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MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series
1 Corinthians: Godly Solutions for Church Problems
As the gospel spreads to the far corners of the earth, the apostle Paul is under mounting pressure to provide direction to maturing churches before they go astray. It's with this urgency that Paul covers many topics that are especially relevant in today's society. Pastor John MacArthur will take you through the first letter to the church in Corinth to show how this church in particular allowed their worldliness to affect the church's priority of spreading the gospel—and how Paul's response gives Christians black-and-white boundaries in a gray world. As Paul explains doctrinal truths directly relating to sin and righteousness, he outlines a foundation for godly behavior. Paul's letter is a valuable tool of correction and encouragement for believers—then and now—to be alert, firm, mature, strong, and loving. —ABOUT THE SERIES— The MacArthur Bible Study series is designed to help you study the Word of God with guidance from widely respected pastor and author John MacArthur. Each guide provides intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture by examining its parts and
128 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 1984
118 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
John F. MacArthur Jr.
1,344 books1,933 followersJohn F. MacArthur, Jr. was a United States Calvinistic evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award-winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur was a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California beginning in 1969, as well as President of The Master’s College (and the related Master’s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 9, 2019
Excellent commentary on the book of 1 Corinthians by one of the best living theologians.
October 22, 2009
John MacArthur is truly an annointed preacher and commentator. I have been studying 1 Corinthians for the past couple of months during my devotional times, and I was using this and one other very respected commentary to help me understand context issues. This one really surpassed the other because of MacArthur's amazing attention to historical context as well as Scriptural context. After reading many of his comments, I see that this important book of the Bible really must be understood with lots of attention to historical and cultural details, or it will likely be misunderstood. The amount of study that obviously went into this commentary is astounding, and I highly recommend it. I am excited about looking into others of this series too.
February 16, 2023
CONFESSION: I read his sermon transcripts weekly, but NOT this book.
However, from what I can tell from my digging, his sermon transcripts are nearly as in-depth as the book (often more-so), and since I was preparing for sermons from 1 Corinthians weekly, I would use his notes and a number of others in the process.
I always wanted a few conservative viewpoints in my reading in order to keep both sides in view at all times. Most of the commentaries will lean further to the theological left than me, so I needed someone who would be an intelligent voice that was closer to my side. MacArthur brings great insights about almost every text, particularly from chapter 7 and on. They were all good, of course, but I grew to appreciate his content more and more the deeper I got into it.
He's not afraid to tackle any text, and I respect that. It sounds like he was quite a voice for cessationists at a time when a lot of popular Pentecostals were on the scene.
However, from what I can tell from my digging, his sermon transcripts are nearly as in-depth as the book (often more-so), and since I was preparing for sermons from 1 Corinthians weekly, I would use his notes and a number of others in the process.
I always wanted a few conservative viewpoints in my reading in order to keep both sides in view at all times. Most of the commentaries will lean further to the theological left than me, so I needed someone who would be an intelligent voice that was closer to my side. MacArthur brings great insights about almost every text, particularly from chapter 7 and on. They were all good, of course, but I grew to appreciate his content more and more the deeper I got into it.
He's not afraid to tackle any text, and I respect that. It sounds like he was quite a voice for cessationists at a time when a lot of popular Pentecostals were on the scene.
June 30, 2025
This book made for an interesting and engaging Sunday School study as it prompted many questions about problems about the Corinthian church but what the church I attend may be facing as well. I don't agree with all of Mr. MacArthur's opinions, but overall I found the book helpful and gained understanding from the study.
December 15, 2024
Read this as our church went through 1 Corinthians over the last few months. Always love using this commentary series, J Mac strikes the difficult balance of being readable & accessible but still edifying and educational.
October 19, 2017
Excellent!
October 3, 2024
The book was easy to follow, had great additional detail and background information. Good set of thoughtful questions that facilitated good discussions.
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October 7, 2022Excellent Work!
The book contains 49 sections that thoroughly dissect 1 Corinthians. Additionally, there is a bibliography of Greek and Hebrew Words, index of Scripture and index of Subjects. The goal of this work - according to the author - is to have a deep fellowship with our Lord and the understanding of His Word. This commentary reflects this objective explaining and application of scripture. The commentary is not theologically expansive but focuses directly on the major doctrines in each text and how it relates to the whole of scripture.
