1 Corinthians by Jeff Gordon (2010)

Paul, even having heard about the many ways that the church in Corinth was in sin, started out his letter by thanking God for them and reminding them that they have every spiritual blessing through Christ. Paul then addresses his first issue; that the Corinthians are becoming divided over who baptized who, which Paul shuts down by pointing out that all believers are under God.

When Paul said that only Christians can say 'Jesus is Lord', what he meant is that it is only by the Holy Spirit leading us to faith in Christ that that truth is revealed to us. In making a choice to accept the grace of Christ, we have a second, spiritual birth. A life of faith means doing things outside of our abilities, through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us.

The church is the Body of Christ, and the purpose of the church is to carry out the Will of God. All members of the Body of Christ have gifts and roles they can fulfill. Just like the different parts of the human body, members of the Body of Christ have different roles, but none are unimportant; we are able to use those gifts, both inside and outside the church, to fulfill the purpose God has for us.

Love is the essence of being a Christian. We, as humans, naturally get angry, keep records of wrongs, are impatient, and envy. But through love, hope, and faith God can transform us.

Paul was motivated by three things: the truth of God's grace, his experience of God's grace, and the certainty of eternal life. Paul taught that while following God is intense labor and trouble, that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.