Be Perfectly Joined Together

1 Corinthians 1–7

August 21, 2023, to August 27, 2023

In chapters 1 through 7 of First Corinthians, Paul writes of the contrast between human wisdom and God’s wisdom, what it means to be a servant of Christ, and how believers are bought with a price. Although these chapters were directed to a specific situation, they are relevant still today.

1 Corinthians 1

Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians: A New Rendition

Michael D. Rhodes, Richard D. Draper

The New Testament: A New Rendition, BYU New Testament Commentary

The New Rendition is a modern update intended to help readers understand the King James Version.

The Four Discourses of Mormonism

Joseph M. Spencer

BYU Studies 50, no. 1 (2010)

Types of Christian Revelation

Richard L. Anderson

Literature of Belief: Sacred Scripture and Religious Experience (1981)

Brooks presents data showing that when people give more money away, they tend to prosper. Of Americans who attend worship services every week, 91 percent give and are reaping the reward.

What Do We Know about the Disunity That Affected the Corinthian Christians? (1 Corinthians 1:10–17)

Richard D. Draper

Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians, BYU New Testament Commentary, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Aug. 2019)

Paul asked the question, “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?” Humans left to their own devices can never know God’s mind and will. The Spirit, however, being one with God and being able to fathom the mind of God, can reveal “the things of God” to the loving, righteous soul. Again, Paul’s words underscore the need for continuous revelation.

What Does the Phrase “Wisdom of Words” Found in 1 Corinthians 1:17 Mean?

Richard D. Draper

Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians, BYU New Testament Commentary, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Jul. 2019)

Although written nearly two millennia ago, Paul’s letters to the Saints in Corinth are still in many ways as relevant today as they were when he wrote them. The competitive, social-climbing, status-obsessed, morally decadent society of the Greco-Roman world of Paul’s time with its worldly philosophies has remarkable parallels with our own modern Western culture, and Paul gives valuable counsel on how to stay true to the gospel of Jesus Christ while living in such a world. A video of this presentation is also available.

1 Corinthians 2

"The Wisdom of Men": Greek Philosophy, Corinthian Behavior, and the Teachings of Paul

Eric D. Huntsman

Shedding Light on the New Testament: Acts–Revelation (2009)

Explores the cultural context of Corinth during Paul’s time there and its influence on his teachings.

“Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified”: Paul’s Testimony of Christ

Gaye Strathearn

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior (2002)

Explores Paul’s transformation and emphasis on being “in Christ” as the center of life.

“Wisdom” (Philosophy) in the Holy Bible

David H. Yarn Jr.

BYU Studies 13, no. 1 (1973)

The book of Proverbs frequently uses the word “wisdom.” This article examines wisdom passages throughout the Bible and classifies them into five topics. The topics regarding knowledge of God and righteousness appear more frequently than other topics. Heavenly wisdom is peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy.

According to Paul, How Does One Learn the Things of God? (1 Corinthians 2:9–16)

Richard D. Draper

Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians, BYU New Testament Commentary, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Aug. 2019)

Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians: A New Rendition

Michael D. Rhodes, Richard D. Draper

The New Testament: A New Rendition, BYU New Testament Commentary

The New Rendition is a modern update intended to help readers understand the King James Version.

The Book of Abraham, Revelation, and You

Kerry Muhlestein

Ensign 48, no. 12 (Dec. 2018)

Two examples show that academic information related to the book of Abraham has improved recently: that the Egyptians did practice human sacrifice, and that there were writings by Egyptian priests about Abraham and Moses. The author tells that he has unanswered questions about the book, but personal revelation has led him to conclude that the book of Abraham is inspired.

The Modern-day Relevance of Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians

Michael D. Rhodes

BYU New Testament Commentary Conference (2013)

“Mystery” is a word that is found twenty-eight times in the New Testament, and the overall general sense is “secret knowledge revealed by God.” Michael D. Rhodes examines the various nuanced meanings found in all twenty-eight cases. A video, transcript, and PDF of the Powerpoint presentation are available.

What Does the Phrase “Wisdom of Words” Found in 1 Corinthians 1:17 Mean?

Richard D. Draper

Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians, BYU New Testament Commentary, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Jul. 2019)

1 Corinthians 3

Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians: A New Rendition

Michael D. Rhodes, Richard D. Draper

The New Testament: A New Rendition, BYU New Testament Commentary

The New Rendition is a modern update intended to help readers understand the King James Version.

The Modern-day Relevance of Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians

Michael D. Rhodes

BYU New Testament Commentary Conference (2013)

1 Corinthians 4

How Paul Came to Corinth: Acts 18

Richard D. Draper, Michael D. Rhodes

Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians, BYU New Testament Commentary, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Jul. 2019)

Discusses Paul’s work in Corinth, his self-supporting labor, and the composition of the Corinthian converts.

Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians: A New Rendition

Michael D. Rhodes, Richard D. Draper

The New Testament: A New Rendition, BYU New Testament Commentary

The New Rendition is a modern update intended to help readers understand the King James Version.

1 Corinthians 5

Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians: A New Rendition

Michael D. Rhodes, Richard D. Draper

The New Testament: A New Rendition, BYU New Testament Commentary

The New Rendition is a modern update intended to help readers understand the King James Version.

1 Corinthians 6

Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians: A New Rendition

Michael D. Rhodes, Richard D. Draper

The New Testament: A New Rendition, BYU New Testament Commentary

The New Rendition is a modern update intended to help readers understand the King James Version.

1 Corinthians 7

"The Wisdom of Men": Greek Philosophy, Corinthian Behavior, and the Teachings of Paul

Eric D. Huntsman

Shedding Light on the New Testament: Acts–Revelation (2009)

Explores the cultural context of Corinth during Paul’s time there and its influence on his teachings.

Did Paul Address His Wife in Philippi?

Thomas Wayment, John Gee

Studies in the Bible and Antiquity 4 (2012)

An analysis of Philippians 2:6–11 as a hymn about Christ’s premortal, mortal, and postmortal existence, comparing it to similar themes in other scripture.

Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians: A New Rendition

Michael D. Rhodes, Richard D. Draper

The New Testament: A New Rendition, BYU New Testament Commentary

The New Rendition is a modern update intended to help readers understand the King James Version.

The Four Discourses of Mormonism

Joseph M. Spencer

BYU Studies 50, no. 1 (2010)

What Do We Know about the Disunity That Affected the Corinthian Christians? (1 Corinthians 1:10–17)

Richard D. Draper

Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians, BYU New Testament Commentary, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Aug. 2019)

1 Corinthians

Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians: A New Rendition