1 Corinthians 1:18

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 1:10-20

II. CONDITIONS REPORTED TO PAUL 1:10-6:20The warm introduction to the epistle (1 Corinthians 1:1-9) led Paul to give a strong exhortation to unity. In it he expressed his reaction to reports of serious problems in this church that had reached his ears."Because Paul primarily, and in seriatim fashion, addresses behavioral issues, it is easy to miss the intensely theological nature of 1 Corinthians. Here Paul’s understanding of the gospel and its ethical demands-his theology, if you will-is... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 1:10-21

A. Divisions in the church 1:10-4:21The first major problem that Paul addressed was the divisions that were fragmenting this church.". . . this opening issue is the most crucial in the letter, not because their ’quarrels’ were the most significant error in the church, but because the nature of this particular strife had as its root cause their false theology, which had exchanged the theology of the cross for a false triumphalism that went beyond, or excluded, the cross." [Note: Idem, The First... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 1:18

The message (logos) of the Cross, in contrast to the speech (logos) of human wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:17), has the Cross as its central theme. When people hear it, it produces opposite effects in those who are on the way to perdition and in those on the way to glory. Paul contrasted foolishness and weakness with wisdom and power (cf. Romans 1:16)."What would you think if a woman came to work wearing earrings stamped with an image of the mushroom cloud of the atomic bomb dropped over... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

The folly of a crucified Messiah 1:18-25"This paragraph is crucial not only to the present argument (1 Corinthians 1:10 to 1 Corinthians 4:21) but to the entire letter as well. Indeed, it is one of the truly great moments in the apostle Paul. Here he argues, with OT support, that what God had always intended and had foretold in the prophets, he has now accomplished through the crucifixion: He has brought an end to human self-sufficiency as it is evidenced through human wisdom and devices."... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - 1 Corinthians 1:18

1:18 word (a-3) Or 'the word ( logos ) which [speaks] of the cross.' read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:1-31

Greeting and Thanksgiving. Partisanship in the ChurchSt. Paul, after greeting the Church and giving thanks for its spiritual gifts, rebukes the preference for various teachers which was prevalent among them; such a spirit lost sight of Christ crucified, the one subject of all Christian teachers.1-9. Greeting and Thanksgiving.1. Called to be an apostle] chosen by God, not self-appointed: see Acts 22:17-21. Sosthenes] This may be the ruler of the synagogue of Acts 18:17, converted since that... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Corinthians 1:18

(18) For the preaching.—In the original the contrast comes out more strongly between this and the previous statement, the same phrase being repeated, thus, “For the word of the cross,” in contrast to “the wisdom of more words” above. This is the word of real power.Them that perish.—Better, those that are perishing, and us who are being saved, the former referring to those who have not received the gospel, and the latter to those who have (2 Corinthians 2:15; 2 Corinthians 4:3).The power of... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Corinthians 1:1-31

Called to Be Saints 1 Corinthians 1:2 Many names are given to the followers of our Lord in the New Testament. But the name most frequently given is 'saint'. The word occurs sixty times in its pages, and it is plainly intended to describe the life which every Christian should earnestly seek after. I. The idea of devotion devoted to Christ; that is the essence of the Christian life, that is the primary notion of sainthood. And really this is the basis of membership in the Church of Christ. This... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-20

Chapter 3THE FACTIONSTHE first section of this Epistle, extending from the tenth verse of the first chapter to the end of the fourth chapter, is occupied with an endeavour to quench the factious spirit which had shown itself in the Corinthian Church. Paul, with his accustomed frankness, tells the Corinthians from whom he has received information regarding them. Some members of the household of Chloe who were then in Ephesus were his informants. Chloe was evidently a woman well known in Corinth,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:17-31

Chapter 4THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHINGIn the preceding section of this Epistle Paul introduced the subject which was prominent in his thoughts as he wrote: the divided state of the Corinthian Church. He adjured the rival parties by the name of Christ to hold together, to discard party names and combine in one confession. He reminded them that Christ is indivisible, and that the Church which is founded on Christ must also be one. He shows them how impossible it is for anyone but Christ to be the... read more

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