To be a Christian in first-century Corinth was much like being a Christian in twenty-first-century America. In this encouraging exposition of 1 Corinthians, Riddlebarger examines the apostle Paul’s instruction about sexual immorality, divisiveness, and idolatry in practical and theological terms. Based on sermons from his own pulpit, Riddlebarger helps us see that we still desperately need to look in faith to the risen Christ to stand firm in a perverse world.

Contents

Series Introduction 

Preface 

Introduction 

1. Greetings from Paul (1:1–3)
2. Be United (1:4–17)
3. The Wisdom of God (1:18–31)
4. Jesus Christ and Him Crucified (2:1–5)
5. For the Spirit Searches All Things (2:6–16)
6. The Foundation (3:1–15)
7. You Are the Temple of God (3:16–23)
8. For the Kingdom of God Is Not in Talk but in Power (4:1–21)
9. God Judges Those Outside (5:1–13)
10. And Such Were Some of You (6:1–11)
11. You Were Bought at a Price (6:12–20)
12. Each One Has His Own Gift from God (7:1–16)
13. Do Not Become Slaves of Men (7:17–40)
14. There Is One God (8:1–13)
15. For the Gospel’s Sake (9:1–27)
16. That Rock Was Christ (10:1–13)
17. Do All to the Glory of God (10:14–33)
18. The Image and Glory of God (11:1–160)
19. Till He Comes (11:17–26)
20. Let a Person Examine Himself (11:27–34)
21. Jesus Is Lord (12:1–3)
22. The Common Good (12:4–11)
23. One Body, Many Members (12:12–26)
24. Earnestly Desire the Best Gifts (12:27–31)
25. The Greatest of These Is Love (13:1–13)
26. Seek to Excel for the Edification of the Church (14:1–19)
27. Decently and in Order (14:20–40)
28. The Gospel (15:1–11)
29. Christ Has Been Raised! (15:12–19, 29–34)
30. He Must Reign (15:20–28)
31. In the Twinkling of an Eye (15:35–38)
32. Watch (16:1–24)

Appendix 

Endorsements

“Having shared and sat under the ministry of Kim Riddlebarger for many years, I am delighted to see the fruit of his faithful labors reach a wider audience. Combining attention to exegetical detail with decades of pastoral experience, this commentary will reward generously with its unique insights into the wonderful epistle.” 

—Michael S. Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California 

“Reformed commentators have long neglected 1 Corinthians. That is why I am so glad that Kim Riddlebarger has provided the church with this exegetically sensitive and doctrinally sound exposition. Riddlebarger handles the letter’s difficult issues with care and pastoral sensitivity. In addition, he models for the church what faithful exposition should be. This installment in the Lectio Continua series would make a welcome addition to any Christian’s shelf!” 

—Guy Prentiss Waters, James M. Baird, Jr. Professor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary 

“Kim Riddlebarger, a trusted pastor-scholar, and one of the premier exegetes and expositors of our day, has given the church a gift with this excellent commentary on 1 Corinthians. In these fine expositions, we not only learn about the thorny and complex challenges that faced the church in Corinth, we are also taught the Spirit-inspired diagnoses and remedies dispensed by the apostle Paul—powerful, Christ-centered truth that applies as much today as it did in the first century. I commend this volume to the church with pastoral urgency and absolute confidence.” 

—Michael A. Milton, founder and president of Faith for Living 

About the Author

Kim Riddlebarger is pastor emeritus of Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim (URCNA) and visiting professor of systematic theology at Westminster Seminary California. Kim is the author of A Case for Amillennialism and was co-host of the White Horse Inn radio program and podcast for over twenty-five years.