gray concrete pillar on green grass field under blue sky during daytime

Scripture Guide

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Author

Geoff Helton

Keywords (12)

Scripture

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Updated

Dec 23, 2025

Preaching Commentary

Context

Our text for this week is the initial greeting of Paul's letter to the church in Corinth. This is the first of four weeks for which the epistle reading comes from the beginning of 1 Corinthians.

Corinth was not some sleepy little village; it was the capital of the Roman province of Achaia and a central commercial hub. It was a melting pot of ideas, religions, and cultures. Imagine a city that is a mix of modern-day New York (commerce and culture), Las Vegas (immorality and excess), and ancient Athens (philosophy and debate)—that's a relatively good approximation of Corinth.

Paul wrote this letter from Ephesus (roughly 53–55 AD) and sent it to Corinth, specifically to a community he had founded there about three years earlier…

Subscriber Content

Get Full Access Today

Interested in viewing our resources? Try our 7-day free trial.

Try Now Sign In

Author

Geoff Helton

Rev. Geoff Helton is an Ordained Elder in the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church and serves as the Lead Pastor at Audubon Park United Methodist Church in Spokane, WA. With a deep love for ministry and theological education, Geoff also teaches as an Adjunct Instructor in the Theology Department at Whitworth University, where he inspires students to engage critically and faithfully with biblical texts and theological concepts.

Geoff’s academic journey began at Whitworth University, where he earned a B.A. in Religion, laying a strong foundation for his theological studies. He continued his education at Princeton Theological Seminary, earning both a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and a Master of Theology (Th.M.) in Old Testament. His advanced studies reflect his dedication to understanding Scripture in depth and his desire to equip others with the tools to do the same.

In his pastoral role, Geoff is committed to creating a vibrant and welcoming church community, encouraging spiritual growth and fostering a deep sense of connection within the congregation. He believes in the transformative power of faith, not only within the church but also as a force for good in the broader community.

Geoff and his wife, Meagan, share a fulfilling life together in Spokane, WA, where they are raising their two daughters, Elizabeth and Rebekah. As a devoted husband and father, Geoff values the importance of family and cherishes the opportunity to nurture faith and love within his own household.