1 Corinthians

Teacher: Mark Johnson

Listen to the book of 1 Corinthians from BibleGateway: ESV, KJV, MSG, NIV

Corinth is a city that is across the bay from Athens, out on the Isthmus of Achaia. It was a wicked town and they had a church that was wicked at times. First Corinthians is dealing with some of that wickedness and saying that the gospel can address the wickedness both in the church and in the world.  

1 Corinthians 13 is probably one of the most famous passages in the whole Bible talking about love or charity. As you read this week, I would encourage you to think if it really describes God. We're told that God is love and we read 1 Corinthians 13 and think this is what God is like, and it says such things as "Love does not keep track of wrongs." And then we read about the book of sin, the book of remembrance, and books that God is keeping. What is that all about? 

As you read through 1 Corinthians, think about:

• Does 1 Corinthians 13 really portray the character of God?
• How does the gospel, the good news, deal with wickedness in the world and in the church?

Short Outline of the Book of 1 Corinthians from the Today's English Version:

• Introduction (1:1-9)
• Factions in the church (1:10 – 4:21)
• Sexual morality and family life (5:1 – 7:40)
• Christians and pagans (8:1 – 11:1)
• Church life and worship (11:2 – 14:40)
• The resurrection of Christ and of believers (15:1-58)
• The offering for the Christians in Judea (16:1-4)
• Personal matters and conclusion (16:5-24)