Bible Commentaries
1 Corinthians

1Co THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK AS A WHOLE. 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 INTRODUCTION 1 Corinthians 1:10 - 1 Corinthians 4:16 MINISTERIAL. REPROOF AND EXPLANATIONS. 1 Corinthians 4:17 MISSION OF TIMOTHY. 1 Corinthians 4:18-21 VISIT OF PAUL. 1Co 5:16-20 THINGS HEARD BY PAUL. 1 Corinthians 7:18 THINGS WRITTEN TO PAUL. 1 Corinthians 9:11 - 1 Corinthians 15:58 MINISTERIAL. REPROOF AND EXPLANATIONS. 1 Corinthians 16:1-9 VISIT OF PAUL. 1 Corinthians 16:10-18 MISSION OF TIMOTHY. 1 Corinthians 16:19-24 CONCLUSION. NOTES ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. An account of Paul''s labours in Corinth is given in Acts 18:1 Acts 18:18 . Some time after this Apollos, commended by the brethren at Ephesus, came to Corinth and produced a powerful impression by his eloquent presentation of the gospel ( vv . Acts 18:27-28 ). Two parties soon began to show themselves; one adhering to Paul and his simple preaching, the other to Apollos; to these was added a third, evidently the outcome of the visit of some Judaizers who claimed the authority of Peter, while a fourth, repudiating the other three, claimed that they only were the true followers of Christ. This was but one of the difficulties the apostle had to deal with in the infant church he had founded. Already he had written to them of the dangers due to their corrupt surroundings in such a city (1 Corinthians 5:9 ). He had moreover received a letter from them, asking advice on certain questions, but making no reference to their divisions. Of these he was informed by visitors to Ephesus (1 Corinthians 1:11 ; 1 Corinthians 5:1 ; 1 Corinthians 11:18 ; 1 Corinthians 15:12 ), who brought word also of the profanation of the Lord''s Supper, of the toleration of the incestuous offender, and of the scepticism as to the resurrection. Paul had thus many matters to deal with. He begins by referring to their divisions, and vindicates his own ministry, appealing to them as his beloved sons. He then refers to the notorious offender of whom even the Gentiles would be ashamed, and whom he charges them to tolerate no longer, but to cut off from their assembly. He blames their litigious spirit, and charges them to settle their differences without the scandal of appealing to heathen courts. Next he takes up the question of marriage, which was one of the subjects of their letter, and the eating of food offered to idols, which was another, and again makes a defense of his apostolic authority. The rest of the Epistle deals with errors which affected the life of the assembly, the behaviour of women and their leaving the head un covered, the disorder at the Lord''s Supper, then spiritual gifts (especially speaking with tongues), and the scepticism as to the resurrection which evoked the noble fifteenth chapter. In Paul''s day Corinth was the chief city of the Roman province of Achaia. Situated on the Isthmus of the same name, and having a harbour on each side, it was notable for its commerce. And no less was it noted for the wealth and profligacy of its citizens. The great city has now become a mean village. For the Chronology of the Acts period, see Appdx-180 . For the Church Epistles, see Appdx-192 . 1Co 1:10 - 1 Corinthians 4:16 . MINISTERIAL. REPROOF AND EXPLANATIONS. 1 Corinthians 1:10-12 . Reproof for their divisions. 1 Corinthians 1:13 . Questions. Is Christ divided ? &c. 1 Corinthians 1:14-16 . Answer. 1 Corinthians 1:17-2 . Paul''s apostolic commission. 1 Corinthians 3:3-4 . Reproof for their divisions. 1 Corinthians 3:5 . Questions. Who then is Paul ? &c. 1 Corinthians 3:6 . Answer. 1 Corinthians 3:9 - 1 Corinthians 4:16 . Paul''s apostolic commission. 1Co 1:17 - 1 Corinthians 3:2 . PAUL''S APOSTOLIC COMMISSION. 1 Corinthians 1:17 . Personal. Commission given. 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 . General. The Subject. Christ and the Cross. