1:2 — To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling.
Every believer in Jesus is sanctified—set apart to God, released from the power of sin, and actively being transformed into His image. Therefore, Christians are called saints—holy members of His family—and should be “zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14).
1:10 — I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Jesus prayed for the unity of His followers before His arrest and crucifixion, and Paul also made frequent appeals so that believers “may be one” (John 17:11, 22). The joyful unity of Christians is a powerful testimony to the world that the gospel of love we preach is real, unique, powerful, and welcoming to whomever will believe in the Lord.
1:18 — The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
The people who try to know God on their own apart from what He has revealed through His Word or who attempt to become acceptable to Him on their own terms will only find sorrow and destruction (Prov. 16:25). Every religion in the world except Christianity has rituals through which its members endeavor to earn salvation—they are all based on effort and appeal to human reason and cultural expectations. However, they are all unacceptable and invalid because they glorify people rather than the Lord (Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5).
1:23 — We preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness.
To Jews, Christ was a stumbling block, because they were expecting a conquering King who would restore Israel—not a Savior who would forgive their sins. They could not accept that He was the fulfillment of the law and that they only needed to have faith in Him to be saved (Rom. 9:31–33). The Greeks thought that a man who had died as a lowly criminal could not possibly be God incarnate and the Savior of the world. Jesus bore no resemblance to their pantheon of mythological deities, so to believe in Him seemed foolish to them.
1:27 — God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.
The Lord loves to use weak, despised, and seemingly inconsequential things, people, and events to demonstrate His majesty, so “that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Cor. 4:7).
2:2 — I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
The Corinthians appear to have been fickle people—easily distracted by the latest false philosophy. Although Paul had a great mind and could debate well, he realized that to present the gospel as an intellectual treatise would be to glorify himself—not Christ. He also knew that the Corinthians needed to hear about how the death of Christ could free them from the power of sin—not just listen to another popular speaker. So the apostle preached the simple, life-changing truth of the gospel, knowing that Jesus had promised, “I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself” (John 12:32).
2:4, 5 — My message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
God has allowed each one of us to have inadequacies and weaknesses so He can shine through us. Although we should organize our thoughts about our faith and be able to explain it effectively to anyone who might ask (1 Pet. 3:15), we must remember that the power of the gospel comes not in our careful explanations but in the mighty resurrection of Christ and His power to draw people to Himself (John 6:44; 12:32).
2:9, 10 — “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard . . . all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
We have no idea all that God wants to do in and through us. In our limited understanding, we have yet to imagine what is possible for us—the intimacy with the Lord, power, freedom, spiritual blessings, and peace that belong to us when we become His children (Eph. 1). But God—who is perfect in His knowledge and wisdom—does. And His Holy Spirit, who indwells us from the moment of our salvation, reveals the depths of His purpose and plan to us through His Word when we seek Him.
Answers to Life’s Questions
How can I rightly comprehend God’s truth?
Whenever God speaks to us, His first goal is that we may comprehend the truth. He desires that we fully understand His meaning.
God has given His Holy Spirit to each one of us. As believers, we can have a personal relationship with the Father because the Spirit lives within us. He knows the mind of God perfectly (1 Cor. 2:10), and He communicates to our spirits the truth God wants us to hear. He wants us to grow in three primary areas:
1. The truth about Himself. God wants us to grasp His majesty, His holiness, His power, His love, His grace, and His joy. When we begin to comprehend these mighty truths about the person of God, we find our lives enriched, enabled, and energized. Paul wrote that his ultimate aim in life was to know Christ (Phil. 3:10).
2. The truth about ourselves. God wants us to realize our part in His eternal plan. But most of all, He wants us to know our position in Christ. Since we are one with Him, all of His divine privileges become ours. His righteousness is ours because He abides in us. We can appropriate His wisdom and sanctification because we belong to Him. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and this ensures our eternal status as God’s children.
