UNROLL
The narrow isthmus of Corinth seen from a bare rocky height at dawn, a gulf of still water on the left and another sea on the right, a few red-tiled roofs far below.

The Book of

1 Corinthians Intro

A church in a proud city, called back to the cross.

Before chapter 1≈ 2 min16 chapters

Images are artistic interpretations.

In 30 seconds

A young church in a busy, proud city.

Rival groups. Sin no one will face.

Paul points them back to Christ crucified.

Love that builds up. Gifts for the whole body.

And a sure hope: Christ is raised, and we will be too.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Who wrote it

Paul

The church’s founder, writing as a father

  • Paul names himself and “our brother Sosthenes” in the first line.1 Corinthians 1:1
  • He had planted the church in Corinth, staying a year and a half.Acts 18:11
  • Written from Ephesus, most likely about AD 53–55.1 Corinthians 16:8
  • Not his first letter to them, and a reply to the letter they sent him.1 Corinthians 7:1

How it’s built

News, then their questions

Divisions1–4 · Christcrucified, notrivalsA holy people5–6 · discipline andthe bodyYourquestions7–10 · marriage,food, freedomWorshiptogether11–14 · the Supper,gifts, loveRaised withChrist15–16 · hope and thecollection

Whiteboard

First Paul answers the news he has heard. From chapter 7 he takes their letter, one ‘Now about’ at a time.

Big themes

Four threads to follow

Where it was written

AsiaAegean SeaAchaiaMacedoniaEphesusCorinth

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

From Ephesus to Corinth

Paul writes from Ephesus, across the Aegean, to Corinth on its narrow isthmus, a city with a harbor on each sea.

Meet the cast

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Watch for

I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:2

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Question

Quick question

Paul heard about the trouble in Corinth from people who had come to see him.

Whose household told Paul about the quarrels in the church?

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