1 Corinthians begins with Paul reminding the church in Corinth that they are sanctified as God's holy people. That means God wants the church to prepare for him to work powerfully through their church, and it means they are being called upon to go out and serve in God's Kingdom. With that in mind, the first thing Paul talks about tin his letter is the importance of unity in the body. We have an important mission to undertake, and there's no time to get sidetracked with infighting and divisions within the church.