1 Corinthians

🏛️ Historical context

Corinth was a rich, cosmopolitan port city famous for its immorality. Paul had founded the community there on his second journey.

🔙 Background

Paul receives news of divisions and a letter of questions from the Corinthians, which he answers point by point.

🧭 Structure of the book

⭐ Key events and teachings

1. 1"We preach Christ crucified" (1:23)
2. 2"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?" (6:19)
3. 3The oldest account of the institution of the Eucharist (11:23-26)
4. 4The Church, body of Christ with many members (ch. 12)
5. 5Hymn to love: "love is patient..." (ch. 13)
6. 6"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile" (15:17)

🏷️ Main themes

📖 Verses to memorize

• 1 Corinthians 1:18For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness: but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God.
• 1 Corinthians 10:13Let no temptation take hold on you, but such as is human. And God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able: but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it.
• 1 Corinthians 11:24And giving thanks, broke and said: Take ye and eat: This is my body, which shall be delivered for you. This do for the commemoration of me.
• 1 Corinthians 13:4Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely, is not puffed up,
• 1 Corinthians 15:55O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?

💭 For reflection

• Which feature of love in 1 Corinthians 13 do I find hardest?
• How do I contribute to my community's unity?

Paul addresses the problems of the community in Corinth: divisions, moral disorder, the Lord's Supper and the gifts of the Spirit. It contains the hymn to love and the great testimony about the resurrection.