1 CORINTHIANS

1.   Strengths and weaknesses in the church
Corinth was an important commercial town, much sexual immoral and idolatry.
Also the church had a lot of problems, and some explainatiopns to this could be:  
-       They didn't love each other
-       They had no clear identity
-       Lack of leadership
-       They put human wisdom above God
-       Pride
-       Not left the old life
-       Sinful nature
-       Hyper-spirituality
       
The location of Corinth mentioned in Acts:
1 Cor:            Acts:
1:1                  18:17
1:14                18:8
2:1-5               18:1
3:6                  18:4
4:19                18:21

                   

2.   Main idea of this epistle
This letter shows the tensions and struggles that occur in a young church that is formed in the middle of a pagan society.

Paul talks about divisions, lawsuits, immorality, idols and pagan offerings, abuse of the Lord's Supper and the spiritual gifts. In addition to reproving words, Paul also gives different advice in response to questions believers have set. An important topic is also resurrection (Chapter 15).

3.   Character and Nature of God

1:9      God is faithful
1:24    Gods weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength
1: 28   God chose what is powerless to shame those who are powerful
2:5      God has power
3:11    No other foundation to get saved than Jesus Christ
4:20    The kingdom of God is living by god's power
5:13    God will judge those on the outside
7:7      God gives special gifts
7:25    Lord has in his mercy given me wisdom that can be trusted
10:11 The Lord owns the earth and everything in it
11:12 Everything comes from God
15:20 Christ has been raised from the dead