1 Corinthians 1: 1-18
Background
Paul’s visited Corinth while on his second missionary journey, accompanied by Silas and Timothy. He had recently preached in Athens, Thessalonica, Philippi, and Berea where he had encountered abuse and imprisonment with violent opposition from both Jewish and Gentile crowds. Now he was heading to Corinth! This was something entirely different than what he had recently experienced. Corinth was like a looming mountain; yet God had prepared him for what lay ahead.
This, however, did not lessen Paul’s fears and anxieties. He was human; God would constantly remind Paul that “His grace was sufficient” (2 Cor. 12: 9).
For us today. . .
There are times when we too, become discouraged or disheartened for one reason or another. At these times, let us remember too, that Christ’s grace is sufficient for us as well! Paul declared that if in this life, we have hope in Christ, then we are of all men and women most miserable, (1 Cor. 15: 19). Life is hard sometimes. However, Christ states that he will go with us through whatever we face (Isa. 41: 10). In this life, there will always be mountains to climb and valleys to go through (Psalm 23). When we speak the same thing in unison as Paul encouraged the Corinthians, we are perfectly joined and can accomplish much in working together.
Paul reminds them and us that our very existence depends on steadfastness to the power within us that exists from the Father’s plan of redemption through the preaching of the Cross of Calvary (John 14: 16) (1 Cor. 1: 18). Paul made it clear that to the Corinthians their existence and success in establishing a church pleasing unto God the Father rested solely on the unity of the believers grounded on the preaching of the Cross; this preaching would be foolishness to the world, however, blinded by “the god of this world”.
What was the city of Corinth like?
Corinth was a maritime city located between two important harbors. Because of this, Corinth experienced extensive commerce and great wealth, magnificence, and learning. Corinth was also a great entertaining city, the highlight of Greece. However, it was notorious for its luxury, looseness of morals, and licentiousness or total unrestraint of rules especially sexuality with the temple of Aphrodite, representing unbridled sexuality.
The city’s population was approximately 600,000 with slavery being a factor for attracting various nationalities to Corinth. It is noted that of the 600,000 population, roughly 400,000 were slaves performing all varieties of services.
When Paul came to Corinth, he had recent experiences of abuse and imprisonment for his preaching at Athens, Thessalonica, Berea, and Philippi. To go to Corinth, a proverbial hornet’s nest of immorality, Paul realized his strength and power to withstand the resistance he would face would be from the grace of God which was given unto him through his faith in Jesus Christ.
Upon entering Corinth, Paul found a Jew named Aquila and wife, Priscilla. He was led to them, most likely, because they were of the same trade as Paul, tent-makers, and stayed with them 18 months working to establish the work of the church.
Verse 1-3
Paul preached and asked God to give “grace” and “peace” of Jesus to them and from Jesus to these saved Corinthians “who are sanctified in Christ Jesus and now a part of the overall body of Christ’s Church (Vs. 2).
Verse 4-6
Paul expressed his thankfulness that God had given unto the Corinthian church grace and peace that Paul had asked for them, knowing that believers cannot please God without a genuine trust in his grace for the forgiveness of their sins. Paul emphasized that this wonderful grace or unmerited favor was a gift
(Vs. 1: 7) and not something earned or attained by any other means. Paul implied that they were enriched in Christ, grounded, and all knowledgeable of the will of God working in their lives (Vs. 5-6). Paul acknowledged that their exhibition of their faith was surprisingly strong in their demonstration of various gifts that were given them by the Heavenly Father. Paul encouraged the faithful to stay focused for their reward lay ahead at the time of the coming of the Lord Jesus when He would present them to the Heavenly Father without blemish unto the fellowship of the body of Christ through Christ (Jude1: 24).
Paul cites the believers were “enriched” by God who had declared or uttered in completeness from God’s inexhaustible supply of knowledge and understanding of all things. Paul emphasized this so that Corinthian believers did not consider their enrichment was “derived of something accomplished through natural attainment, learning, or personal achievement”. Paul emphasized too, the message of God’s gifts of grace and peace, were therefore revealed to them so that others needing to hear would be strengthened through the Corinthian’s testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 8-9
Paul continued to show his pleasure in their faithfulness to the faithful God in Heaven and repeatedly declared that their innocent state of existence was the result of God the Father choosing them, cleansing them through Christ because of His glorious gift of unmerited favor of grace. Paul expressed the believers’ power of their testimonies confirmed believers’ “gift of salvation” and a future “presentation to the Heavenly Father, holy and without blame” by the Son, Jesus the Christ (Jude 1: 24).
Verse 10-17
Paul, then “got to the point” of his message; there was sin in the body that needed attention and clarification. Paul emphasized there was only ONE God, ONE spirit (Eph. 4: 4-6). By this we have ONE hope of our calling; ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all”. There were many spokespersons in the Corinthian church who shared the Word, but this diversity was “to build up the Church, fulfill diverse ministry roles, and ensure the Gospel reached all people” (Matt. 28: 18-20). The preaching and sharing of the Gospel was established as a team effort of all as one to accent the power of the Cross of Calvary; not by exhibition of wisdom of words by messengers with eloquent speech.
Verse 18
Paul drives this final point home “like a hammer drives a nail”; for the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness: but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
In Review
Paul seemed pleasantly surprised with the results of his preaching in such a notorious city. The convicting power of the Spirit converted “them that were sanctified in Christ Jesus”, and they became part of an overall abundance of believers in every place who call on the name of Christ Jesus. Paul prayed that God’s grace and Christ’s peace would encourage them and grow them stronger like strong Christians elsewhere. (Vs. 2-3)
We should pray this same prayer for ourselves as well! Paul expressed a special thanks to God for bestowing His grace on these believers, and he points out to us as well, that our testimony as did the Corinthians, depends on a deep commitment of faith in Christ’s finished work on Calvary. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11: 6). We must believe that Jesus is who he says that he is (1 John 5: 1) (1 John 5: 5) (John 20: 31).
There is no other name under Heaven that we must be saved but
Jesus (Acts 4: 12). Salvation is of the soul eternal (James 5: 19-20), (Matt. 10: 28), (Matt. 25: 46), (Eccl. 12: 7). The body does not live eternally but returns to the dust of the ground (Eccl. 12: 7).
What would a man or woman give in exchange for the redemption of their eternal soul when they realize the results of judgment without Christ’s atonement (Mark 8: 36)? For what would it profit a man or woman to gain the whole world and lose his or her own soul (Mark 8: 36) (Matt. 16: 26))? Decisions of where “life after death” is lived must be determined before we leave earth; Heaven and earth await humanity’s decision (Heb. 9: 27). Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6: 2).
Some people have not made their final decisions yet! The Lord said that he would come as a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5: 2) (Rev. 16: 15) (Matt. 24: 43).
To those without Christ’s redemptive payment for their sins, the preaching of the Cross of Christ is still foolishness! Their MINDS are blinded by the “god of this world” lest the “Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ would shine through unto them, and they would have the opportunity to make a better choice; a choice for life eternally where “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man or woman, what God the Father hath prepared for them that love Him”
(1 Cor. 2:9).
Sower's Field by L. Michael Schoonover 