In this fascinating letter to a multiethnic church, we see some of the everyday problems the early Christians were dealing with. In Paul’s advice on how to handle these problems, we find deep principles that shape his thinking about practical Christian living. These enduring principles—so different from the popular trends of Paul’s time or ours—provide rich guidance for us as we deal with simil…
1Pablo, llamado a ser apóstol de Jesucristo por la voluntad de Dios, y el hermano Sóstenes,
2a la iglesia de Dios que está en Corinto, a los santificados en Cristo Jesús, llamados a ser santos con todos los que en cualquier lugar invocan el nombre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, Señor de ellos y nuestro:
3Gracia y paz a vosotros, de Dios nuestro Padre y del Señor Jesucristo.
4Gracias doy a mi Dios siempre por vosotros, por la gracia de Dios que os fue dada en Cristo Jesús;
5porque en todas las cosas fuisteis enriquecidos en él, en toda palabra y en toda ciencia;
6así como el testimonio acerca de Cristo ha sido confirmado en vosotros,
7de tal manera que nada os falta en ningún don, esperando la manifestación de nuestro Señor Jesucristo;
8el cual también os confirmará hasta el fin, para que seáis irreprensibles en el día de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.
9Fiel es Dios, por el cual fuisteis llamados a la comunión con su Hijo Jesucristo nuestro Señor.
10Os ruego, pues, hermanos, por el nombre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, que habléis todos una misma cosa, y que no haya entre vosotros divisiones, sino que estéis perfectamente unidos en una misma mente y en un mismo parecer.
11Porque he sido informado acerca de vosotros, hermanos míos, por los de Cloé, que hay entre vosotros contiendas.
12Quiero decir, que cada uno de vosotros dice: Yo soy de Pablo; y yo de Apolos; y yo de Cefas; y yo de Cristo.
13¿Acaso está dividido Cristo? ¿Fue crucificado Pablo por vosotros? ¿O fuisteis bautizados en el nombre de Pablo?
14Doy gracias a Dios de que a ninguno de vosotros he bautizado, sino a Crispo y a Gayo,
15para que ninguno diga que fuisteis bautizados en mi nombre.
16También bauticé a la familia de Estéfanas; de los demás, no sé si he bautizado a algún otro.
17Pues no me envió Cristo a bautizar, sino a predicar el evangelio; no con sabiduría de palabras, para que no se haga vana la cruz de Cristo.
18Porque la palabra de la cruz es locura a los que se pierden; pero a los que se salvan, esto es, a nosotros, es poder de Dios.
19Pues está escrito: Destruiré la sabiduría de los sabios, Y desecharé el entendimiento de los entendidos.
20¿Dónde está el sabio? ¿Dónde está el escriba? ¿Dónde está el disputador de este siglo? ¿No ha enloquecido Dios la sabiduría del mundo?
21Pues ya que en la sabiduría de Dios, el mundo no conoció a Dios mediante la sabiduría, agradó a Dios salvar a los creyentes por la locura de la predicación.
22Porque los judíos piden señales, y los griegos buscan sabiduría;
23pero nosotros predicamos a Cristo crucificado, para los judíos ciertamente tropezadero, y para los gentiles locura;
24mas para los llamados, así judíos como griegos, Cristo poder de Dios, y sabiduría de Dios.
25Porque lo insensato de Dios es más sabio que los hombres, y lo débil de Dios es más fuerte que los hombres.
26Pues mirad, hermanos, vuestra vocación, que no sois muchos sabios según la carne, ni muchos poderosos, ni muchos nobles;
27sino que lo necio del mundo escogió Dios, para avergonzar a los sabios; y lo débil del mundo escogió Dios, para avergonzar a lo fuerte;
28y lo vil del mundo y lo menospreciado escogió Dios, y lo que no es, para deshacer lo que es,
29a fin de que nadie se jacte en su presencia.
30Mas por él estáis vosotros en Cristo Jesús, el cual nos ha sido hecho por Dios sabiduría, justificación, santificación y redención;
31para que, como está escrito: El que se gloría, gloríese en el Señor.
TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES
I
Versículo 1
I. 1:1-3 Paul commonly begins his letters with a few words about himself, followed by greetings and …
1:1-3 Paul commonly begins his letters with a few words about himself, followed by greetings and an invocation of grace and peace. In this, he follows the normal pattern of ancient Greek letters but expands it with Christian meaning.
1:1 An apostle of Christ Jesus was a missionary evangelist commissioned by Christ himself. • Sosthenes, Paul’s co-worker, might be the same person as in Acts 18:17.
