1 Corinthians

·       Summary (church, strengths and weaknesses, reference to Acts):

We see the establishment of the church in Corinth recorded in Acts 18:1-18. Corinth had a really bad reputation and the church was being affected by immorality, sexual and otherwise, of the city as we see in chapter 5. There was disunity and arguments we see this as they were taking each other to court. We see that they were humble enough to write to Paul about certain questions about marriage (7), meats sacrificed to idols, women, use of spiritual gifts and the resurrection. In Paul’s response we see their arrogance, jealousy, quarreling and disunity. Most of their weaknesses and problems came from being selfish and having a lack of love. They were close to Athens and we can see the influence of the culture and intellectualism infiltrating the church.

·       Main ideas, key words and repeated ideas:

This book is about LOVE! Paul explains that they need to love God and love one another. He writes to correct their sinful practices and refute the false doctrine being taught. We see this repeated idea of all things being allowed but not all being beneficial. In 1 Cor 1:10 we read that there needs to be unity! A key verse and simple truth is found in 16:4, “And do everything with love.”

·       Character and nature of God:

God is shown as love in 1 Corinthians, the people would have needed to see and know how to love in the midst of their disunity and selfish lifestyles. We also see that He is a gracious giver (1:5) and that He strengthens us (1:8).God is faithful (1:9). He has supreme wisdom (1:21) and searches out all things, bring revelation to people (2:10). God is the creator (8:6) and the spirit gives according to his perfect discernment (12:11). God is love and thus he encompasses and loves us with all the traits mentioned in 13:4-7. In 14:33 we are told that ‘God is not a God of disorder but of peace.’

·       Point of Passion:

In 1 Corinthians 8:1 it says,”Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.”  Education is as much about teaching information as it is about teaching love. This is something I think is very much missing in education. People are taught knowledge but not what to do with the knowledge and how to use it to benefit others. Here Paul shows that it is not about what you know but how you love!