1 Corinthians 13:1-13

1 Corinthians 13

INITIAL SUMMARY:

Paul opens by establishing that spiritual accomplishments—eloquent speech, prophetic insight, comprehensive knowledge, mountain-moving faith, and sacrificial giving—amount to nothing without love. (1 Corinthians 13) This opening salvo reframes the Corinthians’ obsession with spiritual gifts by insisting that love takes precedence over tongues, prophecy, knowledge, and faith.

Paul then catalogs love’s characteristics: patience, kindness, freedom from envy and boasting, humility, respect for others, selflessness, emotional restraint, forgiveness, opposition to evil, alignment with truth, and unwavering protection, trust, hope, and perseverance. (1 Corinthians 13) Rather than defining love abstractly, Paul describes what love actively does—a practical orientation suited to the community’s relational conflicts.

The chapter’s final movement addresses the theme of permanence. While love endures forever, prophecies will cease, tongues will fall silent, and knowledge will fade away. (1 Corinthians 13) Paul illustrates this through maturation—childhood understanding gives way to adult comprehension—and through vision: currently we glimpse God dimly as through a mirror, but eventually we’ll encounter Him directly and know ourselves fully as we are known. (1 Corinthians 13) The chapter concludes by affirming that faith, hope, and love endure, with love standing supreme. (1 Corinthians 13)

Theologically, Paul presents love as both the present reality of Christian existence—rooted in Christ’s cross and resurrection—and the anticipated future when love reaches perfection. The chapter functions as the interpretive key not only for understanding spiritual gifts but for resolving the divisions fragmenting the Corinthian congregation.

OPEN:

What was one of your favorite love songs when you were a teenager? 

When in your life have you felt the most loved?

DIG:

Given the Corinthians' quest for spiritual gifts and power, what is Paul's point in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3? What have you done that has become a substitute for really loving others? 

In what ways has God loved you according to the qualities of love you found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8? What have you done lately that is an example of what love is not? 

Have you ever done a religious act without love? What was it like?

REFLECT:

In your opinion, what is the best way to develop the ability to love others? 

How does 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 help to put your church in perspective? Your personal life? 

What does it mean to you that you will see Jesus face-to-face?

1 CORINTHIANS 13

This is the famous love chapter.

I.   The Importance of Love (13:1–3)

A.  The gift of tongues is useless without it (13:1).

B.  The gift of prophecy is useless without it (13:2a).

C.  The gift of knowledge is useless without it (13:2b).

D.  The gift of faith is useless without it (13:2c).

E.  The gift of giving is useless without it (13:3).

II.  The Impeccability of Love (13:4–7)

A.  In relation to saints (13:4a): It is patient and kind, not jealous.

B.  In relation to self (13:4b–5a): It is not boastful, proud, or rude, and it never seeks its own way.

C.  In relation to sin (13:5b–6): It is not irritable, nor does it keep a record of wrongs; it is never glad about injustice or unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth.

D.  In relation to situations (13:7): It never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

III. The Indestructibility of Love (13:8–12)

A.  Unlike the other gifts, love is permanent (13:8).

1.  Prophecy will cease (13:8a).

2.  Tongues will cease (13:8b).

3.  Knowledge will cease (13:8c).

B.  Unlike other gifts, love is complete (13:9–12): Paul offers two illustrations.

1.  The child/adult illustration (13:9–11)

a.  The gifts, if used without love, may be likened to the attitudes and actions of an immature child (13:9–11a).

b.  Love may be likened to the attitudes and actions of a mature adult (13:11b).

2.  The mirror/face-to-face illustration (13:12)

a.  In the present, through the gifts, we see but a mirror-like reflection of God (13:12a).

b.  In the future, through love, we will see God face-to-face (13:12b).

IV. The Invincibility of Love (13:13)

A.  Faith and hope are among God’s greatest gifts (13:13a).

B.  Love is God’s greatest gift (13:13b).

 

When the Perfect Comes: Understanding 1 Corinthians 13:10 and Spiritual Gifts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYUCVSa2rk0

In this episode of the Radically Christian Podcast, Wes McAdams joins Austin McCrickard and Nate Miller on their show The Thinking Kingdom Podcast to discuss 1 Corinthians 13 (often called the “love chapter”). They focus particularly on verse 10, where Paul says, “When the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.” The conversation explores what Paul meant by “the perfect,” how the passage fits within the larger context of 1 Corinthians 12–14, and how Christians today should understand spiritual gifts in light of love being the ultimate goal.

