Romans 1
1 Corinthians 1 serves as the opening of the letter apostle Paul sends to the church in Corinth, introducing the background and the central issues of the entire book. This chapter consists of words of greeting (verses 1–3), expressions of thanksgiving (verses 4–9), and then rebuke and encouragement regarding disputes within the church (verses 10–17), concluding with teaching about the cross of Christ and the wisdom of God (verses 18–31).
1versePaul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God,
2versewhich he promised before through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
3verseconcerning his Son, who was born of the offspring of David according to the flesh,
4versewho was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
5versethrough whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake;
6verseamong whom you are also called to belong to Jesus Christ;
7verseto all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8verseFirst, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.
9verseFor God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers,
10verserequesting, if by any means now at last I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you.
11verseFor I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established;
12versethat is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
13verseNow I don’t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you (and was hindered so far), that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.
14verseI am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish.
15verseSo as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Good News to you also who are in Rome.
16verseFor I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.
17verseFor in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.”
18verseFor the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19versebecause that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them.
20verseFor the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity, that they may be without excuse.
21verseBecause knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, and didn’t give thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
22verseProfessing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23verseand traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, four-footed animals, and creeping things.
24verseTherefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves;
25versewho exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26verseFor this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature.
27verseLikewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.
28verseEven as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29versebeing filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,
30versebackbiters, hateful to God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31versewithout understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32versewho, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
Greeting and Thanksgiving (1:1-9)
- Greeting (verses 1–3): Paul introduces himself as an apostle and prays for God’s grace and peace upon the saints of the church in Corinth.
- Thanksgiving (verses 4–9): Paul gives thanks for the grace the church in Corinth has received in Christ—especially the richness in speech and knowledge—and he is confident that Christ will strengthen them to the end.
Encouragement Regarding Disputes Within the Church (1:10-17)
Paul hears that factions have arisen within the church in Corinth (Paul, Apollos, Cephas, the Christ party, and so on), and he urges all the saints to become one with the same mind and the same purpose. He emphasizes that the church must be united not under his own name but under the name of Christ alone.
The Message of the Cross and God’s Wisdom (1:18-31)
- Paul explains that the message of the cross looks like foolishness to people in the world, but to those who are being saved it is God’s power.
- The wisdom of the world and God’s wisdom are contrasted, and he stresses that God highlights his wisdom and power by using those who appear weak and foolish to the world.
Meditation Points
- How are you living for unity rather than division within the faith community?
- Are you trusting the wisdom and grace God gives, rather than the world’s values and standards (wisdom)?
Try Applying It to Yourself
1 Corinthians 1 helps us confirm again that our faith is not based on human beings or the wisdom of the world, but on the cross of Jesus Christ and God’s call. Today, look back on what you put your trust in as the basis, and commit yourself to practicing unity within the faith community.
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