1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians | |
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Abbreviation | 1 Co |
Class. | New Testament |
Category | Pauline Epistles |
Chapters | 16 Chapters |
Record Related | |
Writer | Apostle Paul |
Date (Approx.) | Around 55 |
Location | Ephesus |
1 Corinthians is the seventh book of the New Testament. Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth to address various issues that had arisen and provided specific answers and teachings.
Writer and Time

The writer of 1 Corinthians is the Apostle Paul.[1][2]
At the time of writing this letter, Paul was staying in Ephesus.[3] Apostle Paul stayed in Ephesus during both his second and third missionary journeys. Since the church was newly founded on the second journey,[4] it is unlikely that major issues had already arisen during Paul’s second missionary journey. Therefore, 1 Corinthians is believed to have been written during Paul’s third missionary journey, while he was staying in Ephesus.
Record Background
Corinth, to which 1 Corinthians was sent, was a port city located in southern Greece on the Peloponnesian Peninsula. It is still called by the same name today. In English, the city is called Corinth, and in Greek, it is written as Κόρινθος (Korinthos). At that time, Corinth was a major maritime transportation and trade center for Mediterranean nations. As commerce flourished, many foreigners gathered in Corinth from various regions, leading to the city being filled with idols and numerous temples dedicated to different deities.
As the number of Gentile believers in the church in Corinth grew—many of whom did not fully understand the gospel—various issues arose within the church. The corrupt culture of the Gentiles began to influence the church, leading to conflicts among some believers. During his third missionary journey, after hearing this news, Paul wrote a letter urging the Corinthian believers to repent and sent it through Timothy.[5]
Characteristics of 1 Corinthians
- Since the letter was written to resolve issues within the church, Paul’s responses are specific and practical.
- Although this letter was sent to the church in Corinth, it contains truths that all churches can learn from and apply.
- Chapter 13, known as the “Chapter of Love,” and Chapter 15, known as the “Chapter of Resurrection,” are written with exceptional style and logical progression.
Structure and Content of 1 Corinthians
Chapters and Verses | Content |
Chapter 1:1–9 | Greetings from Paul |
Chapter 1:10–Chapter 4 | Divisions in the Church |
Chapters 5–10 | Adultery and Idolatry |
Chapters 11 | Woman’s Veil and the Holy Supper |
Chapters 12–14 | Concerning Spiritual Gifts |
Chapter 15 | Resurrection of the Dead |
Chapter 16 | Conclusion |
Divisions in the Church (Chapter 1:10–Chapter 4)
In the church in Corinth, believers were divided into groups, each claiming allegiance to Paul, Apollos, Cephas (Peter), or Christ, saying, “I was baptized by this person,” or “This person is greater than that person,” leading to conflicts among them. Paul taught that ministers like himself and Apollos were merely servants appointed by God, and that salvation comes only from God. He also emphasized, “The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” He wrote that since people are nothing before God, they should not boast in their own wisdom and power but instead be united in heart and mind in Christ.
Adultery and Idolatry (Chapters 5–10)
People who had been immersed in the corrupt culture of idol worshipers entered the church but failed to abandon their old habits, continuing to engage in sexual immorality. Some believers also participated in pagan altars and worshiped idols. Regarding this, Paul taught that those who engage in sexual immorality and idolatry will never inherit the kingdom of heaven. He emphasized that believers who have received the blessing of becoming one with Christ through the New Covenant Passover must separate themselves from sin and impurity, living a holy and godly life.
Woman’s Veil and the Holy Supper (Chapter 11)
It appears that there was a debate within the church in Corinth about whether female believers were required to cover their heads during worship, as men did not.[6] According to Paul’s testimony, if a man prays or worships with his head covered, it is an act that dishonors Christ. However, when a woman prays or worships, covering her head is an example set by Christ and a practice observed in all of God’s churches.
Meanwhile, some believers ate the Passover bread and drank the wine excessively, using it to satisfy their hunger or even becoming drunk, thus conducting the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner. Paul rebuked them, emphasizing that the Passover is a sacred ceremony commemorating Jesus’ sacrifice. He urged believers to partake in it with the proper attitude and a reverent heart.
The Gifts of God (Chapters 12–14)
Some believers judged God’s gifts based on their own opinions, claiming that the spiritual gift they received was superior to others. Paul reminded them that God grants different spiritual gifts to each person, such as the gift of teaching the Word, the gift of faith, and the gift of speaking in various languages.
Just as many different parts of the body—such as the hands, feet, ears, and eyes—come together to form one body, each member must fulfill their role so that the body can function in harmony. Likewise, even though each believer has received different gifts and abilities, they are one body in Christ and must support and unite with one another according to the gifts they have received.
Therefore, the greatest gift that everyone should seek is love. Even if one possesses great abilities, knowledge, and strong faith, without love, it is of no benefit. Believers should love one another, use their gifts for the gospel, and act in an orderly manner. Among faith, hope, and love, the greatest is love.
The Resurrection of the Dead (Chapter 15)
Some believers, influenced by Greek philosophy, doubted that “there is no resurrection of the dead.” However, Christ’s resurrection is the definite proof that all who believe in Him will also be resurrected or transformed into a spiritual body in the future. If there is no resurrection, then the faith of believers who followed Christ through trials and suffering would be in vain. Resurrection and transformation are the greatest hopes that Christians should hold onto and the reality that will be revealed in the future. Therefore, Paul emphasized that the believers’ labor in the Lord is never in vain.