Welcome to this daily study of the Book of Paul's Letter to the Corinthians. The purpose of this study is to enhance your spiritual relationship. One method of study is to first read the section for the day. Then, by reviewing the text, answer the questions. Most of the questions may be answered by merely quoting the verse which is cited in the question. The answer to some questions is not explicit in the verse. These are marked with an asterisk (*), and may require some additional reflection on the material, or material from other books of the Bible. Finally, when you reach a question which is marked with a (§), spend some time contemplating how what you have read can enhance your spiritual life. You may find that these questions require a considerable amount of thought over a period of time. Quietly, in a relaxed state of mind, reflect on the question and find out where it seems to be leading you to consider. You are, of course, never required to share your answers unless you feel comfortable doing so. The LORD your GOD will bless your study of his word.
In the previous lesson, we studied the Book of Judges. We learned the results of a faith which is inconsistent, and the tragedy of a spiritual life which lacks a strong conviction. The Israelites were tossed about without definite spiritual direction. Sometimes, when there was a Judge to lead the people, a spiritual revival took place, however, more often each person did what was right in their own eyes, following thief spiritual calling only when it was convenient.
In this lesson, we will study Paul's Letter to the Corinthians. These letters are among the earliest records of the Christian Church. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 stands as a compact theology of the first century church. In verses 3 through 5, the entire Gospel is offered. First, that Paul had received this information from a source and it was not his own fabrication. Second that Jesus the Christ, in conformance to the Hebrew Scriptures had died to bridge the separation that exists between us and GOD. Third, that this same Jesus was buried, attesting to the temporal quality of this human being. And finally that, after his death, Jesus appeared to many eye-witnesses, some of whom could be called to account at the time of Paul's writing.
While reading the letters to the Corinthians, it is tempting to feel that even this powerful argument was lost amid the varied influences alive in Corinth. Philip Yancey and Tim Stafford, authors of The Student Bible write as part of their introduction to this book, "Every large city has one pocket where prostitutes, strippers, gamblers and drug dealers hang out. Tourists stroll by to gawk at the sights...in the ancient world, the whole city of Corinth was known for that kind of lifestyle. Romans made the Corinthians the butt of dirty jokes, and playwrights consistently portrayed them as drunken brawlers. The Greek verb 'to Corinthianize' meant to live shamelessly and immorally." The Corinthians demonstrate that, even after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, a successful spiritual life is based on consistent faith and strong conviction, otherwise, we end up tossed helplessly as we do what appears to be right in our own eyes.
Paul's Letter to the Corinthians contains advice on practical matters appropriate to the first century such as marriage, divisions in the church, and food offered to idols. Further, basic Christianity is explained as Paul tackles the Eucharist, the resurrection, giving and gifts of the spirit, among others. When you have completed your study of Corinthians, you will understand the basis of the first century faith in the resurrection of the Christ Jesus, and learn the importance of living a spiritually guided life. This life is not what often passes for a spiritual life. According to Paul (1 Corinthians 13:3), if I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
The next lesson concerns the Book of Ruth. Taking place at the time of the Judges, Ruth is a story of GOD's care for those outside the camp of Israelites. It is a powerful story on a human level of a daughter-in-law's faithfulness. It is an even more powerful glance at GOD's control of history (Ruth 4:17; Matthew 1:5,6), and an allegory of the kinsman redeemer as a foreshadow of the Messiah.
Who wrote this letter according to verse 1?
Locate Corinth on a map. What is its distance from Jerusalem?
In verse 2, what is offered to those who read the letter?
What was a source of conflict addressed in verse 12?
( § ) How do you feel you have been enriched by GOD's grace given you in Christ Jesus?
What is Paul's mission as stated in verse 17?
Who regards the message of the cross as the power of GOD according to verse 18?
According to verse 22, how is Christ both a stumbling block and foolishness?
How is GOD's foolishness and weakness compared to our own in verse 25?
( § ) How have you experienced Christ, the power and wisdom of GOD?
Day Three 1 Corinthians 1:26-2:7
What is the method of GOD revealed in verse 27?
What purpose is revealed in verse 29?
What does Jeremiah 9, verses 23 and 24 teach us about the LORD?
