Sunday School (19)

1 Corinthians 1:1-17

As we jump into the letters from Paul to the Corinthians, we will see that as Paul opens his first letter to the Corinthians, that he lays the foundation for much of what follows through out the rest of the letters.

So let’s jump right in. Would someone please read 1 Corinthians 1:1-17 out loud?

1 Corinthians 1:1–17 NASB95

Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Now 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. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

Verse 1

Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

Paul begins by asserting his authority — he is an apostle, not by human choice, but by God’s will. This is important because some in Corinth questioned his authority. Sosthenes, likely the same synagogue leader mentioned in Acts 18:17, is his co-sender or scribe.

Why might Paul emphasize that his apostleship is “by the will of God”? Because Paul wants to remind the Corinthians that his message carries divine authority, not personal ambition. His role and words come from God’s calling, not self-promotion.

Verse 2

To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

Paul addresses believers as sanctified and “saints by calling.” The letter is to Corinth but also includes all who follow Jesus. This links local believers to the global church.

What does it mean to be “sanctified in Christ Jesus”? It means being set apart for God’s purposes through faith in Christ. It is not through human effort, but by God’s grace.

Verse 3

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is a typical Paul greeting that combines Greek (“grace”) and Hebrew (“peace” / shalom) blessings. It reflects the unity of believers from diverse backgrounds.

Why might Paul always pair grace and peace in his greetings? Because grace (God’s favor) produces peace (reconciliation and wholeness) and they both come from God through Christ.

Verses 4–6

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,

Paul begins with thanksgiving, recognizing God’s grace in the Corinthians’ spiritual gifts — especially eloquence and knowledge. Yet, he’ll later correct their misuse of these gifts.

Why might Paul start with gratitude even though he’ll soon correct them? Paul models love and encouragement before correction. He acknowledges God’s work in them despite their problems. It shows that rebuke should come from a place of gratitude and hope.

Today, is this a smart tactic in having to rebuke a brother or sister in Christ? Why or why not? Absolutely, If you come on the attack, they like a cornered animal feel no choice but to fight their way out. Coming with gratitude first, show care and concern and corrective criticism not attack.

Verses 7–9

so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul assures them they have every spiritual resource while awaiting Christ’s return. Their ultimate security rests on God’s faithfulness, not their own.

What comfort can believers take from “God is faithful”? It means our salvation and growth depend on God’s steadfastness and He will complete what He began (Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” ).

Verse 10

Now 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.

Paul now addresses the first problem. That is division. He appeals in Christ’s name for unity of purpose and thought. The word “complete” suggests being perfectly joined, like mended fabric.

What kind of unity might Paul be asking for, uniformity of opinion or shared purpose? Shared purpose and attitude, centered on Christ. Christians may differ in views, but should always be united in love, mission, and humility.

Verses 11–12

For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”

Paul identifies the source: factionalism. Believers were aligning themselves with favorite teachers such as Paul, Apollos (eloquent preacher), Peter, or even claiming exclusive allegiance to Christ.

What dangers arise when Christians form cliques around human leaders? It shifts focus from Christ to personalities, it breeds pride, and it fractures the unity of the body.

Verse 13

Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Paul uses rhetorical questions to expose the absurdity of dividing the church around human leaders. Only Christ was crucified and only His name saves.

What seems to be Paul’s main point with these questions? He’s showing that Christian identity is found in Christ alone and not in who baptized us or whose preaching and teaching we follow from the earthly realm.

Verses 14–16

I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other.

Paul minimizes his role in baptism to emphasize the gospel over ritual. He’s glad few could claim allegiance to him based on baptism.

Does Paul downplay baptism’s importance here? No, he’s not minimizing baptism’s meaning, but instead, rejecting its misuse as a badge of loyalty to a person instead of to Christ.

Why might this be important today? Because it is and has always been about Jesus.

Verse 17

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

Paul contrasts human eloquence with the power of the cross. In Corinth’s culture — which prized rhetoric — Paul insists that true power lies in the simple message of the crucified Christ.

Why might Paul reject “cleverness of speech”? Because relying on style or intellect can obscure the gospel’s substance. It is the cross’s saving power that must be central, not the preacher’s skill. (Can we hear a big amen.)

The key take aways from our story today are Paul’s divine calling and authority, thanksgiving for grace and gifts, a call to unity in Christ, a warning against personality cults, and the gospel’s power over human eloquence