Commentary of the Book of 1st Corinthians
By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins
Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible
Bible Study 1st Corinthians: 1-31
Introduction to the First Epistle to the Corinthians
Author, Date, and Place of Writing
The First Epistle to the Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, whose apostleship was not of man nor by man, but by Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:1). Paul identifies himself clearly as the author in the opening verse (1 Cor. 1:1), and his authority is further confirmed by the early church and the internal coherence of the letter with Acts and the Pauline corpus.
The epistle was composed around A.D. 54–55, during Paul’s extended ministry in Ephesus on his third missionary journey (Acts 19:1–10; 1 Cor. 16:8). From this strategic center of gospel labor, Paul corresponded with the troubled church at Corinth, a congregation he had previously founded during his eighteen-month stay in that city (Acts 18:1–11).
Corinth itself was a prosperous, cosmopolitan, and morally corrupt city—a center of commerce, philosophy, and immorality. The church planted there existed in constant tension between the holiness of the gospel and the seductive influence of the surrounding culture, a tension that gives rise to many of the issues addressed in this epistle.
Purpose and Occasion
The immediate occasion for this letter was twofold.
First, Paul had received disturbing reports from members of Chloe’s household concerning divisions, contentions, and moral disorders within the church (1 Cor. 1:11). Second, the Corinthian believers had written to Paul with specific questions regarding marriage, Christian liberty, worship, and the use of spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 7:1).
The purpose of the epistle, therefore, is corrective and pastoral. Paul writes to reprove sin, restore order, and recall the church to the centrality of Christ crucified. The Corinthians were in danger of confusing spiritual gifts with spiritual maturity, liberty with license, and worldly wisdom with divine truth.
From an evangelical perspective, 1 Corinthians reveals the ongoing struggle between indwelling sin and sanctifying grace in the life of the believer and the church. Paul addresses not merely outward behavior but the heart posture that gives rise to disorder—pride, self-exaltation, and a failure to live under the lordship of Christ.
General Outline of 1 Corinthians
Introduction and Thanksgiving (1:1–9)
Divisions in the Church and the Wisdom of the Cross (1:10–4:21)
Moral Disorders and Church Discipline (5:1–6:20)
Marriage, Singleness, and Christian Liberty (7:1–11:1)
Order and Reverence in Public Worship (11:2–14:40)
The Resurrection of the Dead (15:1–58)
Practical Instructions and Closing Exhortations (16:1–24)
This structure demonstrates Paul’s concern for both doctrinal purity and practical godliness, showing that right belief must issue in right living.
Theological Summary
The dominant theological theme of 1 Corinthians is the foolishness of the cross to the world and the wisdom of God unto salvation (1 Cor. 1:18–25). Paul relentlessly dismantles human pride by exalting Christ crucified as the sole foundation of the church and the Christian life.
Key evangelical doctrines emerge clearly:
The Sovereignty of God in Salvation – God chooses the foolish, weak, and despised to display His glory (1:26–31).
Union with Christ – Believers are sanctified, justified, and glorified in Christ alone (1:30).
Total Depravity and Remaining Sin – The Corinthian church exemplifies how regenerate believers may yet act carnally when walking by the flesh rather than the Spirit (3:1–3).
The Necessity of Sanctification – Grace does not excuse sin but empowers holiness (6:9–11).
The Centrality of Love – Spiritual gifts without love are empty and vain (ch. 13).
The Resurrection as the Ground of Hope – Christ’s bodily resurrection secures the believer’s victory over sin and death (ch. 15).
Christians would have recognized in this epistle a vivid portrait of the heart’s idol factory and the ongoing need for gospel reformation within the visible church. As Thomas Watson observed, “Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.” Paul’s aim is not merely behavioral reform, but heart renovation through the power of the gospel.
Conclusion
First Corinthians stands as a timeless pastoral epistle, confronting every age with the question: Will the church be shaped by the wisdom of this world, or by the cross of Christ? Paul calls believers away from self-glory and back to Christ-centered humility, unity, and holiness.
From an evangelical perspective, this letter teaches that true spirituality is not measured by giftedness, eloquence, or outward success, but by conformity to Christ in doctrine, worship, and life. The church’s greatest need—then and now—is not innovation, but reformation; not self-expression, but self-denial; not human wisdom, but the power of God in the gospel.
As Paul himself concludes, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). This exhortation encapsulates the enduring message of 1 Corinthians—a call to live cruciform lives for the glory of God alone.
Text:
Christ Is Undivided
1 Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ [a]by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called as [b]saints, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank [c]my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all word and all knowledge, 6 even as the witness about Christ was confirmed [d]in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, eagerly awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, beyond reproach in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
10 Now I exhort you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all [e]agree and that there be no [f]divisions among you, but that you be [g]made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 [h]Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized [i]in the name of Paul? 14 [j]I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized [k]in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to proclaim the gospel, not in wisdom of word, so that the cross of Christ will not be made empty.
