1 Corinthians 1 - Study the King James Bible

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

called, &c. Literally a called apostle. See Romans 1:1 .
called . Greek. kletos . See Romans 1:1 . No ellipsis of "to be", nor in 1 Corinthians 1:2 .
apostle . App-189 .
Jesus Christ . App-98 .
through . App-104 . 1 Corinthians 1:1 .
will . App-102 .
God . App-98 .
Sosthenes . If he is the same as in Acts 18:17 , he had followed in the steps of Paul (Galatians 1:1 , Galatians 1:23 ).
our = the.

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Unto = to.
church of God . This expression occurs in 1 Corinthians 10:32 ; 1 Corinthians 11:22 ; 1 Corinthians 15:9 . Acts 20:28 . 2 Corinthians 1:1 .Galatians 1:1 , Galatians 1:13 . 1 Timothy 3:5 , 1 Timothy 3:15 ; and in the plural in 1 Corinthians 11:16 . 1Th 2:14 . 2 Thessalonians 1:4 .
church App-186 .
at = in. App-104 .
them that are sanctified . Greek. hagiazo. See John 17:17 , John 17:19 .
in . Greek. en ; as above.
Christ Jesus . App-98 .
saints . Greek. hagios. See Acts 9:13 .
with . App-104 .
call upon . Greek. epikaleo. See Acts 2:21 . Same as "appeal to" (Acts 25:11 , &c).
the name . See Acts 2:38 and Compare 1 Corinthians 1:10 .
Lord . App-98 .

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace . App-184 . See Romans 1:7 .
peace . This has no reference to their divisions, as the same salutation is given in all Paul's epistles except those to Timothy and Titus.
from . App-104 .
Lord . App-98 .

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

thank, &c . Greek. eucharisteo. See Acts 27:35 .
on your behalf = concerning ( App-104 .) you.
for = upon. App-104 .
by = in. App-104 . Compare Ephesians 1:3 .

That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

are = were.
enriched . Greek. ploutizo. Only here and 2 Corinthians 6:10 ; 2 Corinthians 9:11 .
utterance . App-121 .
knowledge . App-132 . Compare 2 Corinthians 8:7 ; 2 Corinthians 11:6 .

Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

testimony . Greek. marturion. Always rendered "testimony", save Matthew 24:14 .Acts 4:33 ; Acts 7:44 .James 5:3 . In these "witness".
Christ . App-98 .
confirmed . Greek. bebaioo. See Romans 15:8 .

So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

come behind = are not ( App-105 ) lacking (Greek. hustereo) . See Romans 3:23 .
no . Greek. mideis. A double negative.
gift . App-184 .
waiting for = eagerly expecting. Greek. apekdechomai. See Romans 8:19 .
coming = revelation. App-106 . There are two other words used with reference to the Lord's coming, parousia (see Matthew 24:3 ), and epiphaneia (see 2 Thessalonians 2:8 ). Compare 2 Thessalonians 1:7 . 1 Peter 1:7 , 1 Peter 1:13 .

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

also, &c . = confirm you also.
unto = until. Greek. heos. Compare Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:6 .
end . Greek. telos. See Matthew 10:22 .
blameless . Greek. anengkletos. Here, Col 1:22 . 1 Timothy 3:10 . Titus 1:6 , Titus 1:7 .

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

faithful . App-150 . Compare 1 Corinthians 10:13 . 2 Corinthians 1:18 . 1Th 5:24 . 2 Thessalonians 3:3 .
by . App-104 . 1 Corinthians 1:1 .
unto . App-104 .
fellowship . Greek. koinonia. Compare 2 Corinthians 13:14 . 1 John 1:3 .
Son . App-108 . The title "Lord" is added to "Jesus Christ" six times in the first ten verses of this chapter.

10.

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Now = But.
beseech = exhort. App-134 .
that = in order that. Greek. hina .
speak = say.
no = not. App-105 .
divisions . Greek. schisma. Elsewhere, 1 Corinthians 11:18 ; 1 Corinthians 12:25 .Matthew 9:16 (rent). Mark 2:21 (rent). John 7:43 ; John 9:16 ; John 10:19 . Hence Engl. "schism".
among . App-104 .
perfectly joined together = -fitted, or perfected. Figure of speech Pleonasm. App-6 . See App-125 .
judgment = opinion. App-177 .

11.

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

declared = shown. Greek. deloo = to make manifest. Elsewhere, 1 Corinthians 3:13 .Colossians 1:8 . Hebrews 9:8 ; Hebrews 12:27 . 1 Peter 1:11 . In these three last, signify. 2 Peter 1:14 (show).
of = concerning; as in 1 Corinthians 1:4 .
by . App-104 .
contentions = strifes. Greek. eris . See Romans 1:29 .

12.

Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

this I say = I mean this.
every, &c . i.e. each one is attached to some party.
Apollos . See Acts 18:24 .
Cephas . See John 1:42 .

13.

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Is Christ divided? The omission of me , with the question, implies that the answer must be affirmative. "He is indeed. "Compare 1 Corinthians 12:12-25 . You are rending Him.
was Paul, &c. ? The me here requires a negative answer.
for = on behalf
baptized . App-115 .
in = into. App-104 .

14.

I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

baptized . App-115 .
none . Greek. oudeis.
but = except. Greek. ei me .
Crispus . See Acts 18:8 .
Gaius . See Acts 19:2 .Romans 16:23 .

