The Gospel in 1 Corinthians: Key Bible Verses & Commentary

A short resource on the Gospel in 1 Corinthians to showcase how the Scriptures reveal salvation by grace through faith.

Authored by the Apostle Paul, the Book of 1 Corinthians addresses a range of issues within a sometimes troubled congregation. Despite the corrective tone in many sections, Paul consistently centers his teachings on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, underscoring that salvation is by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. This epistle provides a practical exposition of the Gospel, highlighting its implications for both individual believers and the whole church.

• Central to the message of 1 Corinthians is the proclamation of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection as the foundation of the Christian faith. Paul concisely encapsulates the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, emphasizing that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, all in accordance with the Scriptures.

These Scriptures serve as a cornerstone for understanding the essential elements of the Gospel today.

In this guide to the Gospel in 1 Corinthians, we showcase Scriptures (using the King James Version) that best help the Christian zoom in on the Good News using this specific book as a lens. Each verse is accompanied by concise commentary to provide the takeaway in layman's terms. Our goal in this and all the other Gospel in the New Testament Series articles is to show how 1 Corinthians presents the doctrine that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Gospel in 1 Corinthians Showcased in Scripture

• 1 Corinthians 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."

Paul tells how the message of the cross, though considered foolishness by the world, is the power of God to those who are being saved.

• 1 Corinthians 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."

Here we see that God chose to save those who believe through the "foolishness of preaching."

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

1 Corinthians 1:30 declares that it is by God’s doing that believers find faith in Jesus Christ. It also explains that He became wisdom from God for us, as well as three other characteristics, including redemption (salvation).

• 1 Corinthians 2:2: "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."

This verse showcases Paul’s singular focus in his preaching to the Corinthians. The phrase "not to know any thing among you" refers to Paul’s decision to center his ministry around the message of Jesus Christ.

• 1 Corinthians 6:11: "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

This verse follows a passage where Paul lists various sinful behaviors that characterize those who will not inherit the kingdom of God (in verses 9-10). Paul reminds the Corinthian believers here that many of them once lived in such sinful ways but have now experienced a transformative change through their faith in Jesus Christ.

• 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 forms the core of the Gospel message that Paul preached. The passage emphasizes that Christ’s resurrection was witnessed by Peter and then by the Twelve. These elements—Christ’s sacrificial death, burial, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances—form the foundation of the Christian faith, underscoring the significance of Jesus' work for the salvation of humanity.

• 1 Corinthians 15:10: "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."

1 Corinthians 15:10 reflects Paul’s acknowledgment that his labor and apostolic work are the result of God's grace. The grace bestowed upon him was not in vain; rather, he worked harder than all the other apostles, yet not by his own effort but by the grace of God working through him.

• 1 Corinthians 15:20-22: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 explains the significance of Christ's resurrection in relation to the resurrection of believers. This passage proves to us that Christ’s resurrection is the guarantee of the future resurrection of all Christians, establishing the foundation for hope, amen.

As we see, 1 Corinthians explores the implications of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul emphasizes that believers are all members of the body of Christ, each with unique gifts and roles, but united in purpose and mission. The Gospel thus serves as the basis for true unity within the church.

It is evident that 1 Corinthians not only conveys the core message of the Gospel but also addresses its practical outworking in the life of the church. This epistle challenges Corinth to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel.