INTRODUCTION

Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth. This city was an economic centre with many temples. He had set up the church in Corinth (Acts 18). He received bad report after he had left the city for some time. He wrote this letter to show how the gospels are answers to their problems in these following five major areas:

Chapters 1-4: DIVISION - there were divisions among the believers in Corinth over their preference of who their teachers are. Paul stressed that they are all servants with different contributions. It is God who gives the increase and the One they should glory in. Church is thus community centred in Christ and not a popularity contest, comparison or competition.

Chapters 5-7: SEX - they condoned sexual promiscuities on the basis of grace and their freedom in Christ. Paul accepts Gods grace is free but not as liberty for sins. For our bodies are redeemed as the temples of the Holy Spirit and as Jesus being raised from the dead physically so our bodies matter to God.

Chapters 8-10: FOOD - the Jewish and Gentiles Christians were divided about partaking food being offered idol. Paul exhort them as our allegiance is to God so abstained but to love people and yet edible as God created all things and whatever is done be out of love.

Chapters 11-14: GATHERING - the confusion in their worship gathering. Paul writes on discerning of the body in Lords Supper; God's Holy Spirit would help them to work together in the exercise of spiritual gifts as God's greatest gift is love (1 Corinthians 13).

Chapter 15: RESURRECTION - the issues of resurrection. Paul also taught about life after death as Jesus died and rose from the dead. Many people saw that Jesus was alive again. In the same way, God will cause us to live again after our deaths. God is even greater than death. Ultimately our hope for victory over death.

Chapter 16: Paul concludes with his final greeting and farewell to the believers.

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