Paul eliminated any and all type of distraction from the gospel. It was his desire for these Christians to believe and follow Christ, not because of how he preached to them (so not to lead them into following him), not because of how he reasoned with him (so not to think they came to Christ on an intellectual basis), but because the Power of God changed them through the Spirit.

I Corinthians 1 – The Delivery of Truth

Vs. 17: If baptism saved, Paul would have been a little more concerned about baptizing.

Vs. 23: A stumbling block to the Jews because they must be taken out (Ro 10-11) in order for the Gentiles to be saved. Foolishness to the Greeks because no one in their right mind would believe something that requires the grace of God for salvation over the works of man.

Vs. 31: The acute answer to “I am of Apollos, I am of Paul, I am of Cephas.” If you are going to brag, brag on the Lord!

I Corinthians 2 – The Heavenly Wisdom of the Gospel

Vs. 1-5: Paul eliminated any and all type of distraction from the gospel. It was his desire for these Christians to believe and follow Christ, not because of how he preached to them (so not to lead them into following him), not because of how he reasoned with him (so not to think they came to Christ on an intellectual basis), but because the Power of God changed them through the Spirit.

Vs. 6-9: The gospel is wisdom, just wisdom the world cannot know without the Spirit.

Vs. 10-11: Wisdom is available only in the spirit of man and the wisdom of God is only available in the Spirit of God.

I Corinthians 3 – What Really Matters in Life

Vs. 3-4: God gives us a quick guide for recognizing carnality: envying, strife, division, man worship, etc.

Vs. 5: The fact that someone was witnessed to by ‘Paul’ or ‘Apollos’ is nullified by the greater fact that EVERYONE hears by SOME minister, it just so happened these in Corinth were of Paul and Apollos.

Vs. 6-7: The planter and the waterer are insignificant because neither one of them can grow. God merely uses them both to fulfill His will. Hence (vs. 8) the planter and waterer are ONE – they are the same to God because He utilizes them both.

Vs. 10-11: These two verses sum up some of the greatest advice that could be given to a minister of the Gospel: Don’t try to lay your own foundation in the ministry, build off of what is already there or rather WHO is already there (cf – Eph 2.20). Jesus Christ is the foundation for all of the Christian life, trying to build on another foundation than He, would be flat out blasphemy.

Notice the warning in (vs. 10): “…but let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” Beware how you build! A solemn reminder that just because you are building in the ministry doesn’t mean it counts! (vs. 12-13) Depending on how you built upon that foundation will determine if it remains when all is gone Depending on what you put on that foundation will determine if you get a reward or not. What really is important? A building project? A nice car? Good looking bulletins? Padded pews? People to come hear you preach? Will what you’re doing burn in the fire? Then you have no reward. Will what you’re doing go through the test of fire? Then you have thus reward.

The apostle gives a quick glimpse of what really does matter in (vs. 16-17).

Vs.18-21: The conclusion to the whole first part of the book.

I Corinthians 4 – Paul’s Authority

Vs. 1-3: A servant should appear faithful to others, but it is more important to be found faithful to God. Once you are found faithful to God, what the other people think don’t matter as much.

Vs. 5: Do not make quick judgments on other people’s works because YOU are not the one who is going to judge them.

Vs. 6-7: Think of someone above what the Bible says he is, will cause you to become puffed up. God has given everyone diversity ON PURPOSE! It is foolish to be proud and puffed up about something that was GIVEN and not EARNED.

Vs. 15: Paul’s reminder that they might have had many instructors but that doesn’t replace their ‘spiritual father’.

Vs. 19-21: Recognize not the craftiness of other’s speech but the power behind their speech!

I Corinthians 5 – Discipline Fornicators

Vs. 2: Puffed up because their minds had not been accustomed to addressing the evil of fornication, so thus their attitude: “What’s the big deal?”

Vs. 5: Notice, you discipline a Christian not because of their standing with God but because their destruction of the flesh.

Vs. 6-8: “Get him out of your midst!” says Paul. If a Christian will influence his own self to desecrate his own body, he will influence others to do the same.

Also notice Paul’s common and typical practice of teaching a truth and doctrine, even within a practical matter: “…as ye are unleavened; For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” Paul isn’t just making legalistic requirements for discipline, it is coming out of the truth and doctrine that drives him.

I Corinthians 6 – Don’t Take Saints to Court

Vs. 1-4: If we are going to judge the world, why can’t settle little issues between believers?

Vs. 7: Take wrong! If something happens between brothers and sisters in Christ … take it and be a good testimony!

Vs. 12-20: Christians are reserved for the Lord God. Anything that takes away from that truth separates that oneness.