II
Versículo 2
II. 1:2 The church is comprised of those who are called by God to be his own holy people, those who b…
1:2 The church is comprised of those who are called by God to be his own holy people, those who belong to him and are dedicated to him. They have been made holy by means of Christ Jesus—God has set them apart for himself through the saving work of his Son and their faith relationship to him.
III
Versículo 3
III. 1:3 Grace and peace represent traditional Greek and Hebrew greetings. Grace is undeserved blessin…
1:3 Grace and peace represent traditional Greek and Hebrew greetings. Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from the kindness of God. Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness, rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5:22). Together, the phrase conveys things understood as gifts from God (see Rom 5:1-2).
IV
Versículo 4
IV. 1:4-9 Paul thanks God for the spiritual gifts he sees in the lives of the Corinthian Christians a…
1:4-9 Paul thanks God for the spiritual gifts he sees in the lives of the Corinthian Christians and expresses his confidence that God will keep them safe to the end.
1:4 now that you belong to Christ Jesus (literally in Christ Jesus): Paul frequently uses the phrase in Christ Jesus to refer to the saving relationship believers have with Christ (e.g., Rom 3:24; Gal 2:4; Eph 3:6).
V
Versículo 5
V. 1:5 God had enriched the Corinthian church spiritually, specifically in eloquent words and knowle…
1:5 God had enriched the Corinthian church spiritually, specifically in eloquent words and knowledge. This probably refers to the spiritual messages and understanding (see 1:7) on which the church prided itself. Word and knowledge occur frequently in this letter: Paul acknowledges the abundant spiritual gifts that God has given the church in Corinth. Later, he corrects their distorted perspectives on these gifts (see 1:18–2:5; 3:18-20; 12:1–14:40).
VI
Versículo 7
VI. 1:7 every spiritual gift: See 12:8-10, 28.
1:7 every spiritual gift: See 12:8-10, 28.
VII
Versículo 8
VII. 1:8 Even though believers are saved from eternal condemnation (see Rom 8:1), they remain accounta…
1:8 Even though believers are saved from eternal condemnation (see Rom 8:1), they remain accountable to God for the way they live (see 1 Cor 3:12-15; 4:4-5; 2 Cor 5:10). Paul encourages his readers to live a holy life so that they will be found faultless when Christ returns (see Phil 1:6, 10; 1 Thes 3:13; 5:23-24).
VIII
Versículo 9
VIII. 1:9 God . . . is faithful: See 10:13; Deut 7:9; 1 Thes 5:24. • he has invited you: God has chosen…
1:9 God . . . is faithful: See 10:13; Deut 7:9; 1 Thes 5:24. • he has invited you: God has chosen them and brought them into partnership with his Son (cp. Rom 8:28-39).
IX
Versículo 10
IX. 1:10–15:58 The body of the letter is devoted to Paul’s advice on specific problems and questions …
1:10–15:58 The body of the letter is devoted to Paul’s advice on specific problems and questions that had arisen in the Corinthian church.
1:10-17 The Corinthian believers were arguing over which of the leading evangelists (Paul, Apollos, Peter) was best. Paul rebukes them for their quarreling and worldly comparisons. As a minister of Christ and the Good News, he and the others are all channels through whom God works (see 3:1–4:7).
1:10 dear brothers and sisters: Literally brothers. This generic, traditional term of affection is used to address members of the same family, both male and female. • I appeal to you: Paul motivates them by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, not by his own authority. • authority (literally name): In Jewish thought, a person’s name carried the weight of the person’s authority and reputation. • Let there be no divisions: His desire was not simply that they avoid divisiveness, but that they be so filled with the Spirit of Christ that they would be of one mind, united in thought and purpose (cp. Phil 2:2).
X
Versículo 11
X. 1:11 Chloe was a Corinthian woman, not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture.
1:11 Chloe was a Corinthian woman, not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture.
XI
Versículo 12
XI. 1:12 The Christians in Corinth had formed factions loyal to different Christian leaders, but the …
1:12 The Christians in Corinth had formed factions loyal to different Christian leaders, but the leaders themselves do not seem to have been in conflict. Paul, as the one who had first brought the Good News to Corinth, would receive the loyalty of some. • Apollos, now with Paul (see 16:12), was an eloquent Alexandrian Jew who had become a powerful Christian evangelist and had ministered in Corinth (see Acts 18:24–19:1). He attracted followers because of his skillful oratory (perhaps in contrast to Paul) and his ability to interpret Scripture. • Peter: Greek Cephas; see also Matt 16:18; John 1:42 Peter was the primary early evangelist to the Jews. He represented a more traditional Jewish perspective and had a gift for speaking in front of crowds (see Acts 1:15-22; 2:14-40; 3:12-26; 4:8-12; 10:34-43). • I follow only Christ: This might refer to a group who disavowed allegiance to any human authority and viewed themselves as more holy than others.
