Paul opens his letter by greeting the church at Corinth and explaining that the letter is in response to a letter from Chloe expressing concern for the church. Problems with leadership and baptism are addressed in this episode.

Paul explains that the cross is foolish to those who do not believe. Jews look for signs and Greeks look for wisdom but God offers a relationship with Him that will transform them.

Paul explains that the only foundation a church should be built upon is the gospel of Jesus. There can be false teaching which is the responsibility of the leaders of the church. If what they have built is wrong it will be destroyed; if it is good they will receive a reward.

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.

In Corinth, members of the church were in dispute with each other and instead of resolving the issues with the help of church leaders, they were taking the argument to the law courts.

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 addresses cultural problems that arise in the Corinthian church. Head covering was a symbol of marriage, and the length of hair was important to that culture. Paul refers to Genesis 2 as a basis for understanding Christian marriage.

There were many divisions in the Corinthian church which became obvious at their celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Paul addressed this by referring back to how Jesus set up the sacrament of Communion.

As part of his teaching about the gifts of the Spirit, Paul uses the imagery of the church being like a human body in which all parts work together and are equally important.

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.