In verse 2, what did Paul emphasis?
Why did Paul choose this method according to verse 5?
( § ) How has Christ Jesus become wisdom from GOD for you?
Day Four 1 Corinthians 2:8-3:4
From verse 10, how has GOD revealed to us what has been prepared for those who love him?
What reason is given in verse 12 that we have received the spirit?
According to verse 3, how is worldliness revealed?
( § ) What does it mean to you to have the mind of Christ?
How does verse 7 distinguish between the activities of GOD and those of People?
What is the one, true foundation mentioned in verse 11?
What do verses 14 and 15 read about those who rely on earthly possessions?
( § ) How might you decrease your reliance on earthly possessions?
From verse 16, why are we GOD's temple?
How is the wisdom of this world described in verse 19?
According to verse 23, how are we connected to GOD?
( § ) How might you increase your wisdom in spiritual matters?
From verse 1, how are we to be regarded by others?
What will happen when the LORD comes according to verse 5?
What instruction does verse 7 give us?
( § ) How might you come to be regarded as a servant to Christ?
In verse 8, what have the Corinthians received?
From verse 9, how did Paul see himself?
How does verse 15 describe the relationship between the apostle and those who have been taught?
( § ) In what ways has your spiritual relationship made you rich?
Day Three 1 Corinthians 4:16-26
From verse 17, why was Timothy sent to the Corinthians?
In verse 20, how does Paul explain the reality of the kingdom of GOD?
( § ) How have you experienced the power of the kingdom of GOD?
What sexual immorality is reported in verse 1?
What does Paul recommend in verse 4?
In verse 8, how does Paul distinguish between the old ways and the new ways?
What distinction is made in verses 10 and 11 between those inside and those outside the church?
Who will judge those outside according to verse 12?
From Genesis 35:22, what did Reuben do? How did this affect his birth rite in Genesis 49:3-4?
( § ) How might your spiritual relationship be strengthened as you allow GOD to judge others rather than judging them yourself?
What issue is expressed in verse 1?
What is the ultimate solution of verse 7?
From verse 11, how have we been released from our previous life?
According to verse 12 what guide is offered to us?
Why are we not our own according to verse 19?
( § ) How might you honor the LORD your GOD with your body?
How are we to be regarded by others according to verse 4:1?
As a servant of Christ, who do we belong to according to 6:19-20?
( § ) How might your spiritual relationship be strengthened as you honor GOD with your body through servitude to Christ?
( § ) What do you feel is beneficial to your spiritual relationship (see 6:12)?
What is written concerning marriage in Matthew 19 verses 10 through 12?
What does Paul write in verses 1 and 2?
From verse 9, why is it better for some to marry?
Who is speaking in verses 12 through 14?
What has GOD called us to do in verse 15?
( § ) After reading these verses, what new thought do you have about marriage?
What rule does Paul lay down in verse 17?
In verse 28, what does Paul say about marriage?
How does a married person's interests become divided according to verses 32 through 35?
What advice is given in verse 28?
How does Paul make it clear he is expression his own opinion in verse 25?
( § ) What would it mean for you to retain the place in life that the LORD assigned to you?
From verse 3, what do we obtain through our love of GOD?
How are GOD and Jesus sustaining life according to verse 6?
What does verse 8 imply about material things?
How does Paul show a love for others in verse 13?
( § ) How might you be strengthened by these verses so that your faith will not be shaken by the actions of others?
What does Paul complain about in verse 6?
Which LAW of Moses is cited in verse 9?
How does Paul apply this to his situation in verse 11?
What were Aaron and his sons told in Leviticus 6:16?
How does Paul in verse 16, apply this to his situation?
( § ) How might you support those who strengthen your spiritual relationship?
Day Five 1 Corinthians 9:15-27
How is Paul's stubbornness displayed in verse 18?
From verse 23, what motivated Paul?
How is our achievement different from those who compete in sports according to verse 25?
In what way does verse 27 show Paul preaches also to himself?
( § ) How might these verses help you with your commitment to your spiritual life?
What are some of the advantages of verses 1-4 that the Israelites were given?
How does verse 11 show us we may use this to our benefit?
In verse 13, what four reassurances are given?
