Study questions, maps, charts, key words, history, background, outlines, and links to help you study Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians.
Bible Study: 1 Corinthians: Pride & Prejudice in the church
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Basics
- Author: Paul, writing from Ephesus around 55 AD
- Occasion: To address issues in the Corinthian church which he learned from a verbal report and to answer questions the Corinthians the asked him in a letter.
Structure
- 1:1-9 – Introduction and thanksgiving
- 1:10-6:20 – Corrections based on verbal report about situation in Corinth
- 7:1-16:12 – Response to questions they asked him (“now concerning”)
Genre: Understanding Epistles
Background & Outlines
- 1 Corinthians ESV Study Text
- 1 Corinthians NASB Study Text
- How many letters did Paul write to Corinth
- Paul’s use of the Old Testament
- City of Corinth
- Chronology of Paul
- Blue Letter Bible: Chronology of Acts/Epistles
- Blue Letter Bible: 1 Corinthians Outline
- Bible Atlas: Corinth
- Map of NT Greece
- Map of Corinth from Middletown Bible Church
- Ray C. Stedman: Overview of the Book
- John MacArthr: Author, Date, Background
- James van dine: 1 Corinthians: Introduction
- David Malick (Bible.org): An Introduction to First Corinthians
- David Malick (Bible.org): An Argument Of First Corinthians
- Hampton Keathley IV: I Corinthians: Introduction and Outline
- Daniel B. Wallace: 1 Corinthians: Introduction, Argument, and Outline
- Charles Swindoll: 1 Corinthians Overview
Maps from Bible-History.com
- New Testament World
- Paul’s 1st Journey
- Paul’s 2nd Journey – visits Corinth on this trip
- Paul’s 3rd Journey – writes his letters during this time
- Kingdom of Herod the Great
- New Testament Cities – Once there click on specific area
Maps from Studylight.org
- Paul’s First Missionary Journey
- Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
- Paul’s Third Missionary Journey
- Paul’s Arrest and Imprisonment
- Paul’s Voyage to Rome
Key Words in 1 Corinthians
Occurrences are based on New American Standard Text. “4x/3v” means the word appears 4 times in 3 verses. “3x” means the word appears 3 times in 3 verses.
- love (17x/14v) – Strong’s G26 in 4:21; 8:1, 3; 13:1-4, 8, 13; 14:1; 16:14, 16:24; Strong’s G25 in 2:9; Strong’s G5368 in 16:22
- spirit (36x/29v) – Strong’s G4151 in 2:4, 2:10, 2:11, 2:12, 2:13, 2:14, 3:16; 4:21; 5:3, 5:4, 5:5, 6:11, 6:17, 6:19; 7:34, 7:40, 12:3, 12:4, 12:7, 12:8, 12:99, 12:11, 12:13, 14:2, 14:14, 14:16, 15:45, 16:18
- body (46x/34v) – Strong’s G4983 in 5:3, 6:13, 6:16, 6:18, 6:19, 6:20; 7:4, 7:34; 9:27; 10:16, 10:17; 11:24, 11:27, 11:29; 12:12, 12:13, 12:14, 12:15, 12:16, 12:17, 12:18, 12:19, 12:20, 12:22, 12:23, 12:24, 12:27; 13:3; 15:35, 15:37, 15:38, 15:44
- idols (6x) – Strong’s G1494 in 8:1, 8:4, 8:1-. 10:19,10:28, 12:2; idol (5x/4v) – Strong’s G1497 in 8:4, 8:7, 10:19; Strong’s G1493 in 8:10; idolatry (1x) – Strong’s G1495 in 10:14
- temple (8x/5v) – Strong’s G3485 in 3:16, 3:17; 6:19; 8:10; 9:13
- wisdom (19x/16v) – Strong’s G4678 in 1:17 (cleverness); 1:19, 1:20, 1:21, 1:22, 1:24, 1:30, 2:1, 2:4, 2:5, 2:6, (2:8 implied), 2:13 3:19; 12:8
- wise (11x/10v) – Strong’s G4680 in 1:19, 1:20, 1:26, 1:27; 3:10, 2:18, 2:19, 2:20; 6:5; Strong’s G5429 in 10:15
- foolishness (6x) – Strong’s G3472 in 1:18, 1:21, 1:23, 1:25, 2:14; 3:18; foolish (3x) – Strong’s G3471 in 1:20, 1:27, 3:18; fools (1x) – Strong’s G3474 in 4:10; fool – Strong’s G878 in 15:26
- power (11x) – Strong’s G1411 in 1:18, 1:24; 2:4, 2:5; 4:19, 4:20; 5:4; 6:14; 15:24, 15:43, 15:56
- gifts/gift (13x) – Strong’s G5486 in 1:7, 7:7, (12:1 implied), 12:4, 12:9, 12:28, 12:30, 12:31; 13:2, 13:8, 14:1, 14:12; 16:3
- boast (6x) – Strong’s G2744 in 1:29, 1:31, 3:21, 4:7, 9:15, 9:16
- arrogant (6x) – Strong’s G5488 in 4:6, 4:18, 4:19, 5:2, 8:1, 13:4
Commentaries & Study Bibles
- Top 5 Commentaries on 1 Corinthians by Keith Mathison – Ligonier.org
- Best Commentaries on 1 Corinthians – Tim Challies
- Commentary Reviews: 1 Corinthians
- Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: 1Corinthians
- Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible: 1Corinthians
- Alfords Exegetical Commentary: 1 Corinthians
