In these verses, we read the words of Paul, a teacher explaining, expounding to help the people of God understand God’s ways. He gives them the example of the children of Israel being led out of Egypt by God as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Then he uses nature itself as the object lesson saying that we can understand some things by simply looking at nature. The most important example to them though, is the cup od blessing, the communion the celebrates our freedom and new life in Jesus Christ. 

Our Fathers Were All Under the Cloud

1 Corinthians 10:1–13
Paul is talking to the Gentile church in Corinth who would not have a natural heritage to the children of Israel yet Paul calls them “our fathers”. These who were delivered from the bondage of Egypt by God are given as an example of how we human beings react to the move of God. Here, “Five times the “all” is repeated, in the enumeration of the five favors which God bestowed on Israel (1 Co 10:1–4). Five times, correspondingly, they sinned (1 Co 10:6–10). In contrast to the “all” stands “many (rather, ‘the most’) of them” (1 Co 10:5). All of them had great privileges, yet most of them were castaways through lust”.¹

Not all were lost, but many were and Paul now shifts from the example to the lesson for these in the Church of Jesus Christ. There is temptation in the world but we shouldn’t think that we face some especially difficult situation because in

1 Corinthians 10:13 (LEB) Temptation has not come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will also make a way out together with the temptation, so that you may be able to endure it.

The Cup of Blessing Which we Bless

1 Corinthians 10:14–22
The people of Corinth and the region around them were caught up in idolatry. They believed there were spirits with power to affect the lives of people so they made offerings to appease these “gods”. But these “gods” are just demons, fallen angels, that are trapped on the earth until the day of judgement. One thing the people caught up in idolatry did understand was that a sacrifice was needed. But their sacrifice of grain or money or even their children was not only not enough, but given on the wrong altar. They just didn’t understand that it was the sacrifice of a sinless man that was required. And they didn’t understand that the sacrifice was to be made on God’s altar in heaven. The death of Jesus Christ is the sacrifice Paul is talking about, it is the cup of blessing in

1 Corinthians 10:16 (LEB) The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

Demons are not able to free us from sin and death but they seek authority over people. They seek to take God’s place. They don’t realize that they themselves are caught but they have no remedy.

Not All Things Are Profitable

1 Corinthians 10:23–33
Sometimes the message is very simple and Paul gives us a very practical guide for our behaviour in

1 Corinthians 10:23 (LEB) All things are permitted, but not all things are profitable. All things are permitted, but not all things build up.

First, we must understand that we are free in Christ. God had told us to go and take dominion and we can. But we are also accountable for our actions. Some things that we could do, have bad consequences either for us or what can be even worse, is when our actions hurt other people. Then Paul repeats our freedom by saying it in a different way in

1 Corinthians 10:26 (LEB) for “the earth is the Lord’s, and its fullness.”

But not everyone understands this so Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:29 yield yourself to “the conscience of the other person” so in 1 Corinthians 10:33 “that they may be saved”.

Become Imitators of Me, Just as I am of Christ

1 Corinthians 11:1–8
Paul reminds them that they should hold onto the traditions (which I take to mean the gospel of the Kingdom, Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected, water baptism, and the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and communion that he just mentioned). Then he makes a strong point, in 1 Corinthians 11:3 “that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman, and the head of Christ is God.” We all come under the authority of God through Jesus Christ. 

Does Not Nature Itself Teach You

1 Corinthians 11:9–16
There are some things that are obvious about this world and our lives if we just look to see as Paul says in

1 Corinthians 11:14–15 (LEB) And does not nature itself teach you that a man, if he wears long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15 But a woman, if she wears long hair, it is her glory, because her hair is given for a covering.

And I think this is clarified in

Romans 1:19–20 (LEB) because what can be known about God is evident among them, for God made it clear to them. 20 For from the creation of the world, his invisible attributes, both his eternal power and deity, are discerned clearly, being understood in the things created, so that they are without excuse.

But we should also recognize that nature is not a perfect teacher because it is also fallen into sin in

Romans 8:19, 22 (LEB) For the eagerly expecting creation awaits eagerly the revelation of the sons of God. … 22 For we know that the whole creation groans together and suffers agony together until now.