( § ) How will verse 13 help you bolster your faith?
Day One 1 Corinthians 10:14-33
How is the Eucharist explained in verses 16 and 17?
In verse 21, what does Paul write about the act of participating in idolatry?
What advice is given in verse 23?
What does verse 31 read should guide our actions?
( § ) What would be an example of "Idol Feasts" in your life?
Whose example did Paul follow according to verse 1?
What does Genesis 1:27 read about the creation of man?
By comparison, what is written in verses 8 and 9?
In John 12:3, what did Mary do with her hair?
(§) In what special way might you show the importance of your spiritual relationship in your life?
Day Three 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
What was occurring at the LORD's supper in verses 20 and 21?
In verses 23-26, what does Paul relate concerning the LORD's supper?
What precaution does Paul advise in verses 28 and 29?
What is a proper attitude given in verse 33?
(§) What are some the ways you treat the things of GOD in a worthy manner?
Day Four 1 Corinthians 12:1-13
According to verse 3, what is required to recognize that Jesus is LORD?
From verse 6, who is responsible for all achievements?
Who determines what abilities we have according to verse 11?
Use verse 12 to explain how we are all unique yet Christ is one?
(§) What might you be able to do to show your gratitude for the unique abilities you have received?
Day Five 1 Corinthians 12:14-31
How does verse 17 explain the importance of our individuality?
From verse 25, why has GOD combined the parts of the body?
What are we all a part of according to verse 27?
(§) How do your unique talents keep the body of Christ healthy?
What is the most important of the gifts described in verse 1-3?
In what does love rejoice in verse 6?
What are some characteristics of love in verse 7?
How does verse 11 explain the difference between now and the life we led before we became aware of our spiritual relationship?
From verse 13, what remains?
(§) What have you learned about love which will strengthen your faith?
What direction does verse 1 give to our lives?
Why is prophecy preferred over speaking in tongues according to verse 4?
From verse 9, why is it important that we speak intelligible words?
What is the goal of our ministry in verse 17?
(§) How might you learn to edify others in their spiritual relationship?
Day Two 1 Corinthians 14:20-39
What is the stranger convinced of in verse 24?
From verse 26, what is the purpose of gathering together?
What are two rules of prophecy in verses 32 and 33?
In verse 40, what does Paul strive for?
(§) How might an orderly manner enhance your spiritual life?
Day Three 1 Corinthians 15:1-19
What does Paul want to remind us of in verse 1?
From verses 3 through 5, what is the gospel Paul received?
Who are those who Paul mentions as witnesses to the risen Christ in verses 5 through 8?
According to verse 9, what regret does Paul confess?
What does verse 14 read is the impact to the gospel if Christ has not been raised?
(§) What does the gospel which Paul preaches mean to you?
Day Four 1 Corinthians 15:20-41
How are Adam and the Christ linked in verses 21 and 22?
What is the last enemy to be destroyed in verse 26?
In verse 37, how does Paul use a seed to explain the resurrection?
How does GOD affirm our individuality in verse 38?
(*) What are some of the erroneous beliefs which Paul is addressing in this section?
(§) How might your own individuality be a positive influence in your spiritual relationship?
Day Five 1 Corinthians 15:42-58
How will it be with the resurrection of the dead, according to verse 42?
How is the Christ contrasted with Adam in verse 45?
In verse 50, how are eternity and the temporal condition shown to be compatible?
From 57, how can we know our labor is not in vain?
(§) How might you derive hope and confidence from these passages?
What instruction does Paul provide in verse 2 concerning the collection?
From verses 5-8, where does Paul intend to travel?
What advice is given in verse 14?
In verse 18, which people desire recognition and why?
(§) How might you apply verses 13 and 14 to your activities this week?
Who is this letter from according to verse 1?
Why are we comforted in verse 4?
From verse 9, why did Paul feel he had experienced hardship?
How are we made to stand firm Christ according to verses 21 through 22?
(§) What new insight on hardship have you received?
What advice is given in verse 7?
What has Paul done in verse 10 that he may not be out witted by Satan?
Locate on a map, the region of Paul's travels in verses 12 and 13?
How does Paul characterize us in verse 15?
(§) How might you be the "aroma of Christ" to those around you?
