1 Corinthians1
English Standard Version
Tap any underlined word for the original Hebrew or Greek.
1 , the of to be an of , our ,
2 To the of , to those , to be together those who the of , both their :
3 to the .
4 I to of the of was ,
5 every you were —
6 even the about was —
7 so are , as you for the of ,
8 the , the of .
9 is , you were the of , .
10 I to , , the of , of , that there , that you the the .
11 it has been to there , .
12 What I of , , follow , follow , follow .
13 Is ? ? were you the of ?
14 I I of ,
15 so that no may you were .
16 (I did the of . that, I do whether I .)
17 did to to , and of eloquent , the of be emptied of its .
18 the of the to who are , to who are being it the of .
19 it is , I will the of the , the of the I will .
20 is the one who is ? is the ? is the of ? Has the of the ?
21 , the of , the did , it the of what we to those who .
22 ,
23 , a to to ,
24 to are , , the of the of .
25 the of than , the of than .
26 , : of you were to , were , were of .
27 what is in the the ; what is in the the ;
28 what is in the , things , bring to things that ,
29 so might in the of .
30 because , to , ,
31 so , it is , Let the one who , the .
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1 Corinthians 1Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Corinthians 1. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A salutation and thanksgiving. (1–9). Exhortation to brotherly love, and reproof for divisions. (10–16). The doctrine of a crucified Saviour, as advancing the glory of God, (17–25). and humbling the creature before him. (26–31).
vv1-9
All Christians are by baptism dedicated and devoted to Christ, and are under strict obligations to be holy. But in the true church of God are all who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, and who call upon him as God manifest in the flesh, for all the blessings of salvation; who acknowledge and obey him as their Lord, and as Lord of all; it includes no other persons. Christians are distinguished from the profane and atheists, that they dare not live without prayer; and they are distinguished from Jews and pagans, that they call on the name of Christ. Observe how often in these verses the apostle repeats the words, Our Lord Jesus Christ. He feared not to make too frequent or too honourable mention of him. To all who called upon Christ, the apostle gave his usual salutation, desiring, in their behalf, the pardoning mercy, sanctifying grace, and comforting peace of God, through Jesus Christ. Sinners can have no peace with God, nor any from him, but through Christ. He gives thanks for their conversion to the faith of Christ; that grace was given them by Jesus Christ. They had been enriched by him with all spiritual gifts. He speaks of utterance and knowledge. And where God has given these two gifts, he has given great power for usefulness. These were gifts of the Holy Ghost, by which God bore witness to the apostles. Those that wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, will be kept by him to the end; and those that are so, will be blameless in the day of Christ, made so by rich and free grace. How glorious are the hopes of such a privilege; to be kept by the power of Christ, from the power of our corruptions and Satan's temptations!
vv10-16
In the great things of religion be of one mind; and where there is not unity of sentiment, still let there be union of affection. Agreement in the greater things should extinguish divisions about the lesser. There will be perfect union in heaven, and the nearer we approach it on earth, the nearer we come to perfection. Paul and Apollos both were faithful ministers of Jesus Christ, and helpers of their faith and joy; but those disposed to be contentious, broke into parties. So liable are the best things to be corrupted, and the gospel and its institutions made engines of discord and contention. Satan has always endeavoured to stir up strife among Christians, as one of his chief devices against the gospel. The apostle left it to other ministers to baptize, while he preached the gospel, as a more useful work.
vv17-25
Paul had been bred up in Jewish learning; but the plain preaching of a crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. This is the sum and substance of the gospel. Christ crucified is the foundation of all our hopes, the fountain of all our joys. And by his death we live. The preaching of salvation for lost sinners by the sufferings and death of the Son of God, if explained and faithfully applied, appears foolishness to those in the way to destruction. The sensual, the covetous, the proud, and ambitious, alike see that the gospel opposes their favourite pursuits. But those who receive the gospel, and are enlightened by the Spirit of God, see more of God's wisdom and power in the doctrine of Christ crucified, than in all his other works. God left a great part of the world to follow the dictates of man's boasted reason, and the event has shown that human wisdom is folly, and is unable to find or retain the knowledge of God as the Creator. It pleased him, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe. By the foolishness of preaching; not by what could justly be called foolish preaching. But the thing preached was foolishness to wordly-wise men. The gospel ever was, and ever will be, foolishness to all in the road to destruction. The message of Christ, plainly delivered, ever has been a sure touchstone by which men may learn what road they are travelling. But the despised doctrine of salvation by faith in a crucified Saviour, God in human nature, purchasing the church with his own blood, to save multitudes, even all that believe, from ignorance, delusion, and vice, has been blessed in every age. And the weakest instruments God uses, are stronger in their effects, than the strongest men can use. Not that there is foolishness or weakness in God, but what men consider as such, overcomes all their admired wisdom and strength.
Key Words
Παῦλος (Paûlos): (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle
κλητός (klētós): invited, i.e. appointed, or (specially), a saint
διά (diá): through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
θέλημα (thélēma): a determination (properly, the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination
θεός (theós): figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
ἀπόστολος (apóstolos): a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers)
Χριστός (Christós): anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀδελφός (adelphós): a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))
Cross References
1 Corinthians 1Directly quoted to prove God will destroy the wisdom of the worldly wise.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Directly quoted by Paul: 'He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.'
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Parallels Paul's identical opening formula claiming called apostleship through divine will.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Sosthenes, the former synagogue ruler in Corinth, now traveling with Paul.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Old Testament source for 'calling upon the name of the Lord' applied to Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical account of Paul's ministry in Corinth, specifically mentioning Crispus believing.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul later identifies the household of Stephanas as the firstfruits of Achaia.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the gospel/cross being defined specifically as 'the power of God' unto salvation.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Jesus thanks the Father for hiding these truths from the wise and prudent.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
The standard apostolic salutation of grace and peace from Father and Son.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Echoes 'Where is the scribe?' in mocking worldly, defeated, self-reliant wisdom.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Confirms Christ as the ultimate repository of all divine wisdom and knowledge.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Prophetic declaration of the Messiah's name as 'The Lord Our Righteousness.'
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Contrasts baptizing in Paul's name with Christ's command to baptize in the Triune name.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels God choosing the poor and weak of this world to be rich in faith.
Supported by Matthew Henry