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible: 1Corinthians
- Geneva Study Bible: 1Corinthians
- Reformation Study Bible Notes: 1 Corinthians
- Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: 1 Corinthians
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
City of Corinth
- Corinth Map – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Corinth – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Corinth – Ancient History Encyclopedia
- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Corinth
- Easton’s Bible Dictionary Corinth
- Fausset Bible Dictionary Corinth
- Holman Bible Dictionary Corinth
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible Corinth
- Watson’s Theological Dictionary Corinth
- 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica Isthmus of Corinth
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Corinth
- Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Corinth
- McClintock and Strong’s Bible Encyclopedia Corinth (2) Divisions in the Church at Corinth Corinth
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia Corinth
- The Jewish Encyclopedia Corinth
Letter
- Corinthians 1st & 2nd, Theology of – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- Corinthians, First Epistle to – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Corinthians, First Epistle to – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Corinthians, First Epistle to – International Standard Bible EncyclopediaCorinthians, Epistles to – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Epistles to the Corinthians – 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
Paul
- Paul, the Apostle – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
- Paul – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Paul, the Apostle – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Paul – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
- Paul, the Apostle – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Paul- Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
Apollos
- Apollos – Holman Bible Dictionary
- Apollos – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Apollos – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Apollos – Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Apollos in 1 Corinthians: 1:12, 3:4-6, 3:22, 4:6, 16:12
- Apollos in rest of New Testament: Acts 18:24; Acts 19:1; Titus 3:13
Sosthenes
- Sosthenes– Holman Bible Dictionary
- Sosthenes– Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Sosthenes– International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Sosthenes– Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Sosthenes in New Testament: Acts 18:17; 1 Corinthians 1:1
Stephanas
- Stephanas– Holman Bible Dictionary
- Stephanas– Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
- Stephanas– International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
- Stephanas– Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
- Stephanas in New Testament: 1 Corinthians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 16:15-17
Hair & Head Coverings & Women
- Marlowe: Headcovering Customs of the Ancient World
- 1901 Jewish Encylopedia: Bareheadedness
- 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia: Hair
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Dress (scroll down to head covering section)
- Wayne Grudem: “The Meaning Of kephale (head): An Evaluation Of New Evidence, Real And Alleged”, Nov. 1997
- D.A. Carson: “Silent in the Churches”: On the Role of Women in 1 Corinthians 14:33b-36
- Daniel B. Wallace: What is the Head Covering in 1 Cor 11:2-16 and Does it Apply to Us Today?
Articles
- 1 Corinthians: A Church Divided – John H Polhill
- Blue, Bradley B. “The House Church at Corinth and the Lord’s Supper: Famine, Food Supply, and the Present Distres,”
- Farmer, William R. “Peter and Paul, and the Tradition Concerning ‘The Lord’s Supper’ in 1 Cor 11:23-26
- Glenny, W. Edward. “1 Corinthians 7:29-31 and the Teaching of Continence in the Acts of Paul and Thecla,”
- Harding, Mark. “Church and Gentile Cults at Corinth
- Kent, Homer, A. “A Fresh Look at Corinthians 15:34: An Appeal for Evangelism or a Call to Purity?
