In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua]
was in the beginning with God.
FIRST CORINTHIANS
The first book of Corinthians is the second of Paul’s thirteen
letters referred to as the Pauline epistles. Paul wrote the
letter in Ephesus (ancient ruins near present day Selcuk, Turkey) in AD 56 during his third missionary journey. The letter was addressed to the
church at Corinth (present day Korinth, Greece). Paul had previously
established the church at Corinth during his second missionary journey.
Paul wrote his letter in responses to reports and questions he
received concerning contentions among the church members in Corinth. The
church was being divided because of false apostolic leadership.
Consequently, members of the church were falling back into immorality.
Corinth was a city known for its debauchery, particularly prostitution.
The great temple of Aphrodite was dedicated to the goddess of love and
was consecrated with one thousand prostitutes.
Paul reminded the Corinthians of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the
Messiah, who is the wisdom of God. He explained to them the difference
between the foolishness of man and the wisdom of God through Christ
who became for us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and
redemption. He addressed the responsibility and accountability of
ministers. Paul specifically addressed the fornication that was occurring in
the church and issued warnings against immorality in general. He
followed his rebuke by counseling on celibacy, marriage, divorce and
remarriage. Paul then turned his attention to the liberties and
responsibilities of believers, the Lord’s Supper and the exercising of
spiritual gifts. He finally concluded his letter by reminding the
Corinthians of the significance of Christ’s resurrection.
First Corinthians 1-4: Paul’s greetings; divisions in the church;
responsibility of ministers
First Corinthians 5-6: Fornication; separation from immorality;
litigation; sexual immorality
First Corinthians 7-14: Celibacy; marriage; divorce and remarriage;
Lord’s Supper; gifts of the spirit
First Corinthians 15-16: Importance of Christ’s resurrection; Paul’s
closing statements