Bible Commentaries
1 Corinthians

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

A Commentary On

THE BOOK OF FIRST CORINTHIANS

By WM. MARK BAILEY

Publisher Charles Allen Bailey

Editor

Executive Editor - Joe L. Norton, Ph.D.

Copyright © 1994
Contending for the Faith Publications
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All Rights Reserved

All scripture quotations,
unless otherwise indicated, are taken from
The King James Version, KJV

Dedication

This book is dedicated to...

...my Grandmother, Mrs. Zona Bell Miller, who has always been a great source of encouragement to me. Her life and actions perfectly describe what a Christian grandmother should be.

...my mother, Mrs. Florence Bailey, whose love, patience, and early training in Christianity led me to become a gospel preacher.

...my wife, Mrs. Janice Faith Bailey, who has been my greatest source of encouragement during our 21 years of marriage. Her understanding of the need for me spending many hours away from her while researching and writing this volume is lovingly appreciated. Her love for God and the church has made it possible for me to do the work of an evangelist.

Whatever I accomplish in my Christian life, I contribute to the fact that God blessed me with these three Christian women.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." (Proverbs 31:10)

Preface

Contending for the Faith is a set of New Testament commentaries researched by gospel preachers of the church of Christ. Brother Wm. Mark Bailey is the writer of this commentary on First Corinthians. Through his self-discipline and dedication, he completed the research and writing of this volume in four years. He devoted a significant portion of every day to this study.

Mark Bailey has been preaching the gospel for 20 years. He comes from a line of elders and evangelists in his family. His grandfather, the late, Brother E.H. Miller served as an elder of the La Grange, Georgia, congregation. Brother Alton Bailey, Mark’s father, is also an elder and evangelist of the church of Christ. He has several cousins and family members who teach and preach, some full time and some as congregational teachers.

Mark has conducted revivals, defended his belief in public and written religious discussions, delivered special topics at preachers’ studies, and worked with congregations in Georgia, Missouri, West Virginia, Kansas, and South Carolina. He is presently living in Arlington, Texas, working with the congregation located at 4601 S.W. Green Oaks.

One of the special moments of the New Testament study was when Brother Mark Bailey presented this material on 1 Corinthians and, subsequently, wrote this commentary. That he was alive to be there was a special blessing from God. At the age of 33, he became critically ill with a dehabilatating lung disorder. This disease took Mark out of the preaching field for four years. Brothers and sisters around the world prayed for his life to be spared. My personal concern over Mark’s illness compares to Paul’s concern over Epaphroditus, a fellow brother in the first century who was seriously ill. "For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow" (Philippians 2:27). The Lord of heaven answered hundreds, yea thousands, of prayers with an astounding "YES! I will spare his life." Today, Mark is one hundred percent healed from the illness and is diligently working for the Lord. Thank you, Lord!

A special word of appreciation goes to Dr. Joe L. Norton as editor of the Contending For The Faith commentaries. He is an untiring worker and has devoted hundreds of hours to this project. Dr. Norton is a respected gospel preacher and an excellent editor. His labors are appreciated immensely. Our gratitude is also extended to sister Martha Morris who has worked on this project from the first volume to this one. She provides important and necessary proofing of all manuscripts. Brother Gene Edmiston continues to provide excellent computer skills. His proficiency produces the final copy of all manuscripts allowing them to be camera ready for the printer.

First Corinthians is possibly the most practical book in the New Testament. It deals with a number of significant problems that have confronted Christians throughout the years and then gives a divine solution to each. In this letter the Apostle Paul deals with issues such as division in the church, immorality among Christians, Christians’ going to law with one another, the Lord’s Supper, spiritual gifts, resurrection of the dead, and the collection.

Mark’s commentary of First Corinthians was delivered orally at the New Testament Study over the space of three years. This study takes place at the Irving Church of Christ, 108 West Grauwyler in Irving, Texas. In 1992 Mark delivered 1 Corinthians, chapters one through eight; in 1993 he delivered 1 Corinthians, chapters nine through eleven; and then in 1994 he completed the book of First Corinthians, chapters twelve through sixteen. Because of the limited time to present the speeches, the written manuscript is much more detailed than the oral presentation. A large number of gospel preachers attend these studies and the various subjects are discussed thoroughly with the speaker in an open forum.