- Lanier, David E. “With Stammering Lips and Another Tongue: 1 Cor 14:20-22 and Isa 28:11-12,
- Plummer, Robert L. “Imitation of Paul and the Church’s Missionary Role in 1 Corinthians
- Reaume, John D. “Another Look at 1 Corinthians 15:29, “Baptized for the Dead,
- Two Recent Commentaries on 1 Corinthians – K A Fox
- Baptized into Moses – Baptized into Christ – William B Badke
- 1 Corinthians 12-14 – The Interpretation – David L Baker
- Miracles, Charismata and Benjamin B Warfield – L Philip Barnes
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-15 Rethinking a Much Abused Text – Brian Borgman
- 1 Corinthians 15:29 Baptism for the Dead – Problem Texts – F F Bruce
- The Nature and Function of New Testament Glossolalia – Mark J Cartledge
- Wisdom in First Corinthians – Gordon H Clark
- Another Corinthian Erastus Inscription – Andrew D Clarke
- 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 and the Cessation of Miraculous Gifts – R Bruce Compton
- 1 Corinthians 5-7 Twenty-First Century Problems in a First Century Church – William F Cook III
- “All Were Baptized” Ronald E Cottle
- 1 Corinthians 12 – Paul’s Use of the Analogy of the Body of Christ – Brian Daines
- 1 Corinthians 15:29 Corinthian Religion and Baptism for the Dead… Richard E DeMaris
- Paul as Master-Builder – J Duncan M Derrett
- Wisdom and Knowledge in Corinthians – E Earle Ellis
- 1 Corinthians 10:4 The “Moveable Well”… An Extrabiblical Tradition in an Apostolic Text – P E Enns
- 1 Corinthians 7:1 in the NIV – Gordon Fee
- 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 – How are the Apostles Judges?
- Renaming in Paul’s Churches – The Case of Crispus-Sosthenes Revisited – Richard G Fellows
- Ministry, Community and Spiritual Gifts – Ronald Y K Fung
- Revelation and Tradition: The Origins of Paul’s Gospel – Ronald Y K Fung
- 1 Corinthians 13 Love is the Greatest Thing – Lee Gatiss
- Why Differences in the Church are Inevitable – Alan Gibson
- 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 The Importance of Roman Portraiture for Head-Coverings – David W J Gill
- David W.J. Gill, “In Search of the Social Elite in the Corinthian Church,”
- W. Edward Glenny, “1 Corinthians 7:29-31 and the teaching of continence in The acts of Paul and Thecla,”
- James Greenbury, “1 Corinthians 14:34-35: Evaluation of Prophecy Revisited,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 51.4 (Dec. 2008): 721-31.
- Wayne A. Grudem, “Prophecy – yes, but teaching – no: Paul’s consistent advocacy of women’s participation without governing authority,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 30.1 (March 1987): 11-23.
- The Meaning of ‘Head’ in the Bible (Wayne Grudem)
- Wayne Grudem, “Does kephale (“Head”) Mean “Source” Or “Authority Over” in Greek Literature? A Survey of 2,336 Examples,” Trinity Journal ns 6.1 (Spring 1985): 38-59.