Christ the Power and Wisdom of God
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who [l]are perishing, but to us who [m]are being saved, it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased, through the foolishness of the [n]message preached, to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for [o]signs and Greeks search for wisdom, 23 but we preach [p]Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For [q]consider your calling, brothers, that there were not many wise according to [r]the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may abolish the things that are, 29 so that no flesh may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, [s]and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the [t]Lord.”
Verse by verse commentary:
Verse 1: “Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,”
Paul, who was directly commissioned by Christ as an authoritative messenger, emphasized the importance of his role as an apostle. Challenges to Paul's authority contributed to some of the issues within the Corinthian church. Sosthenes, who is mentioned alongside Paul, may have held the position of ruler of the synagogue in Corinth when Paul first visited the city.
Verse 2: “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called as saints, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:”
Paul frequently addresses Christians as "saints," meaning "holy ones," which highlights the unique position of God's people. This distinction is further emphasized by describing them as "sanctified." Despite the ethical issues prevalent among the Corinthians—a subject repeatedly addressed in this letter—Paul strategically focuses on sanctification at the outset. He offers pastoral encouragement by reminding them that, because God has already transformed their hearts, their holiness is an established reality, making the pursuit of a holy life a realistic goal and a necessity.
Verse 3: “ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul consistently began all his letters with a greeting. This greeting's core meaning includes "grace," which signifies favor, and "peace," which is the outcome of God's saving grace.
Verse 4: “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,”
“Was given” refers to their salvation in the past: God, in His undeserved and unrepayable love and mercy, justified them, forgiving their sin through the work of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 5: “that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all word and all knowledge,”
Paul had to admonish the Corinthians for their moral failings and misuse of spiritual gifts, despite the blessings they had received. Their spiritual gifts, particularly "knowledge" and speaking "in tongues," had unfortunately led them to become arrogant.
Verse 6: “even as the witness about Christ was confirmed in you,”
The "witness...confirmed" refers to the time of salvation when the heart accepted and believed the gospel. Because the individual then received God's grace, the enablement mentioned in verse four occurred at that exact moment.
Verse 7: “so that you are not lacking in any gift, eagerly awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
The Apostle addresses a core issue within this church: their carnal, rather than spiritual, nature. Their focus was narrowly fixed on a single gift, despite Paul's initial statement that he desires them to be lacking in no gift. He emphasizes that the church should display a variety of spiritual gifts. Furthermore, the instruction to be "eagerly awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,” signifies the need for them to be continually focused on Christ Himself.
Verse 8: who will also confirm you to the end, beyond reproach in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul reassures his audience that the God who initiated the work of grace in their lives is faithful and will bring it to completion. They can be confident that He will present them as confirmed "to the end" when Christ returns.
Verse 9: “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Believers are guaranteed salvation—past, present, and future—and are assured of future glory at Christ's appearance, based on God's sovereign and unchanging promise. This "call" is an effectual one that saves, and the faithful God who calls us to salvation and heaven will certainly provide the necessary grace to fulfill that divine calling. However, this does not remove the necessity that the believer repent and have faith in the Lord. God’s grace changes the heart and that new heart wants to repent and have faith.
Verse 10: “Now I exhort you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
Paul introduces his main concern at the start of the letter's body: the breakdown of unity within the Corinthian church. This spirit of dissension in the community is the source of many problems addressed later in the letter.
Verse 11: “For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.”
Chloe, mentioned only once, was likely an influential Christian in or from the Corinthian church. It is probable that this prominent individual either wrote to Paul in Ephesus or visited him there to inform him about the divisions within the church. The text does not specify whether Chloe was male or female.
Verse 12: “Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”
Apollos, a powerful preacher from Alexandria, had served the churches in both Ephesus and Corinth. Cephas, which is the Aramaic name for Simon Peter, also had a following in Corinth (likely among Jewish Christians). However, it is uncertain if Peter himself ever actually visited the church.
Verse 13: “Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
Paul uses this question to introduce one of his key teachings regarding the nature of the church. He argues that just as a single physical body is composed of many parts yet remains unified, the church, as the body of Christ, must also maintain its unity and avoid division.
Verse 14: “I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,”
He addresses the issue of water baptism, stating that he intentionally did not specialize baptizing converts. This was to avoid any misunderstanding that people were being baptized in his own name. His central focus, you see, is the preeminence of Christ. Crispus, a convert mentioned in Acts 18, was a ruler of the synagogue, while Gaius was a very common name.
Verse 15: “so that no one would say you were baptized in my name.”
His gratitude wasn't for having avoided baptism entirely, but for the specific context, where his baptizing might have been misinterpreted. He was concerned it could appear he was baptizing in his own name, making disciples for himself, or establishing himself as a sectarian leader. Consequently, he entrusted the task of baptism to other ministers, dedicating his own time and efforts to the more impactful work of preaching the gospel.