Wes explains that the Corinthian church had been divided and worldly, using their spiritual gifts—such as prophecy and tongues—for self-promotion rather than for the common good. Paul’s corrective was to teach a “cruciform way of thinking,” where love, not power or eloquence, defines spiritual maturity. Extraordinary gifts were temporary, serving a purpose in the early church, but love, faith, and hope endure. Paul’s message, Wes argues, is not about when or how gifts will cease, but about how Christians must use their gifts in love and unity.

Wes concludes that regardless of how someone interprets “the perfect,” Paul’s point remains: love is the measure of Christian maturity. He cautions against forcing passages to say what we want merely to guard against theological extremes, noting that the Spirit equips each generation according to its needs, and the permanence of love outlasts all temporary gifts.

Link to fuller article

The Way of Love

The Character of Love
https://youtu.be/SfAXOfpotTo

Other Resources:

Love - we tackle one of the most important topics in the Bible, LOVE! We also discuss how God values love above all else! 1 Corinthians 13

"Love Never Fails"

https://youtu.be/qMECGG5hNDg

Links:

https://www.verseoftheday.com/en/02101998/

https://www.verseoftheday.com/en/02121998/

https://www.christianquotes.info/images/mother-teresa-quote-spreading-gods-love-by-your-life/#ixzz5PfaJ7gjt

https://www.christianquotes.info/images/3-powerful-works-of-love/#ixzz3lqaYkOeZ

Love Accepts All Things

 

Love... always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)

Love... bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NKJV)

Wouldn't it be nice if love were like a cafeteria line? What if you could look at the person with whom you live and select what you want and pass on what you don’t? What if parents could do this with kids? “I’ll take a plate of good grades and cute smiles, and I’m passing on the teenage identity crisis and tuition bills.”

What if kids could do the same with parents? “Please give me a helping of allowances and free lodging, but no rules or curfews, thank you.”

And spouse with spouse? “H’m, how about a bowl of good health and good moods. But job transfers, in-laws, and laundry are not on my diet.”

Wouldn't it be great if love were like a cafeteria line? It would be easier. It would be neater. It would be painless and peaceful. But you know what? It wouldn't be love. Love doesn't accept just a few things. Love is willing to accept all things.

“Love is willing to accept all things.” Do you find this difficult? Why?

============

What’s Most Important

At the age of 72, Randy Long figured it was time to clean out his Montgomery, Alabama, garage. In one white five-gallon bucket, he found about three dozen old baseballs. These were relics of his younger days, tossing batting practice for his son and then his grandson. But the boys are grown and gone now, so Randy thought somebody else might enjoy them. He wrote out a quick note and then took the stuff to a nearby batting cage, where he left the bucket and its contents.
Under the heading, “Free,” the note read: “Hope someone can use some of these baseballs in the batting cages. I found them cleaning out my garage. I pitched them to my son and grandson for countless rounds. My son is now 46 y/o, and my grandson is 23 y/o. I am 72, and I won’t give to pitch a couple of buckets to them. They have both moved away. If you are a father, cherish these times. You won’t believe how quickly they will be gone. P.S. Give them a hug and tell them you love them every chance you get.” A boy found the baseballs and his family posted the note on Facebook®. Randy Long and his grandson, Ethan Anderson, quickly went viral and have spoken on CNN and ESPN. And although Ethan lives in Birmingham, a couple of hours away, he’s now got plans for more of grandpa’s batting practice. Yogi Berra said, “Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.”
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV).
As Paul wrote about the use (and abuse) of spiritual gifts in the church, he gave an eloquent plea for ongoing love among the Christians. He knew that faith would one day vanish when Christ returned and hope would be realized in our heavenly redemption. Yet even then love would continue to grow and burnish all of life to a joyous luster. It might not seem like love for a dad to hurl baseballs past his son while the son tries to swing a bat and launch one out of play. Connected by a game, though, the two develop a bond forged in common experience and shared times. In the minutes of rest and cleanup, priceless conversations occur where wisdom and understanding shuttles between them.
One of the many reasons for the superiority of love in the church is that “side-effect” of wisdom and understanding. When we spend time with each other, learning from each other and enjoying each other’s company, we learn how unimportant are the world’s hysterical passions. Right now, white-hot political harangues and panicky virus hectoring threaten to shred relations between friends and family. Next year, both of these “crises” will be history. We can’t let loving relationships be history, too. Time will quickly be gone from us. None of us wants a hollow nostalgia for the way things used to be. By being people of genuine love for one another we will not only fulfill our Lord’s command, we will also avoid twilight regrets over opportunities missed. Only people last into eternity; that’s why faith and hope will fade but love will never fail. God so loved that He sent His Son . . . 

