that, as it is written, "he who glories, let him glory in the Lord." Truth to Learn The focus of our life needs to be on God, not the things of man. Behind the Words The words “it is written” are translated from the Greek verb graphō , which literally...
1 Corinthians 1:30 – All From God
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— Truth to Learn Our salvation is all from God. Behind the Words The word translated “of” is ek, which means “out of” or “from.” It is an indication of the...
1 Corinthians 1:29 – God Deserves the Glory
that no flesh should glory in His presence. Truth to Learn God deserves the praise for who we are and what we have. Behind the Words “That” is translated from the Greek word hopōs, which is an adverb of manner. The basic meaning of this word is, “in what manner,...
1 Corinthians 1:28 – The Non-People
and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, Truth to Learn God chose the lowly, non-people to be His. Behind the Words “Base things” is the translation of...
1 Corinthians 1:27 – God’s “Foolish” Choice
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; Truth to Learn God purposely choose weak and foolish sinners to be His. Behind the...
1 Corinthians 1:26 – Calling the Lowly
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. Truth to Learn God calls lowly sinners to His kingdom and to His family. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “you see” is blepō, which means “to...
1 Corinthians 1:25 – Wise Counsel
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. Truth to Learn The wisdom of God often seems like foolishness to us. Behind the Words We have looked at the Greek word for foolishness (mōros) several times now. It is expressed...
1 Corinthians 1:24 – Wisdom and Power
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Truth to Learn Preach the “foolish message” and watch God’s power at work. Behind the Words The word “called” is translated from the plural form of klētos, a noun which...
1 Corinthians 1:23 – A Foolish Trap
but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, Truth to Learn The world does not understand the simple gospel message. Behind the Words “Preach” is translated from the verb kērussō, which means “to proclaim, to herald, or to preach.” It is expressed...
1 Corinthians 1:22 – Signs and Wisdom
For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; Truth to Learn God is not found in miraculous signs or worldly wisdom. Behind the Words The word translated “since” is epeidē, which is made up of epei, meaning “as” or “because” and dē, a particle of affirmation or emphasis...
1 Corinthians 1:21 – Want to Please God?
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. Truth to Learn Belief in the “foolish” gospel message pleases God. Behind the Words “Since” is translated from the Greek...
1 Corinthians 1:20 – God’s Foolishness?
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? Truth to Learn This world’s wisdom is foolishness compared to God’s truth. Behind the Words The word “wise” is sophos, which we saw in yesterday’s...
1 Corinthians 1:19 – Worldly Wisdom?
For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." Truth to Learn The wisdom of the world is foolishness to God. Behind the Words “Written” is from the Greek word graphō, which literally means “to grave,” that is,...
1 Corinthians 1:18 – Completed and Sealed
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Truth to Learn Salvation is a completed and sealed transaction. Behind the Words The word translated “message” is logos. It generally refers to something...
1 Corinthians 1:17 – Preach The Good News
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. Truth to Learn All Christians need to share the gospel message to others. Behind the Words “Send” is translated from the...
1 Corinthians 1:16 – More Baptisms
Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. Truth to Learn Baptism is not to be a source of bragging or arguing. Behind the Words The word translated “yes” is the Greek conjunction de, which is most often translated as...
1 Corinthians 1:15 – It’s a Testimony
lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Truth to Learn Baptism is a testimony of the salvation in the name of Christ. Behind the Words “Lest” is translated from the two Greek words hina mē. The first of these, hina, means “in order that” and...
1 Corinthians 1:14 – Unity, Not Division
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, Truth to Learn Baptism should promote unity in the church, not division. Behind the Words The words “I thank” are translated from the Greek verb eucharisteō, which is composed of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a...
1 Corinthians 1:13 – Worship Christ Alone
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Truth to Learn Submit to your leaders, but worship Christ alone. Behind the Words Meridzō is the word translated “divided.” It means “to separate into parts” or “to divide.” It is expressed here...
1 Corinthians 1:12 – Submission or Contention
Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." Truth to Learn Christians must be submitted to their leaders. Behind the Words “I say” is the translation of the verb legō,...
1 Corinthians 1:11 – Discuss, Don’t Argue
For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. Truth to Learn Discussions are good, but arguments are bad. Behind the Words The words “it has been declared” are translated from the Greek verb dēloō. This word...
1 Corinthians 1:10 – No More Divisions
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Truth to Learn Christians must...
1 Corinthians 1:9 – Called Into Eternal Fellowship
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Truth to Learn Christians are called into fellowship with God, forever. Behind the Words Pistos is the Greek word translated “faithful.” It is based on the verb peithō, meaning “to win over”...
1 Corinthians 1:8 – Preserved Blameless
who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn Christians are now, and will always be, blameless according to Jesus Christ’s judicial action on our behalf. Behind the Words The verb “confirm” is from the...
1 Corinthians 1:7 – Gifts Used for Him
so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, Truth to Learn All Christians are gifted so we might bring glory to God. Behind the Words The words “come short” are from the Greek verb husteroō, which is based on the...
1 Corinthians 1:6 – Testimonial Gifts
even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, Truth to Learn Spiritual gifts are an indication of true salvation, but only when they are used in the proper manner. Behind the Words The words “even as” are translated from the Greek word kathōs, This word is made up...
1 Corinthians 1:4 – Give Him Your Best
I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, Truth to Learn We should give our best to any ministry we are involved in. Behind the Words “I thank” is translated from the Greek verb eucharisteō, which means “to...
1 Corinthians 1:3 – Grace and Peace
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn Paul prays for God to show His grace to us and grant us peace. Behind the Words The word translated “Grace” is charis, which is derived from the verb chairō, meaning “to rejoice.”...
1 Corinthians 1:2 – A Letter to You
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Truth to Learn The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to...
1 Corinthians 1:1 – Commissioned Preacher
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Truth to Learn We have a commission from our Lord to make disciples. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “called” is the noun klētos. It means “one who is called, invited,...
1 Corinthians – Introduction
Before we begin our study of 1 Corinthians, here is some background information on the city and the letter we are about to study. The City of Corinth The city of Corinth was located approximately 45 miles southwest of Athens on the narrow isthmus which connects Achaia (Southern Greece) with...