I Received From the Lord What I Also Passed On

1 Corinthians 11:17–24
Paul explains communion to them as a time to give thanks, break bread, and honor the new covenant sealed in his blood. It wasn’t a time for gluttony and drunkenness.

Proclaim the Lord’s Death Until He Comes

1 Corinthians 11:25–34
Paul tells them to take time for introspection. Do they have their life in order? Are they being the Christian people God wants them to be and that the world needs to see? Paul says in

1 Corinthians 11:28 (LEB) But let a person examine himself, and in this way let him eat from the bread and let him drink from the cup.

Then he adds in

1 Corinthians 11:31 (LEB) But if we were evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged.

Study Verses

• 1 Corinthians 10:1–13 Our Fathers Were All Under the Cloud
• 1 Corinthians 10:14–22 The Cup of Blessing Which we Bless
• 1 Corinthians 11:9–16 Does Not Nature Itself Teach You

Today’s Reading

• 1 Corinthians 10:1-33
• 1 Corinthians 11:1-34

References

• 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 280). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Throughout this letter, Paul is leading the people in the Corinthian Church to one central point in 1 Corinthians 8:6 (LEB) yet to us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we are for him, and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we are through him. There isn’t anything else that will really matter in the end. Though some in his day worried about food sacrificed to idols, and many then and now struggle being single with a desire to be marriage and others who were married struggle with relationships with unbelieving spouses, Paul’s one goal for them was in 1 Corinthians 7:35 “to promote appropriate and devoted service to the Lord without distraction”.

Let Each Have Their Own Spouse

1 Corinthians 7:1–11
Paul suggests that it is good for people to remain celibate as he was. However, if you marry, then you have a duty to each other and you should fulfill your obligation. 

The Unbelieving Is Sanctified

1 Corinthians 7:12–24
Now Paul talks to those that are married but their spouse is not saved, they have an unbelieving spouse. He might easily have said that you should separate yourself fro them, but that is not how God’s love operates. First, God made male and female for each other. It is God’s desire to have a godly seed. He wants us to have children and for them to know Him as they grow up and have their own children. God would not separate a child from their parents. Second, God wants every person to know His love and who is better to share that than one who is born again. As a believing spouse, you know the Love of God and what Jesus Christ suffered for your own redemption. Aren’t you willing to suffer a little hardship dealing with an unbelieving spouse so that maybe they will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? This doesn’t mean that every person will be saved. When God called you, you came. He is calling them and they must make their choice. If they depart, as Paul says, you are not bound.

I Want You to be Free From Care

1 Corinthians 7:25–32
Paul recognizes the trials of life and that the time of Christs return is near. Even though this was written two thousand years ago, there is still an urgency to bring the gospel of the kingdom to the unsaved. For Paul, the world is passing away so don’t waste yourself on things corruptible. 

One Who is Married Cares for the Things of the World

1 Corinthians 7:33–40
The final thoughts about marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:33 are that “the one who is married cares for the things of the world” and it is true, we want to please our spouse. So what Paul is trying to do is in 1 Corinthians 7:35 “to promote appropriate and devoted service to the Lord without distraction”. And while some would say, that Paul was a remnant of a chauvinistic all male culture, with his comments in 1 Corinthians 7:39-40, I think he is simply recognizing the truth of the circumstance in the Corinthian Church, as it is even today in many Churches, women seem to answer God’s call more easily than men. And Paul’s statement is certainly true for men, just as it is for women, marriage is for life. 

There Is One Lord, Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 8:1–13
This is not something that we understand but for them, “in Corinth, there were people who all their lives, up until now, had really believed in the gods of Greece and Rome; and they could not quite rid themselves of a lingering belief that an idol really was something, although it was a false something. Whenever they ate meat offered to idols, they had qualms of conscience. They could not help it; instinctively they felt that it was wrong”.¹

Paul uses this common cultural problem, food sacrificed to idols (which to some represented gods), to make a major statement about God and Jesus Christ in

1 Corinthians 8:6 (LEB) yet to us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we are for him, and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we are through him.

