Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of 1 Corinthians
First Corinthians is Paul's response to a gifted but troubled church, addressing division, immorality, worship, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection with the wisdom of the cross. It contains the great chapter on love and the fullest teaching on the resurrection in the epistles. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The First Epistle to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul, who founded the church at Corinth, to a congregation that was rich in spiritual gifts but immature and divided. Writing from Ephesus around AD 55, Paul answers reports and questions, addressing factions, immorality, lawsuits among believers, marriage, food offered to idols, disorder in worship and the Lord's Supper, the use of spiritual gifts, and the doctrine of the resurrection. Throughout, he calls the church back to the wisdom of the cross and the way of love.
This commentary covers 1 Corinthians verse by verse, with the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. The letter opens by confronting division with the cross, the power and wisdom of God, and includes the beloved thirteenth chapter on love and the resurrection hope of chapter fifteen. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
All sixteen chapters of 1 Corinthians are now complete, verse by verse, from the wisdom of the cross to the resurrection hope.
Author
The apostle Paul, founder of the Corinthian church.
Setting
Written from Ephesus, around AD 55, to the church at Corinth.
Key Themes
The cross, unity, order in the church, love, and the resurrection.
Famous Chapters
The way of love (13) and the resurrection (15).
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
1 Corinthians Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
1 Corinthians 1:1-31
Christ Crucified, the Power of God
Paul confronts a divided church, pleads for unity in the name of Jesus, and lifts their eyes to the message of the cross, foolishness to the perishing but the power of God to those being saved.
Read Chapter 1 →1 Corinthians 2:1-16
Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified
Paul preaches 'not... any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified,' 'in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,' the hidden wisdom of God that the princes did not know, 'for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory,' and the Spirit who reveals 'the deep things of God,' so that the spiritual man discerns what the natural man cannot, 'for... we have the mind of Christ.'
Read Chapter 2 →1 Corinthians 3:1-23
Ye Are the Temple of God
Paul heals the church's divisions: the preachers are only servants, 'I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.' There is one foundation, 'which is Jesus Christ,' and each man's work is 'tried' by fire. The church is 'the temple of God,' for 'the Spirit of God dwelleth in you'; therefore 'let no man glory in men,' for 'all things are yours... and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.'
Read Chapter 3 →1 Corinthians 4:1-21
Stewards of the Mysteries of God
Ministers are 'stewards of the mysteries of God,' required only to 'be found faithful.' Paul lives for the Lord's verdict, not man's, 'he that judgeth me is the Lord,' and deflates their pride: 'what hast thou that thou didst not receive?' He sets the suffering apostolic life, 'the offscouring of all things,' beside their boasting, and, as their father in the gospel, warns that 'the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.'
Read Chapter 4 →1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Christ Our Passover
Paul confronts a sin the church had tolerated with pride and acts 'in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ' to discipline it, 'that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.' Because 'a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump' and 'Christ our passover is sacrificed for us,' they must 'purge out... the old leaven' and keep the feast 'with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth,' putting away 'that wicked person.'
Read Chapter 5 →1 Corinthians 6:1-20
Glorify God in Your Body
Believers shame the church by suing one another before unbelievers, when 'the saints shall judge the world'; better to 'take wrong.' The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom, 'and such were some of you: but ye are washed... in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.' Because the body is 'the temple of the Holy Ghost' and 'bought with a price,' the believer must 'glorify God' in body and spirit.
Read Chapter 6 →1 Corinthians 7:1-40
Concerning Marriage
Paul answers questions on marriage and singleness, honoring both as a 'proper gift of God.' He upholds the Lord's command on faithfulness, 'not I, but the Lord,' counsels the believer married to an unbeliever, for 'the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife,' and calls each to 'abide with God' in his calling. Because 'the time is short' and 'the fashion of this world passeth away,' he commends undistracted devotion to the Lord.
Read Chapter 7 →1 Corinthians 8:1-13
There Is But One God
On meat offered to idols, 'knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.' There is 'none other God but one': 'to us there is but one God, the Father... and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things,' the one God confessed in the one Lord Jesus. So liberty must never become 'a stumblingblock' to a weak brother 'for whom Christ died'; to wound him is to 'sin against Christ.'
Read Chapter 8 →1 Corinthians 9:1-27
All Things to All Men
Paul proves his apostolic rights, 'the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel,' yet refuses them, preaching 'without charge,' for 'necessity is laid upon me.' Free from all, he made himself 'servant unto all,' 'all things to all men, that I might by all means save some,' and ran the race with discipline: 'I keep under my body,' lest he be 'a castaway.'
Read Chapter 9 →1 Corinthians 10:1-33
That Rock Was Christ
Israel had every privilege and drank of 'that spiritual Rock... and that Rock was Christ,' yet most fell; 'let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.' But 'God is faithful' to 'make a way to escape.' So 'flee from idolatry,' for 'the communion of the blood of Christ' cannot be shared with 'the table of devils,' and 'whether therefore ye eat, or drink... do all to the glory of God.'
Read Chapter 10 →1 Corinthians 11:1-34
The Lord's Supper
Paul teaches an order of headship, 'the head of Christ is God,' the incarnate Son yielded to the Father, the one God. He rebukes the divisions that made their gatherings 'not to eat the Lord's supper,' and recalls its institution: 'this is my body... this cup is the new testament in my blood,' which shows 'the Lord's death till he come.' So 'let a man examine himself,' discerning the Lord's body.
Read Chapter 11 →1 Corinthians 12:1-31
The Body of Christ
On spiritual gifts: 'no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost,' and the gifts are many but the Giver one, 'the same Spirit... the same Lord... the same God which worketh all in all.' 'By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,' with many members, each necessary. 'Now ye are the body of Christ,' bound in mutual care, and pointed to 'a more excellent way.'
Read Chapter 12 →1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Charity Never Faileth
The great chapter on love. Without charity the highest gifts are 'nothing.' Paul paints love's portrait, 'charity suffereth long, and is kind... beareth all things... endureth all things,' the very character of Christ. And love outlasts all: 'charity never faileth,' while gifts pass; 'now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face,' and 'the greatest of these is charity.'
Read Chapter 13 →1 Corinthians 14:1-40
Decently and in Order
Gifts in the gathered church are governed by edification and order. Understandable prophecy 'edifieth the church' more than uninterpreted tongues; worship engages both 'the spirit' and 'the understanding.' Because 'God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,' tongues are interpreted and prophets weighed, so that 'all things be done decently and in order.'
Read Chapter 14 →1 Corinthians 15:1-58
The Resurrection of the Dead
The great resurrection chapter. Paul restates the gospel, 'Christ died for our sins... rose again the third day,' and shows all hangs on it: 'if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain.' But Christ is 'the firstfruits'; 'in Christ shall all be made alive.' The body is 'sown a natural body... raised a spiritual body,' in the image of 'the Lord from heaven,' and death is 'swallowed up in victory... through our Lord Jesus Christ.'
Read Chapter 15 →1 Corinthians 16:1-24
Stand Fast in the Faith
Paul closes with the collection for the saints, 'as God hath prospered him,' his plans to stay where 'a great door and effectual is opened,' and his charge: 'watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.' He ends with 'if any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha,' the ancient prayer, our Lord, come, and 'the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.'
Read Chapter 16 →