- Wayne Grudem, “The Meaning of kephale (“Head”): A Response To Recent Studies”
- Wayne Grudem, “The Meaning of kephale (‘Head’: ‘An Evaluation Of New Evidence, Real And Alleged,”
- Wayne Grudem, “The Meaning Of kephale (‘Head’: ‘An Evaluation of New Evidence, Real and Alleged,”
- Alan R. Guenther, “One Woman or Two? 1 Corinthians 7:34”
- Mark Harding, “Church and Gentile Cults at Corinth,”
- John Ker Howard, “Baptism for the Dead: A Study of I Corinthians 15:29,”
- John Keir Howard, “‘Christ our Passover’: A Study of the Passover-Exodus Theme in I Corinthians,”
- David Instone-Brewer, “1 Corinthians 7 in the Light of the Graeco-Roman Marriage and Divorce Papyri,”
- David Instone-Brewer,”1 Corinthians 7 in the Light of the Jewish Greek and Aramaic Marriage and Divorce Papyri,”
- Andrew Johnson, “Turning the World Upside Down in 1 Corinthians 15: Apocalyptic Epistemology, the Resurrected Body and the New Creation,”
- Andrew Johnson, “Turning the World Upside Down in 1 Corinthians 15: Apocalyptic Epistemology, the Resurrected Body and the New Creation,
- Peter R. Jones, “1 Corinthians 15:8: Paul the Last Apostle,
- Dirk Jongkind, “Corinth in the First Century AD: The Search for Another Class,”
- Walter C. Kaiser Jr., “Current crisis in exegesis and the apostolic use of Deuteronomy 25:4 in 1 Corinthians 9:8-10,”
- Homer A. Kent, Jr., “A fresh look at 1 Corinthians 15:34: an appeal for evangelism or a call to purity?”
- Seyoon Kim, “Imitatio Christi (1 Corinthians 11:1): How Paul Imitates Jesus Christ in Dealing with Idol Food (1 Corinthians 8-10),”
- Brent Kinman, “Appoint the Despised as Judges!” (1 Corinthians 6:4),”
- Simon J. Kistemaker, “Deliver This Man to Satan (1 Corinthians 5:5): A Case Study in Church Discipline,”
- Andreas J. Köstenberger, “Gender Passages in the NT: Hermeneutical Fallacies Critiqued,”
- William L. Lane, “Covenant: the Key to Paul’s Conflict with Corinth,”
- David E. Lanier, “With Stammering Lips and Another Tongue: 1 Cor 14:20-22 and Isa 28:11-12,”
- Eva-Maria Lassen, “The Use of the Father Image in Imperial Propaganda and 1 Corinthians 4:14-21,”
- G.J. Laughery, “Paul: Anti-marriage? Anti-sex? Ascetic? A Dialogue with 1 Corinthians 7:1-40,”
- William G. MacDonald, “Glossalalia in the New Testament,”
- William J. Martin, “1 Corinthians 11:2-16: An Interpretation,”
- Benjamin L. Merkle, “Implications for missions from Paul’s ministry in 1 Corinthians,”
- Alan R. Millard, “Covenant and Communion in First Corinthians,”
- Ed. L. Miller, “More Pauline References to Homosexuality,”
- Paul’s Advice on Spiritual Gifts: An Exposition of 1 Corinthians 12-14
- The New Testament Teaching on the Ministry of Women
- Derek Newton, “Food Offered to Idols in 1 Corinthians 8-10,”
- B.J. Oropeza, “Laying to Rest the Midrash: Paul’s Message on Meat Sacrificed to Idols in Light of the Deuteronomic Tradition,”
- Alan G. Padgett, “Feminism in First Corinthians: A Dialogue with Elizabeth Schüssler Fiorenza,
- Alan G. Padgett, “The Significance of anti in 1 Corinthians 11:15,
- Terence Paige, “The Social Matrix of Women’s Speech at Corinth: The Context and Meaning of the Command to Silence in 1 Corinthians 14:33b–36,”
- James Patrick, “Insights from Cicero on Paul’s Reasoning in 1 Corinthians 12-14: Love Sandwich or Five Course Meal?”
- Robert L. Plummer, “Imitation of Paul and the church’s missionary role in 1 Corinthians,”
- Robert L. Plummer, “Eating idol meat in Corinth: enduring principles from Paul’s instructions,”
- Wilbert G. Putman, “The Nature and Purpose of the Charismata,” .