XII
Versículo 13
XII. 1:13 Paul asks three rhetorical questions, all expecting the obvious answer, “no.” Christian devo…
1:13 Paul asks three rhetorical questions, all expecting the obvious answer, “no.” Christian devotion is to be given to Christ, not to his messengers.
XIII
Versículo 14
XIII. 1:14 Crispus and Gaius were two of Paul’s earliest converts in Corinth. Crispus was a former lead…
1:14 Crispus and Gaius were two of Paul’s earliest converts in Corinth. Crispus was a former leader of the synagogue in Corinth (see Acts 18:8), and Gaius later offered Paul the use of his home (see Rom 16:23). This might identify him with Titius Justus, an earlier convert to Judaism who lived next door to the synagogue (see Acts 18:7). His full Roman name would then be Gaius Titius Justus.
XIV
Versículo 16
XIV. 1:16 The household of Stephanas were the first converts in the province of Achaia (southern Greec…
1:16 The household of Stephanas were the first converts in the province of Achaia (southern Greece; see 16:15). Household refers to all who lived in the house, which might include more than Stephanas’s immediate family.
XV
Versículo 17
XV. 1:17 The important thing is not baptism, but the preaching of the Good News; baptism signifies pe…
1:17 The important thing is not baptism, but the preaching of the Good News; baptism signifies people’s response to the message. • clever speech: Eloquence, or an appeal to human wisdom. • for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power: Too much emphasis on eloquence and the persuasiveness of human reason can distract from the simple message that Christ died for people’s sins so that they could be forgiven (1 Cor 2:1-5; 15:1-3).
16
Versículo 18
16. 1:18-31 Paul contrasts eloquence and human wisdom, which were highly valued by some of the Corint…
1:18-31 Paul contrasts eloquence and human wisdom, which were highly valued by some of the Corinthians, with the foolish message of the cross—the expression of God’s wisdom. The followers of Apollos, in particular (see 1:12), were probably attracted by his rhetorical abilities and intellectual approach to ministry (see Acts 18:24-28). In contrast, Paul emphasizes that the real power lies in the simple message of the cross of Christ.
1:18 The message that God is saving the world through a condemned criminal is foolish to unbelievers, for their eyes are blinded to the truth (2 Cor 4:4). For believers, whose eyes have been opened by God, the message of the cross has the ring of truth to it, and they know its power to convict the human heart (see 1 Cor 1:23-24; Rom 1:16). Unbelievers, still in their sin, are headed for destruction, for ultimate condemnation. Believers, whose sins have been forgiven, are being saved: They are on their way to eternal life and glory.
17
Versículo 19
17. 1:19 This quotation from Isa 29:14 shows God’s estimation of mere human wisdom.
1:19 This quotation from Isa 29:14 shows God’s estimation of mere human wisdom.
18
Versículo 20
18. 1:20 In God’s eyes, the human wisdom of this world is foolish. Divine wisdom lies in the message …
1:20 In God’s eyes, the human wisdom of this world is foolish. Divine wisdom lies in the message of the cross and in Jesus Christ (see 1:24, 30).
19
Versículo 21
19. 1:21 Human wisdom alone does not bring people to the true knowledge of God; that comes only throu…
1:21 Human wisdom alone does not bring people to the true knowledge of God; that comes only through the message of the cross, which the world considers foolish, but which saves those who believe (cp. Matt 11:25).
20
Versículo 22
20. 1:22-24 Paul uses the words Greeks and Gentiles interchangeably to refer to non-Jews.
1:22-24 Paul uses the words Greeks and Gentiles interchangeably to refer to non-Jews.
1:22 Unbelieving Jews wanted to see miraculous signs to validate the message (cp. Matt 12:38-39; 16:1-4; John 2:18, 23; 4:48). Greeks, renowned for their schools of philosophy, were only interested in human wisdom—i.e., philosophical reasoning.
21
Versículo 23
21. 1:23 Regardless of what unbelieving Jews and Gentiles desired, Paul refused to give them anything…
1:23 Regardless of what unbelieving Jews and Gentiles desired, Paul refused to give them anything but the simple message of the cross. To many Jews, the idea of a crucified Messiah was a contradiction in terms because crucifixion expressed not the power and blessing of God but his curse (see Gal 3:13; cp. Deut 21:23).
