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1 Corinthians 1

World English Bible

WEB

1Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2to the assembly of God which is at Corinth—those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours: 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4I always thank my God concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge— 6even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you— 7so that you come behind in no gift, waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8who will also confirm you until the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 10Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are from Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” and, “I follow Christ.” 13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so that no one should say that I had baptized you into my own name. 16(I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides them, I don’t know whether I baptized any other.) 17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Good News—not in wisdom of words, so that the cross of Christ wouldn’t be made void. 18For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.” 20Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe. 22For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God; 25because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; 27but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong. 28God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that don’t exist, that he might bring to nothing the things that exist, 29that no flesh should boast before God. 30Because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31that, as it is written, “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

1 Corinthians Chapter 1 begins with the Apostle Paul addressing the church in Corinth, emphasizing his authority as an apostle called by Jesus Christ. He greets the believers, reminding them of their identity in Christ and the grace they have received. Paul expresses gratitude for the spiritual gifts bestowed upon them, which are meant to strengthen the church as they await the return of the Lord. This introduction sets a tone of unity and encouragement, highlighting the importance of being rooted in the message of the Gospel. The chapter is marked by the theme of #grace and the #calling of believers, reminding them of their position in Christ Jesus, who is their source of wisdom and righteousness.

As the chapter progresses, Paul addresses divisions within the Corinthian church, where factions have formed around different leaders, such as Paul, #Apollos, and #Cephas (Peter). He challenges the believers to move beyond these divisions, emphasizing that Christ is not divided and that their allegiance should be to Him alone. Paul reminds them that the message of the cross may seem foolish to the world, but it is the power of God for those who believe. This contrast between worldly wisdom and divine wisdom is a central theme, as Paul asserts that God has chosen the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the wise. Ultimately, he calls the Corinthians to boast only in the Lord, for it is through Him that they have been saved and called to a holy life.

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Referenced by

  1. 2 Samuel 17:7v252 Samuel 17:7 shows Hushai's counsel being preferred over Ahithophel's, demonstrating that God's wisdom can appear foolish to men. 1 Corinthians 1:25 states that the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, reinforcing this theme.
  2. Job 9:4v25Job 9:4 speaks of God's wisdom and strength, which is paralleled in 1 Corinthians 1:25, where the wisdom of God is described as greater than human wisdom.
  3. Job 32:9v27Job 32:9 suggests that age does not always bring wisdom, paralleling 1 Corinthians 1:27, where God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, indicating that true wisdom comes from God, not human status or age.
  4. Proverbs 30:24-28v27Proverbs 30:24-28 describes small creatures that are wise, paralleling 1 Corinthians 1:27, where God uses the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the strong and wise.
  5. Ecclesiastes 1:18v18Ecclesiastes 1:18 states that with much wisdom comes much sorrow. 1 Corinthians 1:18-21 contrasts worldly wisdom with the wisdom of God, which is seen as foolishness to the world but is the power of God.
  6. Isaiah 29:14v19Isaiah 29:14 speaks of God performing a marvelous work that confounds the wisdom of the wise. Paul references this in 1 Corinthians 1:19 to illustrate how God's wisdom surpasses human understanding, particularly through the message of the cross.
  7. Jeremiah 9:23-24v31Jeremiah 9:23-24 emphasizes that true boasting should be in understanding and knowing the Lord, which Paul echoes in 1 Corinthians 1:31, urging believers to boast in the Lord.
  8. Zechariah 12:7v27Zechariah 12:7 highlights God's intention to save the tents of Judah first, emphasizing His choice of the humble. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 echoes this theme, where God chooses the weak and lowly to shame the strong.
  9. Romans 1:16v18Romans 1:16 declares the gospel as the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, which aligns with 1 Corinthians 1:18 where the message of the cross is described as the power of God to those being saved.
  10. 1 Thessalonians 3:13v81 Thessalonians 3:13 speaks of being blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:8 assures believers that God will keep them strong to the end, so they will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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