Life of Paul - Paul's Letter of 2 Corinthians

Life of Paul - Paul's Ministry to Christians at Corinth

Series on the Life of Paul

Possible Date: 57 A. D.

• Paul leaves Ephesus and continues his third missionary journey by visiting the churches in Macedonia (Acts 20:1-3). While visiting Philippi, he wrote the book of 2 Corinthians.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians

NOTE: 

#Paul

#Apostle Paul

#Corinth

The confrontation with Demetrius and the other craftsmen is undoubtedly not the only reason Paul left Ephesus. Understandably, Paul must be anxious to hear from Titus regarding the Corinthians’ reaction to his previous letter, so it appears that Paul decides to go on to Troas, where he hopes to meet Titus. Perhaps disappointed at not finding Titus there, Paul goes on to Macedonia, where Titus joins him. There, Paul writes his final letter to the Corinthians, probably about AD 56-57. 

THE SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

The letter of 2 Corinthians was written perhaps 6 months to a year after Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, possibly in A.D. 55 at the end of his long ministry in Ephesus (Acts 20:31). The Corinthian church required Paul’s continual care. In the letter, he explains why he has not visited them a third time, as he had hoped, and shares with them at great length the sense of fulfillment he has in both his ministry and in them personally. At the end of the letter (10-13), Paul's tone changes abruptly as he once again defends his apostleship and personal character. This letter is sent with Titus and others who are returning to Corinth to receive funds being given for the relief of the brethren in Judea who need financial assistance. 

Shortly after his founding mission in Corinth, he sent a letter instructing the church “not to keep company with sexually immoral people” (1 Corinthians 5:9). Later, a delegation from Corinth came to Ephesus asking for Paul’s guidance; they returned, possibly carrying the letter of 1 Corinthians with them (1 Corinthians 16:17–19). Timothy visited Corinth (1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10, 11) and probably returned to Paul in Ephesus with news of opposition to Paul and continued division in the church.

Such unchristian practices in Corinth required correction. Paul made a “sorrowful” visit (2 Corinthians 1:23–2:1), which did not resolve these problems. He then sent a “severe” letter delivered to the Corinthians by Titus (2 Corinthians 2:3–5). When finally Paul was reconciled to the church, he wrote to them both to celebrate their restored relationship and to have them prepare for yet another visit (2 Corinthians 1:13–16).

Scholars disagree over whether 2 Corinthians is a single letter, or was compiled from several shorter letters. Some think there were four letters: Paul’s “earlier” letter (1 Corinthians 5:9); 1 Corinthians; the “severe” letter (2 Corinthians 2:3); and 2 Corinthians. In this case, 1 Corinthians would have been the second letter Paul wrote to the Corinthian church; and 2 Corinthians, at least the fourth. Thus, one option is to accept that 2 Corinthians was originally written as it now appears in the New Testament, and suppose that the “earlier” letter against sexual immorality and the “severe” letter have been lost.

An alternative is to suppose that the “earlier” letter, warning against sexual immorality, is part of 2 Corinthians (see “Paul’s Authority and Epistle” at 1 Corinthians 5:1). Similarly, the four final chapters (2 Corinthians 10–13) are considered to be the so-called “severe” letter, the letter written “out of much affliction and anguish” (2 Corinthians 2:4). Those favoring this option point to a marked contrast: the positive relationship between Paul and the Corinthians evidenced in the early chapters of 2 Corinthians versus Paul’s harsh attacks on some in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 10–13.

2 Corinthians 1:1–2:11

During this period of time, several things may have happened...

