1 Corinthians

A divided church

Paul responds to the problems of a young, divided church in Corinth: factions, immorality, marriage, the Lord’s Supper, spiritual gifts and the resurrection.

Historical context

Written from Ephesus. Corinth was a wealthy, cosmopolitan port city, which explains many of the conflicts addressed.

Explanation

Best-known passages

The gifts of the Spirit (ch. 12)
The hymn to love (ch. 13)
The resurrection (ch. 15)