1 Corinthians study section

1 Corinthians chapter summaries

A one-line summary of every chapter. Open any chapter for the full study.

Back to 1 Corinthians Start with chapter 1

Chapter list

Chapters 1–4

Divisions and the Wisdom of the Cross

Paul confronts the factions gathered around human leaders with the message of Christ crucified — the wisdom and power of God that shames the wisdom of the world.

  • Chapter 1 (c. AD 55): Paul rebukes the divisions in the church and proclaims Christ crucified as the power and wisdom of God.
  • Chapter 2 (c. AD 55): Paul preached not with lofty words but Christ crucified, and God’s wisdom is revealed by the Spirit.
  • Chapter 3 (c. AD 55): The Corinthians are spiritual infants; leaders are only servants, and Christ is the one foundation.
  • Chapter 4 (c. AD 55): Apostles are servants and stewards, humbled and suffering, and Paul appeals as their father in the faith.

Chapters 5–6

Moral Disorder

Sexual immorality tolerated in the church, believers suing one another, and the call to flee sin and glorify God in the body, which is a temple of the Holy Spirit.

  • Chapter 5 (c. AD 55): Paul commands the church to discipline a man in flagrant immorality and to purge the old leaven.
  • Chapter 6 (c. AD 55): He rebukes lawsuits between believers and calls them to flee sexual immorality, for the body belongs to the Lord.

Chapter 7

Marriage and Singleness

Counsel on marriage, singleness, sexual faithfulness, and contentment in the calling God has given.

  • Chapter 7 (c. AD 55): Paul gives counsel on marriage, singleness, and remaining in the state to which God has called each one.

Chapters 8–10

Food, Idols, and Freedom

How to use Christian liberty in love rather than causing weaker believers to stumble, with Paul’s own example and a warning to flee idolatry.

  • Chapter 8 (c. AD 55): On food offered to idols, knowledge must yield to love, so as not to wound a weaker brother’s conscience.
  • Chapter 9 (c. AD 55): Paul gives up his rights as an apostle to win others, becoming all things to all people for the gospel.
  • Chapter 10 (c. AD 55): Israel’s failures warn against idolatry; flee it, and do all to the glory of God.

Chapters 11–14

Order in Worship

Conduct at the Lord’s Supper, the diversity of spiritual gifts, the supremacy of love (chapter 13), and orderly, edifying worship.

  • Chapter 11 (c. AD 55): Instructions on worship and a rebuke of divisions and abuses at the Lord’s Supper.
  • Chapter 12 (c. AD 55): The one Spirit gives diverse gifts to the one body of Christ, where every member is needed.
  • Chapter 13 (c. AD 55): The supremacy of love: without love, all gifts are nothing, and love alone never ends.
  • Chapter 14 (c. AD 55): Prophecy is to be preferred over tongues, and all worship must be orderly and build up the church.

Chapter 15

The Resurrection

The gospel of Christ’s death and resurrection, the firstfruits guaranteeing that believers too will be raised imperishable.

  • Chapter 15 (c. AD 55): The gospel of Christ’s resurrection, the firstfruits, guarantees the resurrection of believers.

Chapter 16

Final Matters

The collection for the saints in Jerusalem, Paul’s travel plans, and closing exhortations and greetings.

  • Chapter 16 (c. AD 55): Paul gives directions for the collection, his travel plans, and final exhortations and greetings.

My notes

Private unless you specifically share them with another.