The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

During Paul’s second missionary journey he taught the gospel in Corinth and established a branch of the Church there (see Acts 18:1–17). Corinth was a city famous for idolatry and immorality, so Paul was concerned about the Church members there being able to remain true to the gospel.

Macedonia

Achaia

Asia

Egypt

Athens

Corinth

Black Sea

Mediterranean Sea

Jerusalem

Paul wrote at least three letters to the Corinthians (see 1 Corinthians 1:1–2; 5:9; 2 Corinthians 1:1). The Corinthian Saints had written to him to ask for help with matters of Church doctrine and practice. The book of 1 Corinthians is Paul’s answer to one of their letters. It was written around A.D. 54, when he lived in Ephesus.

Being a Saint today has many of the same challenges that the Saints in Corinth faced. Notice how useful the following counsel is today:

• The only way to know God is through the Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 2:9–16).

• Our bodies are temples of God and must be clean (see 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 6:19–20).

• God will not allow us to be tempted more than we can withstand (see 1 Corinthians 10:13).

• Marriage is important in God’s plan of happiness (see 1 Corinthians 11:11).

• If we partake of the sacrament unworthily, we mock what Jesus Christ did for us (see 1 Corinthians 11:27).

• As members of the Church we are to be found together in the same mind and judgment (see 1 Corinthians 12:20–26).