TEACHING NOTES Introduction Now that we have finished an in-depth study of every verse of 1 Corinthians over the last six months, it would be helpful to review what we have learned. In this session we will review the major problems in the Corinthian church, Paul’s responses to these problems, and the biblical solutions to these problems. ‌ Problem 1: Division (1 Cor. 1-4) The Corinthians were attaching their Christian identity to human leaders: “I follow Paul, I follow Apollos, I follow Peter.” (1 Cor. 1:11-12) ‌ Paul’s Responses: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?” (1 Cor. 1:13) ‌ Division is an indicator of immaturity: “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.” (1 Cor. 3:1) ‌ Solution: The church must be a unified family. Human leaders are not an elite class of Christians, but are “servants” (1 Cor. 3:5) and “fellow workers” of “God’s field, God’s building” (1 Cor. 3:9). ‌ Problem 2: Immorality (1 Cor. 5-7) The Corinthians were allowing and celebrating sexual immorality in the church (1 Cor. 5:1). ‌ Paul’s Responses: “And you are proud! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who is doing this be removed from among you.” (1 Cor. 5:2) ‌ “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (1 Cor. 5:6) ‌ “But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.” (1 Cor. 5:11) ‌ Solution: Christians are required to live differently than unbelievers. The church is required to hold believers accountable to God’s Word. ‌ Problem 3: Food & Idolatry (1 Cor. 8-10) Much of the food in Corinth came from pagan temples, which led to confusion about what foods Christians can eat. ‌ Paul’s Responses: “8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” (1 Cor. 8:8-9) ‌ “For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?” (1 Cor. 8:10) ‌ “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” (1 Cor. 10:14) ‌ “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” (1 Cor. 10:21) ‌ Solution: Christians should not use their freedom in Christ in a way that causes other believers to stumble in their faith. ‌ Problem 4: Church Gathering (1 Cor. 11-14) Immodest dress (1 Cor. 11:2-16), chaotic Communion (1 Cor. 11:17-34), and disorderly worship (1 Cor. 12-14) were major problems in Corinth. ‌ Paul’s Responses: “20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk.” (1 Cor. 11:20-21) ‌ “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” (1 Cor. 14:26) ‌ “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Cor. 14:33) “But all things should be done decently and in order.” (1 Cor. 14:40) ‌ Solution: The church gathering is a place for worship, learning, unity, and support. This requires clarity, decency, and order. ‌ Problem 5: The Resurrection (1 Cor. 15) While the Corinthians believed in the resurrection of Jesus, some did not believe in the resurrection of all the dead (1 Cor. 15:12). ‌ Paul’s Responses: “16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” (1 Cor. 15:16-18) ‌ “20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:20-22) ‌ Solution: The resurrection of Christ proves that His teaching about our resurrection is true. ‌ Conclusion ‌ Paul’s letters to the churches provide historical information about problems that arise in the church and how to deal with those problems. ‌ Therefore, when problems arise in our churches we must look to God’s Word for solutions and faithfully follow God’s Word. ‌