Perfectly United

1 Corinthians

Author

1 Corinthians 1:1

1 Corinthians 1:1 NIV84

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

It is clear from the book itself that it was written by Paul, along with Sosthenes. This is most likely the same person that is mentioned in . The one who received a public thrashing in the Synagogue.

It is clear from the book itself that it was written by Paul, along with Sosthenes. This is most likely the same person that is mentioned in . The one who received a public thrashing in the Synagogue.

If this is the same person, then we see that something good came from the bad.

Audience

1 Corinthians 1:2–3 NIV84

2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:

Again, the text tells us that it was written to the church in Corinth. Those who had been set apart by Jesus Christ.

Again, the text tells us that it was written to the church in Corinth. Those who had been set apart by Jesus Christ.

Setting

Early in Paul’s stay in Ephesus he wrote a letter to the church at Corinth. That letter was not preserved for us, but we know from 1 Corinthians that it was misunderstood. So this second letter was written.

Likewise, 1 Corinthians did not solve the problem, so 2 Corinthians was written.

Paul’s Thanksgiving

1 Corinthians 1:4–9 NIV84

4 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

1 Corinthians 1:

1 Corinthians 1:4–9 NIV84

4 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

1 Corinthians 1:4-

Paul thanks God for His Grace!

Paul thanks God for His Grace!

Paul thanks God that He enriches in every way!

Enriched in our ability to speak.

Enriched in our knowledge

Paul thanks God that they did not lack ANY spiritual gift.

Paul thanks God that God will keep them strong and blameless until the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.

KEY—God is faithful!

No Divisions!

1 Corinthians 1:10–17 NIV84

10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

1 Corinthians 1:10-

In Christ we should be perfectly united:

In Christ we should be perfectly united:

United in mind.

United in thought.

Those from Chloe’s house reported quarrels within the Corinth church.

Christ is NOT divided

Paul, Apollos, & Peter were all sent to share the gospel!

This gospel is NOT filled with human wisdom.

Some translations translate this as “clever speech.” The problem with the church at Corinth was they swayed by eloquent speeches. That is why Paul describes himself as a preacher (verse 17). Preachers were considered blunt and to the point. So Rather than cleaver speeches, the Gospel came with simple bluntness.

Rather it comes with the power of the Messiah.

KEY—The message (preaching) of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing!

1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV84

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

To those who are being saved, it is the power of God!

SO WHAT?

So What Does This Mean To US?

We need to remember it is ALL about God!

God extends His grace to us.

God enriches our lives in every way.

God enriches our speech

God enriches our knowledge.

God gives us every spiritual gift

And it is God that keeps us strong and blameless

Since it is all about God there should be NO divisions among us.

We ought to be united in mind

We ought to be united in thought.

Share the Gospel without cleaver speech.

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Trust in the power of God!

Is the preaching of the Cross foolishness to you?