Verse 16: “Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other.”
Stephanas and his household were Paul's initial converts in Corinth, known and respected for their commitment. Stephanas was also one of the delegates who delivered a message from the Corinthians to Paul.
Verse 17: “ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to proclaim the gospel, not in wisdom of word, so that the cross of Christ will not be made empty.”
The verse should not be interpreted as prohibiting baptism. Rather, it emphasizes that Paul's divine commission was to preach the gospel and unite believers in Christ, not to establish a personal following or "private cult" based on who he himself had baptized. He was focused on the overarching message of unity in Christ, not on creating a faction centered around his own ministerial act of baptism.
Verse 18: “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.”
The gospel, which is God's complete revelation centered on the incarnation and crucifixion of Christ, embodies the entire divine plan for the redemption of sinners—the fundamental theme of all Scripture. The term translated as "foolishness" is the source of the word "moron." Every individual is currently on a path leading either to salvation (which is fully realized upon the redemption of the body) or to destruction. One's reaction to the cross of Christ dictates this outcome. For those who reject Christ and are heading toward destruction, the gospel is perceived as utter nonsense. Conversely, for believers, it is recognized as powerful wisdom.
Verse 19: “For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”
The text highlights Isaiah 29:14, a prophecy used to underscore the eventual destruction of human wisdom. This prophecy will culminate in the last days when Christ establishes His kingdom, rendering all worldly human wisdom obsolete.
Verse 20: “ Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”
The exact distinction between the "wise," "scribe," and "debater" mentioned by Paul is ambiguous. It is plausible that "wise" is a general category, while "scribe" specifically refers to Jewish religious scholars and "debater" to Greek philosophers or teachers.
Verse 21: “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased, through the foolishness of the message preached, to save those who believe.”
This passage contains intense irony. Those who are considered wise according to worldly standards deem the gospel to be foolish. However, even the most "foolish" aspect of God's nature surpasses human wisdom. God employs the simplicity of the gospel to demonstrate that true foolishness rests with those who oppose Him. The conceit of human wisdom obscures the truth from unbelievers. Jesus expressed gratitude to the Father for His divine pleasure in concealing these matters from the learned and the astute, yet revealing them to those of childlike simplicity.
Verse 22: “ For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom,”
Unbelieving Jews found the sign of a virgin-born, crucified, and risen Messiah—the greatest supernatural work of God providing salvation—to be a stumbling block, even though they sought supernatural signs. In contrast, Gentiles desired proof through human reason, seeking intellectual ideas to debate and discuss. Like the philosophers of Athens, the Gentiles were insincere; they had no genuine interest in divine truth but merely wanted to argue about new intellectual concepts.
Verse 23: “but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,”
The offense the world takes at the gospel is clearly identified by Paul. It's likely that these same points explain Paul's own initial opposition to the gospel before he became a convert. For many Jews, the idea was unbearable: the Messiah (God’s Anointed One) had been crucified on a cross and, in doing so, had fallen under the divine curse.
Verse 24: “ but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
Jesus Christ's life, teachings, death, and resurrection are the complete and personal manifestation of God’s wisdom and power. However, only the “called” understand it.
Verse 25: “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
The ways God chooses to act, which foolish people often criticize as unwise or weak, actually contain a wisdom that is more genuine, dependable, and effective than all the knowledge and intellect found among humankind.
Verse 26: “For consider your calling, brothers, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble.”
Salvation is fundamentally independent of human merit. The members of the Corinthian church, even those who possessed admirable qualities, could not assert that their election was based on their goodness. Instead, God extends mercy to all who admit their sinfulness.
Verse 27: “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,”
God's chosen method often appears counter-intuitive to the world. Though these men may be judged as foolish or weak by worldly standards, this is simply the world's perception of them. God, in fact, chooses the humble and those the world considers base.
Verse 28: “and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may abolish the things that are,”
God uses those the world considers foolish, weak, and common—the "nothings" in the eyes of the elite—to reveal His wisdom. Those who trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord are the ones He chooses. This ensures that God alone receives all the credit and glory for bringing these humble individuals to the knowledge of Himself and the eternal truths of His heavenly kingdom.
Verse 29: “so that no flesh may boast before God.”
Therefore, no saved sinner can ever boast that their salvation was achieved through their own intellect.
Verse 30: “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,”
By God's gracious design, not their own efforts, the redeemed receive salvation. Furthermore, "by His doing," they are also granted a measure of His divine wisdom, along with imputed righteousness, sanctification from sin, and redemption.
Verse 31: “so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Based on the quote from Jeremiah 9:24, the central message is that we should find our glory exclusively in the Lord, specifically in the Lord Jesus Christ.