The lessons of Paul's letters to the Corinthians is timeless. The message resonates across the era's and epochs, and is as relevant today as it was when Paul penned this letter. Of all the scriptural and commentary studies, I highly recommend this book and anything that John MacArthur publishes. His Study Bible's make a great companion to all his work.
The book contains 49 sections that thoroughly dissect 1 Corinthians. Additionally, there is a bibliography of Greek and Hebrew Words, index of Scripture and index of Subjects. The goal of this work - according to the author - is to have a deep fellowship with our Lord and the understanding of His Word. This commentary reflects this objective explaining and application of scripture. The commentary is not theologically expansive but focuses directly on the major doctrines in each text and how it relates to the whole of scripture.
The lessons of Paul's letters to the Corinthians is timeless. The message resonates across the era's and epochs, and is as relevant today as it was when Paul penned this letter. Of all the scriptural and commentary studies, I highly recommend this book and anything that John MacArthur publishes. His Study Bible's make a great companion to all his work.
May 31, 2020
One of the challenges I find in reading the New Testament epistles is understanding context for writing that I may practically apply the lessons to my own life. This study guide does just that, though I didn’t find the in text footnotes to be very helpful. Some are very good, revealing ideas I hadn’t seen before. Most were a little too obvious. But, for someone just getting into a systematic studying the Bible, this is a great start.
November 17, 2023
This resource was very helpful for me as I lead a bible study through 1 Corinthians. It allowed me to get a really good understanding of the book as a whole and also has some great discussion questions. I like to use MacArthur's New Testament Bible Study books for leading Bible studies as it allows me to engage on a deeper level with those who usually need a little help when studying through the book on their own.
March 12, 2021
This is a good Bible study for readers from middle school on up and new believers to those who've studied the Word for a long time. Readers should know this study had MacArthur's bias regarding the miraculous gifts that is based on opinion rather than scripture.
March 9, 2012
John MacArthur's commentaries are the bomb for devotionals!
April 30, 2013
Best resource I have found on 1 Corinthians. MacArthur is brilliant, but not lofty in his speech. This is a keeper!!!
April 18, 2018
As much as any celebrity pastor, MacArthur has shaped my thinking. His commentary on Romans was foundational. I wore out his "Charismatic Chaos", using it to spar with the Pentacostals. I was even lock step with his dispensationalism. All to say I'm deeply indebted to John MacArthur.
This commentary on Corinthians was fine. He offers an explanation for the tough parts, which is all you can ask for. Lotta fluff. I suspect these are edited transcriptions of his sermons.
Notes:
(1) The only message a Christian has to tell is the message of the cross—of God the Son becoming man, of His dying to pay the penalty for our sins, and of His being raised from the dead in order to raise us to life. (70)
(2) But the context makes it clear that a broader and more inclusive application is also in mind. The numerous references to “each man” and “any man” (vv. 10-18) indicate that the principle applies to every believer. All of us, by what we say and do, to some extent teach the gospel. No Christian has the right to be careless in representing the Lord and His Word. Every believer is to be a careful builder. We all have the same responsibility (106)
(3) the rewards given will not be based on the degrees behind our name, the numbers we have preached to or witnessed to, the programs we have planned and directed, the books we have written, or even the number of converts won to Christ through us. It will be based on one thing alone: the motives (boulē, “secret thoughts”) of [our] hearts. (131)
(4) Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes. These things refers to the figures of farmers (3:6-9), builders (3:10-15), and servant-stewards (4:1-5), which refer to those who minister for the Lord (134) more evidence that ch. 3 is a warning?
(5) The Bible's prescription for sexual sin is simple. Stay as far away from it as possible (179) Think Joseph and Potifer's wife
(6) MacArthur takes the "all things are lawful" passages to mean all things that are not specifically condemned in Scripture are lawful (287)
(7) Is it good to do a thing? Yes if (1) it is profitable edifying, and upbuilding for ourselves and others (2) it is for the good of our neighbor, even over ourselves (3) it exhibits liberty of legalism (4) your good will not be spoken of as evil (288)
(8) "Because the Angels". MacArthur says Paul uses this example because angels are the perfect symbol of creaturely subordination Although powerful, their power is derived and they stand in submission to God (302)
(9) God chastens us to keep us from falling and will even take our life, if need be, before that can happen (319)
(10) Testing the spirits: "A Christian today cannot receive a new revelation. The only way to be sure if something is spiritual is to be sure it is Scriptural. If it agrees with Scripture, a new revelation from the Spirit is unnecessary; if it does not agree with Scripture, a new revelation cannot be from the Spirit and is false" (331)
(11) Confessing Jesus as Lord was always understood to be confessing Jesus as God (332)
(12) Right doctrine is inseparably connected to right moral behavior; right principles are given to lead to right conduct. (482)
(13) If we assume that Paul was using the term baptized in that sense, then those … who are baptized could refer to those who were giving testimony that they were Christians. In other words, he was simply referring to believers under the title of those who are baptized, not to some special act of baptism. The dead could also refer to Christians, to deceased believers whose lives were a persuasive testimony leading to the salvation of the baptized. This seems to be a reasonable view that does no injustice to the text or context.
