Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
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 10:7
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
1 Corinthians 10:8
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
1 Corinthians 10:9
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:10
For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
1 Corinthians 11:11
Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 11:12
For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
1 Corinthians 11:13
Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1 Corinthians 11:14
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1 Corinthians 11:15
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
1 Corinthians 11:16
But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
1 Corinthians 11:17
Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
1 Corinthians 11:18
For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
1 Corinthians 11:19
For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
1 Corinthians 11:2
Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
1 Corinthians 11:20
When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.
1 Corinthians 11:21
For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
1 Corinthians 11:22
What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
1 Corinthians 11:23
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1 Corinthians 11:24
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1 Corinthians 11:25
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1 Corinthians 11:26
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
1 Corinthians 11:27
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 11:28
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1 Corinthians 11:29
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1 Corinthians 11:3
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
1 Corinthians 11:30
For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
1 Corinthians 11:31
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1 Corinthians 11:32
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.