Zondervan - 1 Corinthians

THE
GREATEST OF
THESE IS LOVE

1 Corinthians

Copyright 2006 Thomas Nelson, Inc.

The publishers are grateful to Michael Christopher for his collaboration, writing skills, and editorial help in developing the content for this book.

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION. 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-4185-0619-3

Printed in the United States of America.

A Word from the Publisher

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to beashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

We are so glad that you have chosen this study guide to enrich your biblical knowledge and strengthen your walk with God. Inside you will find great information that will deepen your understanding and knowledge of this book of the Bible.

Many tools are included to aid you in your study, including ancient and presentday maps of the Middle East, as well as timelines and charts to help you understand when the book was written and why. You will also benefit from sidebars placed strategically throughout this study guide, designed to give you expanded knowledge of language, theology, culture, and other details regarding the Scripture being studied.

We consider it a joy and a ministry to serve you and teach you through these study guides. May your heart be blessed, your mind expanded, and your spirit lifted as you walk through Gods Word.

Blessings,

Edward (Les) Middleton, M. Div.
Editor-in-Chief, Nelson Impact

TIMELINE OF NEW

TESTAMENT WRITINGS

OLD MIDDLE EAST

The book of 1 Corinthians was written in Ephesus.

MIDDLE EAST OF TODAY

OLD TESTAMENT DIVISIONS

NEW TESTAMENT DIVISIONS

ICON KEY

Throughout this study guide, you will find many icon sidebars that will aid and enrich your study of this book of the Bible. To help you identify what these icons represent, please refer to the key below.

BIBLICAL GRAB BAG

A biblical grab bag full of interesting facts and tidbits.

BIBLE

Further exploration of biblical principles and interpretations, along with a little food for thought.

LANGUAGE

Word usages, definitions, interpretations, and information on the Greek and Hebrew languages.

CULTURE

Customs, traditions, and lifestyle practices in biblical times.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL

Archaeological discoveries and artifacts that relate to biblical life, as well as modern-day discoveries.

CONTENTS

A ny struggling Christian today, or any troubled church congregation, would do well to begin a study of the New Testament book of 1 Corinthians. No other book of the Bible offers such a complete inventory of the problems that can plague the body of Christincluding immaturity, instability, divisiveness, jealousy, envy, legal conflicts, marital strife, sexual immorality, and misuse of spiritual gifts. More important, no other book offers such concise, practical, and scripturally sound solutions to these problems.