As publisher of the Contending For The Faith commentaries, I have the special honor of presenting to you this volume written by my brother in the flesh and brother in Christ, Wm. Mark Bailey. May the Lord bless all those who read and study this volume.

Allen Bailey

Introduction

The City Of Corinth

The original city of Corinth was destroyed in 146 B.C. by the Romans. One hundred years later, in 46 B.C., Julius Caesar restored this great city. It grew so rapidly that it soon became the capital of Achaia. This city was beautifully located just south of the isthmus (a strip of land that connects the lower peninsula of Greece with the mainland) connecting Greece with the Peloponnesus. Its location made it a rich commercial city, renowned for its trade between the East and the West. It was blessed with two harbors: Cenchreae on the eastern sea and Lechaeum on the western.

The location of Corinth had much to do with the character of the Corinthians. The city, populated with Romans and Jews, grew rapidly because people came there for work and trade. Unfortunately, the larger it became the more wicked it became. The very name "Corinthian" came to mean profligate, and the verb "to Corinthianize" meant to have intercourse with a prostitute. Lenski states that "The temple of Venus in the old city boasted that a thousand female slaves were kept there and were free to strangers" (12). These actions were normal for those living in Corinth. During the apostle Paul’s stay in Corinth, he wrote the letter of Romans. Within this letter he obviously spoke of conditions surrounding him in Corinth when he said in Romans 1:21-32:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Foundation Of The Corinthian Church

The Apostle Paul first visited Corinth, a city of about 500,000, in A.D. 52 to preach the gospel. This was his second missionary journey. Shortly after his arrival, he met Aquilla and Priscilla. Being of the same occupation (tentmakers) as this couple, he decided to live with them (Acts 18:1-3). Every sabbath Paul made his way to the synagogue to preach to the Jews and the Greeks. At first the Jews accepted his teaching; however, he soon began to face opposition because of his teaching that Jesus was the Messiah (Acts 18:5). This opposition became so harsh that the Jews began to blaspheme. Because of their actions, Paul "...shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles" (Acts 18:6). He left the synagogue; but he did not go far, only to the home of Justus who lived next door to the synagogue (Acts 18:7). Many in the synagogue rejected the teachings of Paul and even took him before Gallio, the Roman governor, in hopes of prosecuting him (Acts 18:12). Many others, such as Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue and many Corinthians (Acts 18:8), however, believed his teachings about Jesus being the Messiah. These people are the ones who eventually made up the church at Corinth. During Paul’s one and one-half years in Corinth (Acts 18:11), many were converted to Christ, both Roman freemen and heathen Greeks. An early problem developed because they were jealous of each other. The jealousy stayed under control as long as Paul was with them; but when he left Corinth, the church became divided into parties (1:10-13). These parties were the cause of many points of confusion and conflict within the church.

This letter, called First Corinthians, was not actually the first letter written by Paul to Corinth. Paul refers to a previous letter in chapter 5:9. Obviously, God chose not to preserve that letter. In the spring of A.D. 57, four years after Paul left Corinth, he wrote what is today called the first letter to the Corinthians from Ephesus as a response to reported conflicts. Ephesus was only an eight-day journey by sea to Corinth; therefore, he possibly had heard rumors from travelers of the problems in Corinth. Eventually, however, he was informed personally by those in the house of Chloe about many of the contentions (1 Corinthians 1:11).