3. The truth about other people. God wants us to view people as His chosen instruments and His creations. Some years ago, God began sifting me, sanding me, and pruning me, until I thought nothing would be left. A friend walked with me through this deep valley. Sometimes, my words may have seemed harsh, but he never reacted. He would just say, “I understand. What can I do to help?” He never rejected me or showed disappointment; he never angrily admonished me. When I poured out my feelings to him, he just loved me. He wept with me, prayed with me, laughed with me, and patiently listened to me. Through his unwavering love we developed an unbreakable bond of deep friendship that strengthened my own intimacy with God.
When we begin to understand the truth of who God is and gain a better understanding of ourselves as well as others, we become thoroughly equipped to be fruitful, productive servants on earth.
See the Life Principles Index for further study:
2:12 — We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.
God never wants us to guess about what lies ahead for us or what we should do. In fact, if necessary, He will move heaven and earth to show us His will. He has given us His Word and Spirit to empower us and help us understand what He has planned. This is why it is absolutely essential that we remain faithful in prayer and in the study of His Word—so we can walk with Him in a daily relationship and discover the plan and the principles He wants us to live by.
2:14 — A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God . . . he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
Satan will do whatever he can to convince people to avoid or stray from the sanctified life God has called us to live. The enemy seeks to convince us that sin doesn’t hurt anyone—and in many cases is just meaningless fun. He tells us that the desires of our bodies should be gratified because they are natural. However, understand that your natural desires do not necessarily honor the Lord—nor will they satisfy you the way you hope they will.
2:16 — We have the mind of Christ.
In Jeremiah 33:3, God said, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” There are things hidden to us because of our limited human perspective. However, everything is known to the Lord, and He has given us the privilege of knowing His mind. Therefore, we should focus our thoughts on the holy and acceptable things of God, so we can begin to see and respond to the world as He does—in truth, righteousness, and in accordance with His will (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 10:5; Col. 3:2).
3:3 — Since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?
Believers within the church were arguing about useless things. This kind of worthless quarreling was characteristic of the city of Corinth—where merchants from almost every nation would come to sell their wares. Competition was everything there, and it frustrated Paul to see the immoral nature of the culture still infecting the church he had founded several years before. Sadly, believers there had not progressed spiritually—they were still stuck in their old, fleshly ways.
3:6 — I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.
The underlying issue of many of the quarrels among New Testament believers was about whose disciples would hold more prominence in the church. The people were transparently vying for power, and what had begun as a simple debate quickly escalated to full-fledged controversy that was splitting the young congregation. So Paul reminded them that they existed by God’s grace and for His glory—not their own.
3:13 — Each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire.
Here, Paul speaks about the judgment believers will face—not concerning salvation, but of the quality of our service to Christ. This was a warning to those whose only purpose was to achieve power and prominence in the church. When we stand before the Lord, it will become absolutely clear what we accomplished for Him through the Spirit and what we did in our own power. God knows our motives, and no one will be able to oppose or resist His judgment.
3:15 — If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Every believer in Christ already has eternal life—that question was settled forever at the Cross. But rewards for service are another matter entirely. Some will receive many; others will get none—all according to the truth we understood, the opportunities we used to share that truth, and how we responded in obedience to Him.
3:21 — Let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you.
It is absolutely useless to worry about who is more powerful or popular, and it is counterproductive to compete against one another as believers. The Lord created us to work together, not to gain advantage over each other. He has given us every good thing we have, and we are to use all of our gifts, resources, and talents to His glory, not our own.
4:5 — Do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts.
None of us are in a position to assess the motivations of the human heart—especially when it comes to another’s service to the Lord. While the Bible does instruct us to react in a certain way to sinful behavior (1 Cor. 5:2), we are not to judge anyone’s intentions. Often, our opinion of their actions has more to do with our own failings than theirs (Luke 6:36–49).
4:7 — Who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive?
In an ultimate sense, human arrogance makes very little sense because we never accomplish anything except by using the gifts, talents, energies, inspirations—and even breaths—that God gives to us.
4:10 — You are distinguished, but we are without honor.
The Corinthians were arguing amongst themselves about who had the right view of doctrine, which was really an attempt to distinguish themselves and claim power in the church. Paul explained he sought no earthly honor, nor could a Christian’s success come from worldly definitions. Jealousy is a deadly combination of fear and pride. We become concerned that another has been blessed or is respected more than we are. Scripture is clear: this is not God’s best for us. He wants us to be focused on His will and not on what others have or do. When our hearts are set on Him, we will have all that we need or want.