• Paul made a short visit to Corinth, his second - cf. 2 Corinthians 12:14; 13:1
• 1) His first visit was during the second journey - Acts 18:1
• 2) His third visit was later on the third journey - Acts 20:1-3
• 3) The book of Acts is silent about his second visit, but most place it sometime during his extended stay at Ephesus
• Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians (now lost), alluded to in 1 Corinthians 5:9

• Second Corinthians

• IN MACEDONIA...
• Paul finds Titus, who brings comforting news from Corinth - 2 Corinthians 7:5-7,13-16
• Paul preaches throughout Macedonia- Acts 20:1-2
• He had preached in Macedonia on his second journey - Acts 16:11-17:15
• Establishing churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea
• On this trip he appears to have ventured to Illyricum - cf. Romans 15:19
• The brethren give generously for the relief of the church in Jerusalem - 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
• Timothy rejoins Paul. Then Timothy joins Paul in writing Second Corinthians (fall of 57 A.D.) - 2 Corinthians 1:1
• Purpose: To vindicate Paul’s apostleship and manner of life
• Theme: Open your heart to us, we have wronged no one
• Brief Outline:
• Paul explains his ministry of reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 1:1-7:16
• The collection for the saints in Jerusalem - 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15
• Paul defends his apostolic authority - 2 Corinthians 10:1-13:14
• Titus and “two brethren” are sent to Corinth - 2 Corinthians 8:16-24
• Likely taking Second Corinthians
• To assist the Corinthians concerning the collection - 2 Corinthians 8:6-8; 9:1-5

• IN ACHAIA (GREECE)...
• Paul spent three months - Acts 20:2-3
• It included his third visit to Corinth - 2 Corinthians 12:14
• A visit he hoped would not be sorrowful - 2 Corinthians 2:1
• A visit he hoped would not be embarrassing for them - 2 Corinthians 9:3-4
• A visit he hoped would not require stern judgment - 2 Corinthians 12:20-21; 13:1-3
• NOTES:
• Paul sends Titus and “a brother” to Corinth - cf. 2 Co 12:17-18
• To bring Paul word as to how the Corinthians received the first letter?
• To encourage the Corinthians concerning the collection? - 2 Co 8:6a
• Whose delayed return would later give Paul concern - 2 Co 2:12-13
• But who would eventually bring Paul good news - 2 Co 7:5-7,13-16

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Other Resources:

First Visit to Corinth

Second Visit to Corinth

Life of Paul - The Third Missionary Journey (Part 1)

Third Missionary Journey

Series on the Life of Paul

Possible Date: 54--58 A. D.

Scripture: Acts 18:23--21:26

NOTE: 

#Paul

#Apostle Paul

#Missionary Journey

PAUL’S THIRD MISSIONARY TRIP

TIME, 54–58 A. D. 4 YEARS

Introduction:

1. Between the first and second journeys of Paul, there was an interval of about two years...
• In which Paul spent “a long time” in Antioch - Acts 14:28
• During this a visit to Jerusalem became necessary - Acts 15:1-2
2. Between the second and third journeys, Paul did not remain long in Antioch...
• He did spend “some time” there - Acts 18:22-23 Luke does not indicate how long Paul stays in Antioch after returning from his second missionary journey. But it is probably not long before Paul is once again preparing for an extended evangelistic tour. 
• But he soon departed, perhaps anxious to fulfill a promise made to the Ephesians on his second journey - cf. Acts 18:19-21
• He begins his third journey by passing north and west through Galatia and Phrygia. It is clear that Paul continues to be concerned about the spiritual growth of those whom he had converted several years earlier.
• Paul then travels on through Asia to its capital, Ephesus, and thereby fulfills a desire he first felt on a second tour, when he was directed by the Holy Spirit to Macedonia instead. It appears that Paul relishes the opportunity to be in this important city because he stays there for approximately 3 years. A special significance during this time are letters that Paul writes to the church in Corinth - a church which has developed some serious problems since Paul last visited with them.

[As with his second journey, he starts with...]

I. THE REGIONS OF ASIA MINOR (54-57 A.D.)

A. IN GALATIA AND PHRYGIA...

1.   Strengthening the disciples - Acts 18:23

2.   This would be Paul’s third time in the region

o    He visited this area on his first journey - Acts 14:6-20

o    He returned on his second journey - Acts 16:6

 

