Scofield Reference Bible Notes
1 Corinthians 1

1Co 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

called to be an apostle

Literally a called apostle.

the will of God

2Co 1:1; Eph 1:1; Col 1:1.

Sosthenes

Act 18:17.

1Co 1:2 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:

church

Churches (local). 1Co 1:2, 10-17, 26-31; 6:4-5. (Act 2:41; Phl 1:1).

to them

1Co 1:2-9, in contrast with 1Co 1:10-13, illustrate a distinction constantly made in the Epistles between the believer's position in Christ Jesus, in the family of God, and his walk, or actual state. Christian position in grace is the result of the work of Christ, and is fully entered the moment that Christ is received by faith (Jhn 1:12-13; Rom 8:1, 15-17; 1Co 1:2, 30; 12:12-13; Gal 3:26; Eph 1:3-14; 2:4-9; 1Pe 2:9; Rev 1:6; 5:9-10). The weakest, most ignorant, and fallible believer has precisely the same relationships in grace as the most illustrious saint. All the after work of God in his behalf, the application of the word to walk and conscience (Jhn 17:17; Eph 5:26), the divine chastenings (1Co 11:32; Heb 12:10), the ministry of the Spirit (Eph 4:11-12), the difficulties and trials of the path (1Pe 4:12-13), and the final transformation at the appearing of Christ (1Jo 3:2), have for their object to make the believer's character conform to his exalted position in Christ. He grows in grace, not into grace.

sanctified

Sanctify, holy (persons) (N.T.). 1Co 3:17. (Mat 4:5; Rev 22:11.)

called to be saints

called saints

1Co 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

the grace of God

Grace (imparted). 1Co 3:10. (Rom 6:1; 2Pe 3:18).

1Co 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

in all utterance, and in all knowledge

1Co 12:8; 2Co 8:7.

1Co 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

coming

Greek apokalupsin, revelation, unveiling.

Three words are used in connection with the return of the Lord:

1. Parousia, "personal presence," also used by Paul of the "coming" of Stephanas (1Co 1:16-17), of Titus (2Co 7:6-7), and of his own "coming" to Philippi (Phl 1:26). The word means simply personal presence, and is used of the return of the Lord as that event relates to the blessing of saints (1Co 15:23; 1Th 4:14, 17), and to the destruction of the man of sin (2Th 2:8).
2. Apokalupsis, "unveiling," "revelation." The use of this word emphasizes the visibility of the Lord's return. It is used of the Lord (2Th 1:7; 1Pe 1:7, 13; 4:13), of the sons of God in connection with the Lord's return (Rom 8:19), and of the man of sin (2Th 2:3, 6, 8), and always implies visibility.
3. Epiphaneia, "appearing," translated "brightness" (2Th 2:8 A.V.; "manifestation," R.V.), and means simply an appearing. It is used of both advents (2Ti 1:10; 2Th 2:8; 1Ti 6:14; 2Ti 4:1, 8; Tit 2:13).

1Co 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

that ye may be blameless

Col 1:22; 1Th 5:23.

day of our Lord Jesus Christ

The expression "day of Christ," occurs in the following passages: 1Co 1:8; 5:5; 2Co 1:14; Phl 1:6, 10; 2:16. A.V. has "day of Christ," 2Th 2:2, incorrectly, for "day of the Lord" (Isa 2:12; Rev 19:11-21). The "day of Christ" relates wholly to the reward and blessing of saints at his coming, as "day of the Lord" is connected with judgment.

1Co 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

God is faithful

Isa 49:7; 1Co 10:13; 1Th 5:24.

1Co 1:10 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.

divisions

Greek schism, a cleft, or rent.

1Co 1:12 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.

Apollos

Act 19:1.

Cephas

Jhn 1:42.

1Co 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Is Christ divided?

Or, Christ is divided.

1Co 1:15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

I had baptized in mine own name

ye were baptized into my name.

1Co 1:17 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.

gospel

Gospel. 1Co 4:15. (Gen 12:1-3; Rev 14:6.)

1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

saved [See also 1Co 1:21.]

Scofield Romans 1:16, note.

1Co 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise

Isa 29:14.

1Co 1:20 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?

world [aion]

age.

world

kosmos = world-system. 1Co 2:12. (Jhn 7:7, Scofield Revelation 13:3-8, note.)

1Co 1:21 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.

of preaching

of the thing preached.

1Co 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

Greeks

Gentiles, and so in 1Co 1:23-24.

1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

Christ crucified

Or, a Messiah crucified.

a stumblingblock

Christ (as Stone). 1Pe 2:8. (Exo 17:6; 1Pe 2:8.)

1Co 1:27 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;

chosen the foolish things

Psa 8:2; Mat 11:25.

world

kosmos = man-kind. Scofield Matthew 4:8, note.

1Co 1:28 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:

chosen

Election (corporate). 1Co 1:27-28; Eph 1:4. (Deu 7:6; 1Pe 1:2).

1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption

from God, or, wisdom from God, even righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.

righteousness

Scofield Romans 3:21, note.

redemption

Scofield Romans 3:24, note.

1Co 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Lord

Jehovah. Jer 9:24