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
- Who was Paul?
- 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
How many letters did Paul write to Corinth
Paul’s use of the Old Testament
Blue Letter Bible: Chronology of Acts/Epistles
Blue Letter Bible: 1 Corinthians Outline
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
Maps from Holman Bible Atlas
The Kingdom of Herod Agrippa I
Pentecost and the Jewish Diaspora
Expansion of the Early Church in Palestine
Paul’s Conversion and Early Ministry
The First Missionary Journey of Paul
The Second Missionary Journey of Paul
The Third Missionary Journey of Paul
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
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Corinthians 1st & 2nd, Theology of
McClintock and Strong: Corinthians, First Epistle to
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Corinthians, First Epistle to
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Corinthians, First Epistle to
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Corinthians, Epistles to
Epistles to the Corinthians – 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
Paul
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Paul the Apostle
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Paul
Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Paul
Fausset Bible Dictionary: Paul
Holman Bible Dictionary: Paul
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Paul the Apostle
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Paul
Morrish Bible Dictionary: Paul
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Paul, the Apostle
McClintock and Strong: Paul
The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Paul
The Jewish Encyclopedia:
Apollos
Holman Bible Dictionary: Apollos
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Apollos
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Apollos
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Apollos
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
- Holman Bible Dictionary: Sosthenes
- Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Sosthenes
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Sosthenes
- Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Sosthenes
- Sosthenes in New Testament: Acts 18:17; 1 Corinthians 1:1
Stephanas
Holman Bible Dictionary: Stephanas
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Stephanas
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Stephanas
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Stephanas
Stephanas in New Testament: 1 Corinthians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 16:15-17
Hair & Head Coverings & Women
What is a soft complementarian?
What is a hard complementarian?
Resources on women in authority in the church
Marlowe: Headcovering Customs of the Ancient World
1901 Jewish Encyclopedia: Bareheadedness
1901 Jewish Encyclopedia: Hair
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Dress (scroll down to head covering section)
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?
Wayne Grudem, But What Should Women Do in the Church? (1995)
Wayne Grudem: Meaning of Kephale After 30 Years (2015); Meaning of Kephale After 30 Years PowerPoint
Articles
1 Corinthians: A Church Divided – John H Polhill
Farmer, William R. “Peter and Paul, and the Tradition Concerning ‘The Lord’s Supper’ in 1 Cor 11:23-26
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
1 Corinthians 11:2-16 The Importance of Roman Portraiture for Head-Coverings – David W J Gill
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
David W.J. Gill, “In Search of the Social Elite in the Corinthian Church,”
Wayne Grudem, The Meaning of ‘Head’ in the Bible (CBMW.org)
Wayne Grudem, Does kephale (“head”) Mean “Source” or “Authority Over” in Greek Literature? A Survey of 2,336 Examples (1985)
Wayne Grudem, The Meaning of kephale (“Head”): A Response to Recent Studies (1990)
Wayne Grudem, “The Meaning Of kephale (‘Head’: ‘An Evaluation of New Evidence, Real and Alleged,”
Wayne Grudem, Meaning of Kephale After 30 Years (2015); Meaning of Kephale After 30 Years PowerPoint
Wayne Grudem, Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? Four Views
Wayne Grudem, The Gift of Prophecy in 1 Corinthians (Wayne Grudem’s Ph.D. dissertation)
Wayne Grudem, Pastoral Leadership for Manhood and Womanhood (co-edited with Dennis Rainey)
Wayne Grudem, Should Christians Expect Miracles Today? Objections and Answers from the Bible (1993)
Wayne Grudem, 1 Cor. 14:20-25: Prophecy and Tongues as Signs of God’s Attitude (1979)
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,”
Peter R. Jones, “1 Corinthians 15:8: Paul the Last Apostle,
Dirk Jongkind, “Corinth in the First Century AD: The Search for Another Class,”
Brent Kinman, “Appoint the Despised as Judges!” (1 Corinthians 6:4),”
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,”
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,
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),”
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),”
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),”
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
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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