1 Corinthians Introduction
We begin our study in the book of 1 Corinthians. Though it was written to a church just under two thousand years ago, the problems that were outside the church and the problems that were inside the church correlate in many ways to the problems that we face as the church in the US today. We will find that many of the topics that are covered by this book have direct application to us today. There are some encouragements that we might take to heart. But there are also many instructions and warnings that we must take note of and act upon. Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 says, “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us.” The Preacher is right when we look at the sinful nature of man. It is also true of a church that refuses to fight for the faith. You see, we don’t want to be guilty of what the Preacher says in verse 11, “There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.” We must remember and study the church of the past so that we might learn from their mistakes and sins and strive to not repeat the same failures. In our time together tonight, I want to introduce or reintroduce, whichever the case may be, to you the first letter to the church at Corinth. I want to spend some time talking about the culture and city of Corinth. Then we will talk about the biblical timeline in which this letter was written. Finally, we will take a brief look at the main structure and content of this great letter.