‘I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) that ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.’

When people become Christians, they are ingrafted into Christ so that His holiness and perfection become theirs in the sight of God the Father. Here is the meaning of the words: ‘Christ Jesus… is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.’

These closing verses breathe the love and deep concern of the apostle to his readers, and here also is the warmth, commitment, hospitality and ‘addiction’ to the cause of Christ that make a church a place of zeal, light, holiness and happiness.

A number of practical instructions reveal ongoing ‘rules’ of conduct for believers and churches, including aims to pursue in living for the Lord and responsibilities that rest upon us for the defense of the faith and the work of the Gospel.

Indebtedness to the Lord is the engine of real commitment, and the exhortation to serve Christ Jesus in this verse relies on an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Here are the duties we owe to God. Whoever is not moved to respond is possibly not saved at all.

So much is here about our transformation to resurrection bodies at the coming of Christ. The bodies that have the likeness of animal life will be adapted to the physical yet heavenly realm of the new heaven and new earth. How? When? Paul tells all.

Paul speaks of Christ as our substitute and sin-bearer. Here are some of the prophecies he refers to about the atonement. Here also are texts from the Gospels and Apostles that show crucial aspects of Christ’s redeeming work, these being the basis of our love for Him.

Paul speaks of the revelatory and sign gifts given while the New Testament was being delivered. These were never for individual benefit, but for the whole body. Here they are reviewed , along with the famous analogy showing the mutual dependence and care of believers.

Corinth had combined a fellowship meal with the Lord’s Supper, but Paul firmly separates them. The Supper is presented as a spiritual banquet, distinct, and calling for deep earnestness. Here are the symbols and what it signifies to ingest them. Here is the Covenant of Grace. You can look at the different epistles in the … Continued

Paul answers the question on the roles of husbands and wives and affirms conformity to the dress code of head coverings in Greek society at that time. With Calvin and major confessions we show that the ‘message’ of clothing may change in other ages and lands. You can look at the different epistles in the … Continued

Three factors are given by Paul for countering temptations. First, the necessity of watchfulness – how temptations come and how to prime the heart; secondly, the rule for resisting temptations; thirdly, the power of the Lord’s Supper to shame away sin and strengthen our resolve. You can look at the different epistles in the New … Continued

Paul proves his apostleship – here are the unique tasks and qualifications of apostles as the church’s foundation. Paul was motivated by his commission for God, by a desire to reach souls (at great personal cost), and by the great joy of seeing a harvest. You can look at the different epistles in the New … Continued

Paul presents the resurrection as a representative act, guaranteeing total victory over death. He firmly places our resurrection at Christ’s return when all sin, unbelief and death will end, and shows the final victory-transaction when Christ hands all to the Father. You can look at the different epistles in the New Testament and identify a … Continued

Paul turns to church growth, warning that believers’ hearts may be largely recaptured by the flesh. Soulwinning is God’s work and we must take care how we build. Here are applications; with the case of those who will lose a reward, yet be saved ‘as by fire’.  You can look at the different epistles in … Continued

The apostle impresses upon us the spiritual blindness of our unconverted state to the wonders revealed in the Gospel, including future glories (described here). Here also is the meaning of ‘comparing spiritual things with spiritual,’ judging all things and living the mind of Christ. You can look at the different epistles in the New Testament … Continued

Paul’s chief rule for preaching (and witness) is frequently lost, leading to the withdrawal of the Spirit. Here is the apostle’s golden rule. Here also is why the Gospel is called ‘a mystery’, together with the riches of the ‘eye hath not seen’ passage. You can look at the different epistles in the New Testament … Continued

This passage begins with man’s blindness to the things of God, proving that divine power alone can awaken lost souls. Indeed, God calls the humble to bring light and life to the wise and lofty to demonstrate that all glory is due to Him. You can look at the different epistles in the New Testament … Continued

For the Gospel to be credible, (so the Corinthians taught), we need conspicuous personalities or preachers. Here Paul proclaims the true source of spiritual power, the preaching of the cross of Christ, and why it is foolishness to the perishing and power to the saved. You can look at the different epistles in the New … Continued

This first study of a new series explores the great themes of the opening verses – the credentials of a preacher, the definition of a church, grace as the basis of all blessing, the features of conversion, and the wonders of partnership with Christ. You can look at the different epistles in the New Testament … Continued

The purposes of Christ’s resurrection. Here also are aspects of the tyranny and ugliness of death which the human mind does not like to think of, to show the scale and magnificence of Christ’s victory over it on our behalf. The present and eternal benefits of knowing Him.