4:14 — I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
Paul learned such a loving attitude from Christ Himself. The Lord does not correct us in order to humiliate us, but because He loves us and wants to spare us the pain that our sinful actions always bring.
5:2 — You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.
Apparently, the Corinthians felt proud that they could tolerate such a shocking sin. Perhaps they congratulated themselves that their love could overlook the kind of behavior that ordinarily brought condemnation. However, their tolerance was allowing the church to remain defiled. Not only was it ruining their influence in the community, but it was also dividing the fellowship and confusing new believers.
5:5 — Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Blatant and persistent sin on the part of believers can have serious consequences, not only for those in the church, but also for those who do not believe in Christ. If His followers are no different from the world, why should they believe in Him? Many times, we must allow people to bear the full ramifications of their actions without interfering in the hope that they will repent of their sin and turn to God.
5:7 — Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.
The celebration of the Passover reminded the Israelites of God’s great provision for them during their exodus from Egypt—when they put the blood of a perfect lamb on their doorposts and He spared the lives of their firstborn sons (Ex. 12). Likewise, when the blood of Jesus covers us, we no longer bear the penalty of death for our sins (John 1:29; Eph. 1:7; 2:13; Col. 1:20; Heb. 9).
5:11 — I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler.
This kind of church discipline may not sound either loving or kind to many today. But true, unconditional love works to restore the sinner, not tolerate the sin—and many times this means allowing them to face the full consequences of their actions (1 Cor. 5:5). Godly love also protects those who would be tempted to compromise their relationship with Christ because of the offender’s example.
6:7 — It is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another.
When Christians go to court to exercise their rights, underneath the legal pretext is often greed, bitterness, vengeance, and pride. Yet Jesus warned, “If you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions” (Matt. 6:15). Instead, we must turn to godly counselors to bring reconciliation, and we must be willing to sacrifice our rights if it means protecting our testimony and the other person’s relationship with Christ (2 Tim. 2:24–26).
6:9 — Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Something has gone dreadfully wrong when someone who professes faith in Christ continues to live according to the same sinful patterns exhibited before their salvation (1 John 2:4).
Answers to Life’s Questions
Is there a limit to God’s forgiveness?
Do you ever ask yourself:
• Can I ever be free of the weight of my sin and guilt?
• Will God forgive my every sin?
I have good news for you! Your loving, heavenly Father will forgive you of all your sins. You can be released today from your sins if you will do what God says.
The apostle Paul dealt with an instance of gross sexual immorality in the Corinthian church: a man was sexually involved with his stepmother. Against that backdrop, Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:9–11).
This passage holds three great messages for us.
First, it tells us that sin is sin. God doesn’t differentiate between one type of sin and another. Most of us wouldn’t consider slanderers in the same “sin boat” as thieves, but sin is sin. There are, however, some sins that I believe are tremendously ensnaring. The effect of sexual sin reaches deep into the soul. It is so ensnaring that many find it difficult to shake free, but God’s love and ability to rescue, forgive, and restore is greater still. There is mercy at the Cross, and it is available to all who draw near to Christ.
Second, it tells us that sin is a lifestyle, a state of being. Paul declared that sin had been the identity of the Corinthians. Sin had been their all-consuming character. Paul called them former thieves—people who had stolen as a way of life. He didn’t say, “Some of you had one too many drinks on occasion.” He said some in the Corinthian church were drunkards. Sin isn’t just something you do. Rather, sinful is what you are.
Third, it tells us that all types of sin can be forgiven. Paul declared, “Such were some of you.” And then Paul reminded them that they were no longer who they had been, but they had been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God. The Corinthians found a new life and a new identity in Christ Jesus. You can as well.
Nothing is beyond God’s forgiveness. No sin is too great or too awful for God to forgive. No person is so deep in sin, so ingrained in a wicked lifestyle, or so steeped in evil that he or she cannot be saved. The only requirement is that you accept His forgiveness. Will you?
See the Life Principles Index for further study:
6:12 — All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.
