1 Corinthians 1:1-19
About the Text
(1) What did Paul mean by saying that he was " called" ? He frequently uses this word (see v. 2 and 9) to mean that God designated him to be an apostle. This word does not refer to a voice from heaven which we can refuse or follow. Rather, it describes the effectual call of God that powerfully moves us in the direction of God's prescribed destiny for us. Those of you who are believers came to faith not because you simply chose so, but primarily because God called you to it. See how the word is used also in Romans 8:30, Ephesians 1:18, and 4:1.
(1) What is an " apostle" ? Literally, the Greek root (apostello) means " the sent ones." In other words, an apostle is one who is sent out to communicate the message of Jesus Christ to the world. This is why Jesus' twelve disciples were later called apostles - they travelled far to bring the gospel as far as Spain and India. There is also Biblical evidence that an apostle had to be one who personally and visibly saw Jesus. Paul implies this in 1 Cor. 9:1.
(1) Who is Sosthenes? A companion of Paul who assisted him in the writing of this letter to the church in Corinth.
(2) What and where is Corinth? In ancient times, it was a big, cosmopolitan city located in Greece, and rebuilt by Roman emperor Julius Caesar in 46 B.C. It was famous for its huge " shopping mall," the ruins of which still stand today. It was most famous for its pagan temple prostitutes, a thousand of whom would work at the Temple of Aphrodite (the goddess of love and beauty). Through prostitution, the city won great prosperity. But it also won a reputation of great immorality. A " Corinthian girl" was the ancient term equivalent to the word " slut" today. To " Corinthianize" was to " practice immorality." The Christian church in Corinth struggled to resist this immorality. There were those in the church who still openly practiced incest, fornication, and homosexuality. They also struggled with divorce, pop philosophy, fighting, selfish behavior, spiritual pride, and doubt. Paul wrote this letter to speak directly to these issues.
(2) What does " sanctified" mean? It means to have become holy; in other words, set apart from the rest of the world. When we become believers, God declares us " holy," having been adopted as God's very own special children. There is another meaning of this word, which appears in other parts of the Bible. Sanctified also refers to our process of growing to become more loving, patient, and kind like Jesus was. See my note for verse 8.
(2) Why does Paul add " all those everywhere" ? Because God intended this letter not just for the Corinthians, but for us and all other Christians too.
(3) What is " grace" ? Undeserved kindness. Salvation and eternal life is not earned, but rather a gift of God given out of His kindness to us who don't deserve it.
(5) What did Paul mean by their being " enriched... in all your speaking" ? Paul explains himself further in 1 Cor. 12:8. God gave the Corinthian Christians a remarkable ability to speak in tongues (supernatural utterances), and words of knowledge and wisdom.
(5) What did he mean by " in all your knowledge" ? In 1 Cor. 12:8, 13:2, and 14:6, Paul describes the Corinthians as having received prophetic revelations from God. Although many Christians do not claim prophetic utterances today, we all have a special revelation from God - the Bible - which is a gift from Him.
(7) What is a " spiritual gift" ? The Corinthians prided themselves on their " spiritual gifts," that is, their special God-given abilities to serve Him with, such as working miracles, healing, teaching, and leadership. Chapter 12 speaks more thorough about these gifts, which all Christians have.
(8-9) If the Corinthians were such a troubled church, then why does Paul say that they will be made " blameless" in the end? This concerns the extraordinary and wonderful work of God called sanctification. Every believer goes through various stages of spiritual maturity, or immaturity. But God is really the one in control of our growth (though we also consciously cooperate with Him), and He promises to make us perfect in the end when we die. This is the " keeping-power" of God, that " He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 1:6)
Insights