Seminary
1 Corinthians 1–4

1 Corinthians 1–4

Jesus Christ: Our Sure Foundation

Temple of Apollo, Corinth, built about 600 B.C. This would have been one of the most imposing structures in Corinth in Paul’s day. Temples and shrines housing images of pagan deities were prevalent throughout the Greco-Roman world, and members of the Church in cities like Corinth would have encountered them daily. Paul noted that before the saints in Corinth had converted, they had been carried away unto these dumb [voiceless] idols, even as [they] were led (1 Cor. 12:2).

Think of the negative impact that contention, pride, false teachings, and immorality have on the world today. Members of the early Church who lived in Corinth struggled with these same challenges. While preaching in Ephesus during his third missionary journey, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian Saints to strengthen them and remind them to rely on Jesus Christ. This lesson can help you understand how building our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ can help us overcome worldly challenges.

Remaining faithful in difficult circumstances

Imagine that a close friend who lives in a different city sends you the following message:

“It’s really hard being surrounded by negative influences everywhere. So many people here don’t keep the commandments, and some of them are critical of the Church. I know of others who have lost their testimonies in similar situations and I don’t want that to happen to me. Any advice?”

  • What would you say to your friend?

  • What are some of the negative and harmful influences you have noticed where you live?

  • How do these influences make it challenging at times to stay true to your faith?

As you study this lesson, think about how faithful you are when faced with worldly challenges or negative influences. Seek guidance through the Holy Ghost to know how to strengthen your foundation on Jesus Christ, and look for truths that can help you overcome your challenges. On his second missionary journey, the Apostle Paul preached the gospel in Corinth for nearly two years (see Acts 18:1–18) and organized a branch of the Church there. (To locate the city of Corinth, see Bible Maps, no. 13, “The Missionary Journeys of the Apostle Paul.”) Corinth was a wealthy trade center and the capital city of the Roman province Achaea. Many citizens of Corinth worshipped idols and were immoral. Some were also divisive and contentious. In this environment, staying true to the Savior’s gospel became difficult for many Church members. When Paul wrote to the Corinthian Saints to help them with their challenges, he spoke of the foundation he had laid for them.

Read 1 Corinthians 2:1–5 and 1 Corinthians 3:10–11, looking for phrases that describe this foundation.

  • What do you think it means to build your foundation on Jesus Christ?

In the Book of Mormon, Helaman also urged his sons to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Read Helaman 5:12, looking for the blessings Helaman promised.

  • What could you share with your friend from these verses that might be helpful?

One truth we can learn from these scriptures is that as we build the foundation of our lives on Jesus Christ, we can overcome Satan’s influence and worldly challenges.

  • What do you know, feel, or believe about the Savior that helps you want to have Him as your foundation?

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. 1. Do the following in your study journal:

  • Draw a simple house or building with a strong base or foundation. Around the house, write some challenges or negative influences you face.

  • In or around the foundation, write things you can do to base your life on the Savior.

  • Answer the following question: How have these actions helped you or how could they help you when you face challenges or negative influences?

In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he addressed several issues and taught how the Savior and His gospel contained the power to help the Corinthians overcome their challenges (see 1 Corinthians 1:23–24). The following activities focus on two of those issues. Read the following options and select one that would be most meaningful for you to study.

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. 2. Compete one of the following activities in your study journal:

Option A: Divisions and contention

One challenge the Corinthian Saints struggled with was contention. Divisions developed in part because they believed their status in the Church was determined by the importance of the person who baptized them (see 1 Corinthians 1:12).

Next to your drawing of a house, you may want to list any ways you face divisions or contention in your ward, family, or community.

  • What are some consequences of divisions and contention?

Read 1 Corinthians 1:10–13 and 1 Corinthians 3:3–9, looking for how Paul was trying to help the people build on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

  • What did you see in these verses that could help people overcome divisions and contention?

  • Why do you think building your life on Jesus Christ helps you to be united and less contentious with those around you?

Option B: The wisdom of the world

Many who lived in Corinth valued worldly wisdom. The message of a crucified Messiah didn’t make sense to many Jews and Gentiles. In the Roman world, the punishment of crucifixion symbolized shame and defeat. The idea of someone willingly suffering for others was “foolishness” to the Greeks (1 Corinthians 1:23). For the Jews, a Messiah who died on a cross was a “stumblingblock” (1 Corinthians 1:23) because they expected the Messiah to conquer their enemies.

Read 1 Corinthians 1:17–25, looking for how Paul responded to these attitudes.

Somewhere by your drawing of a house, list ways the wisdom of the world may affect or challenge your testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel.

  • Why might some people not understand or appreciate Jesus Christ and His Atonement today?

  • What changes might happen when a person comes to know and feel that the Savior has real power in their life? (see 1 Corinthians 1:24).

  • How can building your life on Jesus Christ and His gospel help you when facing challenging worldly ideas?

Building our lives on Jesus Christ

Take a few minutes to evaluate your own life. In what ways have you built your foundation on Jesus Christ? In what ways might you want to improve? How might building your life even more on the Savior Jesus Christ and His gospel help you face your own challenges and negative influences? Consider writing your thoughts and goals in your study journal.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

Why should I build my foundation on Jesus Christ?

Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong of the Seventy declared:

Official Portrait of Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong. Photographed in March 2017.

If we build our foundation on Jesus Christ, we cannot fall! As we endure faithfully to the end, God will help us establish our lives upon His rock, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against [us]” (Doctrine and Covenants 10:69). We may not be able to change all of what is coming, but we can choose how we prepare for what is coming.

(Chi Hong [Sam] Wong, “They Cannot Prevail; We Cannot Fall,” Liahona, May 2021, 98)