22
Versículo 25
22. 1:25 What the unbelieving world considers foolish and weak—Christ and the message of the cross—is…
1:25 What the unbelieving world considers foolish and weak—Christ and the message of the cross—is in reality wiser and stronger than anything the world has to offer. It solves the world’s greatest problem, the problem of sin, and overcomes all the powers of evil that oppose human beings.
23
Versículo 26
23. 1:26 Socially and culturally, most Corinthian Christians were ordinary people; few were among the…
1:26 Socially and culturally, most Corinthian Christians were ordinary people; few were among the elite (cp. Matt 11:25). Only a few Christians, such as Erastus, the city treasurer in Corinth (see Rom 16:23), were wealthy (or high born; cp. Jas 2:5).
24
Versículo 27
24. 1:27-29 God chose despised and humble people in order to demonstrate his judgment on human pride …
1:27-29 God chose despised and humble people in order to demonstrate his judgment on human pride (cp. Rom 3:27; 4:2; 2 Cor 4:7-11; 12:8-10; Eph 2:9).
25
Versículo 30
25. 1:30 When people are united . . . with Christ Jesus, God makes them righteous, holy, and free (se…
1:30 When people are united . . . with Christ Jesus, God makes them righteous, holy, and free (see 6:11; Rom 3:21-26; 5:17-21). This work of Christ is an expression of God’s wisdom.
26
Versículo 31
26. 1:31 This quotation is a paraphrase of Jer 9:24 (cp. 2 Cor 10:17). Because salvation is a result …
1:31 This quotation is a paraphrase of Jer 9:24 (cp. 2 Cor 10:17). Because salvation is a result of God’s sovereign power (1 Cor 2:5) and his decision to save his people, there is absolutely no room for human pride (see 1:29).
Nuevo Testamento
1 Corinthians — Capítulo 1
In this fascinating letter to a multiethnic church, we see some of the everyday problems the early Christians were dealing with. In Paul’s advice on how to handle these problems, we find deep principles that shape his thinking about practical Christian living. These enduring principles—so different from the popular trends of Paul’s time or ours—provide rich guidance for us as we deal with simil…
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Pablo, llamado a ser apóstol de Jesucristo por la voluntad de Dios, y el hermano Sóstenes,
2a la iglesia de Dios que está en Corinto, a los santificados en Cristo Jesús, llamados a ser santos con todos los que en cualquier lugar invocan el nombre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, Señor de ellos y nuestro:
3Gracia y paz a vosotros, de Dios nuestro Padre y del Señor Jesucristo.
4Gracias doy a mi Dios siempre por vosotros, por la gracia de Dios que os fue dada en Cristo Jesús;
5porque en todas las cosas fuisteis enriquecidos en él, en toda palabra y en toda ciencia;
6así como el testimonio acerca de Cristo ha sido confirmado en vosotros,
7de tal manera que nada os falta en ningún don, esperando la manifestación de nuestro Señor Jesucristo;
8el cual también os confirmará hasta el fin, para que seáis irreprensibles en el día de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.
9Fiel es Dios, por el cual fuisteis llamados a la comunión con su Hijo Jesucristo nuestro Señor.
10Os ruego, pues, hermanos, por el nombre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, que habléis todos una misma cosa, y que no haya entre vosotros divisiones, sino que estéis perfectamente unidos en una misma mente y en un mismo parecer.
11Porque he sido informado acerca de vosotros, hermanos míos, por los de Cloé, que hay entre vosotros contiendas.
12Quiero decir, que cada uno de vosotros dice: Yo soy de Pablo; y yo de Apolos; y yo de Cefas; y yo de Cristo.
13¿Acaso está dividido Cristo? ¿Fue crucificado Pablo por vosotros? ¿O fuisteis bautizados en el nombre de Pablo?
14Doy gracias a Dios de que a ninguno de vosotros he bautizado, sino a Crispo y a Gayo,
15para que ninguno diga que fuisteis bautizados en mi nombre.
16También bauticé a la familia de Estéfanas; de los demás, no sé si he bautizado a algún otro.
17Pues no me envió Cristo a bautizar, sino a predicar el evangelio; no con sabiduría de palabras, para que no se haga vana la cruz de Cristo.
18Porque la palabra de la cruz es locura a los que se pierden; pero a los que se salvan, esto es, a nosotros, es poder de Dios.
19Pues está escrito: Destruiré la sabiduría de los sabios, Y desecharé el entendimiento de los entendidos.
