1 Corinthians

First Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul around 53–55 CE to the early church in Corinth, a bustling, cosmopolitan, and highly competitive Roman colony in Greece. It is one of the most undisputed letters of Paul, addressing a community he had founded a few years prior.

The church in Corinth was an absolute mess. They were dividing into factions based on celebrity leaders, suing each other in public courts, arguing over sexual ethics, getting drunk at communion, and competing over who had the most impressive spiritual experiences.

This letter is worth reading because it deals with the chaotic reality of human relationships. Instead of offering abstract theology, Paul wades directly into the drama, showing ordinary people how the shocking message of a crucified savior changes the way we handle sex, money, freedom, and each other.