The Greek huper, translated for in verse 29, has a dozen or more meanings, and shades of meaning—including “for,” “above,” “about,” “across,” “beyond,” “on behalf of,” “instead of,” “because of,” and “in reference to”—depending on grammatical structure and context. Although for is a perfectly legitimate translation here, in light of the context and of Paul’s clear teaching elsewhere, “because of” could also be a proper rendering. (484)
(14) Christ’s resurrection, therefore, was the prototype of all subsequent resurrection. (500)
This commentary on Corinthians was fine. He offers an explanation for the tough parts, which is all you can ask for. Lotta fluff. I suspect these are edited transcriptions of his sermons.
Notes:
(1) The only message a Christian has to tell is the message of the cross—of God the Son becoming man, of His dying to pay the penalty for our sins, and of His being raised from the dead in order to raise us to life. (70)
(2) But the context makes it clear that a broader and more inclusive application is also in mind. The numerous references to “each man” and “any man” (vv. 10-18) indicate that the principle applies to every believer. All of us, by what we say and do, to some extent teach the gospel. No Christian has the right to be careless in representing the Lord and His Word. Every believer is to be a careful builder. We all have the same responsibility (106)
(3) the rewards given will not be based on the degrees behind our name, the numbers we have preached to or witnessed to, the programs we have planned and directed, the books we have written, or even the number of converts won to Christ through us. It will be based on one thing alone: the motives (boulē, “secret thoughts”) of [our] hearts. (131)
(4) Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes. These things refers to the figures of farmers (3:6-9), builders (3:10-15), and servant-stewards (4:1-5), which refer to those who minister for the Lord (134) more evidence that ch. 3 is a warning?
(5) The Bible's prescription for sexual sin is simple. Stay as far away from it as possible (179) Think Joseph and Potifer's wife
(6) MacArthur takes the "all things are lawful" passages to mean all things that are not specifically condemned in Scripture are lawful (287)
(7) Is it good to do a thing? Yes if (1) it is profitable edifying, and upbuilding for ourselves and others (2) it is for the good of our neighbor, even over ourselves (3) it exhibits liberty of legalism (4) your good will not be spoken of as evil (288)
(8) "Because the Angels". MacArthur says Paul uses this example because angels are the perfect symbol of creaturely subordination Although powerful, their power is derived and they stand in submission to God (302)
(9) God chastens us to keep us from falling and will even take our life, if need be, before that can happen (319)
(10) Testing the spirits: "A Christian today cannot receive a new revelation. The only way to be sure if something is spiritual is to be sure it is Scriptural. If it agrees with Scripture, a new revelation from the Spirit is unnecessary; if it does not agree with Scripture, a new revelation cannot be from the Spirit and is false" (331)
(11) Confessing Jesus as Lord was always understood to be confessing Jesus as God (332)
(12) Right doctrine is inseparably connected to right moral behavior; right principles are given to lead to right conduct. (482)
(13) If we assume that Paul was using the term baptized in that sense, then those … who are baptized could refer to those who were giving testimony that they were Christians. In other words, he was simply referring to believers under the title of those who are baptized, not to some special act of baptism. The dead could also refer to Christians, to deceased believers whose lives were a persuasive testimony leading to the salvation of the baptized. This seems to be a reasonable view that does no injustice to the text or context.
The Greek huper, translated for in verse 29, has a dozen or more meanings, and shades of meaning—including “for,” “above,” “about,” “across,” “beyond,” “on behalf of,” “instead of,” “because of,” and “in reference to”—depending on grammatical structure and context. Although for is a perfectly legitimate translation here, in light of the context and of Paul’s clear teaching elsewhere, “because of” could also be a proper rendering. (484)
(14) Christ’s resurrection, therefore, was the prototype of all subsequent resurrection. (500)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews