When you think of First Corinthians, think of the Apostle Paul teaching people in Corinth about sanctification.
Key Verse: “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” (1 Cor 1:2).
First Corinthians is the “Book of Sanctification for All Who Will Grow.” We often think of the church in Corinth as carnal, but Paul called them sanctified (set apart for God) and saints (1:2). They were young in the Lord. They did have problems. Strife rose over many questions. They were divided over Leaders (1:11-13; 3:3-8; 3:21-23; 4:6; 9:1-18), divided over Fornication (ch 5; 6:15-18; ch 10), divided over Lawsuits (ch 6), divided over Meats (6:13; ch 8; ch 10), divided over The Lord’s Supper (11:17-34), divided over Spiritual Gifts (ch 12), divided over Tongues (ch 14), and divided over the Resurrection (ch 15). Note: Salvation is a one time permanent act of God, but sanctification is a life-time process – TC.
Paul knew the Corinthians needed to grow! He did not leave them divided. He corrected their divisions, answered their questions, and taught solid doctrine. For their weaknesses, he gave them God’s strength.
Application: If you are saved, you are a saint. You are set apart for Christ. Like all Christians, you need to be sanctified—to grow—in every area of life.
“If you Grow, then you Show—Sanctification.”