Outline of 1 Corinthians

I.    First Corinthian One

1.    Introduction (1:1-3)

2.    Paul’s Thankfulness (1:4-9)

3.    Divisions in the Corinthian Church (1:10-16)

4.    Paul’s Mission (1:17)

5.    God’s Power and Wisdom (1:18-31)

II.    First Corinthians Two

1.    Preaching the Crucified Christ (2:1-5)

2.    Gospel as the True Wisdom (2:6-9)

3.    God’s Will as Learned by the Inspired (2:10-12)

4.    God’s Will as Learned by the Uninspired (2:13-16)

III.    First Corinthians Three

1.    Hindrance of Spiritual Wisdom by Carnal Division (3:1-9)

2.    God’s Building and His Workers (3:10-15)

3.    God’s Temple (3:16-17)

4.    Remedy for Division (3:18-23)

IV.    First Corinthians Four

1.    God’s Stewards (4:1-5)

2.    Apostolic Humility Verses Carnal Pride (4:6-13)

3.    Message of Love and Warning (4:14-17)

4.    Paul’s Reply and Warnings to His Enemies (4:18-21)

V.    First Corinthians Five

1.    Paul’s Response to Immorality (5:1-13)

2.    Limitations of Christian Association (5:9-13)

VI.    First Corinthians Six

1.    Lawsuits between Brethren (6:1-11)

2.    Judging of the World by Saints (6:2)

3.    Judging of Angels by Saints (6:3)

4.    Warning to Immoral Christians (6:7-11)

5.    Fornication (6:12-20)

VII.    First Corinthians Seven

1.    Discussion of Celibacy (7:1-2)

2.    General Rules Concerning Marriage (7:3-7)

3.    Instructions to Christian Widowers and Widows (7:8-9)

4.    Instructions to Married Christians (7:10-11)

5.    Instructions to Christians Married to Heathen Desiring to Remain Married (7:12-14)

6.    Instructions to Christians Married to Heathen Desiring to Depart (7:15-16)

7.    Contentment (7:17-24)

8.    Instructions to Virgins and Marriage in General(7:25-35)

9.    Instructions to Fathers of Virgins (7:36-38)

10.    Instructions to Widows Concerning Remarrying (7:39-40)

VIII.    First Corinthians Eight

1.    Proper Use of Liberties (8:1-13)

2.    Things Used in Sacrifice to Idols (8:1-3)

3.    Truth About Idols (8:4-6)

4.    Paul’s Warnings about Liberties (8:7-12)

5.    Paul’s Conclusion about Liberties (8:13)

IX.    First Corinthians Nine

1.    Paul’s Defense of His Apostleship (9:1-3)    

2.    Preacher’s Rights to Be Financially Supported by the Church (9:4-14)

3.    Paul’s Personal Reasons For Refusing Financial Support (9:15-23)

4.    Practicing Self-Denial to Obtain an Incorruptible Crown (9:24-27)

X.    First Corinthians Ten

1.    Danger of Self-Confidence (10:1-11)

2.    Paul’s Application of These Examples to the Corinthians (10:12-22)

3.    Comparison: the Lord’s Table and the Table of Devils (10:15-22)

4.    Limits to Christian Liberties (10:23-11:1)

XI.    First Corinthians Eleven

1.    Headship and the Sign of Authority (11:2-15)

2.    Abuses in the Lord’s Supper (11:16-22)

3.    Observance of the Lord’s Supper Properly (11:23-34)

XII.    First Corinthians Twelve

1.    Spiritual Gifts (12:1-3)

2.    Diversity of Gifts (12:4-7)

3.    Enumeration of Gifts (12:8-11)

4.    Preserving Unity in the Church (12:12-31)

XIII.    First Corinthians Thirteen

1.    Necessity and Supremacy of Love (13:1-3)

2.    Characteristics of Love (13:4-7)

3.    Permanence of Love (13:8-13)

XIV.    First Corinthians Fourteen

1.    Superiority of the Gift of Prophecy to Tongues (14:1-25)

2.    Ways of Edifying the Church (14:6)

3.    Ineffectiveness of Utterances without Understanding (14:7-11)

4.    Rules in the Exercise of Gifts (14:12-25)

5.    Regulations for Use of Gifts in Worship (14:26)

6.    Rules for Those Speaking in Tongues (14:27-28)

7.    Rules for Prophets not Speaking in Tongues (14:29-33)

8.    Rules for Women during the Worship Assembly (14:34-35)

9.    Final Words of Caution to Teachers of God’s Words (14:36-40)

XV.    First Corinthians Fifteen

1.    Historical Facts about the Resurrection of Christ (15:1-11)

2.    Consequence of Denying the General Resurrection (15:12-19)

3.    Consequence of Accepting the Resurrection (15:20-28)

4.    Arguments for the Reality of the Resurrection (15:29-34)

5.    Nature of the Resurrected Body (15:35-58)

XVI.    First Corinthians Sixteen

1.    Collection for the Needed Saints in Jerusalem (16:1-4)

2.    Paul’s Plans to Go to Corinth (16:5-9)

3.    Laborers Worthy of Paul’s Attention (16:10-18)

4.    Paul’s Closing Words (16:19-24)

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