1 Corinthians 1 Scofield
Read 1 Corinthians 1 · Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 1
1:2 Unto 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:
“them”
1 Cor 1:2–9, in contrast with 1 Corinthians 10-13, illustrate a distinction constantly made in the Epistles between the believer's position in Christ Jesus, in the family of God, and his walk, or actual state. Christian position in grace is the result of the work of Christ, and is fully entered the moment that Christ is received by faith; John 1:12; John 1:13; Rom 8:1; Rom 8:15–17; 1 Cor 1:2; 1 Cor 1:30; 1 Cor 12:12; 1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:26; Eph 1:3–14; Eph 2:4–9; 1 Pet 2:9; Rev 1:6; Rev 5:9; Rev 5:10. The weakest, most ignorant, and fallible believer has precisely the same relationships in grace as the most illustrious saint. All the after work of God in his behalf, the application of the word to walk and conscience; John 17:17; Eph 5:26 the divine chastenings; 1 Cor 11:32; Heb 12:10, the ministry of the Spirit Eph 4:11; Eph 4:12 the difficulties and trials of the path 1 Pet 4:12; 1 Pet 4:13 and the final transformation at the appearing of Christ 1 John 3:2 have for their object to make the believer's character conform to his exalted position in Christ. He grows in grace, not into grace.
1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
“for the grace”
Grace (imparted). 1 Cor 3:10; Rom 6:1; 2 Pet 3:18.
1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
“coming”
Three words are used in connection with the return of the Lord:
(1) Parousia, "personal presence," also used by Paul of the "coming" of Stephanas 1 Cor 16:17 of Titus 2 Cor 7:6; 2 Cor 7:7 and of his own "coming" to Philippi Phil 1:26. The word means simply personal presence, and is used of the return of the Lord as that event relates to the blessing of the saints; 1 Cor 15:23; 1 Thess 4:14; 1 Thess 4:17 and to the destruction of the man of sin 2 Thess 2:8.
(2) Apokalupsis, "unveiling," "revelation." The use of this word emphasizes the visibility of the Lord's return. It is used of the Lord 2 Thess 1:7; 1 Pet 1:7; 1 Pet 1:13; 1 Pet 4:13 of the sons of God in connection with the Lord's return Rom 8:19 and of the man of sin 2 Thess 2:3; 2 Thess 2:6; 2 Thess 2:8 and always implies visibility.
(3) Epiphaneia, "appearing," trans. "brightness" 2 Thess 2:8 A.V.; "manifestation," R.V.), and means simply an appearing. It is used of both advents.; 2 Tim 1:10; 2 Thess 2:8; 1 Tim 6:14; 2 Tim 4:1; 2 Tim 4:8; Titus 2:13.
“coming”
(Greek - revelation, unveiling).
1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“day of our Lord Jesus”
The expression "day of Christ," occurs in the following passages: 1 Cor 1:8; 1 Cor 5:5; 2 Cor 1:14; Phil 1:6; Phil 1:10; Phil 2:16. A.V. has "day of Christ," 2 Thess 2:2 incorrectly, for "day of the Lord"; Isa 2:12; Rev 19:11–21 The "day of Christ" relates wholly to the reward and blessing of saints at his coming, as "day of the Lord" is connected with judgment.
1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
“divisions”
(Greek - σχίσμα, a cleft, or rent).
1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
“saved”
(See Scofield "Rom 1:16")
1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
“this world”
age. kosmos = world-system. 1 Cor 2:12; John 7:7, (See Scofield "Rev 13:8").
1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
“world”
kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Matt 4:8").
1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
“wisdom”
from God, or, wisdom from God, even righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.
“righteousness”
(See Scofield "Rom 3:21").
“redemption”
(See Scofield "Rom 3:24").
1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
“Lord”
Jehovah. Jer 9:24
Public domain (1917). Text from the BibleSupport.com e-Sword module.
Introduction to 1 Corinthians
WRITER: The Apostle Paul. His relation to the church at Corinth is set forth in Acts 18:1–18 and in the Epistles to the Corinthians.
DATE: First Corinthians was written in A.D. 59, at the close of Paul's three year's residence in Ephesus. Acts 20:31; 1 Cor 16:5–8.
THEME: The subjects treated are various, but may all be classified under the general theme, Christian conduct. Even the tremendous revelation of the truth concerning resurrection is made to bear upon that theme 1 Cor 15:58. The occasion of the Epistle was a letter on inquiry from Corinth concerning marriage, and the use of meats offered to idols; 1 Cor 7:1; 1 Cor 8:1–13 but the apostle was much more exercised by reports of the deepening divisions and increasing contentions in the church, and of a case of incest which had not been judged; 1 Cor 1:10–12; 1 Cor 5:1.
The factions were not due to heresies, but to the carnality of the restless Corinthians, and to their Greek admiration of "wisdom" and eloquence. The abomination of human leadership in the things of God is here rebuked. Minor disorders were due to vanity, yielding to a childish delight in tongue and the sign gifts, rather than to sober instruction (1 Cor 14:1–28). Paul defends his apostleship because it involved the authority of the doctrine revealed through him.
A rigid analysis of First Corinthians is not possible, The Epistle is not a treatise, but came from the Spirit through the apostle's grief, solicitude, and holy indignation. The following analysis may, however, be helpful.
1. Introduction: The believer's standing in grace, 1 Cor 1:1–9
2. The contrast of their present factious state, 1 Co 1 Cor 1:10 to 1 Cor 4:21.
3. Immorality rebuked; discipline enjoined, 1 Cor 5:1–6; 1 Cor 5:8.
4. The sanctity of the body, and Christian marriage, 1 Cor 6:9 to 1 Cor 7:40.
5. Meats, and the limitations of Christian liberty, 1 Co 1 Cor 8:1 to 1 Cor 11:1.
6. Christian order and the Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:2–34
7. Spiritual gifts in relation to the body, the church, and Christian ministry, 1 Cor 12:1 to 1 Cor 14:40.
8. The resurrection of the dead, 1 Cor 15:1–58
9. Special directions and greetings, 1 Cor 16:1–24.