1 & 2 Corinthians

Key words and phrases: Gifts, Resurrection, False Apostles, Apostolic Authority, Ministers of the New Testament, Ministration of Death, Ministry of Reconciliation, Church, End of the World.  

Paul writes the letter to the Corinthians to bring order to the misuse of spiritual gifts, and to deal with immorality in the church. Corinth was a very pagan city with strong sexual immorality. Corinthians shows the need for order in the church (14:40).  

Paul writes the second letter to defend his apostolic authority that had come under attack from false apostles. Paul warns the Corinthians that he would come and deal with the issues of the church with the apostolic authority given to him by God.  

Corinthians reveals the church is true temple of God. (3:16; 6:19), and Christ our Passover (5:7). The word church is mentioned 30 times in the Corinthian epistles. (KJV) 

The church is the Israel of God in the New Covenant (Gal 6:16), and Israel was the church in the Old Testament (Acts 7:37-38). Old Covenant Israel was God’s assembly and congregation, and the Church (assembly, congregation) is now the Israel of God.  

Key Verses: 1 Cor. 1:7, 3:16, 5:5,7; 10:11; 12:1; 12:1, 12, 40: 15:23, 50-58 2 Corinthians 3:6-7; 5:17-18; 10:8; 11:13, 25; 12:1