Bible Commentary On 1 Corinthians 1-5
Reflections On 1 Corinthians 1
Theme: God’s Wisdom Vs Human Wisdom.
Main Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:24b
“…CHRIST the power of GOD and the wisdom of GOD.”
Supporting Verses
1 Corinthians 1:27
But GOD has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and GOD has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the mighty things
Proverbs 3:5-7
Lean not unto your own understanding…
James 1:5
Wisdom comes from GOD, not effort
Romans 1:6
The gospel is the power of GOD.
Paul confronts the church in Corinth in their obsession with human wisdom, personalities, eloquence and status in their new life in CHRIST, instead of embracing the simplicity that is in CHRIST. HE reminded them that they were called enriched, gifted, sustained by CHRIST, yet here they were allowing themselves to be drifting into divisions.
Their problem wasn’t ignorance, it was self-confidence. They wanted the gospel to fit into their logic, culture and personal preferences, hence they divided themselves along human lines – Camp Cephas, Camp Christ, Camp Appollos.
Paul had to remind them that GOD’s wisdom is presented in one person alone, JESUS. That is why he, Paul even though he could preach with eloquence and intellectual prowess chooses rather to present the gospel simply and allow GOD to be glorified.
He makes them understand that to those who truly believe, CHRIST becomes GOD’s very power and wisdom, proving that:
– no one can reason their way into salvation
– no one can earn their way into grace
– No one can polish up the gospel to match culture
– No one can mix human validation with divine truth.
In the end, Paul shows them that GOD deliberately chooses the weak, foolish and lowly things to serve HIM, so that no flesh should glory in HIS presence.
Lessons:
The message of the gospel is simple, if CHRIST is truly GOD’s wisdom, then the only wise life is that which is built on HIM alone, not on any human, sect or logic.
Let us stop overthinking what GOD has already made clear and simply believe HIM.
Prayer:
1. LORD, deliver me from human wisdom and trusting in human validation.
2. Help me to embrace CHRIST as my only wisdom, strength, and confidence. Amen.”
Reflections On 1 Corinthians 2
Theme: The Supremacy of God’s Spiritual Wisdom Over Worldly Wisdom.
Our Bible Commentary today is about Paul’s decision to preach Christ crucified with spiritual power, not human eloquence, because God’s wisdom ( the cross) seems foolish to the world but is revealed by the Spirit to believers, giving them the “mind of Christ” to understand the spiritual truths, unlike the “natural person” who cannot grasp them.
It contrasts worldly wisdom with divine wisdom, emphasizing that faith rests on God’s power, not human intellect, and the Spirit helps believers understand God’s hidden plans.
Key Points:
– Christ Crucified: Jesus Christ and His crucifixion is Paul’s message.
– Divine Versus Worldly Wisdom.
– Role of the Holy Spirit.
– The Spiritual Versus Natural Person.
– His Arrival in Corinth: Verses 1-5.
– God’s Hidden Wisdom: Verses 6-9.
– Revelation by the Spirit: Verses 10-13.
– The Spiritual Mind:
Verses 14-16.
Lesson
Preaching the gospel with the practical demonstration of the power of the Kingdom makes it easy, simple, impactful, and more result oriented than with human eloquence. Verses 1-5 and Zechariah 4:6.
Prayer Verses 9-10.
Father, open our eyes to see beyond the ordinary in order to strengthen our faith in Your word more and more in Jesus Christ’s Mighty Name we pray!
Thank you, Jesus!
Reflections On 1 Corinthians 3
Today, we study the Book of First Corinthians, Chapter Three where believers are warned against SECTARIANISM and the practice of boasting in men because “ALL THINGS ARE YOURS”.
Reflections
“ALL THINGS ARE YOURS”
Key Scripture
“Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours”
(1 Corinthians 3:21)
Sectarianism?
The scenario at the time of Paul’s letter to the Church in Corinth reported in First Corinthians chapter 3 verse 4 that:”one says , “I am of Paul,” and another, I am of Apollos” THIS IS SECTARIANISM.
This practise is still common in religious groups and denominations today.
Today in Nigeria and within many Christian nations, there are labels such as:
-Orthodox
-Pentecostals
-Charismatics
-Evangelicals
-Others
These groupings should promote the work of the Kingdom not precipitate divisions.
Matters Arising
Fellow Workers
The Men of God are “FELLOW WORKERS” or “CO-LABOURERS” in the vineyard of the Lord. (1 Cor. 3:9)
No Competition
The Assignments are COMPLIMENTARY !
There should be no COMPETITION between “TEAM PAUL” versus “TEAM APOLLO”
(1 Corinthians 3:10)
Gifts
God gave “GIFTS” such as Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists and Teachers to His Church. (Eph. 4:11-12)
This is because of THE WORK OF MINISTRY!
Equipping The Saints
The Purpose of the “GIFTS” such as Apostles & Prophets in the Church is to “EQUIP THE SAINTS” to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:13)
Conclusion
The Conclusion of the matter is that “ALL THINGS” including the “GIFTS”were provided and orchestrated for the benefit of believers so as to perform and deliver our “DIVINE ASSIGNMENTS”.
Believers are hereby reminded to focus on THE ALMIGHTY GOD.
It is also acceptable to honour the
grace of God on the vessels so anointed by God. This is honour well deserved.
Prayer
Father, we thank You for MEN OF GOD and OTHER RESOURCES made available for our divine assignments.
We pray for wisdom and understanding to make the best use of them to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Thoughts On 1 Corinthians Chapter 4
Key Verse
I Corinthians 4:5 NKJV
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God
In our reading today, Paul continues his admonishing to the church of Jesus Christ, to which we also belong (1 Corinthians 1:2).
The key scripture highlighted above, hints at the futility of judging one another (those that bear the name of Christ) before the determined time for the judgement of believers by the Righteous Judge.The verse identifies 3 things Christ will do at His appearing (refers to Rapture and not the Second Coming):
1. Bring hidden things to light
2. Reveal secrets of men
3. Reward each man- this is based on our works. Works are compared to different materials. Some become more pure in fire and others are completely burnt up. Fire will try every man’s works .
A man will suffer loss if his works are burned, but if anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. He himself will be saved, if he is in Christ, regardless of what happens to his work. (1 Corin 3:12-15).
Note that believers will be judged concerning;
– Doctrines (Romans 2:14-16)
– Conduct to others (Matthew 18)
– Carnal traits (Romans 8:1-13)
– Words (Romans 14, Mt 12:32-37)
– Things That Affect Others e.g slander, quarrel,dishonesty, broken promises, folly, idle words (Rom 1:29-32)
– Things That Affect God e.g disobedience, rejection and failure to yield to the Holy Spirit (Rom 12, Gal 5)
– Things That Affect Oneself- such as neglected opportunities, talents wasted, loose living, lack of spirituality, etc (Roms 2:12-14, Heb 2:1-4)
Paul sent Timothy, his son in the faith, to remind the church in Corinth of Paul’s ways in Christ, and what he taught. Such men like Timothy, are still in our midst today, whether as Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors or Teachers.
They labour in ministry to ensure we are grounded in the faith that brought us salvation. Let’s cooperate with them so that the mission God has entrusted into their hands does not fail. Above all, walking in the light of the truth by being imitators of them in faith, to the degree that they are following Christ.
Thoughts On 1 Corinthians 5.
In the first 4 chapters Paul dealt with the problem of divisions due to strife and quarreling, saints attaching themselves to one man or another and saints espousing human wisdom and philosophy, which were primarily intellectual sins, but now Paul deals with the fleshly, physical sins that had come into the church at Corinth.
In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul addresses a severe case of immorality within the Corinthian church. He reprimands the Corinthians for their complacency and prescribes strict church discipline.
Using the metaphor of leaven, Paul exhorts the believers to moral purity. He also clarifies the church’s role in judging its members and dealing with the outside world.
Paul calls for radical holiness, confronting sin within the church, protecting the body of Christ from contamination, and using discipline as a tool for restoration, even if it means painful separation from false professors.
Lessons
Examine Personal and Community Holiness
Regularly assess both personal and communal life for areas where sin may be taking root and address them promptly.
Cultivate a Spirit of Humility and Repentance
Approach sin with a heart of mourning and a desire for restoration, rather than pride or indifference.
Implement Church Discipline with Love
When necessary, practice church discipline with the goal of restoration and the spiritual well-being of the individual and the community.
Guard Against the Spread of Sin
Be vigilant in identifying and addressing sin to prevent it from influencing others within the community.
Live Out your Identity in Christ
Embrace and live out the purity and truth that comes from being a new creation in Christ.
Summary
As Christians, we must always guard against thinking that we are wiser or more pious than God and his word. Paul reminds the Corinthians of their identity in Christ, urging them to keep the festival, not with the old leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:8). This calls believers to live in purity and truth.
Prayer
Dear Father, i come before you with a heart full of humility, asking you to cleanse me from pride and unrepentant sin, like the immorality in Corinth. Help me to mourn sin, not tolerate it, and to lovingly confront it with truth, even when it’s hard, so that my spirit will be saved in Jesus name. Amen 🙏 🙏 🙏