Then in 1 Corinthians 8:7 he says, “but this knowledge is not in everyone”. This statement is just as true today as it was then because every person that comes into the earth must grow and learn and come to a knowledge of God in their own life. Paul’s point, in 1 Corinthians 8:8 is that “food does not bring us close to God”. But people have many misconceptions about who God is and how to approach Him. If someone believes they must bow themselves in some religious way, who are we to trample on their tender heart? Instead, shouldn’t we honor their reverence and teach them gently that God loves them and has called them and in

Hebrews 4:14–16 (LEB) Therefore, because we have a great high priest … 16 Therefore let us approach with confidence to the throne of grace, in order that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

You Must Not Muzzle an Ox While it is Threshing

1 Corinthians 9:1–9

Those Who Proclaim the Gospel Live From the Gospel

1 Corinthians 9:10–17

I Have Enslaved Myself to All

1 Corinthians 9:18–27
We see by his missionary journey’s that Paul wasn’t a slave to anyone but the Lord. And, that is his point. He has fully given himself to the work of the gospel which means that he has sought to understand how people perceive the world around them so that he could reach them with the truth of God’s kingdom and his offer of life through Jesus Christ.

Study Verses

• 1 Corinthians 7:12–24 The Unbelieving Is Sanctified
• 1 Corinthians 7:33–40 One Who is Married Cares for the Things of the World
• 1 Corinthians 8:1–13 There Is One Lord, Jesus Christ

Today’s Reading

• 1 Corinthians 7:1-40
• 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
• 1 Corinthians 9:1-27

References

• 1. Barclay, W. (2002). The Letters to the Corinthians (3rd ed., p. 89). Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.

Twice in these few passages Paul tells them “you are God’s temple and the Spirit of God dwells in you” yet this is not so much about their eternal salvation. Yes, they will be saved because they have called on Jesus Christ. But Paul’s message to them is about what they are doing now. In God’s eyes, the time we have on the earth is precious. From the beginning he said in Genesis 1:28 (LEB) Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it. And it says in James 5:7 (LEB) Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil, being patient concerning it until it receives the early and late rains. It is during this time, the time that we are alive on the earth, that we bear fruit for His kingdom, or not. 

You Are God’s Temple

1 Corinthians 3:12–23
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:13 “the work of each one will become evident” and he is not just talking about the work we do, this is a statement about how we spend our time on the earth. Yes, there may be a job that we do that we call work, but the context here is “the day”. He is saying that we will all stand before the judgement seat and on “the day” that we do, “the fire itself will test the work”. Yes, everyone that calls on the name of the Lord, everyone who calls on Jesus Christ will be saved. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:15 “he himself will be saved”. And, he also says, in

1 Corinthians 3:14 (LEB) 14 If anyone’s work that he has built upon it remains, he will receive a reward.

There is a reward if we do the work of the kingdom while we are alive on the earth. Or, we can live for ourselves and the other part of 1 Corinthians 3:15 “If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss”. Did you get the point here? What seems to be gain here on the earth may be nothing but smoke and flame on “the day”. But this is the wisdom of God, produce fruit for His Kingdom and gain eternal reward. This is why Paul says in

1 Corinthians 3:16 (LEB) Do you not know that you are God’s temple and the Spirit of God dwells in you?

You, now, in your physical body, matter to God. It isn’t though, the “wisdom of the world” because in 1 Corinthians 3:19 he says this “is foolishness with God”. So why would you give yourself to the corruptible things of this world when the eternal life and goodness of God is right here for you now? 

Stewards of God’s Mysteries

1 Corinthians 4:1–5
Are you vindicated in your own mind? Is your conscience clear? They should be. But is that enough? Paul says in

1 Corinthians 4:4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, but not by this am I vindicated. But the one who judges me is the Lord.

