Some TIPS on How to Read
When people become Christians, they do not turn into good people straight away. Believers at Corinth who were formerly from other religious backgrounds were having difficulties trying to adapt to the teachings of Christ and His ways of living, and were struggling to leave their past behind.
Paul’s first letter to Corinthians was written to deal with this problem and many other issues that had arisen in this church which Paul had established.
Just like the church of Corinth, we too face issues when our Christian experience and ideals of conduct are in conflict with the concepts and practices of today’s world. The problems discussed in this letter are by no means outdated. They are still relevant today.
For example:
“Can I bring lawsuits against my fellow Christian brother?”
“Can Christians marry or must they remain single?”
“since Christians have been liberated from the law of sin and of death, does this mean that they can now do anything they want?”
“Is it wrong to speak in tongues?”
“What is the purpose of the offering? Is it important?”
…and many more
Chances are you’ll probably find similar issues arising, especially within the Christian Fellowship (CF) in your campus.
Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, responded to these issues and identified that the Corinthian believers had failed to recognize Jesus Christ as Lord. In other words, as Christian we sould live under the Lordship of Christ.
Here’s a suggestion on how you can read 1 Corinthians within a week anytime during this month:
| Day 1 | Introduction and Divisions in the Church | Chap 1 – 4:21 |
| Day 2 | Moral and Ethical Disorders in the Life of the Church | Chap 5 – 6 |
| Day 3 | Instructions on Marriage | Chap 7 |
| Day 4 | Instructions on Questionable Practices | Chap 8:1 – 11:1 |
| Day 5 | Instructions on Public Worship | Chap 11:2 – 14:40 |
| Day 6 | Instructions on the Resurrection | Chap 15 |
| Day 7 | Conclusion, Practical and Personal Matters | Chap 16 |
| Day 8 |
Review 1 Corinthians |
|
| Day 9 | God who comforts in suffering, changes and grief | Chap 1:1-2:17 |
| Day 10 | Fragile ministers of the New Covenant | Chap 3:1-4:18 |
| Day 11 | Future Glory | Chap 5:1-6:2 |
| Day 12 | Paul’s bares his heart | Chap 6:3-7:16 |
| Day 13 | Generosity as an expression of love | Chap 8:1-9:15 |
| Day 14 | Paul, a legitimate Apostle | Chap 10:1-12:13 |
| Day 15 | Preparing them for his visit | Chap 12:14-13:14 |
|
Day 16 |
Review 2 Corinthians |
|
Keep these three questions in mind as you explore the letter:
- Which of the issues that the church at Corinth faces are similar to the issues we face in our churches today (and in our CF)?
- What is Paul’s attitude throughout this letter?
- What is the primary truth or principle from your readings that you want to study and ponder more?
Happy READING!
Reflections
“If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn’t love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal.”
1 Corinthians 13:1
After reading 1 Corinthians, I could not help but dwell on one of the most famous and the greatest passage Paul ever penned – Chapter 13
Chapter 13 also called as ‘The Love Chapter’. Just like the church in ancient Corinth which faced many difficult issues, Christians in our church today also face the same core problem: the failure to love.
In our culture, love is usually defined in romantic or sentimental terms. Love songs in our modern day regularly topped the “Top 10 of Billboard charts”. Most music, poetry, arts or any other means of media suggest that love is a mere feeling. But according to the Bible, love is more than a feeling. It is a commitment to someone. It is not dependent on warm ‘fuzzy’ feelings but on consistent and sacrificial decisions to extend oneself for the well-being of another.
I remember the life of Jesus throughout the Gospels; He perfectly demonstrated God’s unconditional love for us when He made the loving commitment to lay down His life to save us from our sins.
Paul writes,
“How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
1 Corinthians 15:57
With this in mind, I’m free to love one another in the Body of Christ because God demonstrated His unconditional love through His one and only Son on the cross. Thus, I’m able to express my gratitude toward Him through my work in the Church or everywhere else and to resolve any conflicts and problems with love.
Paul continues,
“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
1 Corinthians 15:58
In summary, the many problems in our lives (not just in the Church settings) will be resolves when we submit to the Lordship of Christ and learn to love one another genuinely. And that’s why Paul under the guidance of the Holy Spirit concluded The Love Chapter with this sentence,
“…and the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13