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 . Personal. Commission carried out. Manner. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 . Special (in private). The wisdom of God to be initiated. 1 Corinthians 3:1 . Personal. Commission carried out. Speaking. 1 Corinthians 3:2 . General. Subject The condition of the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 . GENERAL. SUBJECT. CHRIST AND THE CROSS. 1 Corinthians 1:18 . The Cross. Opposite effects. 1 Corinthians 1:19-22 . Reason. "For." 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 . Christ. opposite effects. 1 Corinthians 1:25-31 . Reason. "Because." 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 . PERSONAL. COMMISSION CARRIED OUT. MANNER. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 . His Testimony. 1 Corinthians 2:3 . His Feelings. 1 Corinthians 2:4 . His Testimony. 1 Corinthians 2:5 . The faith of the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 . THE WISDOM OF GOD (IN PRIVATE). 1 Corinthians 2:6 -. Paul speaking. - 1 Corinthians 2:6 . Neg. Not the wisdom of this age. Subject. 1 Corinthians 2:7 . Pos. But the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 2:8 . Neg. Ignorant of God''s wisdom. The 1 Corinthians 2:9 . Pos. Reason. Because of rulers of incapacity. this age. 1 Corinthians 2:10 . Revelation needed. 1 Corinthians 2:11 -. Question. - 1 Corinthians 2:11-12 . Answer. 11 Chronicles 2:3 -. Paul''s speaking. - 1 Corinthians 2:13 -. Neg. Not the wisdom of man. - 1 Corinthians 2:13 . Pos. But the power of God. Subject. 1 Corinthians 2:14 -. Neg. Ignorant of revelation. - 1 Corinthians 2:14 . Pos. Reason. Because of The Natural incapacity. man. 1 Corinthians 2:15 . Spiritual. Judgment needed. 1 Corinthians 2:16 -. Question. - 1 Corinthians 2:16 . Answer. 1Co 3:9-23 ; 1 Corinthians 4:1-16 . PAUL''S APOSTOLIC COMMISSION. 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 . Illustrations. 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 . Application. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 . Illustration. 1 Corinthians 4:6-16 . Application. 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 . ILLUSTRATIONS. "WE" AND "YE". 1 Corinthians 3:9 -. "We." Paul and Sosthenes. - 1 Corinthians 3:9 . "Ye." God''s husbandry, &c. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 . "We." Paul and others. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 . "Ye." God''s Temple. 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 . APPLICATION. 1 Corinthians 3:18 . Dehortation. Let no man, &c. 1 Corinthians 3:19-20 . Reason. For the Lord knoweth, &c. 1 Corinthians 3:21 -. Dehortation. Let no man glory, &c. - 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 . Reason. All things are yours. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 . ILLUSTRATION. 1 Corinthians 4:1 -. Right judgment of us (Paul and Sothenes). - 1 Corinthians 4:1 . Stewards. 1 Corinthians 4:2 . What is required defined. 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 -. Right judgment for me (Paul). - 1 Corinthians 4:5 -. What is required discovered. - 1 Corinthians 4:5 . Stewards. Reward. 1 Corinthians 4:6-16 . APPLICATION. 1 Corinthians 4:6 -. Paul and Apollos. - 1 Corinthians 4:6-7 . The Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 4:8 . Their exaltation. 1 Corinthians 4:9-10 . The apostles. 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 . Their humiliation. 1Co 5:1-13 ; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20 . THINGS HEARD BY PAUL. 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 . Fornication. Declaration. 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 . Litigation. 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 . Fornication. Amplification. 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 . FORNICATION. 1 Corinthians 5:1 . Crimination. 1 Corinthians 5:2 -. Remonstrance. - 1 Corinthians 5:2 . Purgation. 1 Corinthians 5:3-5 . Judgment. 1 Corinthians 5:6 . Remonstrance. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 . Purgation. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 . Injunction. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 . Remonstrance. - 1 Corinthians 5:13 . Purgation. 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 . LITIGATION. 1 Corinthians 6:1 . Litigation. 1 Corinthians 6:2-4 . Remonstrance. "Know ye not?" 1 Corinthians 6:5-7 -. Litigation. - 1 Corinthians 6:7-11 . Remonstrance. "Know ye not?" 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 . FORNICATION. AMPLICATION. 1 Corinthians 6:12-13 -. General Principles. - 1 Corinthians 6:13-14 . Application. 1 Corinthians 6:15-17 . Remonstrance. "Know ye not ?" 1 Corinthians 6:18 . Purgation. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 . Remonstrance. "Know ye not ?" 1Co 7:1-40 ; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 . THINGS WRITTEN TO PAUL. 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 . The unmarried. 1 Corinthians 7:10-17 . The married and unmarried. 1 Corinthians 7:18-24 . Circumcision and servitude. 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 . Virgins. 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 . Things offered to idols. 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 . THE UNMARRIED. 1 Corinthians 7:1 . The Benefit. 1 Corinthians 7:2 -. The evil. - 1 Corinthians 7:2-5 . The remedy. 1 Corinthians 7:6-8 . The benefit. 1 Corinthians 7:9 -. The evil. - 1 Corinthians 7:9 . The remedy. 1 Corinthians 7:10-17 . THE MARRIED AND UNMARRIED. 1 Corinthians 7:10 -. The Lord. - 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 . His command. 1 Corinthians 7:12 -. The apostle. - 1 Corinthians 7:12-17 . His appointment. 1 Corinthians 7:18-24 . CIRCUMCISION AND SERVITUDE. 1 Corinthians 7:18-19 . Circumcision. 1 Corinthians 7:20 . Abide in it. 1 Corinthians 7:21-23 . Servitude. 1 Corinthians 7:24 . Abide in it. 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 . VIRGINS. 1 Corinthians 7:25-26 . Paul''s advice on his own account. 1 Corinthians 7:27-28 -. Marriage not sin. - 1 Corinthians 7:28 . Trouble. 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 . To remain as they were. 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 . Care. 1 Corinthians 7:35 . Paul''s advice for their profit. 1 Corinthians 7:36-37 . Permission to marry. 1 Corinthians 7:38 . Preference not to do so. 1 Corinthians 7:39 . Permission to marry again. 1 Corinthians 7:40 . Preference not to do so. 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 . THINGS OFFERED TO IDOLS. 1 Corinthians 8:1-8 . Knowledge brings liberty to oneself. 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 . Liberty may cause stumbling to others. 1 Corinthians 8:1-8 . KNOWLEDGE BRINGS LIBERTY TO ONESELF. 1 Corinthians 8:1 -. Things offered to idols. - 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 . Knowledge. 1 Corinthians 8:3 . He who loves God, gets knowledge through Him. 1 Corinthians 8:4 -. The idol is nothing. - 1 Corinthians 8:4 . There is only one God. 1 Corinthians 8:5 . There are idol gods so called. 1 Corinthians 8:6 -. There is only one God. - 1 Corinthians 8:6 . Those who know God, know Him through Christ. 1 Corinthians 8:7 -. Knowledge. - 1 Corinthians 8:7-8 . Things offered to idols. 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 . LIBERTY MAY CAUSE STUMBLING TO OTHERS. 1 Corinthians 8:9 . Care lest liberty cause stumbling. 1 Corinthians 8:10 -. Influence of one who has knowledge. - 1 Corinthians 8:10 . Effect of example on a weak brother. 1 Corinthians 8:11 . Influence of one who has knowledge. 1 Corinthians 8:12 . Effect of example on a weak brother. 1 Corinthians 8:13 . Care lest liberty cause stumbling. 1 Corinthians 9:1 - 1 Corinthians 15:58 . MINISTERIAL. REPROOF AND EXPLANATION. 1 Corinthians 9:1-2 . Apostleship asserted and claimed. 1 Corinthians 9:3-27 . Claim established by his practical teaching. 1Co 10:1 - 1 Corinthians 11:1 . The Mosaic Dispensation typical. 