1 Corinthians 1:1-17

Last time we looked at an overview of this letter to the Corinthians. We settled on a topic, an idea, that permeates the who letter, namely, unity in the church. Paul gives this as his reason for writing because he had heard there were divisions in the church at Corinth. And so he writes to urge unity and to answer some specific questions that the Corinthians had which could also lead to disunity. Tonight, we begin to look at the text. Equipped with the historical setting and the understanding that this is the infallible, inerrant, God-breathed Scriptures which are sufficient for correction, rebuking, and training we approach this letter with respectful awe and trembling as it will address some issues that hit very close, if not squarely on, where we live. In the first 17 verses of chapter one, we find three main ideas. First, we find, as in most of Paul’s letters, a greeting that describes who the letter is from and to whom the letter is written. Also like many of Paul’s letters, we find following the greeting a section of thanksgiving. Finally, we find the main reason why he is writing the letter and an introduction to his arguments on unity in the church.