1 Corinthians-1

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians reveals God’s purpose for the functioning of the local church and His answer when the spirit of the world enters it. Although the Corinthian believers possessed knowledge and spiritual gifts, division, pride, carnality, immorality, and competition had weakened their testimony. Paul points them back to the word of the Cross—Christ crucified and a life marked by humility, weakness, dependence upon the Holy Spirit, and freedom from human glory. God’s servants are not called to compete with one another or build impressive works for themselves, but to plant, water, make disciples, and faithfully build upon the one foundation, Jesus Christ. Whether our work will endure is not determined by its size but by its quality before God. The faithful servant therefore seeks neither prominence nor the honor of men, but simply to hear the Master’s voice, do what He commands, and help build a holy church that displays the life and power of Christ.