Paul Addresses Church Problems (1 Corinthians 1:1–6:20)
Paul wrote the letter of 1 Corinthians to help a church struggling with many problems. The believers in Corinth were divided into groups, each claiming to follow a different leader. Paul reminded them that Jesus is the true foundation of the church. He urged them to be united in faith, working together instead of arguing and competing.
Another issue in the church was pride. Some believers thought they were wiser or more spiritual than others. Paul explained that true wisdom comes from God, not from human thinking. He pointed them to the message of the cross, showing that God uses what seems weak or foolish to reveal His power and saving grace.
There were also serious moral problems in the church. Paul confronted sin that was being ignored and even accepted. He taught that believers should honor God with their bodies and avoid immoral behavior. Sin harms not only individuals but the entire church community.
Paul also encouraged the Corinthians to handle disagreements in a Christlike way. Instead of taking each other to court, he urged them to show patience, forgiveness, and love. Christians should be known for peace and unity, not bitter arguments and selfish behavior.
Throughout this section, Paul reminded the church who they truly are—people saved and set apart for God. Because the Holy Spirit lives in them, they should live differently from the world. 1 Corinthians 1–6 teaches that the church must stay focused on Jesus, confront sin with love, and live in unity as God’s people.
Paul Answers Church Questions (1 Corinthians 7:1–16:24)
In the second half of 1 Corinthians, Paul responds to several questions the church asked him. They wanted guidance on marriage, singleness, and how to honor God in their relationships. Paul explained that both marriage and singleness are gifts from God. He encouraged each person to serve the Lord faithfully in whatever situation they were in. The main goal was to live in a way that pleases God.
Paul also addressed questions about eating food that had been offered to idols. He reminded the church that while they had freedom in Christ, they should be careful not to harm the faith of others. Love should guide their choices. Even if something is allowed, believers should think about how their actions affect others in the church family.
Worship was another important topic. Some believers were misusing spiritual gifts, especially during gatherings. Paul taught that every gift is given by the Holy Spirit to help the church grow. He explained that love is more important than any gift. The famous “love chapter” (1 Corinthians 13) shows that real love is patient, kind, humble, and never selfish.
The Corinthians also had questions about the resurrection. Paul clearly explained that because Jesus rose from the dead, believers will one day rise too. This hope gives strength to live with faith and courage now, knowing that death is not the end.
Paul ended his letter by encouraging the church to stay strong, serve the Lord with love, and support one another. 1 Corinthians 7–16 teaches believers to live wisely, worship with unity, and let love be the foundation of everything they do.