Paul had no interest in allowing the sinful patterns from which he had escaped through God’s grace to enslave him again. He didn’t ask, “What’s wrong with it?” as much as, “Is this the Lord’s will for me? Will it honor and glorify Him?”
6:18 — Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.
All sin separates us from God, but sexual sin can deeply damage human character. Though someone may say what he is doing will not hurt anyone else, the truth is that it does. All sin has a ripple effect that is broad and far-reaching. Ultimately, sexual sins hinder us from being the whole, courageous, powerful witnesses God created us to be.
6:19 — Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
When the Spirit of God descended upon the tabernacle (Ex. 40)—and later the temple (2 Chr. 5)—in the Old Testament, it was after extensive consecration. Everything from the priests and their garments to the furniture, offerings, and utensils were required to be purified in a specific manner. This complete consecration happens in us when we trust Jesus as our Savior and He cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
6:20 — You have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
No one owns his or her body—it either belongs to God or is enslaved by sin (Rom. 6:6, 16–19). If you are a believer, Jesus redeemed you through His death on the Cross. He is not being cruel when He commands you to refrain from immorality. On the contrary, He wants to free you from the sins that entangle you and prevent you from being all that He has called you to be. Instead of being controlled by your sinful desires, look to Him to meet all of your deepest needs and give your life meaning and significance.
7:5 — Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again.
Sexual expression is a key and vital part of every Christian marriage. Believing couples should abstain from it only (1) by mutual consent, (2) for a limited time, and (3) for a specific prayer need.
7:8 — I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.
Many times people rush into marriage because they long for security, acceptance, companionship, and love. They also yearn to be like others in society. However, making any decision without God’s guidance can be devastating—especially one like marriage that affects the rest of your life. Therefore in marriage—just as everything else—remember that God’s plan for your life is best, and He acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.
7:19 — Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.
Rituals help us only insofar as they move us toward God—in and of themselves, they have no intrinsic value. God values devoted obedience far more than adherence to religious regulations (1 Sam. 15:22; Phil. 3:3).
7:20 — Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.
At Mars Hill, Paul explained, “He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation” (Acts 17:26). In other words, God has chosen the specific era, location, and giftedness with which you would exist for the purpose of serving Him. You are not a mistake—your strengths, weaknesses, and situation in life are part of His plan to be glorified through you. Your ministry does not start sometime in the future when your circumstances change. It begins the moment you believe in Christ. Serve Him obediently with this in view.
8:1 — Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.
God wants us to keep learning about Him and His ways, not merely to add to our storehouse of knowledge and promote ourselves, but to better serve Him and His people. Knowledge that is led by the Spirit and expressed with godly love can be a powerful tool He uses to transform a person’s life.
8:6 — There is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.
Corinthian society was replete with false deities and idols. However, Paul was clear—there is no other deity apart from God. We do not serve one among many—we serve the only Lord. We are created by Him, exist for Him, and can live eternally because of His matchless grace.
8:8 — Food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat.
Much of the meat sold in the Corinthian marketplace and throughout the ancient world began as a sacrifice at the many pagan temples. Some believers were concerned that they were unintentionally defiling themselves or somehow serving these false gods by consuming it. Paul explained that because we are not saved by the food we eat or avoid—there was nothing wrong with eating the meat.
8:9 — Take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
Although Paul taught that there was nothing wrong with eating the meat, he warned that immature Christians may not understand the decision—and he instructed us to avoid doing anything that would weaken their faith. We often think of things in terms of our needs and rights, but Paul had a completely different point of view. He did everything with the view of honoring God, winning others to Christ, and building up believers.
8:11 — Through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died.
Jesus taught, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). We should be willing to lay down our lives for the gospel, but sometimes the question is, are we willing to lay down our prejudices, biases, opinions, rights, and political views so that others can know His salvation? In love, we are always to desire the best for our brothers and sisters in the Lord—even if that means self-denial.
9:2 — You are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
Some of the Corinthians were challenging Paul’s credentials as a servant of the Lord. However, they themselves were the evidence of Paul’s apostleship because he had led many of them to faith in Christ (John 15:4, 5).
