Overview
Opening and Thanksgiving (verses 1-9): Paul, along with Sosthenes, opens by identifying himself and his audience, then moves to express gratitude for the spiritual gifts endowed upon the Corinthians. His words acknowledge their divine blessings but subtly hint at the need for responsible stewardship of these gifts.
The Issue of Division (verses 10-17): Paul quickly cuts to the chase, addressing internal divisions within the Corinthian church. Using himself and Apollos as examples, he discourages partisan attitudes and urges the believers to unify under Christ’s banner, rather than human leadership.
The Wisdom of the Cross (verses 18-31): The chapter crescendos with a rich discourse on the ‘foolishness’ of God’s wisdom and the ‘weakness’ of God’s strength. By highlighting the paradox of the cross, Paul counters both Jewish and Greek perspectives on wisdom and power, underlining the counter-cultural essence of Christian faith.
1 Corinthians 1 sets the stage for the issues Paul will tackle throughout his letter. It presents a blend of pastoral care and profound theology, addressing immediate concerns while setting the groundwork for deeper spiritual instruction.
The Issue of Division (verses 10-17): Paul quickly cuts to the chase, addressing internal divisions within the Corinthian church. Using himself and Apollos as examples, he discourages partisan attitudes and urges the believers to unify under Christ’s banner, rather than human leadership.
The Wisdom of the Cross (verses 18-31): The chapter crescendos with a rich discourse on the ‘foolishness’ of God’s wisdom and the ‘weakness’ of God’s strength. By highlighting the paradox of the cross, Paul counters both Jewish and Greek perspectives on wisdom and power, underlining the counter-cultural essence of Christian faith.
1 Corinthians 1 sets the stage for the issues Paul will tackle throughout his letter. It presents a blend of pastoral care and profound theology, addressing immediate concerns while setting the groundwork for deeper spiritual instruction.
1 Corinthians 13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
End of 1 Corinthians 13
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
End of 1 Corinthians 13
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