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Paul opens his letter by reminding the Corinthians who they are and whose they are. He writes as one called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and he addresses them as those who have been sanctified in Christ and called to be God’s holy people together with all who call on Jesus everywhere (1:1–2). He thanks God for the grace given to them in Christ—that they have been enriched in all speech and knowledge and are not lacking in any spiritual gift as they wait for Jesus to be revealed (1:4–7). Even though they are flawed, Paul assures them that God will sustain them to the end and keep them guiltless on the day of the Lord Jesus, because God Himself is faithful and has called them into the fellowship of His Son (1:8–9).
From there, Paul moves straight to one of the church’s main problems: division. He urges them, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to agree and be united in mind and judgment instead of splitting into parties around their favorite leaders (1:10–12). Reports from Chloe’s people say some are claiming, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or even “I follow Christ” (1:11–12). Paul rebukes this kind of boasting in human leaders—Christ is not divided, and it was Christ, not Paul, who was crucified for them (1:13). He is thankful he baptized only a few of them, because his main calling was to preach the gospel, not with impressive words of human wisdom, but in a way that keeps the power centered on the cross of Christ (1:14–17).
Paul then explains why the Corinthians must cling to the cross instead of human wisdom. The “word of the cross” sounds like foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God (1:18). Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks search for philosophical wisdom, but Paul preaches Christ crucified—a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, yet to those whom God has called, Christ is the power and wisdom of God (1:22–24). God has deliberately chosen what is foolish, weak, and despised in the world to shame the wise and strong, so that no one may boast in themselves (1:26–29). Because of God, believers are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption—so that, as Scripture says, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1:30–31; cf. Jer. 9:24).
🌀 Reflection:
Where do you tend to boast—in your abilities, your church, or your favorite leaders? Paul reminds us that everything we have in Christ is a gift of God’s grace, from our calling to our spiritual growth (1:4–9, 1:26–30). Let this chapter draw your heart away from pride and toward humble confidence in Jesus alone.
💬 Mission Challenge:
Boast in the Lord today. Tell one person—face to face, by text, or online—something specific God has done for you in Christ, giving Him the credit instead of yourself, and invite them to trust Him too.
Click here to return to the contents page for Phase 2.2 — The Savior, His Church, and the Mission.
Just Keith Harris 
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