INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY: BOOK OF 1st CORINTHIANS 1-16

By Dennis Schmidt 4/2008

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

RETURN TO THE: BIBLE PAPERS HOME PAGE

This paper discusses the book of First Corinthians. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.

FIRST CORINTHIANS THEME:

- CHURCH PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SOLUTION.

1 Corinthians 1:29, 31  "That no flesh should glory in his presence. {31} That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

- TEACHING ABOUT CHURCH MINISTRIES, GIFTS, & HOLY SPIRIT.

1 Corinthians 12:7  "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."

- TEACHING ABOUT SUCH ITEMS AS: COMMUNION, RESURRECTION, LOVE, COLLECTIONS, & MARRIAGE.

1 Corinthians 13:13  "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

 

1 Corinthians 15:22-23  "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. {23} But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."

CHAPTER THEMES & ELEMENTS

OUTLINE

TOPICS

CHAPTER(S) THEMES

I) Author & introduction

Introduction

(1:1-9) We may be blameless in the day of Lord Jesus Christ by His grace to us

II) Church divisions – carnalities & disunity

A) Human wisdom {1:10-2:16}

B) Ministry errors {3:1-4:21}

(1:10-4:21) You are in carnal ministry divisions while still one-in-Christ who gave you wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, & redemption by His Spirit

III) Church disorders – freshly Christian sins

A) Incest {5:1-13}

B) Litigation {6:1-11}

C) Fornication {6:12-20}

(5:1-6:20) Believer goes to unbeliever law against fellow believer & commits fornication  

IV) Church difficulties - teachings

A) Marriage {7:1-40}

B) Liberty {8:1-11:1}

C) Worship {11:2-14:40}

D) Resurrection {15:1-58}

E) Collection {16:1-9}

(7:1-16:9) Paul, an apostle, teaches correct doctrines for Christian living both in the church & in the world

V) Final instructions  

Instructions & greetings

(16:10-24) Submit to Christian ministers showing love and faith in Christ work

AUTHOR: Apostle Paul DATE: 56 AD FROM: Ephesus TO: Corinth Church

PURPOSE: TO PROMOTE CHRISTIAN UNITY. 

1 Corinthians 1:12-13  "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. {13} Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"

KEY VERSES:

1 Corinthians 2:9  "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

 

1 Corinthians 6:19  "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? {20} For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

 

1 Corinthians 10:12  "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. {13} There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

 

KEY WORD(S)/VERSES:

[ charity ] (8, 13, 14, 16); [ love ] (2, 4, 8, 16); { glory } (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 15); [ gift ] (1, 7, 12, 13, 14); [ tongue ] (12, 13, 14); [ resurrection ] (6, 15); [ idolatry ] (1, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12); [ liberty ] (7, 8, 10, 16); [ temple ] (3, 6, 8, 9); [ fellowship ] (1, 10); [ sin ] (5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15); [ judgment ] (1, 2, 4, 5,  6, 7, 10, 11, 14); [ carnal ] (3, 9); [ edification ] (8, 10, 14); [ body ] (5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15); [ marriage ] (7); [ one ] (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16); [ wife ] (5, 7, 9); [ husband ] (7, 14); [ wisdom ] (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 12); [ suffer ] (3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13); [ cross ] (1); [ grace ] (1,3,10, 15,16), [ spiritual ] (2, 3, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15), [ one ] (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ,9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16)

OUTLINE FOR FIRST CORINTHIANS

I) INTRODUCTION: {1 CORINTHIANS 1:1 - 9}

II) DIVISIONS: {1 CORINTHIANS 1:10 – 4:21}

A) HUMAN WISDOM: {1 CORINTHIANS 1:10 – 2:16}

B) MINISTRY ERRORS: {1 CORINTHIANS 3:1 – 4:21}

III) CHURCH DISORDER: {1 CORINTHIANS 5:1 – 6:20}

A) INCEST: {1 CORINTHIANS 5:1 - 13}

B) LITIGATION: {1 CORINTHIANS 6:1 - 11}

C) FORNICATION: {1 CORINTHIANS 6:12 - 20}

IV) CHURCH DIFFICULTIES: {1 CORINTHIANS 7:1 – 15:58}

A) MARRIAGE: {1 CORINTHIANS 7:1 - 40}

B) LIBERTY: {1 CORINTHIANS 8:1 – 11:1}

C) WORSHIP & GIFT: {1 CORINTHIANS 11:2 – 14:40}

D) RESURRECTION: {1 CORINTHIANS 15:1 - 58}

E) COLLECTION: {1 CORINTHIANS 16:1 - 9}

V) FINAL INSTRUCTIONS: {1 CORINTHIANS 16:10 - 24}

Corinth church was founded on Paul’s second missionary journey

 

Acts 18:1-4  "After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; {2} And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. {3} And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. {4} And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks."

