1 + 2 Corinthians | Reading Plan + Study QuestionsSample

1 CORINTHIANS 1

WORSHIP JESUS ALONE, NOT GOD’S CHOSEN MESSENGERS

Paul addresses the church in Corinth and writes to those who have placed their faith in Jesus. He thanks Jesus for the salvation of the Corinthians and shares his desire for them to utilize their God given gifts and wisdom. Recalling the faithfulness of God, Paul shares that Jesus is the source of all hope and knowledge.

Paul states his concern regarding the division amongst the believers. Instead of being unified in their belief of Christ, there is segregation among the followers based on which messenger of the gospel they preferred. Some of the people claim to be followers of Paul, followers of Apollos, or followers of Peter instead of realizing they are all followers of Jesus. Paul confirms that these men are simply messengers of the news of Jesus, not the saviors themselves, and defines the cross as the only source of salvation.

For those who do not understand the gospel, the cross is seen as nonsensical or foolish. But for those who are God’s people, they understand the power of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Referencing Jeremiah 8:9, Paul states that God will put the wise to shame and that true wisdom is found in faith in Jesus.

Considering who God chose as His followers and who God entrusted to build the church, God is capable of redeeming the lowly and humble. God will use the weak to shame the strong and the foolish to shame the wise. The only wisdom worth boasting about is wisdom from the Lord.

STUDY QUESTIONS

Based on 1 Corinthians 1:10, what did Paul desire for the church in Corinth?

How did the Corinthians value personal preference more than unity in their beliefs? What does this division look like in the church today?

Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. How does this passage highlight God’s “upside down” value system?