1 Corinthians 5:1-5: Church Discipline
The Reformers argued fiercely over what actually makes a local church a true church, Nick says: is it a pope, seven sacraments, apostolic succession? He works through Paul’s own answer in 1 Corinthians 5, where...
1 Corinthians 4:14-21: Paul, a Spiritual Father
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of single-parent homes in the developed world, Nick notes, second only to Lithuania. Against that fatherlessness crisis, he holds up Paul’s own spiritual fatherhood toward the Corinthians...
1 Corinthians 4:6-13: Pride and Humility
Paul has just spent three chapters defending his apostolic ministry against the Corinthians’ criticism. Now he turns the tables: their real problem is pride. Nick traces pride back to its roots as, in Augustine’s words,...
1 Corinthians 3:16-4:5: How Thinking Biblically Stops Church Divisions
Fallen humanity tends toward one of two sicknesses, Nick says, quoting a description of pride on one side and insecurity on the other, both trying to heal themselves through boasting. He shows how right thinking...
1 Corinthians 3:10-15: Be Careful How You Build
We will all give an account to God for what we’ve done, Nick says, quoting 2 Corinthians 5:10. He works through Paul’s warning to the Corinthians about building the church on the right foundation, and...
1 Corinthians 3:5-9: Understanding the Nature of Ministry
We’re all too familiar with the personality cult, Nick says, pointing to how propaganda built savior-figures around tyrants like Hitler. He turns that modern instinct back on the church, working through Paul’s corrective to a...
1 Corinthians 3:1-4: Spiritual Babies
Are you actually spiritually mature, or do you just think you are? Nick asks, pointing out that the Corinthians assumed they’d arrived, thanks to their impressive knowledge and spiritual gifts, while Paul’s letter shows just...
1 Corinthians 2:6-16: The Wisdom of God
Ever come away from an argument with someone smarter than you feeling humbled and bamboozled? Nick opens with that common experience before turning to Paul’s claim that the gospel operates on an entirely different kind...
1 Corinthians 2:1-5: Faithful Gospel Preaching
Every generation feels pressure to reshape the gospel and its methods to suit the times, Nick says, pointing to Pentecostal evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson’s Hollywood-era showmanship as a cautionary example. He works through Paul’s own...
1 Corinthians 1:26-31: Considering our Calling
The gospel is like a Swiss army knife, useful for whatever situation you’re in, Nick says. Struggling to believe God loves you in your suffering? Go back to the gospel. He works through Paul’s reminder...
1 Corinthians 1:18-25: The Word of the Cross
Christianity isn’t symbolized by a manger, an empty tomb, or a basin of water, Nick says. It’s the cross, with all its terrible connotations, that sums up the heart of God’s saving act. He works...
1 Corinthians 1:10-17: Divisions
When we call adults childish, Nick says, we usually mean sulking, pettiness, jealousy, and dividing into rival gangs behind competing leaders. That’s exactly the picture Paul confronts in a Corinthian church splitting into factions around...
1 Corinthians 1:4-9: Grateful for Grace
Have you ever had to scramble to find something nice to say about someone? Nick opens with that awkward, relatable moment before turning to how Paul, despite all of Corinth’s dysfunction, still finds real grounds...
1 Corinthians 1:1-3: The Church of God, in Corinth
Every church has its problems, Nick says. We’re not in the new creation yet, so every church is still under construction, with all the universal weaknesses that come with that. He opens 1 Corinthians by...
Acts 18:1-17: Paul plants the Church in Corinth
How do you live as the church in a pagan, pluralistic culture? Nick opens a new series in 1 Corinthians by first turning to Acts 18, where Paul actually plants the church in a city...