Where does Paul feel his competence derives in verse 5?
What are the events Paul alludes to in verse 7 as recounted in Exodus 34:29,30?
From verse 14, who removes the barrier between us and GOD?
What accompanies the LORD according to verse 17?
(§) How has your spiritual relationship made you feel more alive?
According to verse 6, why did GOD make his light shine in us?
From verse 7, how did Paul view himself compared to the message he had received?
For what purpose has Paul endured hardship from verse 11?
From verse 15, what is the purpose of the grace which reaches us?
(§) How might focusing on an eternal glory help you in you spiritual life?
How does Paul characterize our earthly existence in verse 1?
According to verse 7, how are we to live?
What reason is given in verse 15 for Christ's death?
From verse 21, how have we become the righteousness of GOD?
(§) How might you live by faith rather than by sight?
According to verse 2, when is the time of salvation?
From verse 13, how does Paul speak to the Corinthians?
Why are we the temple of the living GOD according to verse 17?
From verse 18, how does the LORD almighty want to relate to us?
(§) How might you respond now to GOD's grace?
From verse 1, what should we do to acknowledge the promises of GOD for us?
Who brought joy to Paul in verse 7?
What are the sequence of stages in verse 10 from sorrow to life?
In verse 15, how do the Corinthians show their respect for Paul?
(§) How does the manner which we treat others show our respect for GOD?
What have the Macedonians received in verse 1?
How did they earn this gift in verse 4?
In verse 7, what grace are we not to neglect?
How is the grace of our LORD Jesus the Christ demonstrated in verse 9?
According to verse 12, how is a gift measured?
What two principles are guiding Paul in verse 21?
(§)How might you learn to excel in the gift of giving?
Suggested Reading: O'Connor Elizabeth, "Letters to Scattered Pilgrims", Chapters 3 and 4
On a map, locate the place Paul was writing to in verse 2?
What principle is offered in verse 6?
What promise is given in verse 8?
From verse 11, for what reason does GOD supply our needs?
What reward did Paul offer in verse 13?
(§) How might this chapter help you to view your possessions differently?
What were Paul's detractors saying according to verse 10?
How did Paul jest with his critics in verse 1?
What is it that Paul takes pride in according to verse 14?
According to verse 18, who are the ones who are approved?
(§) How might this chapter help your confidence in your spiritual relationship?
How does Paul acknowledge his shortcomings in verse 6?
In what way does Paul play the fool in verse 21?
What are some of the ways Paul shows he is equal to the task of preaching the gospel in verses 22 through 27?
According to verse 31, in whom does Paul's confidence rest?
(§) What are some of your strong areas in your spiritual relationship?
How did Paul wish to be judged in verse 6?
How is grace magnified in our weaknesses according to verse 9?
From 13:1, how many times did Paul visit the Corinthians?
What does Paul close his letter with in verse 14?
(§) Consider 1 & 2 Corinthians. How might Paul's patience be a comfort for you?
Recommended Reading
The earliest gospel that has been recorded is found in 1 Corinthians 15. It is dated no later than the fourth decade of the first century (ie 30 CE). It is earlier than Mark, the earliest Synoptic Gospel, by at least ten years, and precedes John by more than half a century.
"How early is this creed?" asks Gary R Habermas in his book Ancient Evidence for the Life of Jesus. "numerous critical theologians have endeavoured to answer this important question, with very striking results. Ulrich Wilckens asserts that this creed 'indubitably goes back to the oldest phase of all in the history of primitive Christianity.' Joachim Jeremias calls it 'the earliest tradition of all.: Concerning a more exact time, it is very popular to date this creed in the mid-30s AD. More specifically, numerous critical theologians date it from three to eight years after Jesus' crucifixion."
"How would Paul have received this creed?" Habermas continues. "A number of scholars have arrived at the same scenario Dating Jesus' crucifixion around 30 AD, Paul's conversion would have occurred shortly after, about 33-35 AD. Three years after his conversion (36-38 AD) he visited Jerusalem and specifically met with Peter and James (Galatians 1:18-19). It is therefore reasoned that the gospel of the death and resurrection of Jesus would in all likelihood be the normal centre of discussion, and that the presence of both Peter and James in the list of appearances (1 Corinthians 15:5,7) indicates the probability that Paul received this creed from these apostles when he visited them in Jerusalem. Another possibility is that Paul received this material in Damascus immediately after his conversion, which would make it even three years earlier, but the presence of the Semitisms in the creed, as mentioned above, in addition to the two proper names, favour Jerusalem as the location where Paul first received ."
