1 Corinthians 1

1 Corinthians 1 introduces Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church, addressing their divisions and misplaced priorities. Written around AD 55 from Ephesus, Paul emphasizes unity in Christ, the folly of human wisdom, and the power of the gospel. He calls the church to focus on Christ crucified, not worldly status or eloquence, to overcome factionalism and boasting.
Key Sections
Greeting and Thanksgiving (1:1–9): Paul, called as an apostle, greets the Corinthian church, sanctified in Christ and enriched with spiritual gifts. He thanks God for their grace and anticipates their blamelessness at Christ’s return, affirming God’s faithfulness.
Appeal for Unity (1:10–17): Paul urges the Corinthians to agree and avoid divisions, as some claim allegiance to Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ. Christ is not divided; Paul’s focus was preaching the gospel, not baptizing, to avoid human loyalty.
Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God (1:18–25): The message of the cross is foolishness to the perishing but God’s power to the saved. Jews seek signs, Greeks wisdom, but Christ crucified is God’s wisdom and power, surpassing human expectations.
God’s Choice of the Foolish (1:26–31): Few Corinthians were wise, powerful, or noble by worldly standards, yet God chose the foolish and weak to shame the wise and strong, ensuring no one boasts before Him. Christ is our wisdom, righteousness, and redemption, so boasting is only in the Lord.
Cross-References
Greeting and Calling: 
Romans 1:1–7: Paul’s apostolic call.

Ephesians 1:3–4: Chosen in Christ.

2 Timothy 1:9: Called to holiness.
Unity in Christ: 
Ephesians 4:3–6: Unity of the Spirit.

Philippians 2:2: Same mind in Christ.

John 17:21: Jesus’ prayer for unity.
Cross as God’s Power: 
Romans 1:16: Gospel as God’s power.

Galatians 6:14: Boast in the cross.

Isaiah 53:5: Christ’s suffering for us.
God’s Choice: 
James 2:5: God chooses the poor.

Matthew 11:25: Hidden from the wise.

Jeremiah 9:23–24: Boast in the Lord.
Theological Meaning
Sanctified in Christ: Believers are set apart by God’s grace, enriched for His service (1:2; 1 Peter 1:2).

Unity in the Gospel: Divisions over leaders contradict Christ’s oneness, requiring focus on the cross (1:13; Ephesians 2:14–16).

God’s Wisdom: The cross, foolish to the world, reveals God’s power and wisdom, surpassing human understanding (1:18; Colossians 2:3).

Divine Election: God chooses the lowly to display His glory, nullifying human pride (1:27–28; Romans 9:11).

Christ’s Sufficiency: Jesus is believers’ wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, the sole basis for boasting (1:30; Philippians 3:9).

Faith’s Foundation: Salvation rests on God’s power, not human wisdom or status (1:21; Romans 10:17).
Questions and Answers
Why call the Corinthians sanctified (1:2)?
They are set apart by God’s grace in Christ, despite their flaws (1:2; Ephesians 1:4).

What causes divisions (1:10–12)?
Boasting in human leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas) rather than Christ (1:12; Galatians 5:20).

Why is the cross foolishness (1:18)?
To unbelievers, a crucified Savior seems weak, but it’s God’s power for salvation (1:18; Romans 1:16).

Why choose the foolish (1:26–28)?
God uses the lowly to shame the proud, showing His power (1:27; Matthew 5:3).

What does “Christ our wisdom” mean (1:30)?
Jesus provides righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, fulfilling all needs (1:30; Colossians 1:14).

Why boast only in the Lord (1:31)?
All blessings come from God, leaving no room for human pride (1:31; Jeremiah 9:24).

How does this apply today?
Pursue unity, reject worldly pride, and trust Christ’s cross as God’s power for salvation (1:18; Philippians 2:1–2).
Additional Notes for Readers
Historical Context: Written during Paul’s third missionary journey (Acts 19:10), this chapter addresses Corinth’s divisions, rooted in their admiration for eloquent leaders like Apollos (Acts 18:24–28) or Paul (Acts 18:8). Corinth’s Greco-Roman culture prized wisdom and status (1:26), fueling factionalism (1:12). The cross’s “foolishness” (1:18) clashed with Corinth’s love for philosophy and signs (Acts 17:18–20).

Cultural Questions: “Sanctified” (1:2) reflects Jewish holiness concepts, applied to a mixed church (Acts 18:8). Factions (1:12) mirror Corinth’s competitive social clubs (1 Corinthians 3:4). The “cross” (1:18) was shameful in Roman culture, a punishment for criminals (Galatians 3:13). “Signs” and “wisdom” (1:22) reflect Jewish messianic expectations (Matthew 12:38) and Greek philosophy (Acts 17:32). Boasting (1:29) countered Corinth’s status-driven culture (James 4:16).

Application: 1 Corinthians 1 calls believers to reject division and pride, embracing the cross as God’s wisdom. It challenges worldly values, urging unity in Christ and humility, trusting His power in a status-conscious world (Ephesians 4:4–5; James 4:10).