Life Examples
Always an Encouraging Word
Wherever Barnabas went, people’s faces lit up. They knew that his presence brought a kind word, a helpful suggestion, and a load of encouragement.
In fact, that’s how he got his name. He was born Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, but his reassuring and cheerful ways soon prompted the apostles to give him the nickname Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36).
Without Barnabas, there might never have been an apostle Paul. It was Barnabas who introduced Saul to the church when everyone else was afraid of him (Acts 9:26–30). And when the apostles sent Barnabas to check up on a young church, he “began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:23, 24).
Don’t you agree that we could use a few more believers like Barnabas?
See the Life Principles Index for further study:
9:17 — If I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.
It is a great privilege to serve the Lord, but it is also our solemn duty. The amazing thing is that God has promised to supply all of our needs and reward us richly for obeying Him—something we should do simply because of who He is!
9:22 — I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
Paul never compromised his convictions or his calling, but he was more than willing to find common ground and meet his audience wherever they happened to be. More than anything, he wanted to lead people to life in Christ.
9:24 — Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
Paul referred to the Isthmian athletic games that were hosted in Corinth to remind the church that just as an athlete does not stop training, we must not stop pursuing and obeying God. We will not accomplish much if we do not embrace the Lord’s purpose for our lives and carry this purpose out with consistency, dedication, and discipline.
10:11 — These things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction.
Everything in God’s Word exists for our example, warning, and admonition (Rom. 15:4). We are to note what God’s people did in the past and how their decisions affected their relationship with Him in order to move ahead in our own walk of faith.
10:13 — God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
We will face temptations just as the Old Testament saints did, but we do not have to choose disobedience to God. Why? Because the power of sin over us was defeated at the Cross. If we’ve trusted Christ as our Savior, His Spirit lives in us—giving us the power and wisdom to overcome our sinful impulses so we can obey Him. So whenever you’re tempted, ask God to remind you of the terrible consequences that would follow the transgression and to fill your heart with love and obedience for Him—because that is a sure way of escape.
10:23 — All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.
As believers, we have been forgiven of all our sin and have been guaranteed our salvation—there is nothing we can do to lose what Christ has given us freely. Though nothing can impede our salvation, not all things are beneficial to our walk with God. Therefore, we are not merely to ask, “Is this behavior or action okay?” but also, “Does this help my relationship with the Lord and my testimony to the lost?” God wants us to move beyond merely debating whether something is wrong or right, and instead choose actions that are in line with His will and build up the faith of others.
10:31 — Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
There could hardly be a better standard of behavior than this. Before you commit to any action, ask yourself, “Can I do this to the glory of God? Would this action represent Him in a manner worthy of His name?”
10:33 — I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.
Non-believers are trying to fill the emptiness in their lives—that is why they engage in all kinds of sinful behaviors. Sadly, their ungodly activities only leave them feeling emptier, alone, and discouraged. What they need is Jesus, and you can introduce them to Him, if you’ll stay strong and obedient.
11:20 — When you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper.
When the church observed the Lord’s Supper, it was in remembrance of the last Passover Jesus celebrated with His disciples (Matt. 26:20–30; Mark 14:17–26; Luke 22:1–23; John 13—17). Regrettably, the Corinthian observance no longer reflected the spirit of the Lord’s Supper. Instead of honoring the Lord in fellowship with other believers, many brought their own meals, while others got drunk, and some had nothing to eat at all. God calls us to express our faith in community, but when we act without consideration for other members of Christ’s body and without respect for Him, we are not acting as the church at all.
11:26 — As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
The Lord’s Supper not only looks back at Christ’s sacrifice and gives Him praise for His great gift of salvation to us, but it also looks ahead to that day when we will see Him again and enjoy our heavenly home with Him forever.
11:32 — When we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
God disciplines His erring children because He wants to spare us the greater pain that comes with persistent disobedience (Heb. 12:5–13). His mercy prompts His discipline.
12:4 — There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There is great diversity in the body of Christ. There are many parts and roles, but they all come together in unity through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God never contradicts Himself as He gives each member of His body commands, so when everyone is faithfully submitted to His will, we are all working towards the same goal—to glorify Him and lead others to salvation.
