1st Corinthians Trivia Quiz

Answer: reports of divisions among them

While all of these (and more) are mentioned in Paul's first letter to the church at Corinth, the very first problem facing the church believers was that of a schism or divisive nature between the members. There was a lot of in-fighting, arguing and quarrelsome personalities in conflict with one another within this church, and Paul scolded them for having such attitudes.
(1 Corinthians 1:10-17)

Answer: Jews and Greeks

Beginning with the 22 verse of 1 Corinthians 1:22 and concluding with verse 23 in the King James, we read:

"For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness:"

Paul himself was Jewish, so this indictment against his fellow Jews did not win him any popularity contests; neither did his address to the Greeks make him necessarily a 'favorite' of theirs, either. Paul had begun his career in the Jewish Sanhedrin as a PERSECUTOR of the church as a whole, yet by this time he was one of its strongest advocates.

(I think that this shows how as we mature, our minds may change on certain topics, and what we once may have found offensive later can seem more reasonable. Conversely, what we once may have held dear might have become burdensome to us.)

Answer: within the physical bodies of believers

Paul begins the third chapter speaking to his "brethren" and discussing how weak they are in their faith. As he continues, he informs them that their spiritual maturity is sadly lacking (vs 4); that the only proper foundation for their belief lies in Jesus Christ (vs 11); and that they themselves are the temple of God (vs 16).

Answer: power

He seems to be stating that words alone are not nearly enough to define the strength and power of God's greatness. While all the other possible answers are good ones that show aspects of God's many facets, power is the driving force behind all of those other facets. Without power, none of the rest would be effectual on their own; it is only through power that they have any real bearing at all. Words without power are meaningless; hope without power to save is dead; love without power to practice is not love at all; and faith without power is pointless.

Think of it this way: if you had four or five electrical tools, gadgets or appliances, and no way of providing power to them, then they would be of little or no use to you. Paul says God's power enables all of His other aspects to work, and to work properly, and He shares that power with mankind, if people desire to use it.

Answer: leaven

In this instance, and in many others in the Bible, leaven represents sin. Paul's asks a question in verse 6. "Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?"
His advice in verse 7 is for the church to "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened."

Paul may have been saying that if the church tolerated such behavior, the whole church body of believers could be at risk of being contaminated in spirit by the sinful act, but if it took corrective action and rid itself of the person or people causing such a problem, then the group would be considered unified as a group again.

Answer: Jesus Christ

In verse 4, Paul says "And did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."

Paul warns his readers to avoid forfeiting their liberty in Christ in the verses that follow this one. His advice seems to be that avoiding mistakes made by others in times gone by would be sensible, if one can learn from the errors of others.

Answer: partaking of the Lord's supper

In the 11th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul was unhappy at the manner in which the church was observing the Lord's supper. Apparently, some of the members were engaged in drunken revelry, while others were acting like gluttonous pigs. Others were not allowed to eat at all, and were left to do without.

Paul reminded them of what the Lord's supper signified in verses 23-34, and just as importantly informed them of what they should NOT be doing.

Answer: clairvoyance, singing hymns and interpreting dreams

While all the other choices are listed in 1 Corinthians 12, clairvoyance, singing hymns and interpreting dreams are NOT included in his listing. Paul goes on further in the chapter to explain the importance of each of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Answer: the ability to prophesy

"Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy". (King James Version)

In verse 5, Paul makes it clear that this gift should be more sought after than speaking in tongues, because, as he points out in the preceding verses, the act of prophecy (speaking God's message) lifts people up to God, and brings them comfort.

Answer: flesh and blood

Paul had nothing to say about angels, animals or people with bad reputations in this verse. (Frankly, I believe that as far as God is concerned, we ALL have bad reputations!)

He did, however, make the point that mankind, in its flesh and blood form, would be unable to enter the kingdom of God.

This verse is seen in the context of Paul's explanation of how man will receive a new body to replace the old one of flesh that we are familiar with. While it is unclear as to what those bodies will be composed of, Paul says that all will be changed from their earthly state prior to entering the heavenly kingdom of God.