Summer 2026            First Corinthians 1–6

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Introduction  

Commerce factored heavily in the identity of first century Corinth. Connected to two ports and located on the land bridge between the Peloponnesian peninsula and the rest of Greece, the city prospered. More prominent at this time than even Athens, Corinth was the Roman capital of the province of Achaia. Corinth buzzed with activity: commerce, the worship of many gods, prostitution, theatrical productions, and athletics.

 

In Paul’s day, the population of Corinth came from diverse backgrounds. Paul saw the city as a strategic beachhead for the spread of the gospel. Arriving in AD 50, he spent a year and a half in Corinth, preaching and teaching. He began in the Corinthian synagogue. Opposed there, he turned his attention to the Gentiles. Jews and Gentiles came to faith in Christ, from both upper and lower classes, including slaves.

 

After Paul left, Apollos spent time ministering in Corinth. Before long, Paul wrote to the Corinthians, a letter that is lost to us today. Paul also sent Timothy to minister in Corinth. Then, Paul received reports about the church in Corinth that concerned him. He was in Ephesus when he wrote the letter that we call First Corinthians. This was in about AD 54. Paul’s letter includes rebuke, but with the tone of an affectionate father in the faith.

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The key problem that Paul addresses is worldliness. The believers in Corinth have fallen prey to Greco-Roman factionalism, permissiveness, litigiousness, and sexual immorality. Capitulating to worldly notions of wisdom, the Corinthians align themselves with their preferred “orators,” whether Paul or Peter or Apollos. In response, Paul points them to the message of Christ crucified. Counterintuitively, it is by following a humiliated Messiah that Christians experience divine power and wisdom!

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The believers in Corinth are tolerating incest in their midst. In response, Paul reminds them of the Feast of Unleavened Bread: “remove the leaven from your midst!” Corinthian Christians sue each other over minor disputes. In response, Paul calls upon them to settle such matters within the church. The believers in Corinth have given way to Greco-Roman licentiousness. In response, Paul reminds them that their bodies are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Ancient Corinth was not so different from modern Western society. This epistle calls us today to have the courage to live a countercultural life in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

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Schedule  

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Jul 5:       1 Cor 1:1–9              The grace of God that was given you.                                         Stefan Matzal

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Jul 12       1 Cor 1:10–17           No divisions among you.                                                        Rev. Tom Becker

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Jul 19       1 Cor 1:18–25         We preach Christ crucified.                                                      Rev. Viji Roberts

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Jul 26      1 Cor 1:26—2:5       Not many of you were wise.                                                       Tyler Holcomb

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Aug 2      1 Cor 2:6–16           We do impart wisdom                                                                   Stefan Matzal

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Aug 9      1 Cor 3:1–9             What is Apollos? What is Paul?                                                     Stefan Matzal

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Aug 16     1 Cor 3:10–23         Let each one take care how he builds                                 Rev. Jack Roberts

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Aug 23    1 Cor 4:1–13            Stewards of the mysteries of God                                                Stefan Matzal

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Aug 30    1 Cor 4:14—5:2       Some are arrogant.                                                                      Sam Benjamin

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Sep 6      1 Cor 5:3–13            Deliver this man to Satan.                                                    Nathaniel Jackson

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Sep 13     1 Cor 6:1–8             The saints will judge the world.                                                    Stefan Matzal

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Sep 20    1 Cor 6:9–11            The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom.                    Nathaniel Jackson

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Sep 27    1 Cor 6:12–20         Your bodies are members of Christ.                                            Stefan Matzal

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Oct 4                                       Topical                                                                                    Nathaniel Jackson

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 The Eldership: June 2026