1. We Are One In the Spirit

2.  Who wrote it? –The Apostle Paul (1:1; 16:21)  To Whom? –The church of God in Corinth (1:2)  When and Where? About 55 A.D. toward the end of his 2 ½ year stay in Ephesus (15:32; 16:8)  Why? –He had heard a report from the household of Chloe (1:11). Three men from Corinth (Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus) had come and spent time with Paul (16:17). He had written previously (5:9). He had received a letter from them with questions and begins answering those in chapter 7. “Now about…” seems to be his formula for answering their questions (7:1; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1).

4.  Was the capitol of the Roman province of Achaia with over 500,000 in population.  Was a very important city in Rome’s commerce with two or three harbors.  The culture was very interested in philosophy, recreation (host of the Isthmian games), and immorality. An ancient poet coined the word “to corinthanize,” which meant “to fornicate.”

5.  It was a religious city with at least 12 temples. The most infamous was dedicated to Aphrodite which some say promoted prostitution as worship. A temple of Asclepius, the god of healing was also there. Some temples had adjoining dining rooms for cultic meals.  Paul spent a year and a half in Corinth on the second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-17).

6. 1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. [a] 6 But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."a

7. 7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. 9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." 11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

8. 12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. 13 "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law." 14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." 16 So he had them ejected from the court. 17 Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.

9.  Introduction –1:1-9  Disunity –1:10-4:20  Immorality –5:1-6:20  Marriage –Chapter 7  Food Offered to Idols –Chapters 8-10  Corporate Worship –Chapter 11  Spiritual Gifts –Chapters 12-14  Resurrection –Chapter 15  The Collection –16:1-11  Concluding Topics –16:12-24

10.  Emphasis on unity in the church through Jesus Christ as the only foundation  Remaining sexually pure is of utmost important in the church, whether you are single or married.  If your faith gives you the freedom to do something it doesn’t mean it’s the best thing to do  The measuring stick for Spiritual gifts is edification  Resurrected body  Love is “the most excellent way”