1 Corinthians 1
Scofield Reference Notes
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
SCOFIELD REFERENCE NOTES (Old Scofield 1917 Edition)

Book Introduction

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

WRITER. The Apostle Paul. His relation to the church at Corinth is set forth in Acts 18.1-18 and in the Epistles to the Corinthians.

DATE. First Corinthians was written in A.D. 59, at the close of Paul's three year's residence in Ephesus. Acts 20:31 1Cor 16:5-8.

THEME. The subjects treated are various, but may all be classified under the general theme, Christian conduct. Even the tremendous revelation of the truth concerning resurrection is made to bear upon that theme 1Cor 15:58. The occasion of the Epistle was a letter on inquiry from Corinth concerning marriage, and the use of meats offered to idols 1Cor 7:1 8:1-13 but the apostle was much more exercised by reports of the deepening divisions and increasing contentions in the church, and of a case of incest which had not been judged 1Cor 1:10-12 5:1.

The factions were not due to heresies, but to the carnality of the restless Corinthians, and to their Greek admiration of "wisdom" and eloquence. The abomination of human leadership in the things of God is here rebuked. Minor disorders were due to vanity, yielding to a childish delight in tongue and the sign gifts, rather than to sober instruction (1Cor 14.1-28). Paul defends his apostleship because it involved the authority of the doctrine revealed through him.

A rigid analysis of First Corinthians is not possible, The Epistle is not a treatise, but came from the Spirit through the apostle's grief, solicitude, and holy indignation. The following analysis may, however, be helpful.

I. Introduction: The believer's standing in grace, 1.1-9

II. The contrast of their present factious state, 1.10-4.21.

III. Immorality rebuked; discipline enjoined, 5.1-6,8.

IV. The sanctity of the body, and Christian marriage, 6.9-7,40.

V. Meats, and the limitations of Christian liberty, 8.1-11.1.

VI. Christian order and the Lord's Supper, 11.2-34

VII. Spiritual gifts in relation to the body, the church, and Christian ministry, 12.1-14,40.

VIII. The resurrection of the dead, 15.1-58

IX. Special directions and greetings, 16.1-24.

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
[1] them

1Cor 1:2-9, in contrast with 1Cor 10-13, illustrate a distinction constantly made in the Epistles between the believer's position in Christ Jesus, in the family of God, and his walk, or actual state. Christian position in grace is the result of the work of Christ, and is fully entered the moment that Christ is received by faith Jn 1:12,13 Rom 8:1,15-17 1Cor 1:2,30 12:12,13 Gal 3:26 Eph 1:3-14 2:4-9 1Pet 2:9 Rev 1:6 5:9,10. The weakest, most ignorant, and fallible believer has precisely the same relationships in grace as the most illustrious saint. All the after work of God in his behalf, the application of the word to walk and conscience Jn 17:17 Eph 5:26 the divine chastenings 1Cor 11:32 Heb 12:10, the ministry of the Spirit Eph 4:11,12 the difficulties and trials of the path 1Pet 4:12,13 and the final transformation at the appearing of Christ 1Jn 3:2 have for their object to make the believer's character conform to his exalted position in Christ. He grows in grace, not into grace.

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
Margin for the grace

Grace (imparted). 1Cor 3:10 Rom 6:1 2Pet 3:18.

That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
[1] coming

Three words are used in connection with the return of the Lord:

(1) Parousia, "personal presence," also used by Paul of the "coming" of Stephanas 1Cor 16:17 of Titus 2Cor 7:6,7 and of his own "coming" to Philippi Phil 1:26. The word means simply personal presence, and is used of the return of the Lord as that event relates to the blessing of the saints 1Cor 15:23 1Th 4:14,17 and to the destruction of the man of sin 2Th 2:8.

(2) Apokalupsis, "unveiling," "revelation." The use of this word emphasizes the visibility of the Lord's return. It is used of the Lord 2Th 1:7 1Pet 1:7,13 4:13 of the sons of God in connection with the Lord's return Rom 8:19 and of the man of sin 2Th 2:3,6,8 and always implies visibility.

(3) Epiphaneia, "appearing," trans. "brightness" 2Th 2:8 A.V.; "manifestation," R.V.), and means simply an appearing. It is used of both advents. 2Tim 1:10 2Th 2:8 1Tim 6:14 2Tim 4:1,8 Ti 2:13.

Margin coming

Gr. apokalupsin, revelation, unveiling.

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[2] day of our Lord Jesus

The expression "day of Christ," occurs in the following passages: 1Cor 1:8 5:5 2Cor 1:14 Phil 1:6,10 2:16. A.V. has "day of Christ," 2Th 2:2 incorrectly, for "day of the Lord" Isa 2:12 Rev 19:11-21 The "day of Christ" relates wholly to the reward and blessing of saints at his coming, as "day of the Lord" is connected with judgment.

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Margin divisions

Gr. schism, a cleft, or rent.

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Margin saved

See Scofield Note: "Rom 1:16"

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
Margin this world

age. kosmos = world-system. 1Cor 2:12 Jn 7:7, See Scofield Note: "Rev 13:8".

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
Margin world

kosmos = mankind. See Scofield Note: "Mt 4:8".

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Margin wisdom

from God, or, wisdom from God, even righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.

Margin righteousness

See Scofield Note: "Rom 3:21".

Margin redemption

See Scofield Note: "Rom 3:24".

That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Margin Lord

Jehovah. Jer 9:24

Scofield Reference Notes by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield [1917]

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