We do need to have confidence in our own thought process. It is important for us to think clearly and carefully about the decisions we make, and make wise choices. There is though a truth here; we don’t know everything. Even when my conscience is clear and I am vindicated in my own mind, it is good for us to hold every relationship, every event, every decision before the Lord and seek His wisdom, or as Paul says it in

1 Corinthians 4:5 (LEB) Therefore do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord should come, who will both enlighten the hidden things of darkness and will reveal the counsels of hearts, and then praise will come to each one from God.

And as Isaiah said it many years before that we not be arrogant in our own minds but that we seek the truth, the mysteries, that can only come from God in

Isaiah 55:6–9 (LEB) Seek Yahweh while he lets himself be found; call him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the man of sin his thoughts. And let him return to Yahweh, that he may take pity on him, and to our God, for he will forgive manifold. 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” declares Yahweh. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Learn Not to go Beyond What is Written

1 Corinthians 4:6–13
These were business people, in a place of commerce. The capital of the Roman region. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:8 Rich, satiated, kings. So what do they need this poor apostle for? But Paul is not complaining about his lot in life, he is making a point with them that they should not see themselves as superior. And yet, how is it that many who follow exactly on God’s plan for their life as Paul did, are like this?

1 Corinthians 4:11–13 (LEB) Until the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty and poorly clothed and roughly treated and homeless, 12 and we toil, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; 13 when we are slandered, we encourage. We have become like the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things, until now.

As I Teach Everywhere in Every Church

1 Corinthians 4:14–21
Paul encourages them as a father would. He tells them to “become imitators of me” in 1 Corinthians 4:16 and not as arrogant. And how does a father deal with his children? Sometimes they need discipline, but mostly they need love and gentle encouragement in

1 Corinthians 4:20–21 (LEB) For the kingdom of God is not with talk, but with power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

Together With the Power of our Lord Jesus

1 Corinthians 5:1–13
There is corruption in the world. And it is all around us because we were all born in sin, into this fallen world. So it shouldn’t be surprising to us that sin would be found in someones life in the Church. Jude says it this way,

Jude 16 (LEB) These people are grumblers, discontented, proceeding according to their desires, and their mouths speaking pompous words, showing partiality to gain an advantage.

So what are we to do with them? Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:4 “when you are assembled, and my spirit, together with the power of our Lord Jesus”, in 1 Corinthians 5:5 “hand over such a person to Satan for the destruction of the flesh”. Paul has already talked to them about living for God. This person entered into this relationship as a “Christian” man and member of their local Church. It isn’t that he had not heard what Paul has been saying in this letter, Timothy had been there so he would have heard from Timothy if not from the other Church leaders. So what was left for them to do? I think Jude gives us a good and very simple guide and as much as is in us, we should follow it in

Jude 20–23 (LEB) But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt, 23 and save others by snatching them from the fire, and have mercy on others with fear, hating even the tunic stained by the flesh.

The Saints Will Judge the World

1 Corinthians 6:1–11

Glorify God With Your Body

1 Corinthians 6:12–20
Paul says to them again, the body, “your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit”. We are members of Christ.

Study Verses

• 1 Corinthians 3:12–23 You Are God’s Temple
• 1 Corinthians 4:1–5 Stewards of God’s Mysteries
• 1 Corinthians 5:1–13 Together With the Power of our Lord Jesus

Today’s Reading

• 1 Corinthians 3:12-23
• 1 Corinthians 4:1-21
• 1 Corinthians 5:1-13
• 1 Corinthians 6:1-20

The Church in Corinth faced a culture that was morally corrupt even in the eyes of the world and the culture around them was having an affect on them. They had accepted Christ. They had been “born again” into God’s kingdom. Paul mentions the spiritual gifts and how “the testimony about Christ has been confirmed in you”. But somehow the Corinthian Church had fallen into division based on who they had received the gospel from. This was the way of the world around them, whose name could you drop to raise your status? That isn’t the way in God’s Kingdom and Paul reminds them, it was Christ crucified for them. It was in the name of Jesus Christ that they were baptized. Paul united them by reminding them that it is the name of Jesus Christ that is the power of God to save.

