The church at Corinth was like a preschool filled with toddlers each wanting his or her own way. Truthfully, there were probably only a few who were causing the problems, but it was enough that Paul had to write a long letter to respond to both the problems raised and the questions asked.
1 Corinthians gives us the theme: “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” 1 Cor. 1:10 NLT. The people should not be judged to harshly since they had only been Christians for about four years; these people had only the Old Testament Scriptures to learn from.
Outline:
1A. Problems dealt with. Chapters 1-6
2A. Questions answered. Chapters 7-16
Key verses:
“For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News – and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power . . . Since God in His wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, He has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.” 1 Cor. 1:17, 21 NLT.