15.

Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

Lest. Literally in order that (Greek. hina, as in 1 Corinthians 1:10 ) not (Greek. me) .
any . Greek. tis . App-123 .
had . Omit.

16.

And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

also, &c . = the household of Stephanas also.
Stephanas . Compare 1 Corinthians 16:15 , 1 Corinthians 16:17 .
besides = for the rest. Greek. loipon. Neut. of loipos. App-124 .
know . App-132 .
whether = if. App-118 .
other . App-124 .

17.

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

sent . App-174 .
preach the gospel = evangelize. App-121 .
with = in. App-104 .
words . App-121 . This means either "eloquent language", or "clever reasoning". Perhaps both ideas were in the apostle's mind.
made of none effect . Greek. kenoo. See Romans 4:14 .

18.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

preaching = word, or message. Greek. logos, as in 1 Corinthians 1:17 .
them that perish = those that are perishing. Greek. apollumi. Compare 2 Corinthians 2:15 ; 2Co 4:3 . 2 Thessalonians 2:10 . See John 17:12 .
foolishness . Greek. moria. Only in this Epistle, verses: 1 Corinthians 1:21 , 1 Corinthians 1:23 ; 1Co 2:14 ; 1 Corinthians 3:19 .
us which are, &c . = those who are being saved, (even) us. This is the order in the Greek. Salvation has more than one aspect. See Romans 13:11 .Philippians 1:2 , Php 1:12 . 1 Thessalonians 5:8 , 1Th 5:9 ; 2 Timothy 1:9 ; 2Ti 3:15 ; 2 Timothy 4:18 . 1 Peter 1:5 .
power . App-172 . Compare Romans 1:16 .

19.

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

is = has been. The reference is to Isaiah 29:14 . App-107 .
destroy . Greek. apollumi , as in 1 Corinthians 1:18 .
bring to nothing = annul. Greek. atheteo. See John 12:48 .
understanding. Greek. sunesis. First occurance: Mark 12:33 .
prurient . Greek. sunetos. Adjective akin to the above. See Acts 13:7 . This quotation agrees with the Septuagint, except that it reads "hide" ( krupto ) instead of "bring to nought". In the Hebrew the form of the sentence is different. (See Authorized Version)

20.

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

disputer . Greek. suzetetees. Only here. Compare Acts 15:2 .
world = age. App-129 . It was an age of speculation. Acts 17:21 .
made foolish . Greek. moraino. See Romans 1:22 .
this = the.
world . Greek. kosmos. App-129 . The wisdom of the world is human wisdom generally.

21.

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

after that = since.
knew . App-132 .
it pleased God = God was well pleased. Greek. eudokeo. Occurs twenty-one times. Generally translated "pleased", "well pleased", "take pleasure".
preaching = the thing proclaimed. App-121 .
believe . App-150 .

22.

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

the. Omit.
require = ask. App-134 .
sign . App-176 . The texts read "signs".
seek after = seek.

23.

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

preach . App-121 .
crucified . That is, a crucified Messiah.
the . Omit.
stumblingblock . Greek. skandalon. Occurs fifteen times. Nine times translated "offence"; once "offend"; thrice "stumblingblock"; elsewhere "occasion to fall, or of stumbling". First occurance: Matthew 13:41 . Instead of the signs of the kingdom promised by the prophets, the One who claimed to be their Messiah was crucified. This staggered them.
Greeks . The texts read "Gentiles" ( ethnos ).

24.

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

them which are called = the called themselves.

25.

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

foolishness . Literally foolish thing. Greek. moros
men . App-123 .
weakness . Literally weak thing. Greek. asthenes.

26.

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

ye . Omit.
see . App-133 .
calling . Greek. klesis. See Romans 11:29 . Here it means the way ye were called, i.e. the kind of persons whom God sent to call you. Hence instead of "are called" as in Authorized Version and Revised Version, the ellipsis should be supplied thus: "not many are wise", &c. Apollos was an eloquent man, but as to Paul, his speech was regarded as contemptible. See 2 Corinthians 10:10 , and compare Acts 17:18 .
after = according to. App-104 .
noble . Greek. eugenes. See Acts 17:11 .

27.

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

hath chosen = chose. Greek. eklegomai. See Acts 1:2 .
to = in order to. Greek. hina . confound = put to shame. Greek. kataischuno. See Romans 5:5 .

28.

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

base . Greek. agenes. Literally without family, or descent. Only here. The opposite of eugenes, v . 26.
despised . Greek. exoutheneo. Literally counted as nothing. See Acts 4:11 .
not . App-105 .
bring to nought . Greek. katargeo. See Romans 3:3 .

29.

That no flesh should glory in his presence.

glory = boast. Greek. kauchaomai. See Romans 2:17 .

30.

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

of . App-104 .
of = from. App-104 . The Greek reads "became . . . wisdom from God".
is made = became. Greek. ginomai.
and = both.
righteousness . App-191 .
sanctification = holiness. Greek. hagiasmos. See Romans 6:19 .
and = even.
redemption . Greek. apolutrosis. See Romans 3:24 and compare Ephesians 1:7 , Ephesians 1:14 ; Ephesians 4:30 .

31.

That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

is = has been. This is a summary of Jeremiah 9:23 .
Lord . App-98 . 1God.