Paul Returns to Antioch, Then on to Ephesus

Acts 18:18-28 Paul Begins His Return to Jerusalem
Acts 19:1-41 Paul in Ephesus

1 Corinthians Introduction

Even worldly people understand the difference between righteousness and debauchery and much as it is also today, there were cities known for their sin one commentator says, “to “Corinthianize” was popular Greek for “go to the devil” … The city to which Paul came preaching the gospel was, then, a very cosmopolitan place. It was an important city. It was intellectually alert, materially prosperous, but morally corrupt”.¹

This might be what we today would call “Sin City” but unlike the namesake we know in the United States, this city was located on a major trade route and “In Paul’s time it was the capital of the province Achaia and the seat of the Roman proconsul (Ac 18:12)”.² 

Called Through the Will of God

1 Corinthians 1:1–3
When writing to the people in this city, Paul invokes his Apostolic calling and names the one who has set him in this position, Jesus Christ and seals it in 1 Corinthians 1:1 with “through the will of God”. There isn’t any higher authority or higher rank in God’s kingdom or in any other. Then he names them, “the Church of God”, “together with all those that call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

As we read through this letter and understand the division that Paul is writing to address, we better understand Paul’s opening. Yes, he is the Apostle sent by God, but they, everyone are members of the body of Christ. When we stand, forgiven in Christ, or as Paul writes it in 1 Corinthians 1:2 “called to be saints” there isn’t any room for division. 

You Do Not Lack in any Spiritual Gift

1 Corinthians 1:4–9
Paul recognizes in 1 Corinthians 1:4-7 “the grace of God which was given to you in Christ Jesus” and that they “were made rich in him, in all speech and all knowledge” and “that you do not lack in any spiritual gift” which validates what Paul knows happened with them as he brought them the gospel. God had confirmed his word in them. God had called them and given them gifts as we find in other places, “When he ascended he gave gifts to men (Eph. 4:8); concerning spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:1–31); we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us (Rom. 12:6); … there are various gifts but the same Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4)”.³

In the Same Mind and With the Same Purpose

1 Corinthians 1:10–17
Here Paul gets to the reason for division among them. They are banding into groups based on who brought them the gospel. Isn’t it his way today where each group jealously defends their doctrine as the one and true way? So Paul answers them in 1 Corinthians 1:13 “Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” Of course not, it was Jesus Christ crucified for them and they were all baptised in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Message About the Cross is the Power of God

1 Corinthians 1:18–25
Paul makes an important point here in 1 Corinthians 1:21 “the world through its wisdom did not know God”. So, God introduced a message in 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 “Christ crucified, to the Jews a cause for stumbling, but to the Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God”. What the world in its wisdom fails to recognize and calls foolishness is the very wisdom and power of God to save. 

Consider Your Calling Brothers

1 Corinthians 1:26–31
The world around the Church in Corinth was full of people with position and power and business success and every indulgence. What the world calls wisdom and success, they had in abundance. But Paul tells them to look around and take notice in 1 Corinthians 1:26 “not many were wise according to human standards, not many were powerful, not many were well born”. Now they might have taken offense, but they understood that it was the truth because as Paul goes on to say in 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 “the foolish … God chose … the weak … God chose … the insignificant … and the despised … God chose”. And this is because there is a different standard that God has for us. It isn’t about what we have done, it is about what God has done for us in

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 But from him you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom to us from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “The one who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”

Demonstration of the Spirit and Power

1 Corinthians 2:1–5

We Have the Mind of Christ

1 Corinthians 2:6–16

We Are God’s Fellow Workers

1 Corinthians 3:1–11

Study Verses

• 1 Corinthians 1:1–3 Called Through the Will of God
• 1 Corinthians 1:4–9 You Do Not Lack in any Spiritual Gift
• 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 Consider Your Calling Brothers

Today’s Reading

• 1 Corinthians 1:1-31
• 1 Corinthians 2:1-16
• 1 Corinthians 3:1-11

References

• 1. Morris, L. (1985). 1 Corinthians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 7, p. 21-22). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
• 2. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 261). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
• 3. Day, A. C. (2009). Collins Thesaurus of the Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.