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 . The public use of spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 . The Gospel Dispensation antitypical. 1 Corinthians 12:1-40 . The public exercise of spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 . Apostleship asserted and claimed. 1 Corinthians 15:12-58 . Claim established by his doctrinal teaching. 1 Corinthians 9:3-27 . CLAIM ESTABLISHED BY HIS PRACTICAL TEACHING. 1 Corinthians 9:3-8 . Claim to live of the Gospel equal to that of others. 1 Corinthians 9:9-11 . Teaching of the Law thereon. 1 Corinthians 9:12 . Claim not advanced by Paul. 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 . Teaching of the Sanctuary thereon. 1 Corinthians 9:15-27 . Claim not exercised by Paul. 1 Corinthians 9:15-27 . CLAIM NOT EXERCISED BY PAUL. 1 Corinthians 9:15 -. Forbearance. - 1 Corinthians 9:15-17 . Reason. 1 Corinthians 9:18 -. Reward. - 1 Corinthians 9:18 -. Forbearance. - 1 Corinthians 9:18-23 . Reason. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 . Reward. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 . REWARD. 1 Corinthians 9:24 -. Running in a race. - 1 Corinthians 9:24 . Application. 1 Corinthians 9:25 -. The training. - 1 Corinthians 9:25 . Application. 1 Corinthians 9:26 . Running and boxing. 1 Corinthians 9:27 . Application. 1Co 10:1-33 ; 1 Corinthians 11:1 . THE MOSAIC DISPENSATION TYPICAL. 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 . The Mosaic Dispensation. 1 Corinthians 10:6-14 . Application. 1 Corinthians 10:15-20 -. The Gospel (i.e. Kingdom) Dispensation. 1Co 10:-20-11:1 . Application. 1 Corinthians 10:6-14 . APPLICATION. 1 Corinthians 10:6-10 . Types. Failures. 1 Corinthians 10:11-12 . Warning. 1 Corinthians 10:13 . Temptations. 1 Corinthians 10:14 . Warning. 1 Corinthians 10:15-20 . THE GOSPEL (i.e. KINGDOM) DISPENSATION. 1 Corinthians 10:15-16 . Fellowship. 1 Corinthians 10:17 . Reason. 1 Corinthians 10:18 . Fellowship. 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 -. Inference. 1Co 10:20 - 1 Corinthians 11:1 . APPLICATION. 1 Corinthians 10:20-23 . Distinctions in fellowship. 1 Corinthians 10:24 . Inference. 1 Corinthians 10:25 . Distinctions in knowledge. 1 Corinthians 10:26 . Reason. 1 Corinthians 10:27-28 -. Distinction in meats. 1 Corinthians 10:28 . Reason. 1 Corinthians 10:29-30 . Distinctions in conscience. 1Co 10:31 - 1 Corinthians 11:1 . Inference. 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 . THE PUBLIC USE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. 1 Corinthians 11:2 . Praise of the obedient. 1 Corinthians 11:3 . A revealed principle. 1 Corinthians 11:4-6 . Result. 1 Corinthians 11:7-12 . Reasons. 1 Corinthians 11:13-15 . Nature''s teachings. 1 Corinthians 11:16 . Rejection of the contentious. 1 Corinthians 11:7-12 . REASONS. 1 Corinthians 11:7 -. Man. His glory. - 1 Corinthians 11:7 . Woman. Her glory. 1 Corinthians 11:8 -. Man. His origin. - 1 Corinthians 11:8 . Woman. Her Origin. 1 Corinthians 11:9 -. Man. Purpose of his creation. - 1 Corinthians 11:9-10 . Woman. Purpose of her creation. 1 Corinthians 11:11 . Mutual dependence in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:12 . Mutual relationship by the ordinance of God. 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 . THE GOSPEL DISPENSATION ANTITYPICAL. 1 Corinthians 11:17 . Censure. 1 Corinthians 11:18-22 -. About coming together. - 1 Corinthians 11:22 . Censure. 1 Corinthians 11:23-34 . About the Lord''s Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:23-34 . ABOUT THE LORD''S SUPPER. 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 . Revelation received. 1 Corinthians 11:26 . Worthy partaking. 1 Corinthians 11:27 . Unworthy partaking. 1 Corinthians 11:28 . Discern oneself. 1 Corinthians 11:29-30 . Not discerning the body. 1 Corinthians 11:31 . Self-judgment. 1 Corinthians 11:32 . The Lord''s chastening. 1 Corinthians 11:33-34 . Counsel given. 