignant question, "Is Christ divided?" highlighting the ideal of unity that should exist but often does not in practice. He appeals to them to speak the same things, emphasizing that while exact opinions may differ, doctrinal unity is essential. In Corinth, the primary issue was quarreling over emphasis, where lesser concepts were inflated to greater importance than the central issue of salvation by grace through Jesus Christ. Paul underscores this in I Corinthians 7:19, stating that circumcision and uncircumcision are nothing compared to the importance of keeping the Ten Commandments. He confronts the vanity and intellectual pride among the Corinthians, noting that knowledge puffs up and that God calls the base of the world, not the wise by human standards. The divisions in Corinth stemmed from people aligning themselves with popular figures like Peter or Apollos, not due to the leaders promoting division, but because individuals latched onto specific teachings or impressions, pushing them contentiously and subverting the centrality of unified teaching. Further issues dividing the Corinthian church included toleration of sin, marital and sexual problems, vanity in using liberty as a stumbling block, lack of self-denial and service, abuse of Passover, government issues, misuse of spiritual gifts like tongues, and misunderstandings about the resurrection. Paul addresses these in various chapters, offering love as the solution to all problems in chapter 13. He also emphasizes returning to the faith once delivered, reminding the church that truth is revealed through apostles and passed to the congregation, not derived from individual intellect or wisdom of men. In I Corinthians, Paul highlights the responsibility of each member to avoid producing division by focusing on secondary, carnal matters instead of the revealed truth. He calls for faithfulness as stewards of what has been given, urging a return to the foundational teachings to combat the ongoing fragmentation within the church.

In I Corinthians, the apostle Paul addresses significant dangers related to knowledge and pride within the church at Corinth. He highlights the issue of division caused by differing views on eating meats offered to idols, where some brethren, relying on human reasoning, considered themselves more enlightened and looked down on those with less understanding. This intellectual pride led to conflict, as the more knowledgeable despised the weaker brethren, becoming a stumbling block to them. Paul emphasizes the principle from I Corinthians 8:1 that knowledge puffs up, pointing to the danger of a false view of knowledge and the importance of humility over arrogance in understanding. Further, in I Corinthians 5:1-6, Paul confronts the Corinthian congregation's tolerance of flagrant sin, such as sexual immorality, which they justified through human reasoning as being forgiving. This prideful attitude caused them to become puffed up, believing they knew better than God how to apply His commands. Paul warns that permitting such sin to continue unabated could spread through the church like leaven, leading others to slip into former sins. He commands the church to remove the unrepentant sinner to maintain spiritual purity. Paul also discusses in I Corinthians 8 the vastness of true knowledge, which is a knowledge of God. He asserts that anyone who thinks they know something yet lacks love for God does not truly know as they ought. True knowledge leads to a love of God and builds up through love, as described in I Corinthians 13, producing humility and a compassionate attitude toward the weak and ignorant. In contrast, worldly knowledge, when not accompanied by love, merely inflates pride and leads astray. Finally, in I Corinthians 2, Paul reminds the church that true knowledge comes directly from God through Jesus Christ, enabled by the mind of Christ. This spiritual instruction is essential for overcoming sin and obeying God, highlighting that mere intellectual knowledge without love and humility is insufficient and often dangerous.

In I Corinthians, we see a church marked by confusion, division, and internal conflict. Cliques had arisen, struggling for power within the congregation, leading to a lack of the gentle meekness, love, and peace that should characterize God's Spirit. Instead, there was self-justifying and self-righteous pride, resulting in bad feelings and attacks on one another through gossip, rumors, and accusations. This behavior mirrors the root of sin, where individuals become puffed up about themselves, much like the adversary who fell due to vanity. I Corinthians 2:12 highlights the presence of a spirit of this world influencing such discord. The fruit of this influence is evident throughout the letters, showing how minds are led to find reasons to withdraw from fellowship, focusing on others' faults and personal offenses rather than unity. This progression can lead to a gradual separation, where individuals stop attending gatherings or limit their involvement, moving toward self-indulgence rather than love. The apostles were not unmindful of such influences on the church, and neither should we be, recognizing the direction toward self-centeredness that undermines true fellowship.

In I Corinthians 13, the Bible reveals love's supreme importance to life. The apostle Paul directly compares love's value to faith, hope, prophecy, sacrifice, knowledge, and the gift of tongues, and indirectly with all other gifts of God mentioned in chapter 12. He does not diminish the usefulness of these gifts to life and God's purpose, but none can compare in importance to love. The Corinthians took great pleasure in their gifts, yet a gift's relative importance is shown in its temporal quality, as there are times when a gift is of no use. Love, however, will never end and will always be of use. Receiving gifts from God without accompanying love has the potential to corrupt the recipient, as was happening with the Corinthians. Love is the attribute of God that enables us to receive and use His gifts without corruption. Paul writes in I Corinthians 8:1 that knowledge puffs up, but love edifies and builds up. He contrasts love with other gifts of God in I Corinthians 13 to emphasize its importance, completeness, permanence, and supremacy over all other qualities considered vital to life and God's purpose. Prophecies end when fulfilled, the gift of tongues varies in necessity based on specific needs, and knowledge can become obsolete with new developments. Yet the need for love is never exhausted and never becomes obsolete, as God wants us to use it on every occasion. Paul also instructs in I Corinthians 13:11 to put away childish things, indicating that love is something we grow in and must be perfected, as what we have now is partial. A time is coming when love will be perfected, and we will have it in abundance like God. In the meantime, while in the flesh, we are to pursue love, as stated in I Corinthians 14:1.