This epistle was written during the apostle Paul’s long stay at Ephesus, of which we read in Acts 19; this was about twenty-five years after the crucifixion of the Lord. The Apostle had now been away from Corinth two or three years, and many things in the young assembly there, were not what they should be, the more important of these are discussed in the Epistle. This gives First Corinthians a character very distinct from that of the Epistle to the Romans.
It is well for us who are living in the last days of God’s present dealings with man, that all of the evils existing in the Church—and the world too—have been delineated in the Scriptures, together with clear directions for the guidance of His saints in regard to them. This was part of the divine design in giving us the Word of God, as we may gather from such widely separated passages as Josh. 1:88This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8); Psa. 119:105105NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105); 2 Tim. 3:13-1713But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:13‑17). May it please Him to bless to us our study of this Epistle.
1 Cor. 1:11Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, (1 Corinthians 1:1). Paul’s calling as an apostle of Jesus Christ was through (or by) the will of God. He had, and needed, no certificate from men, with such a calling as this. Writing to the Christians in Galatia (Gal. 1), the Apostle said, “But when it pleased God....to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood; neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me....”
And in the twelfth chapter of this Epistle we are taught that “God hath set some in the Church, first, apostles, secondarily prophets,” and so as to other gifts. Neither the Church nor any man or men has divinely conferred authority to appoint the Lord’s servants.
What was an apostle? We may turn to Luke 6:1313And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; (Luke 6:13), where out of His disciples the Lord chose twelve, “whom also He named apostles.” Again, in Acts 1:22Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: (Acts 1:2), we read of His having, through the Holy Ghost, before His ascension, given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen. Paul was not, however, one of the twelve; his appointment was made by the glorified Christ (Acts 26:16-1816But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:16‑18)), and the field of his service was among the Gentiles, while the twelve, including Peter, were sent to the Jews. “Apostle” is from the Greek, and means one sent forth. From 1 Corinthians 9:11Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? (1 Corinthians 9:1), it is evident that an apostle must have seen the Lord, and in 2 Corinthians 12:1212Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (2 Corinthians 12:12), Paul writing of himself said, “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.” Timothy and Titus were given special appointments by Paul (1 Tim. 1:3-43As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. (1 Timothy 1:3‑4); Titus 1:55For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5)), but in Acts 20:17-3517And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:17‑35) not the slightest ground is afforded those who would claim apostolic succession. The apostles had no successors; if our reliance is on the Word of God.
Sosthenes, the brother named in the first verse: who was he? It has been thought that he may have been the man spoken of in Acts 18:1717Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things. (Acts 18:17), as the chief ruler of the Corinth synagogue, the successor of Crispus (Acts 18:88And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. (Acts 18:8)); in that case we must suppose that Sosthenes, like Crispus, became a believer and gave up his position in the synagogue, and also that he accompanied or followed Paul to Ephesus. It is at least plain that the Sosthenes of 1 Cor. 1:11Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, (1 Corinthians 1:1) must have been known in Corinth. In all of Paul’s Epistles addressed to assemblies (churches), except that to the Ephesians, he links one or more with himself at the beginning, but this does not mean that these shared with him the authorship of the letter.
1 Cor. 1:22Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:2). As the contents of the Epistle are studied, the form of the address in this verse is better understood. It is not, as in the preceding letter, “To all that be in Rome” (or in Corinth) “called to be saints,” or saints by calling; but, first, “Unto the Church of God which is at Corinth,” that is, to God’s assembly there. In Ephesians 2:2222In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22) it is said of believers, “In Whom” (Jesus Christ) “ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit;” and in 1 Timothy 3:1515But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15), “....the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground” (base) “of the truth.”
When the unbelief of the Jews was fully displayed after that the Lord had given them full proof of His Messiahship in both works and word, He foretold the building of His Church, (Matt. 16:1818And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)); and in Acts 2, after His cross and His being received up into glory, the Holy Spirit came down and formed all believers into one body, the Church. “Church” is a word of several meanings in the world nowadays; it may be a building, or the congregation meeting in it; or again, it may be a “denomination.” In the Scriptures, with but one exception—Acts 19:3737For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. (Acts 19:37)—where heathen temples are referred to, the word translated “church” is a Greek one which means, “that which is called out,” or simply an assembly, the assembly, formed and indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
“Sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints,” or saints by calling, is the second part of the address or superscription of the Epistle. The word “sanctified” (set apart) here refers to the character before God of those addressed; they were separated to God in Christ Jesus.
And so are you, dear young Christian; set apart for God in Christ; detached from the world which once was your all. It stirs the heart; it speaks moreover to one’s conscience; this position, this character, which God has given to every believer in His Son. It is well for us when progressive sanctification is going on within the breast. Turn the leaves of your Bible to the Lord’s prayer in John 17, and reading John 17:15-1715I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:15‑17), let them sink down into your heart; engrave them upon the tablets of your mind. Young Christians and old ones are progressively sanctified—made holy in their daily living—through feeding upon the Word of God. Do not neglect the Scriptures.
The third part of the superscription of this Epistle is wide in its extent, taking in all everywhere, who profess to be Christ’s, whether true or false:
“With all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.”
The Scriptures, it is well known, are for all believers (2 Tim. 3:16-1716All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16‑17)), but it is clear that the latter part of verse 2 in our chapter was designed by God, in view of the disregard by many Christians of no small part of the doctrine of this Epistle, expressly to show that the whole of it is binding upon all.
1 Cor. 1:33Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:3) brings in the message found in most of the Epistles, addressed in tender love to the children of God who are in the world, in all sorts of circumstances and trials: “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
What a word of comfort and cheer from our Father and our Lord! It is not a promise to take away our distresses and troubles, but the assurance of divine favor and peace to carry us through them all until we leave this world. And what manner of persons ought we to be who are so favored!
1 Cor. 1:4-84I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:4‑8). With much to speak of in condemnation, the Holy Spirit, by the Apostle testifies first in these verses of what was good. Paul could thank God—“my God”, as he says, writing from much knowledge of Him—always on behalf of His saints at Corinth, for the grace of God bestowed on them by, or in, Christ.
What this grace of God was that had been given the Corinthian saints is unfolded in 1 Cor. 1:5-75That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: (1 Corinthians 1:5‑7). Many, we are told in Acts 18:88And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. (Acts 18:8), of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptized, but here we learn that the Holy Spirit had followed that initial work of faith in them with further evidence of His power. They had been given the truth of God, and ability to make it known. As another has said, they were rich in every sort of expression of the truth and all knowledge, in what was preached or taught, as well as in apprehension, so that they came behind in no gift. And, it is added, they were waiting for, not exactly the coming, but the revelation (see marginal note in your Bible) of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You will have noticed that the Apostle is silent as to some things which mark happy Christians, children of God going on in communion with the Lord. Not a word about love, or grace, or faithfulness, or the proper Christian hope—the coming of the Lord for His heavenly saints, found in 1 Cor. 15:51-5251Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑52). True, they had not been told how He would come, but every Christian heart is taught of God to look and long for the Lord to come, to wait for His coming when we shall be with and like Him in His own heavenly home, the Father’s house above. The “revelation” the Corinthian believers waited for, took in no more, it would seem, than that the Lord is hidden now, but will be revealed to sight; which of course is true; every eye shall see Him (Rev. 1:77Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)).
1 Cor. 1:88Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8) adds that the Lord “shall confirm you unto the end, blameless (if not now, then) in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Precious, comforting word!