12:7 — To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
At the time we come to faith in Christ, every believer receives at least one spiritual gift—not merely to encourage and build up our own relationship with the Lord, but to edify the entire church. God makes the church interdependent because He never meant for believers to “go it alone” in their walk of faith, but to enjoy the amazing blessings of fellowship with Him and others.
12:11 — One and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
God distributes spiritual gifts as He sees fit. While a church can and should “desire earnestly spiritual gifts” (1 Cor. 14:1), individual believers are never encouraged to request specific gifts. Rather, the Spirit gives us the talents that are necessary for the tasks He wants us to accomplish. And God always assumes the responsibility of enabling us to do whatever He has called us to do.
12:26 — If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
This verse gives the reason for Paul’s instruction: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15). Since we all belong to each other, we should humbly desire and work for each other’s benefit as if doing so for ourselves (Matt. 22:39).
What the Bible Says About
First Corinthians 13 is probably the most widely quoted passage in the world on the subject of love. Verse 13 says, “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
We recognize that Jesus demonstrated sacrificial love for us by dying for our sins, making possible our forgiveness and restoring us to fellowship with the Father. Yet we often fail to realize that Christ’s love goes even beyond the Cross.
Everything we do, don’t do, face, and don’t face is touched by His continuing love. Everything about us hinges on love because God, who is love, created us in His image (1 John 4:8, 16). Because God loves us, He gives us blessings and lets us share them. When we pray and are told to wait, it is because He loves us and knows we need time to grow. When the overwhelming choices before us make it hard to know which way is up, our Lord and Savior shows us our need to depend on His guiding love.
Jesus demonstrated this kind of amazing love to Mary and Martha upon Lazarus’ death. John 11:6 says, “So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was.” Jesus knew that Mary and Martha needed to grieve in order to grow. He allowed the sisters’ pain because He loved them.
Until we come to understand and believe at our deepest, innermost level that God is love, we will struggle with trusting Him, yielding to Him, obeying Him, and serving Him wholeheartedly. One of the keys to our spiritual growth as Christians is believing in God’s love—even when we cannot see it.
While we are to live in faith and hope, our most important dwelling place is God’s love. Without making His love our ultimate dwelling, we cannot fully live in faith and hope. We should refuse to take a step or a breath without remaining keenly sensitive to “the greatest of these”—our Father’s love.
See the Life Principles Index for further study:
13:3 — If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
We must always test our motives for everything we do. Do we sacrifice our lives and possessions out of loving obedience to the Lord, or in doing so are we fulfilling a selfish need in our own lives? Do we address our conduct with an attitude of godly service, or are we motivated by personal ambition and conceit? If our actions do not reflect the love of God, they will have no power and will certainly not last (John 13:34, 35; 15:4–14; 1 Cor. 3:11–15).
13:8 — Love never fails.
Because God’s holy love is within us, we should never be self-consumed. Rather, as Paul told the Philippians, “With humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves” (Phil. 2:3). Real, godly, unconditional love never falls short of forgiving or seeking the good of the other person. It never fails to encourage others to stay in an intimate relationship with the Lord. When our love for Him and others is right, we win. We cannot lose when His unconditional love flows through us freely.
13:9 — We know in part and we prophesy in part.
God does not give any of His children a complete picture of what He is doing or what He has planned to do in the world, but He reveals it to us as we work together in unity. He never calls any believer to “go it alone” in his walk of faith but to fully enjoy the Christian life as we fellowship with other believers. We need to depend upon one another not only to experience His love and know His will, but also to fulfill His mission in the world.
13:13 — Faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Our hope will be fulfilled in heaven, because we will have everything we’ve ever hoped for. Our faith will be complete because we will see the King in His glory. And His love will remain forever because the fruit of His love—our salvation—will endure always, to His honor, praise, and glory.
14:12 — Since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.
God wants us to grow in grace, learn about Him, and serve others together. Why together? Because our unity of heart and action best shows the power of God’s love.
