Paul spent a little more than 18 months in Corinth, doing the work which resulted in “many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized” (v. 8). A church took root; rather (as we shall see), a series of house churches, probably spread around the city, began to meet, worship, and learn what it means to be the Body of Christ. The several house churches were one church in Corinth, and for the time Paul was with them, everything seemed to go well.
But when Paul went to Ephesus, troubles began. He wrote 1 Corinthians to address certain issues, difficulties, and questions that were brought to him by visitors from Corinth. The tone of 1 Corinthians, with its focus on division, immaturity, immorality, neglect, and other matters, is stern and demanding. Paul expected better from these people he had served for a year and a half, and he let them know he was disappointed. But like a loving shepherd, he also walked them through their difficulties, reminded them of the grace of God, pointed them toward the Lord’s return, and urged them to stand firm in the faith.
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 1: Paul in Corinth
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 2: A House Divided
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 3: Right Minds
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 4: Grow Up!
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 5: The Mind of Christ
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 6: Righteous Judgment
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 7: Not Our Own
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 8: Calling
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 9: One God, One Lord
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 10: For the Gospel’s Sake
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 11: All for God’s Glory
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 12: The Supper of the Lord
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 13: Spiritual Gifts
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 14: The More Excellent Way
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 15: Decently and in Order
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 16: The Glorious Good News
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 17: Back on Track
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 18: The Power of Grace
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 19: Test Passed
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 20: What a Difference!
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 21: Grace Spreaders
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 22: All Things New!
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 23: Children of God
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 24: Sorrow to Holiness
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 25: Grace and Giving
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 26: Indescribable!
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 27: The Christian’s Warfare
1 and 2 Corinthians, Part 28: Boast in the Lord
