1 Corinthians Week One: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

¹ Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ 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, saints by calling, 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.

—1 Corinthians 1:1-3

References

Weekly Study Guide

Picture in your mind the most debaucherous city imaginable. Perhaps a well-known modern city comes to mind. Then, picture the Apostle Paul deciding that this would be the perfect place to found a new church. Imagine the difficulties that would come with this choice. We read in the pages of 1 Corinthians not only of the challenges and pressures that would accompany a new fledgling church, but one that is firmly entrenched in the teeth of the enemy—a church struggling with factions, lawsuits, immorality, questionable practices, division, pride, abuse of the Lord’s Supper, and a lack of understanding of spiritual gifts.

Paul founded the church at Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-18). Many of these new believers were former idol worshippers deeply influenced by the city’s culture. This was reflected in their struggle to break free from the shackles of their past and fully embrace their new identity in Christ. Paul’s letter was not only a response to reports of disunity (and really, outright chaos), but also a loving call for transformation, urging the Corinthians to live according to the dictates of God’s Word rather than the values of their society.

As we begin this powerful book, we have already seen how significant and helpful something as simple as geography can be in filling out the background and meaning of an epistle. Because of its location and the prominence and status Corinth attained, this city was a major hub for commerce and travel. It was a city of wealth, influence, and cultural exchange. But with this prosperity came an influx of different ideas, philosophies, and practices. It became a city marked by sexual immorality, idol worship, and a deeply ingrained emphasis on worldly wisdom and human achievement. All of which influenced the young church there.

Paul’s letter speaks directly to the heart of this complex environment. The Corinthians believers, very much like their city, reflected a mix of cultures, backgrounds, and values. As a result, they were struggling with the same issues that plagued their society—division, pride, confusion about morality, and a misunderstanding of what true wisdom and power look like in God’s economy. The city’s wealth, immorality, intellectualism, and division all contributed to the challenges the Corinthian church faced. And it’s precisely into this difficult, complex environment that Paul speaks the gospel of unity, purity, and the power of the cross.

Corinth was an important Greek city from ancient times until its destruction by the Romans in 146 B.C. Julius Caesar rebuilt it as a Roman colony in 46 B.C. which then grew and prospered until it became the capital of the Roman province of Achaia. Corinth was infamous for its rampant idolatry and sexual immorality, largely due to the massive temple of Aphrodite, which housed thousands of temple prostitutes. This sexual immorality was so ingrained in the city’s culture that the term “to Corinthianize” became synonymous with sexual debauchery. In this context, the Christian community in Corinth was faced with immense pressure to conform to the surrounding culture’s loose moral standards. This helps us understand why Paul spends significant time in the letter addressing issues of sexual purity, idol worship, and living a holy life. Paul’s call to holiness amidst such a sexually charged environment was not just a call to personal purity; it was a call to stand apart from a culture that had normalized outrageous sin.

Corinth’s intellectualism also played a role in the struggles of the church. The Corinthians were influenced by Greek philosophy, and many had been drawn into the pursuit of wisdom, honor, and knowledge for their own sake. The city’s great educational institutions and rich tradition of philosophical discourse meant that many of its residents viewed the gospel with skepticism, seeing it as foolishness compared to the high ideals of Greek thought. Paul’s letter, particularly his message about the “foolishness” of the cross in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, confronts this mentality head-on. The message of the cross, in its scandalous simplicity, was an affront to the intellectual pride of the city. Paul was calling the Corinthians to reject worldly wisdom and to embrace a deeper, godly wisdom only found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Just as the Corinthians were called to live faithfully in their context, so, too, are we called to live out the gospel in our own cities, cultures, and communities, reflecting the radical nature of God’s values amidst the brokenness of the world. It was a powerful message back in Paul’s day, and it is a powerful and much-needed message today as well.

(MULTILINE)

Discussion Questions

1. Describe the most important letter or email you have ever received. Why does it stand out to you? (MULTILINE)
2. How does Paul introduce himself in this letter, and why is it significant that he identifies himself as “called by the will of God” to be an apostle? What does Paul mean when he refers to the Corinthians as “called to be saints”? How might this description reassure and inspire them, and how might it convict them—in how it highlights a contrast with their actual struggles? Why do you think Paul so often begins his letters with “Grace and peace to you…”? (MULTILINE)
3. After reading the introduction above, what elements of this book’s historical, cultural, and geographical background help us understand the task Paul had before him as he writes to this church? What does it mean to be sanctified in Christ Jesus? What do we learn about God—His attributes and activities—from the first three verses in chapter one? (MULTILINE)
4. One of the primary issues that Paul addresses in this letter is the lack of unity. Why do you think it is so easy for Christians to be divided? Why are cliques and division so damaging within the church? Where have you seen this in churches you have been part of? What does it look like when a church is united in purpose? How might we pursue unity without ignoring differences? (MULTILINE)
5. What are some ways in which you personally can promote unity within the body of Christ? What does it mean to be sanctified and holy? How has this played out in your life? Paul says here that he was called to be an apostle. What are you called to? What are some practical ways you can live out your calling this week? (MULTILINE)

Going Deeper

1. Paul spent about 18 months in Corinth on his second missionary journey. Read Acts 18:1-22. What do we learn about Corinth from this passage? What stands out to you about life in Corinth? Why do you think Paul stayed so long in Corinth when he would typically only stay a short time in other places? What was it about Corinth that prompted God to have Paul set up shop and invest so much time and energy there? Why do you think the gospel took root in such a wicked, licentious place? What does this teach us about the power and effect of the gospel? (MULTILINE)
2. It was in Corinth that Paul met Aquila and Priscilla—a couple he took under his wing to mentor and train for ministry. Who was someone who helped you when you were young in the faith? How did they help you? Who is someone that you have come alongside to help mentor? What gifts do you believe you have that God can use to help others? (MULTILINE)

Transformational Activity

Bible Study

We have attempted to give a bit of an overview of the background of the book of 1 Corinthians. But as we begin a new study of a book of the Bible, it is a good practice to take some time to deeply explore questions about the text, so the meaning will be more clear. It’s crucial to ask specific questions of the text: who is the author, what is the historical setting, who is the audience, what is the overall argument the author is making, what are the main points, and are there key words or phrases that need exploration. Only after answering these questions can we begin to apply the truths of scripture to our lives. Take some time to do some digging about the context of 1 Corinthians and come back next time to share what you’ve found.

Family Focus

Read this passage together as a family! 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Worth a Note: Notice that in every one of Paul’s letters, he begins with the expression “grace to you,” and he ends with “grace be with you.” This suggests that Paul looks at his letter itself as a means of giving grace to those who read it, and that he wishes them to go having read the letter with grace on themselves for the challenges they will face now that they’re done reading it.

In the Bible, grace is a gift from God that is undeserved, free, and generous. It is a central part of the Christian faith.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does Paul’s greeting and thanksgiving teach us about the need to be gentle and full of grace, even when reprimanding people? (MULTILINE)
2. How does Paul use the word “called” to refer both to himself and to the Corinthian church? (MULTILINE)
3. Talk about how each family member could demonstrate grace to others this week. (MULTILINE)

Memorize this verse together as a family this week:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor 1:3).

Focused Family Prayer: Ask your family to share prayers of thanksgiving to God regardless of the circumstances you might find yourselves in. (MULTILINE)