For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. < 1 Corinthians 2:15 | > 1 Corinthians 3:1 Reflection 1 Corinthians 2:16 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection […]
1 Corinthians
The Book of 1 Corinthians addresses the challenge of living out the gospel within a divided and morally complex culture. Written by the apostle Paul, the letter is sent to the church in Corinth, a prosperous and influential city known for its diversity, immorality, and philosophical pride.
Paul writes in response to reports of division and disorder within the church. Believers are aligning themselves with particular leaders, elevating human wisdom over God’s truth. Paul confronts this immediately, reminding them that the church is unified not by personalities, but by the message of the cross. God’s wisdom often appears foolish to the world, yet it is the power of salvation.
A major portion of the book deals with moral and ethical issues. Paul addresses sexual immorality, lawsuits among believers, marriage, singleness, and Christian freedom. He repeatedly emphasizes that freedom in Christ must be guided by love and concern for others. Rights are secondary to edification, and personal liberty must not cause spiritual harm.
1 Corinthians also provides essential teaching on worship and church order. Paul gives instruction regarding the Lord’s Supper, spiritual gifts, and orderly gatherings. The well-known chapter on love—often read at weddings—appears within this context, defining love as the necessary foundation for all spiritual expression. Without love, even the most impressive gifts are empty.
The book reaches its theological climax in its teaching on the resurrection. Paul affirms the bodily resurrection of Jesus and explains its implications for believers. Without the resurrection, faith would be meaningless—but because Christ is risen, hope is secure, and death is defeated.
Throughout the letter, Paul balances correction with pastoral care. He does not abandon the Corinthians despite their struggles. Instead, he calls them to maturity, reminding them that they are God’s temple, purchased at a price, and called to reflect Christ in every area of life.
The Book of 1 Corinthians remains deeply relevant. It speaks to churches navigating division, cultural pressure, and ethical complexity, reminding believers that the gospel reshapes identity, behavior, and community from the inside out.
1 Corinthians 2:2
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. < 1 Corinthians 2:1 | > 1 Corinthians 2:3 Reflection 1 Corinthians 2:2 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection hope. This verse may be […]
1 Corinthians 2:3
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. < 1 Corinthians 2:2 | > 1 Corinthians 2:4 Reflection 1 Corinthians 2:3 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection hope. This verse may be brief, but […]
1 Corinthians 2:4
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: < 1 Corinthians 2:3 | > 1 Corinthians 2:5 Reflection 1 Corinthians 2:4 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, […]
1 Corinthians 2:5
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. < 1 Corinthians 2:4 | > 1 Corinthians 2:6 Reflection 1 Corinthians 2:5 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection hope. This verse may […]
1 Corinthians 2:6
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: < 1 Corinthians 2:5 | > 1 Corinthians 2:7 Reflection 1 Corinthians 2:6 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church […]
1 Corinthians 2:7
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: < 1 Corinthians 2:6 | > 1 Corinthians 2:8 Reflection 1 Corinthians 2:7 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, […]
1 Corinthians 2:8
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. < 1 Corinthians 2:7 | > 1 Corinthians 2:9 Reflection 1 Corinthians 2:8 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, […]
1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. < 1 Corinthians 2:8 | > 1 Corinthians 2:10 Reflection 1 Corinthians 2:9 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often […]
1 Corinthians 3:1
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. < 1 Corinthians 2:16 | > 1 Corinthians 3:2 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:1 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection […]
1 Corinthians 3:10
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. < 1 Corinthians 3:9 | > 1 Corinthians 3:11 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:10 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, […]
1 Corinthians 3:11
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. < 1 Corinthians 3:10 | > 1 Corinthians 3:12 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:11 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection hope. This verse may be brief, […]
1 Corinthians 3:12
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; < 1 Corinthians 3:11 | > 1 Corinthians 3:13 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:12 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection hope. This verse may be brief, […]
1 Corinthians 3:13
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. < 1 Corinthians 3:12 | > 1 Corinthians 3:14 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:13 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where […]
1 Corinthians 3:14
If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. < 1 Corinthians 3:13 | > 1 Corinthians 3:15 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:14 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection hope. This verse may be brief, […]
1 Corinthians 3:15
If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. < 1 Corinthians 3:14 | > 1 Corinthians 3:16 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:15 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and […]
1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? < 1 Corinthians 3:15 | > 1 Corinthians 3:17 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:16 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection hope. This […]
1 Corinthians 3:17
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. < 1 Corinthians 3:16 | > 1 Corinthians 3:18 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:17 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, […]
1 Corinthians 3:18
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. < 1 Corinthians 3:17 | > 1 Corinthians 3:19 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:18 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church […]
1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. < 1 Corinthians 3:18 | > 1 Corinthians 3:20 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:19 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and […]
1 Corinthians 3:2
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. < 1 Corinthians 3:1 | > 1 Corinthians 3:3 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:2 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, […]
1 Corinthians 3:20
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. < 1 Corinthians 3:19 | > 1 Corinthians 3:21 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:20 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection hope. This verse may be brief, but […]
1 Corinthians 3:21
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; < 1 Corinthians 3:20 | > 1 Corinthians 3:22 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:21 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection hope. This verse may be brief, but its words […]
1 Corinthians 3:22
Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; < 1 Corinthians 3:21 | > 1 Corinthians 3:23 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:22 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, […]
1 Corinthians 3:23
And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. < 1 Corinthians 3:22 | > 1 Corinthians 4:1 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:23 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection hope. This verse may be brief, but its words are not accidental. By […]
1 Corinthians 3:3
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? < 1 Corinthians 3:2 | > 1 Corinthians 3:4 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:3 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, […]
1 Corinthians 3:4
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? < 1 Corinthians 3:3 | > 1 Corinthians 3:5 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:4 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection hope. This verse […]
1 Corinthians 3:5
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? < 1 Corinthians 3:4 | > 1 Corinthians 3:6 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:5 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and […]
1 Corinthians 3:6
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. < 1 Corinthians 3:5 | > 1 Corinthians 3:7 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:6 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection hope. This verse may be brief, but its words are not […]
1 Corinthians 3:7
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. < 1 Corinthians 3:6 | > 1 Corinthians 3:8 Reflection 1 Corinthians 3:7 sits within 1 Corinthians, Paul’s letter to Corinth, where Scripture often draws attention to church life, holiness, love, worship, and resurrection hope. This […]