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1 Corinthians 1 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother…
1 Corinthians 1:1 NASB
In Acts 18 Sosthenes was the leader of the Jewish synagogue who was beaten by the Romans after Paul was cleared of any wrongdoing by Roman proconsul Gallio. Again, you can read the entire event in Acts 18, but it is interesting that Sosthenes may have been the second Jewish synagogue leader to convert to Christianity and, if it is the same man, would have served as Paul’s scribe here in his letter to the Corinthians.
In many ways, the church at Corinth was a struggling, defiled body. Sexual immorality, drunkenness, divisiveness, irreverence, marriage/divorce, and generally a permissible attitude with sin were just some of the many issues Paul addressed. There were also issues within the leadership with at least four different groups competing for authority…
For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 1:11-12 NASB
Though it doesn’t justify their behavior and attitude, Corinth was a filthy city, full of every vice known to mankind. To call someone a “Corinthian” was a well-known phrase at that time. The term painted a vivid picture of someone steeped in the highest level of sinful behavior. Interestingly, we get a brutal description of the city of Corinth in Paul’s letter to the Romans. He was in Corinth when he wrote it!
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Romans 1:18-32 NASB
In all of this, Paul is calling out their pride. It was their pride that made them believe God’s grace permitted them to do anything. It was their pride that convinced them their leadership model was superior. It was their pride that caused divisions among their fellow brother and sisters. And so, it would be fitting that Paul would end Chapter 1 with a strong reminder to consider their calling.
Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. 27 Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, 29 so that no one can boast in His presence.
30 But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 HCSB