Having established 1 Corinthians 15 as the earliest creed, what does it read? First, that "Christ died for our sins". This means that Paul believed that the Christ was a living person capable of dying. That this same person had been presumed dead by the time of Paul's writing, and finally, that that death has a significance in the present, namely it is associated with our detachment from the LORD our GOD.
Next, Paul writes, "in accordance with the scriptures." The death of the Christ was not an event outside the plan of the LORD for the Israelites. Indeed, Paul claims that the scripture foreshadows the Messiah, and that Christ appeared and died in accordance with the writings of the prophets. Christianity, in Paul's view, is not separate from Judaism, it is Judaism.
Paul continues in verse 4, "and that he was buried," he being the Christ. This same Christ who had died in accordance with scripture was buried. Why bring that up? If someone dies, of course they would be buried. This is Paul's argument against those who preached that Jesus was a Spirit, and not human. That at the point of death, the Christ was taken up. Paul, notice, does not write that Jesus was buried, but that the Christ was buried. Jesus was at once human and divine; not humanly divine, nor divinely human, but both human and divine at the same time. This paradox does not resolve itself well, however, that is what Paul means.
"And that," he writes, "he was raised.:" The Christ did not raise himself from the dead. The Christ was raised. So completely was he separated from the grace of GOD, that he had no power to raise himself. The Christ was completely dead. Then, "he was raised on the third day." Three days later. On the third day. Not two nights , a day and part of a day which is about all you can get from a Friday crucifixion and a Sunday morning sunrise service. Three days. If you tell someone on Wednesday afternoon that you will meet them in three days, which day would you meet them? (R. A. Torrey, Difficulties in the Bible, deals well with this topic)
To whom does Paul appeal to support his proclamation of the resurrection? To eyewitness, to "Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive." "This," writes R T France in The Evidence for Jesus, "introduces a sequence of historical statements about Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, complete with a list of eyewitnesses of the risen Lord. The witnesses include 'more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive', hardly the remark of a man who was not interested in the faculty [sic] of the events -- he mentions that they are alive presumably because they are therefore still available for questioning as to what actually happened. Paul's own testimony, which was not to the event as such but to a subsequent 'subjective' vision, is carefully distinguished from these earlier witnesses to what happened at the time (1 Corinthians 15:8)."
The death and resurrection of the Christ are central to Paul's teaching. He believed that, "if there was no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ -- whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died." (1 Corinthians 15 12-20)
Clearly, to Paul this was more than an academic argument. According to William L Craig in his book Knowing the truth about the Resurrection, "For the earliest Christians, Jesus' resurrection was an historical fact, every bit as real as his death on the cross. Without the resurrection, Christianity would have been simply false. Jesus would have been just another prophet who had met his unfortunate fate at the hands of the Jews, and faith in him as Lord, Messiah, or Son of God would have been stupid. It would be no use trying to save the situation by interpreting the resurrection as some sort of symbol. The cold, hard facts of reality would remain: Jesus was dead and anything he started died with him."
Now, this certainly does not prove that the Christ Jesus was raised from the dead. It does, however, prove that Paul believed that the Christ was raised from the dead. It is also clear that he preached that the Christ was raised from the dead, and finally, that Paul believed that the resurrection was central to the religion he preached. As William Paley states succinctly in his landmark text of the 18th century, A
View of the Evidences of Christianity, "There is satisfactory evidence that many, professing to be original witnesses of the Christian miracles, passed their lives in labours, dangers and sufferings, voluntarily undergone in attestation of the accounts which they delivered, and solely in consequence of their belief of those accounts; and that they also submitted from the same motives to new rules of conduct."It is for these "new rules of conduct" that Paul claims the Christ died. We have because of the resurrection an opportunity for a complete spiritual relationship. There is no separation between us and our LORD, not even death, because God raised the Christ from the dead.