14:19 — In the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Originally seen at the empowering of the church at Pentecost, the ability to speak diverse languages was given so the early church could spread the gospel all around the world (Acts 2:4). Yet what Paul is speaking of here is that many of the believers in Corinth were imitating other religions by babbling meaninglessly. What they were doing was neither of the Spirit nor edifying to other believers. Rather, they were trying to show off their “super-spirituality.” So Paul reiterated to them that the real power of the Spirit is seen in the teaching and maturing of the church.
14:33 — God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
The church is a living organism that is constantly growing and changing. Yet it does so in an organized, obedient, godly fashion—not in chaos. God does not tell one person to do something that completely contradicts and invalidates what He told someone else to do. Nor does He ever command anything that is in opposition to His eternal Word. He is the Lord of order, so when He brings us into fellowship with the rest of His church, He has special plans to use our gifts and talents within that group, and He keeps us unified with the rest of the body through His Holy Spirit.
14:40 — All things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
Confusion is never a sign of God’s leading. When something spirals out of control, you can be sure that He did not design it. He may lead us in unusual ways, but He will never guide us in a manner inconsistent with His holiness and Word.
15:6 — He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time.
The gospel is not a clever story that is impossible to prove (2 Pet. 1:16). Jesus appeared to more than 500 people after His resurrection, and many of them were still alive when Paul wrote his letter to the Corinthians. There is undeniable evidence that the resurrection of Jesus Christ has taken place and that it has the power to transform our lives.
15:10 — I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.
Anything worthwhile that we accomplish for God is done in obedience to Him through the guidance and empowering of His Holy Spirit. His grace prompts us to do His will, not to become lazy.
15:17 — If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
The physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is essential to the truth and power of the gospel. Without the Resurrection, Christianity would be like every other religion in the world—powerless to save. Without the Resurrection, there would be no triumph over sin and death, and we would have no assurance of eternal life. There is no hope for us without His resurrection.
15:20 — Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.
During the Feast of First Fruits, the Israelites were required to bring the first crop of their barley harvest to the priest as a symbol of their trust that the Lord would make the rest of their crop flourish bountifully. In the same way, Jesus is the first of the resurrection, showing that we can have absolute confidence that He will raise us from the dead as well (Rom. 8:23).
15:21, 22 — By a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
Just as sin came into the world through Adam’s fall in the Garden of Eden, death also comes to us through that first transgression (Gen. 3; Rom. 5:12–15). But we have eternal redemption through Jesus Christ who gave His life for us. The choice is ours: we either remain in sin or accept the gift of His forgiveness that was demonstrated for us on the Cross.
15:52 — In the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
When Jesus Christ comes, those who believe in Him—whether living or dead—will be raptured. That means we will be caught up in the air to be with Him, rising up to heaven with imperishable, glorified bodies—just like His. We will live in the holy presence of the Lord in the new home He has prepared for us forever and ever (John 14:1–3).
15:58 — Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
Our work for God has value and meaning because He is the One behind it—empowering us through His Spirit—and He has promised to give us success and reward us for our faithful service.
16:2 — On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.
Paul instructs believers to present their offerings to the Lord on a regular, proportional basis. Giving should be a consistent discipline in our lives rather than a sporadic practice. We should honor the Lord with what He asks of us—which is a tithe, or ten percent, of our income (Mal. 3:10)—with a heart thankful for all He has already provided for us.
16:7 — I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits.
Paul always sought the Lord for direction in his life. Though he may have had personal desires to stay at a particular church, travel to a certain region to evangelize the people, or visit a beloved congregation, he wisely left those plans in God’s hands to fulfill or alter as He deemed best.
16:9 — A wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
The blessing of God—in this case, the opening of a wide door of ministry—often comes with difficulties such as adversaries and other challenges. We should not grow discouraged by the obstacles or become presumptuous because of the blessings. Rather, we must remain obedient to the Lord and seek His will for every situation.
16:22 — If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.
Maranatha means, “Come, Lord Jesus” or, “The Lord is coming soon.” There will come a time when Jesus Christ will sit on the Great White Throne and pass judgment on all who refused to believe in Him (Rev. 20:11–15). When that happens, it will be too late for unbelievers to turn to Him in faith and embrace His gift of salvation. That is why the right time to be reconciled to God is always right now (2 Cor. 5:10), because we do not know when He will return (Heb. 9:27).