B. IN EPHESUS...

1.   Where Paul had briefly stopped on his second journey - Acts 18:19-21

2.   Where Aquila and Priscilla had stayed, and converted Apollos - Acts 18:24-28

3.   Where Paul converted twelve disciples of John the Baptist - Acts 19:1-7

4.   Where Paul stayed for about three years (54-57 A.D.)

o    Teaching for three months in the synagogue - Acts 19:8

o    Teaching daily for two years in the school of Tyrannus - Acts 19:9-10

o    Working unusual miracles - Acts 19:11-20

o    Note the great success Paul had - Acts 19:10,20

5.   During this period of time, several things may have happened...

o    Paul made a short visit to Corinth, his second - cf. 2 Corinthians 12:14; 13:1

§  His first visit was during the second journey - Acts 18:1

§  His third visit was later on the third journey - Acts 20:1-3

§  The book of Acts is silent about his second visit, but most place it sometime during his extended stay at Ephesus

o    Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians (now lost), alluded to in 1 Corinthians 5:9.   

6.   Paul makes plans to leave Ephesus - Acts 19:21-22

o    Sending Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, with Timothy -- eventually going to Corinth - 1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10-11

o    Though he himself stayed “for a time”, during which he writes First Corinthians (spring of 57 A.D.) - 1 Corinthians 16:5-8

§  Purpose: To correct sinful practices and refute false doctrine

§  Theme: Walk together in unity, love, and truth

§  Brief Outline:

1.   Factions in the church - 1 Corinthians 1:1-4:21

2.   Sexual immorality in the church - 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

3.   Lawsuits among brethren - 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

4.   Moral defilements - 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

5.   Marriage and celibacy - 1 Corinthians 7:1-40

6.   Meats sacrificed to idols - 1 Corinthians 8:1-11:1

7.   Women praying and prophesying unveiled - 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

8.   The Lord’s supper - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

9.   Spiritual gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40

10. Resurrection from the dead - 1 Corinthians 15:1-58

11.  Collection for the saints - 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

12. Concluding remarks, instructions, benediction - 1 Corinthians 16:5-24

7.   Paul sends Titus and “a brother” to Corinth - cf. 2 Corinthians 12:17-18

o    To bring Paul word as to how the Corinthians received the first letter?

o    To encourage the Corinthians concerning the collection? - 2 Corinthians 8:6a

o    Whose delayed return would later give Paul concern - 2 Corinthians 2:12-13

o    But who would eventually bring Paul good news - 2 Corinthians 7:5-7,13-16

8.   The Diana incident - Acts 19:23-41

o    A great commotion brought on by Demetrius and the silversmiths

o    In which a mob takes two of Paul’s travel companions, Gaius and Aristarchus

o    Barely controlled by the city’s town clerk

9.   Additional details about Paul’s stay in Ephesus

o    Sosthenes was there, joining Paul in writing to the Corinthians - 1 Corinthians 1:1

o    Paul had been visited by Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus - 1 Corinthians 16:17

o    Aquila and Priscilla hosted the church in their house, and sent greetings to those in Corinth - Acts 18:2,19,26; 1 Corinthians 16:19

o    Paul’s sufferings while at Ephesus

§  As related to the Ephesian elders in Miletus - Acts 20:17-19

§  As mentioned in letters to the Corinthians - 1 Corinthians 15:30-32; 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

o    Paul’s preaching while at Ephesus - Acts 20:21-21,25-27,31

o    Paul’s manual labor while at Ephesus - Acts 20:33-35; 1 Corinthians 4:11,12

 C. IN TROAS...

1. The turmoil over Paul provides an opportune time to leave Ephesus - Acts 20:1
2. With plans already made (Acts 19:21), Paul heads toward Macedonia - Acts 20:1
3. At Troas, he finds an open door to preach the gospel - 2 Corinthians 2:12
4. But not finding Titus, he continues on toward Macedonia - 2 Corinthians 2:13

[With anxiety over the condition of the church at Corinth, Paul once again travels to...

 

II. THE REGIONS OF MACEDONIA AND GREECE (57-58 A.D.)

A. IN MACEDONIA...

1. Paul finds Titus, who brings comforting news from Corinth - 2 Corinthians 7:5-7,13-16
2. Paul preaches throughout Macedonia- Acts 20:1-2
• He had preached in Macedonia on his second journey - Acts 16:11-17:15
• Establishing churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea
• On this trip he appears to have ventured to Illyricum - cf. Romans 15:19
3. The brethren give generously for the relief of the church in Jerusalem - 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
4. Timothy rejoins Paul and joins Paul in writing Second Corinthians (fall of 57 A.D.) - 2 Corinthians 1:1
• Purpose: To vindicate Paul’s apostleship and manner of life
• Theme: Open your heart to us, we have wronged no one
•  Brief Outline:
• Paul explains his ministry of reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 1:1-7:16
• The collection for the saints in Jerusalem - 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15
• Paul defends his apostolic authority - 2 Corinthians 10:1-13:14
5. Titus and “two brethren” are sent to Corinth - 2 Corinthians 8:16-24
• Likely taking Second Corinthians
• To assist the Corinthians concerning the collection - 2 Corinthians 8:6-8; 9:1-5

