I Corinthians - Summit Church Of Christ

A People of the Book

A Textual Study

A Study of

I Corinthians

Tom Smith

Studies in 1 Corinthians Lesson # 1

Introduction & Greeting

Introduction 1. Written by the Apostle Paul on 3rd missionary journey ? probably AD 54-56

a. 1 Cor.16:8 ? said would tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost (written in Ephesus)

b. When Paul in Corinth Gallio was deputy of Achaia ? Acts 18:12

c. History says - Gallio entered this office in AD 51

d. Paul left Corinth soon after this ? Acts 18:18

e. After leaving he traveled to Ephesus, Caesarea, and Jerusalem & Antioch. f. From there he starts his 3rd missionary journey & comes to Ephesus

2. Purpose of writing a. Draw the church together in unity ? extremely fractured b. Deal with moral laxity c. Answer certain question raised by the church at Corinth

3. Foundational facts about servants of God ? 1:1-3 a. Called by the will of God 1) Jn.15:16 ? you did not choose Me, but I chose you 2) 2 Cor.5:20 ? we are ambassadors of Christ b. A brother to other believers 1) Because Paul was an Apostle made him no better than other believers 2) He was to be respected as an Apostle (special messenger) 3) Rom.12:3 ? not to think more highly of self than ought 4) Phil.2:3,4 ? nothing be done through vain glory c. Local church 1) It is the church of God a) Acts 20:28 ? feed the church of God b) The church belongs to God, not any man or group of people c) The church exists to do the will of God not man 2) The church (believers) are those set apart & are called saints a) Believers are called to be different from the world b) Their lifestyle & purpose is different from the world ? Rom.12:2 c) 2 Cor.6:17,18 ? come out from among them d) 1 Pet.1:14,15 ? be holy in all manner of life e) Saints Eph.4:24 ? put on the new man created in righteousness 2 Cor.5:17 ? any one in Christ is a new creation 3) All are brothers ? no caste system ? none greater than others a) Super spirituality & pride have no place in the church (Only God to be honored & exalted) b) Christ is Lord & all believers are brothers c) Acts 10:34 ? God is no respecter of persons d) Rom.14:4 ? who are you to judge another man's servant

2 Paul's Greetings

1. Notice ? Paul mentions Jesus Christ 10 times in 1st 10 verses a. Paul's goal is for them to exalt Jesus ? focus upon Him ? 1 Cor.2:1-4 b. With Jesus as their central focus all other matters will take care of selves c. See also ? Heb.12:1,2; 2 Cor.4:16-18

2. Believers were enriched in every way a. In speaking & knowledge ? able to know & understand truth & make it known b. Paul's testimony about Christ was confirmed in them (evidence they believed) c. They lacked no spiritual gift ? Eph.1:3ff

3. The believer's assurance a. Jesus will keep us strong unto the end 1) Phil.1:6 ? confident He will finish what started 2) 2 Tim.1:12 ? persuaded He is able to keep that which I have committed 3) 1 Pet.1:5 ? who are kept by the power of God 4) Jude 24 ? able to keep you from falling 5) Rev.3:10 ? I will keep you from the hour of temptation b. Called into the fellowship of God's Son Jesus 1) Rom.8:15-17 ? received a spirit of adoption 2) Rom.8:29 ? predestined to be conformed unto His image 3) Gal.4:4-6 ? because are sons ? sent Spirit of His Son into hearts 4) Rev.3:20 ? I stand at door & knock ... hear voice open, I will come in

1 Corinthians Study Lesson # 2

A Divided Church Introduction

One thing that stands out as you read the book of 1 Corinthians is the division that was rampant among the believers. Their fellowship was so deteriorated that the church was about to crumble & collapse. Severe dissention & division can be clearly seen; verbal accusations, competition, power struggles, envy, grumbling, murmuring, quarrelling, & gossiping etc. Disaster was threatening & a severe split was clearly upon the horizon. In chapters one through four Paul deals with this problem & provides several solutions to the problem of division among believers.

1 Cor.1:10-17

1. Paul's approach a. Not judgmentally or with a spirit of rebuke or even fight in his heart b. "I appeal to you" KJV = "I beseech you" 1) Means ? I call you to my side; let's share together; talk this matter over 2) Paul is pleading & begging them to hear what he has to say c. Twice in these verses he refers to them as brothers d. He begs them in the name of Jesus to listen & heed his words 1) For the sake of Jesus they must be united 2) He wants them to remember their love for the Lord Jesus ? His cause e. Important how we approach those who are causing division in the church 1) A spirit of tenderness & love must always be manifested a) Mt.5:7 ? blessed are the merciful = receive mercy b) Prov.15:1 ? gentle answer turns away anger; harsh words stir up c) Mk.11:25 ? as pray forgive offender d) Mt.18:15-17 ? ought against another = go privately 2) Jesus' example a) Lk.5:27-32 ? ate & drank with sinners to win them b) Acts 10:34-38 ? God not show favoritism; He is Lord of all c) Mt.5:43-47 ? love enemies so be sons of Father in heaven 3) Other verses a) Gal.6:1- restore them gently b) 2 Tim.2:24-26 ? must not quarrel; be kind not resentful

2. Paul's admonition ? must be one a. Strong & straightforward = wants no misunderstandings b. Agree ? reach agreement; quit talking against one another 1) Stop the accusing, the attacks 2) Stop the grumbling, the gossip, the slander & murmuring etc 3) Stop allowing the tongue to divide & destroy a) James 3:5-18 ? tongue is a fire, a world or evil b) James 4:11 ? don't speak evil of another c) 1 Pet.2:1 ? get rid of all slander

2 d) 1 Pet.3:10- love life & see good days = keep tongue from evil e) Prov.13:3 ? keep mouth = keep life f) Prov.21:23 ? guard mouth = keep out of trouble c. Allow no division among you 1) Division = splits, tearing apart 2) A divisive church is useless to God. 3) Division is sinful & devastating to God's kingdom a) Lk.11:17 ? house divided against itself cannot stand b) 1 Cor.3:3 ? envy, strife & division are of men not God c) James 3:13-16 ? is of the devil d. Goal ? be perfectly joined together in mind & thought 1) Greek word picture = torn net repaired & mended; broken & dislocated limb restored to its proper place. 2) In both mind & thought (KJV mind & judgment) a) Speaks of motivations, affections & intentions b) Also conclusions, purposes, goals & objectives 3) Eph.4:3 ? endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit 4) Phil.1:27 ? stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together 5) 1 Pet.3:8 ? live in harmony together

3. The report of their division a. Paul not identify who; just the household ? some might attack them b. Problem 1) Quarrels = wrangling, strife, faction 2) Church was arguing & splitting into groups ? cliques 3) Church was allowing the flesh to rule ? Eph.5:19-21 c. Exalting former ministers 1) Exalting preaching ability & style a) Apollos was eloquent & mighty in the scriptures ? Acts 18:24 b) Paul was not a great orator ? 2 Cor.10:10; 11:6 2) Failed to see God's gifting & calling a) Paul excelled in establishing churches & strengthening believers b) Peter's ministry was to the Jews = more tradition & ritual 3) Considered themselves mature & privileged spiritually a) Passed judgment on others b) Usurped God's authority as judge ? James 4:12

4. Division is never right a. Three questions 1) Is Christ divided? a) Division dethrones Christ ? divider always thinks they are right (1) Sets self as Lord ? person able to judge right & wrong (2) Feels Christ would hold their position ? agree with them b) Jesus can't be divided ? only one Lord ? Eph.1:22; Col.1:18

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