- Brian S. Rosner, “The Concept of Idolatry,”
- John D. Reaume, “Another Look at 1 Corinthians 15:29, “Baptized for the Dead”,
- James E. Rosscup, “A New Look at 1 Corinthians 3:12: ‘Gold, Silver, Precious Stones’,”
- Arthur J. Rowe, “1 Corinthians 12-14: the Use of a Text for Christian Worship,”
- Stephen S. Smalley, “Spiritual gifts and 1 Corinthians 12-16,”
- Joop F.M. Smit, “Epideictic Rhetoric in Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 1–4,
- William David Spencer, “The power in Paul’s teaching (1 Cor 4:9-20),”
- E. Coye Still, III, “Divisions Over Leaders And Food Offered To Idols: The Parallel Thematic Structures of I Corinthians 4:6-21 and 8:1-11:1,”
- Wilber B. Wallis, “Problem of an intermediate kingdom in I Corinthians 15:20-28,
- Wilber B. Wallis, “The use of Psalms 8 and 110 in I Corinthians 15:25-27 and in Hebrews 1 and 2”
- Randall C. Webber, “A note on 1 Corinthians 15:3-5,”
- Stephen J. Wellum, “Christ’s Resurrection and Ours (1 Corinthians 15),”
- R. Fowler White, “Richard Gaffin and Wayne Grudem on 1 Cor 13:10: a comparison of cessationist and noncessationist argumentation,”
- Chris Alex Vlachos, “Law, sin, and death: an edenic triad? an examination with reference to 1 Corinthians 15:56,”
- Peter Richardson, “‘I Say, Not the Lord’: Personal Opinion, Apostolic Authority and the Development of Early Christian Halakah,
- D.W.B. Robinson, “To Submit to the Judgement of the Saints,”
- Brian S. Rosner, “Temple and Holiness in 1 Corinthians 5,”
- Brian S. Rosner, “‘Stronger Than He?’ The Strength of 1 Corinthians 10:22b,”
- Brian S. Rosner, “‘Written for Our Instruction'”
- Stephen J. Wellum, “Christ’s resurrection and ours (1 Corinthians 15),”
- H. H. Drake Williams, III, “Living as Christ Crucified: The Cross as a Foundation for Christian Ethics in 1 Corinthians,”
- Bruce W. Winter, “Secular and Christian Responses to Corinthian Famines,”
- Bruce W. Winter, “Theological and Ethical Responses to Religious Pluralism–1 Corinthians 8-10,”
- Bruce W. Winter, “1 Corinthians 7:6-7: A Caveat and a Framework for “the Sayings” in 7:8-24″
- Bruce W. Winter, “Puberty or Passion? The Referent of yperakmos in 1 Corinthians 7:36″
- Fred G. Zaspel, “The Apostolic Model For Christian Ministry: An Analysis Of 1 Corinthians 2:1-5,”
GotQuestions.org
Treat like any commentary: read carefully and thoughtfully.
- What does the Bible say about discernment?
- Is abstinence before marriage a realistic message?
- Book of 1 Corinthians – Bible Survey
- Who was Gaius in the Bible?
- What does it mean to boast in the Lord?
- What does Paul mean when he writes of the natural man?
- What does it mean that Jesus is the second Adam?
- What does it mean that we will judge angels?
- What does it mean that a person will not inherit the kingdom of God?
- Does the Greek word arsenokoitai in 1 Corinthians 6:9 really mean ‘homosexuals’ or something else?
- What does it mean that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?
- Are the writings of the Apostle Paul inspired?
- What does it mean that we are not to cause others to stumble?
- Do women have to wear head coverings in church?
- What does it mean to examine yourself?
- Are the miraculous gifts of the Spirit for today?
- What is the gift of speaking in tongues? Is it for today?
- How do I identify my spiritual gift?
- How does God distribute spiritual gifts? Will God give me the gift I ask for?
- What is praying in tongues? Is praying in tongues a prayer language between a believer and God?
- What does it mean that love is patient?
- What does it mean that love is kind?
- What does it mean that love does not envy?
- What does it mean that love does not boast?
- What does it mean that love is not proud?
- What does it mean that love is not rude?
- What does it mean that love is not self-seeking?
- What does it mean that love is not easily angered?
- What does it mean that love keeps no record of wrongs?
- What does it mean that love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth?
- What does it mean that love always protects)?
- What does it mean that love always trusts?
- What does it mean that love always hopes?
- What does it mean that love always perseveres?
- What does it mean that love never fails?
- What is the meaning of “perfect”?
- What does it mean that faith, hope, and love remain (1 Corinthians 13:13)?
- What does it mean that the greatest of these is love?
- Do women have to remain silent in church?
- How does bad company corrupt good character?
- What does it mean to be steadfast and unmovable?
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