Bible Commentaries
1 Corinthians

1Cor

Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians is a divine commentary on the conduct inculcated in the epistle to the Romans. The secret of a life well pleasing to God lies in the crucifixion of the flesh and resurrection by the power of the spirit ( Rom_6:6-11 ). The Corinthians failed in both of these requisites, as will be seen by the framework. The first part of the epistle shows that though the apostle had pressed the preaching of the cross, which puts an end to all physical pretensions, they persisted in making much of men, and thus created divisions among themselves. The close of the epistle shows also that some denied the resurrection, though the resurrection of Christ was fundamental to the evangel and an absolute necessity to acceptable conduct. As is the case with so many of the epistles, each subject is taken up twice, as shown in the framework, dividing the epistle into two distinct parts, each having the same general subjects, but discussing them from distinct standpoints. In the first half all is personal. In the second all is ecclesiastical. The gifts in the former portion are men, Paul and Apollos. In the latter they are spiritual endowments, which were exercised in the ecclesia. Thus also, the abuse of the physical body is balanced by the abuse of the Lord's body. The private conduct of the marriage relation is replaced by their conduct in the public meetings of the saints. Idol sacrifices are discussed in their relation to the individual and as they affect the ecclesia, especially the Lord's table. The central subject is the question of Paul's apostolic authority. First he discusses his personal rights, but then waives them all in his desire for the welfare of others. Thus we see a marvelous symmetry and balance of thought in an epistle which is usually supposed to be without method. This epistle is a severe rebuke to the present day ecclesiastical systems. Its division was a proof of carnality in Corinth, what does the multiplication of sects with which we are afflicted prove? There is far more need today of the salutary correctives in this epistle than there was in Corinth. There is need to proclaim, not only the death of Christ, but the manner of His death. A crucified Christ is the answer to the worldly wisdom and religious carnality of those who profess the name of God. This epistle shows why so few are able to apprehend the marvelous mysteries of Paul's later epistles. If the Corinthians were so carnal that the apostle could not reveal these to them, it is no marvel that they are hid from the immature believer of today. Yet the apostle did disclose to them the secret of the resurrection. In the midst of all the gifts the apostle points them to the transcendent grace which has since become ours by a later revelation. The gifts have ceased. Faith, expectation and love remain. Let us hope that soon faith will be lost in sight and expectation in realization. Then love alone will abide. May we give it the place pre-eminent!

FRAMEWORK OF I CORINTHIANS

Reversion

INTRODUCTION 1Co_1:1-9

The Word of the Cross 1Co_1:10 - 1Co_3:23

The Secret Wisdom 1Co_2:7

God's Gifts, Personal 4-5

Our Physical Bodies, Judgment 5-6

Man and Woman

Conduct in Marriage 7

dol Sacrifices 8

Apostolic Authority 1Co_9:1-18

Paul's Freedom

Apostolic Authority 1Co_9:19-27

Paul's Servitude

dol Sacrifices 10

Man and Woman

Conduct in Ecclesia 1Co_11:2-16

The Lord's Body, Judgment 1Co_11:17-34

The Gifts, Spiritual 12-14

The Evangel of the Resurrection 15

The Secret Change 1Co_15:51

CONCLUSION