 

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 1 AND 2 CORINTHIANS

 

1 CORINTHIANS                                                                                         2 CORINTHIANS

 

Practical                                                                                                          Practical

 

Focus on Corinthian Church character                                                         Focus on Paul personal love for the Corinthians church

 

Theology on marriage, spiritual gifts, church order, & freedom     Theology of false teachers, apostle authority, & spirit of God in Christian life

 

Christian advice for pagan influence in church                                            Christian advice for dealing with false teachers

I) INTRODUCTION: {1 CORINTHIANS 1:1 - 9}

WHO: PAUL

1 Corinthians 1:1 "Paul, called <to be> an apostle of M Jesus M T Christ T through the will of /\ God /\, and Sosthenes <our> brother,"

Paul (Saul): Saul means asked for and Paul means little or small. Paul had plenty & little (Philippians 4:12). Paul's conversion (Acts 9:1-22). He was the apostle to the gentiles (Acts 9:15-16/Galatians 2:8). His apostleship care was always for the church (Romans 8:36), but he was many times challenged as an apostle (1 Corinthians 9:1-5). He made four missionary trips (Acts 13:2-14:28; 15:40-18:23; 18:23-21:17; 1 Timothy 1:3/Titus 1:3/Philemon 22) & started several churches. Paul was taken to Rome as a prisoner & was later released. Paul again became a prisoner in Rome & was martyred for his faith in Jesus. Paul wrote 14 books (Romans to Hebrews) of the 27 books in the New Testament. Peter called them scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16).

Called to be an apostle:

See my papers: "Apostles" for more information on this subject.

Apostle: An Apostle is one sent by God, with power of attorney and authority, to act (with power) in place of sender. He was chosen and ordained to the position to be a witness of what God shows him. Apostles started many churches and appointed Elders to the church.

Acts 14:23 "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed."

1 Corinthians 9:1-2 "Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? {2} If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord."

2 Corinthians 12:12 "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds."

Galatians 2:8 "(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)"

Through the will of God:

Exodus 9:16 "And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth."

Job 9:12 "Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?"

Job 23:13-14 "But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. {14} For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him."

Romans 9:20 "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to God that formed <it>, Why hast thou made me thus?"

 

1 Thessalonians 4:3  "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:"

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18  "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MISC:  MINISTRIES {1 CORINTHIANS 1:1 – 1:2}

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, {1 Corinthians 1:1} 

 

(2) Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: {1 Corinthians 1:2} 

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sosthenes our brother:  These are the only two references in scriptures.

Acts 18:17  "Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things."

WHOM: Corinth Church of God called to be saints

1 Corinthians 1:2 "Unto the church of /\ God /\ which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in T Christ T M Jesus M, called <to be> saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of M Jesus M T Christ T our /\ Lord /\, both theirs and ours:"

WHERE: Corinth  

Them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus:

The term means the same as sanctification or to be set apart, consecrated, dedicated and separated for a special purpose, function or use. A derived (not scriptural) meaning is to be holy and pure. In the Old Testament the word holy was used with prostitutes as set apart for evil. Sanctified is what a believer is now; perfected is what a believer is to become.

Acts 9:15 "But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:" Paul chosen for gentile ministry

See my papers: "Salvation Biblical Words Glossary?" for more information on this subject.

Called to be saints:

Saints: Sanctified one: saved, set apart, consecrated, dedicated. Separated by God for His special function, use, and purpose. All Christians are saints. See my notes for separated in Romans 1:1 above.

Psalms 50:5 "Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

Hebrews 10:10 "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once <for all>."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MISC:  SAINTS (SANCTIFIED ONES) {1 CORINTHIANS 1:2 – 16:15}

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: {1 Corinthians 1:2} 

 

(2) Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? {1 Corinthians 6:1} 

 

(3) Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? {1 Corinthians 6:2}

 

(4) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. {1 Corinthians 14:33}

 

(5) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. {1 Corinthians 16:1} 

 

(6) I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) {1 Corinthians 16:15}

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See my papers: "Is Free Will Biblical?" for more information on this subject.

1 Corinthians 1:3  "[ Grace ] <be> unto you, and peace, from /\ God /\ our /\ Father /\, and <from> the /\ Lord /\ M Jesus M T Christ T."

Grace: Unmerited flavor from God to man. Getting what we do not deserve as compared with mercy: not getting what we deserve.

Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

See my papers: "Grace" for more information on this subject.

GRACE IS A GIFT:

Romans 5:15 "But not as the offence, so also <is> the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, <which is> by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE:

Acts 15:11 "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."

Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then <is it> no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if <it be> of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."

Psalms 84:11 "For the LORD God <is> a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good <thing> will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

GRACE GROWS BY KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS & OUR HUMILITY:

Proverbs 3:34 "Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly