1 After saluting the church at Corinth, 4 and thanking God for his grace toward them, 10 Paul exhorteth them to unity, 11 and reproveth their dissensions. 17 The plain doctrine of the gospel, however foolish in the eyes of the world, is the power and wisdom of God to the salvation of believers. 26 God, to take away human boasting, hath not called the wise, the mighty, the noble; but the foolish, the weak, the despised among men. 30 Christ is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
1 Paul declareth that he did not use human learning and eloquence in preaching the gospel to his converts, that their faith, being built on the testimony of the spirit, and on miracles, might be solely ascribed to God. 6 The gospel doth contain God's wise, but secret, counsel, for bringing men to glory; which no natural abilities could discover, but the spirit of God only, by which it was revealed to the apostles. 14 Upon this account both the doctrine and its teachers are held in disesteem by the mere natural man, who is not duly qualified to judge of and discern them.
1 Paul sheweth that he could not instruct the Corinthians in the higher doctrines of Christianity because of their carnal mind; 3 this state of mind revealed itself in their factions. 5 The most eminent preachers of the gospel are but instruments employed by God in building his church. 10 Paul hath laid the only true foundation, Christ Jesus; and others must take heed what they build thereon. 16 Christians are God's temple, not to be defiled. 18 Worldly wisdom is foolishness with God. 21 They that are Christ's must not glory in men.
1 Paul sheweth in what account such as he should be held, of whose fidelity it should be left to God to judge. 6 He dissuadeth the Corinthians from valuing themselves in one teacher above another, since all had their respective distinctions from God. 8 To their self-sufficient vanity he opposeth his own despised and afflicted state; 14 warning them, as their only father in Christ, and urging them to follow him. 17 For the same cause he sent Timotheus, and meant soon to follow in person, when he would enquire into the authority of such as opposed him.
1 Paul reproveth a scandalous incest committed and protected from censure in the church at Corinth; 3 and by his authority in Christ excommunicateth the offender. 6 The necessity of purging out the old leaven. 9 Christians guilty of notorious crimes are not to be consorted with.
1 The Corinthians are reproved for bringing their controversies before heathen judges, which they ought to decide among themselves. 7 There would be no occasion for lawsuits, if men acted up to the principles of the gospel, 9 which exclude from the kingdom of God all notorious transgressors of the moral law. 12 All lawful things are not expedient; 15 but fornication is a gross offence against our bodies, which are members of Christ, temples of the Holy Ghost, and not our own to dispose of otherwise than to God's glory.
1 Marriage is to be used as a remedy against fornication. 10 Christ hath forbidden to dissolve the bond thereof. 12 Directions how to act where one of the parties is an unbeliever. 17 Every man must abide in and fulfil the duties of the state wherein he was called. 25 Directions concerning the marriage of virgins, respecting the distress of the times; 39 and concerning the second marriage of widows.
1 The preference of charity to knowledge. 4 An idol is nothing in the esteem of those who have right notions of one God, and of one Lord Jesus Christ. 7 But it is sin in those, who by an indiscreet use of their knowledge, in eating meats offered to idols, tempt weaker consciences to offend.
1 Paul vindicateth his apostolical character, 3 and right to a maintenance from the churches; 15 though he relinquished that right for the furtherance of the gospel, not content with doing only his indispensable duty; 19 but voluntarily subjecting himself in many points, where he was otherwise free, in order thereby to win over more converts to Christ. 24 Those who contend for a corruptible crown use much labour and abstinence; 26 so doth the apostle strive for one that is incorruptible.
1 The Jews who came out of Egypt had all sacraments typical of ours, yet many of them perished through sin. 6 Their examples should serve, as they were intended, for our admonition. 13 God will not suffer his servants to be tempted beyond their strength. 14 Christians must flee idolatry, and not by partaking of idol sacrifices own fellowship with devils. 23 Even in the use of things lawful we should consult the good of others, 31 and refer all we do to God's glory, 32 careful to give none offence, after the apostle's own example.
1 Paul exhorteth the Corinthians to follow him, as he did Christ. 2 He praiseth them for observing the rules he had given them; 3 and forbiddeth men to pray or prophesy with heads covered, and women with heads uncovered; the covering of the head being a token of subjection. 17 He blameth them for abuses in their religious assemblies, particularly for their divisions, 20 and profanation of the Lord's supper. 23 He remindeth them of the first institution thereof, and sheweth the danger of partaking of it unworthily.
1 Paul teacheth that none can own Christ but by the Holy Ghost; 4 whose gifts are diverse, 7 and dealt out to different persons to profit withal. 12 As many members make up one natural body, so Christians in general form one mystical body: 14 and as every member is equally a part of the natural body, and hath a necessary function allotted it; 27 so is it with Christ's body, the church; to the individual members of which God hath assigned different gifts and offices for the general good.
1 All gifts, however excellent, without charity are worth nothing. 4 The praises of charity, 13 and its preference to faith and hope.
1 Prophecy for its greater tendency to edification is preferred before speaking with tongues. 6 Tongues not understood, like indistinct musical sounds, are of no service to the hearers. 12 All gifts should be referred to edification. 21 Tongues are of use for the conviction of unbelievers; 23 but in the assemblies of the church prophecy is more useful. 26 Rules for the orderly exercise of spiritual gifts in the church. 34 Women are forbidden to speak there. 39 An exhortation to use each gift freely, but with decency and order.
1 From the truth of Christ's resurrection Paul inferreth the necessity of our own. 20 Christ, the firstfruits, being raised, shall be followed in due order by those that are his; 24 till having subdued all enemies he shall give up the kingdom to God the Father. 29 If there be no resurrection of the dead, in vain is it for any one to risk his life, as the apostle did, continually. 35 The manner of the resurrection. 51 The change which shall be wrought at the last day in the bodies both of the dead and the living. 58 An exhortation to stedfast faith and perseverance in our duty.
1 Paul directeth the Corinthians how to proceed in their collections for the relief of the brethren at Jerusalem. 5 He mentioneth his design of visiting them, 10 and commendeth Timothy, who was coming to them. 13 After some seasonable admonitions, 19 he closeth the epistle with various salutations.