20¿Dónde está el sabio? ¿Dónde está el escriba? ¿Dónde está el disputador de este siglo? ¿No ha enloquecido Dios la sabiduría del mundo?
21Pues ya que en la sabiduría de Dios, el mundo no conoció a Dios mediante la sabiduría, agradó a Dios salvar a los creyentes por la locura de la predicación.
22Porque los judíos piden señales, y los griegos buscan sabiduría;
23pero nosotros predicamos a Cristo crucificado, para los judíos ciertamente tropezadero, y para los gentiles locura;
24mas para los llamados, así judíos como griegos, Cristo poder de Dios, y sabiduría de Dios.
25Porque lo insensato de Dios es más sabio que los hombres, y lo débil de Dios es más fuerte que los hombres.
26Pues mirad, hermanos, vuestra vocación, que no sois muchos sabios según la carne, ni muchos poderosos, ni muchos nobles;
27sino que lo necio del mundo escogió Dios, para avergonzar a los sabios; y lo débil del mundo escogió Dios, para avergonzar a lo fuerte;
28y lo vil del mundo y lo menospreciado escogió Dios, y lo que no es, para deshacer lo que es,
29a fin de que nadie se jacte en su presencia.
30Mas por él estáis vosotros en Cristo Jesús, el cual nos ha sido hecho por Dios sabiduría, justificación, santificación y redención;
31para que, como está escrito: El que se gloría, gloríese en el Señor.
TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES
Versículo 1
I. 1:1-3 Paul commonly begins his letters with a few words about himself, followed by greetings and …
Versículo 2
II. 1:2 The church is comprised of those who are called by God to be his own holy people, those who b…
Versículo 3
III. 1:3 Grace and peace represent traditional Greek and Hebrew greetings. Grace is undeserved blessin…
Versículo 4
IV. 1:4-9 Paul thanks God for the spiritual gifts he sees in the lives of the Corinthian Christians a…
Versículo 5
V. 1:5 God had enriched the Corinthian church spiritually, specifically in eloquent words and knowle…
Versículo 7
VI. 1:7 every spiritual gift: See 12:8-10, 28.
Versículo 8
VII. 1:8 Even though believers are saved from eternal condemnation (see Rom 8:1), they remain accounta…
Versículo 9
VIII. 1:9 God . . . is faithful: See 10:13; Deut 7:9; 1 Thes 5:24. • he has invited you: God has chosen…
Versículo 10
IX. 1:10–15:58 The body of the letter is devoted to Paul’s advice on specific problems and questions …
Versículo 11
X. 1:11 Chloe was a Corinthian woman, not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture.
Versículo 12
XI. 1:12 The Christians in Corinth had formed factions loyal to different Christian leaders, but the …
Versículo 13
XII. 1:13 Paul asks three rhetorical questions, all expecting the obvious answer, “no.” Christian devo…
Versículo 14
XIII. 1:14 Crispus and Gaius were two of Paul’s earliest converts in Corinth. Crispus was a former lead…
Versículo 16
XIV. 1:16 The household of Stephanas were the first converts in the province of Achaia (southern Greec…
Versículo 17
XV. 1:17 The important thing is not baptism, but the preaching of the Good News; baptism signifies pe…
Versículo 18
16. 1:18-31 Paul contrasts eloquence and human wisdom, which were highly valued by some of the Corint…
Versículo 19
17. 1:19 This quotation from Isa 29:14 shows God’s estimation of mere human wisdom.
Versículo 20
18. 1:20 In God’s eyes, the human wisdom of this world is foolish. Divine wisdom lies in the message …
Versículo 21
19. 1:21 Human wisdom alone does not bring people to the true knowledge of God; that comes only throu…
Versículo 22
20. 1:22-24 Paul uses the words Greeks and Gentiles interchangeably to refer to non-Jews.
Versículo 23
21. 1:23 Regardless of what unbelieving Jews and Gentiles desired, Paul refused to give them anything…
Versículo 25
22. 1:25 What the unbelieving world considers foolish and weak—Christ and the message of the cross—is…
Versículo 26
23. 1:26 Socially and culturally, most Corinthian Christians were ordinary people; few were among the…
Versículo 27
24. 1:27-29 God chose despised and humble people in order to demonstrate his judgment on human pride …
Versículo 30
25. 1:30 When people are united . . . with Christ Jesus, God makes them righteous, holy, and free (se…
Versículo 31
26. 1:31 This quotation is a paraphrase of Jer 9:24 (cp. 2 Cor 10:17). Because salvation is a result …