1Co 12:1 - 1 Corinthians 14:40 . THE PUBLIC EXERCISE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS. 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 . Spiritual Gifts. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 . Love more excellent than gifts. 1 Corinthians 14:1-40 . Prophecy the best gift. 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 . SPIRITUAL GIFTS. 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 . Instructions as to spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 . Diversities of gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 . God''s gifts to saints. 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 . The many members of the body. 1 Corinthians 12:21-27 . Their mutual interdependence. 1 Corinthians 12:28 . God''s provision for the church. 1 Corinthians 12:29-30 . Diversities of gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:31 . Exhortation as to spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 . LOVE MORE EXCELLENT THAN GIFTS. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 . Love the pre-eminent grace. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 . Its characteristics. - 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 . Gifts only transient. 1 Corinthians 13:13 . Love abides and is supreme. 1 Corinthians 14:1-40 . PROPHECY THE BEST GIFT. 1 Corinthians 14:1-20 . Prophecy better than tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:21-40 . Reasons and cautions. 1 Corinthians 14:1-20 . PROPHECY BETTER THAN TONGUES. 1 Corinthians 14:1 . Every gift to be desired. 1 Corinthians 14:2-4 . But prophesying best. 1 Corinthians 14:5 -. Tongues also to be desired. - 1 Corinthians 14:5-20 . But prophesying best. 1 Corinthians 14:5-20 . PROPHESYING BEST. =1 Corinthians 14:5-6 . Interpretation needed. 1 Corinthians 14:7-12 . Otherwise gift of tongues useless. 1 Corinthians 14:13 . Interpretation needed. 1 Corinthians 14:14-20 . Otherwise gift of tongues useless. 1 Corinthians 14:21-40 . REASONS AND CAUTIONS. 1 Corinthians 14:21-25 . Divine prediction. 1 Corinthians 14:26 -. Remonstrance. - 1 Corinthians 14:26 . Exhortation. Let, &c. 1 Corinthians 14:27-35 . Apostolic direction. 1 Corinthians 14:36-39 . Remonstrance. 1 Corinthians 14:40 . Exhortation. Let, &c. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 . APOSTLESHIP ASSERTED AND CLAIMED. 1 Corinthians 15:1 -. Paul''s gospel. Declared. - 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 . Which they had received. 1 Corinthians 15:3 -. Paul''s gospel. Declared. - 1 Corinthians 15:3-11 . Which he had received. 1 Corinthians 15:12-58 . CLAIM ESTABLISHED BY HIS DOCTRINAL TEACHING. 1 Corinthians 15:12 . Objection. What some say. 1 Corinthians 15:13-19 . Answer. 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 . Resurrection certain because Christ is raised. 1 Corinthians 15:29-32 . Present conflict to no purpose, If Christ be not raised. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 . Exhortation. 1 Corinthians 15:35 . Objection. 1 Corinthians 15:36-41 . Answer. 1 Corinthians 15:42-49 . Resurrection certain because Christ is raised. 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 . Victory worth all present conflicts. 1 Corinthians 15:58 . Exhortation. 1 Corinthians 15:13-19 . ANSWER. 1 Corinthians 15:13 . If no resurrection, Christ not risen. 1 Corinthians 15:14-15 . Consequences. Our preaching vain. Your faith vain. We are false witnesses. 1 Corinthians 15:16 . If no resurrection, Christ not risen. 1 Corinthians 15:17-19 . Consequences. Your faith vain. The dead have perished. We most miserable. 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 . RESURRECTION CERTAIN, BECAUSE CHRIST IS RAISED. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 . Death counteracted. 1 Corinthians 15:23-24 . Order. Firstfruits, &c. 1 Corinthians 15:25 . Reason. 1 Corinthians 15:26-27 -. Death Destroyed. - 1 Corinthians 15:27-28 -. Order. Father supreme. - 1 Corinthians 15:28 . Purpose.