I Corinthians

Date Written: 55 CE, near the end of Paul’s 3-year ministry in Ephesus.

Author: Paul 

Setting: Corinth was a major cosmopolitan city, a seaport and major trade center. It was the most important city in Achaia. It was also filled with idolatry and immorality. The church was largely made up of Gentiles. Paul had established this church on his second missionary journey. The Christians there were struggling with their environment. They were surrounded by corruption and every conceivable sin. They knew they were free in Christ, but they didn’t understand what that meant. How should they view idols or sexuality? What should they do about marriage, women in the church, and the gifts of the Spirit? The church was being undermined by immorality and spiritual immaturity. Their faith was being tried and some were failing the test. Paul heard of their struggles and wrote this letter to address their problems, heal their divisions, and answer their questions. He confronted them about their sin and their need for changing their behavior and making a clear commitment to Christ.

Key People: Paul, Timothy, and members of Chloe’s household

Purpose: To identify problems in the Corinthian church, to offer solutions, and to teach the believers how to live for Christ in a corrupt society

Key Verses: I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1:10

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 13:4-5

Chapter Outline:

1-4 Divisions

5-11 Morality

12-14 Spiritual Gifts

15-16 The Resurrection

Importance of reading I Corinthians:

What we read: In chapters 1:10 and 3:1-9, there was division in the church because of members thinking the preacher they followed was the best. This division in the church was the first problem Paul addressed. What can we learn: Don’t get caught up in the game of “my pastor is better than yours” or “my church is better than yours”. We need unity in the body of Christ. There is one church, made up of lots of buildings, lots of pastors, but Jesus is coming back for a church, one church, made up of believers from many churches. Being a follower of Christ is what should unite us.

What we read: Paul said they were still babies. They hadn’t grown any. What we can learn: Just as a newborn baby naturally grows, the child of God is expected to grow spiritually. But these believers were not behaving as mature Christians. If we are not growing and maturing in our faith, this is a problem. We can’t stay babies. We must grow. It won’t just happen. It will take time, it will take reading the Bible, it will take time with God in prayer, being mentored by mature Christians, and fellowship with the body of mature Christians.

What we read: Chapter 13, Paul defines love as being patient, kind, not boastful or prideful, avoiding envy, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, doesn’t delight in evil, rejoices with the truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, and love never fails. What we can learn:  God’s definition of love is all about how we treat others. It’s unselfish. This kind of love goes against our natural fleshly desires. This kind of love for others is only possible through God’s help.

What we read: In chapter 5, there was sexual sin in the church, but the Corinthian believers had refused to deal with it. They tried to ignore the situation. Paul told them that they had a responsibility to maintain the standards of morality found in God’s commandments. He is talking about those who deliberately sin, feel no guilt and refuse to repent. He knew that blatant sins, left uncorrected, confuse and divide a congregation.  What we can learn: We are not to ignore flagrant sin because leaving that sin undisciplined will have a dangerous influence on other believers. People want to say that we aren’t to judge others, but they have taken it out of context. Our goal should always be to help the person, lead them to repent of their sins, and to return to fellowship of the church.

What we read: In chapter 12, some people thought they were more spiritual than others because of their spiritual gifts. What we can learn: All spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up the body of Christ. They are all important and all are needed.

What we read: The church of Corinth was in the heart of Greek culture. Most Greeks didn’t believe that people’s bodies would be resurrected after death. They believed that at death the soul was released from the body, the soul entered an eternal state, and there was no immortality for the body. So Paul wrote this to clear up this confusion about the resurrection. What we can learn: The resurrection of Christ is the center of our faith. Because He rose from the dead as He promised, we know that what He said is true – He is God. Because He rose, we have certainty that our sins are forgiven. Because He rose, He lives. Because He rose and defeated death, we know we will also be raised.

Things to think about as you read 1 Corinthians:

• Are you having any of the same problems in your own life or in your church that the Corinthians had? Do you think this letter has the answers for your problems or questions? How can you apply what you have learned?
• According to chapter 3, what does it mean to be a carnal or fleshly Christian?
• Are you untaught (ignorant) concerning spiritual gifts? Do you know about one or two of them but not the others? Do you appreciate other people’s gifts even though they may be different from yours?
• On what do you base your beliefs about marriage, divorce, and remarriage? What did you learn from chapter 7 about these topics? Did this change your belief?
• Is the preaching of the cross foolishness to you or is it a demonstration of the power of God?

II Corinthians

Date Written: About 55-57 AD

Author: Paul

Setting: Paul had already written them the letter in I Corinthians where he used strong words to correct and teach them Christian principles. Most of the church had responded in the right spirit, but there were some who were denying Paul’s authority & questioning his motives.

Key People: Paul, Timothy, Titus, and false teachers

Purpose: To defend Paul’s ministry and his call as an apostle and to address the false teachers

Key Verses: We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 5:20

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christs power may rest on me. 12:9

Chapter Outline:

1-2:11 Paul Explains His Actions

2:12-7 Paul Defends His Ministry

8-9 Paul Defends the Collection

10-13 Paul Defends His Authority

Importance of reading II Corinthians:

What we read:  In response to the attacks on his character and authority, Paul explains the nature of Christian ministry and as an example, openly shares about his ministry. What we can learn: This is an important letter for all who want to be involved in any kind of ministry because it has much to teach us about how we should handle our ministries today. Like Paul, those in ministry should be blameless, sincere, confident, caring, open, and willing to suffer for the sake of Christ.

What we read: Paul experienced great suffering, persecution & opposition in his ministry. He even struggled with a personal weakness – a thorn in the flesh. Through it all, Paul affirmed God’s faithfulness. What we can learn: God is faithful. His strength is sufficient for any trial. Trials teach us dependence on God.

What we read: Paul teaches us church discipline. We shouldn’t ignore immorality or false teaching. What we can learn: For churches to be effective, we must confront and solve problems, not ignore them. But in everything, we must act in love.     

What we read: To encourage the Corinthians as they faced trials, Paul reminded them they would receive new bodies in heaven. This would be a great victory compared to their present suffering. What we can learn: To know we will receive new bodies gives us hope. No matter what we face or how sick these bodies may get, we will receive a new body.

What we read: Paul organized a collection of funds for the poor in the Jerusalem church. He explains and defends his beliefs about giving and urges the Corinthians to follow through on their previous commitment. What we can learn: Our giving should be generous and based on need.

What we read: In chapter 11, false teachers were giving messages that sounded good and seemed to make sense. The people fell for their smooth talk. What we can learn: Today there are many false teachings that seem to make sense, but don’t believe someone just because they sound good to you. Search the Bible and check their teachings against God’s Word. The Bible should be your authoritative guide.

Things to think about as you read II Corinthians:

• What is the purpose of affliction? When you need to be comforted, do you turn to people or to God?
• Is it always wrong to feel sorrow, to be hurt or to have a broken heart? Is it always wrong to cause sorrow, to hurt or to break another person’s heart?
• How do you deal with those who oppose you? How do you minister to those who are caught in the middle of a conflict and don’t know who to believe?
• Paul was human just like us; he had feelings just like we do. What can we learn from him about how we are to live and respond despite our feelings? When is it right to give a defense of oneself and of one’s ministry?
• Are you prepared to stand before the judgment seat of Christ?
• If you were to examine yourself, would you find your Christianity genuine?

Link to Video: https://youtu.be/Zktg2W5iP-g?si=A0NXXhjTssXeoFIz

Blessings,

Nichole Henson

Fullness of Joy Ministry