Paul clarified his travel plans and his desire to visit the church and overcome the relationship difficulty he was experiencing with the church. He emphasised that in contrast God always keeps his promises and is faithful which he had taught them through the scriptures.

The ‘big plan’ of God is revealed, as is the ‘mystery’ of how all the nations will be blessed through the Jewish nation. Paul introduces the work of the person of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us through our lives.

Paul teaches that church leadership was not like worldly leadership - it was one of servanthood. Paul was a spiritual father to the church at Corinth. He was very emotional at this point.

Paul tackles a case of incest in the Corinthian church. He explains the need to deal with sin within the church. Jesus had taught how to put church discipline into action. The man in Corinth needed to be put out of the church although there would always a way back into the church.

In Corinth, Aphrodite - the goddess of fertility - was worshipped. Paul explained that to join with prostitutes would have a spiritual effect. As Christians, our bodies belong to the Lord.

Paul defends himself from accusations made by some members of the Corinthian church. He has authority as an Apostle and did not ask for payment from the church for preaching the gospel.

Paul explained his method of reaching all the people he met in his mission to the Gentiles. He identified with them so he could preach the gospel to them. Paul described the Christian life as a race with a prize at the end - eternal life.

Paul used several Old Testament examples from the exodus and the Israelites' time in the desert to demonstrate how dangerous it is to mix Christianity with the worship of idols.

Paul continues his teaching about idolatry and specifically eating food offered to idols. He teaches that there is no power in the food itself but in participating in the worship of idols by eating food known to have been offered for sacrifice. It is important to consider the witness to others.

Paul is concerned to correct the practice of using the gifts unhelpfully that existed in the Corinthian church. He highlights here the gifts of prophecy, speaking in tongues and the interpretation of tongues.