B. IN ACHAIA (GREECE)...

1.  Paul spent three months - Acts 20:2-3
2. It included his third visit to Corinth - 2 Corinthians 12:14
• A visit he hoped would not be sorrowful - 2 Corinthians 2:1
• A visit he hoped would not be embarrassing for them - 2 Corinthians 9:3-4
• A visit he hoped would not require stern judgment - 2 Corinthians 12:20-21; 13:1-3
3. Paul wrote Romans (spring of 58 A.D.) - Romans 16:23; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:14; 2 Timothy 4:20
• Purpose: To set straight the design and nature of the gospel
• Theme: The gospel is God’s power of salvation
• Brief Outline:
• Justification by faith in Christ - Romans 1:1-11:36
• The transformed life - Romans 12:1-16:27
4. Paul’s companions while in Corinth
• Phoebe, servant of the church in nearby Cenchrea - Romans 16:1-2
• Timothy, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, Paul’s countrymen - Romans 16:21
• Tertius, writer for Paul - Romans 16:22
• Gaius, host of Paul and the church - Romans 16:23
• Erastus, treasurer of the city, and Quartus, a brother - Romans 16:23
5. Paul’s plans for when he leaves Corinth
• To visit Rome and eventually Spain - Romans 1:8-13; 15:22-24
• But first he must go to Jerusalem with the contribution for the needy saints - Romans 15:25-29

1.  [After just three months, then, Paul prepares to leave Corinth and head straight toward Syria on his way to Jerusalem. But circumstances demand a change in the itinerary...]

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Other Resources:

1 Corinthians Quick Links - Reflections

Here Are the Quick Links to Each Chapter in 1 Corinthians

Introduction to 1 Corinthians

• 1 Corinthians 1
• Greeting (vv. 1-3)
• Thanksgiving (vv. 4-9)
• Divisions in the Church (vv. 10-17)
• Christ, the Wisdom and Power of God (vv. 18-31)
• 1 Corinthians 2
• Proclaiming Christ Crucified (vv. 1-5)
• Wisdom from the Spirit (vv. 6-15)
• 1 Corinthians 3
• Divisions in the Church (vv. 1-21)
• 1 Corinthians 4
• The Ministry of Apostles (vv. 1-21)
• 1 Corinthians 5
• Sexual Immorality Defiles the Church (vv. 1-13)
• 1 Corinthians 6
• Lawsuits Against Believers (vv. 1-11)
• Flee Sexual Immorality (vv. 12-20)
• 1 Corinthians 7
• Principles for Marriage (vv. 1-16)
• Live as You Are Called (vv. 17-24)
• The Unmarried and the Widowed (vv. 25-40)
• 1 Corinthians 8
• Food Offered to Idols (vv. 1-13)
• 1 Corinthians 9
• Paul Surrenders His Rights (vv. 1-26)
• 1 Corinthians 10
• Warning Against Idolatry (vv. 1-22)
• Do All to the Glory of God (vv. 23-33)
• 1 Corinthians 11
• Head Coverings (vv. 1-16)
• The Lord's Supper (vv. 17-34)
• 1 Corinthians 12
• Spiritual Gifts (vv. 1-11)
• One Body with Many Members (vv. 12-31)
• 1 Corinthians 13
• The Way of Love (vv. 1-13)
• 1 Corinthians 14
• Prophecy and Tongues (vv. 1-25)
• Orderly Worship (vv. 26-40)
• 1 Corinthians 15
• The Resurrection of Christ (vv. 1-11)
• The Resurrection of the Dead (vv. 12-34)
• The Resurrection Body (vv. 35-49)
• Mystery and Victory (vv. 50-58)
• 1 Corinthians 16
• The Collection for the Saints (vv. 1-4)
• Plans for Travel (vv. 5-11)
• Final Instructions (vv. 12-18)
• Greetings (vv. 19-24)