OUTLINE
I. Because Christ loves His people, He got the gospel to Corinth (v. 1)
II. Because Christ loves His people, He gave Paul new friends so that he would not grow discouraged as he preached the gospel (vv. 2-4)
III. Because Christ loves His people, He made it so that Paul could preach the gospel everyday (v. 5)
IV. Because Christ loves His people, though many opposed and reviled Paul at first, God overcame their hard hearts and saved them (vv. 6-8)
V. Because Christ loves His people, He protected, commanded, & encouraged Paul so that His people would hear the gospel & be saved (vv. 9-11)

PERSONAL APPLICATION
I) If you are one of His people, the Lord Jesus Christ will never give up on you.
II) Christians grow more slowly than we would like.
III) When God reproves, rebukes, and exhorts you through His word, do not be
surprised—He is doing it for your good, so that you may be holy and happy.

EVANGELISTIC APPLICATION
I) Though sinners may oppose and revile you at first, God can overcome their animosity in an instant
II) Nothing can happen to hurt us without the Lord Jesus’ permission
III) You must not give up preaching the gospel, for God surely has many of His people in our cities also

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION

1. Read verses 1-4. Where did Paul come from and where did he end up?
What happened when he arrived at Corinth and how was this a kindness of
God toward Paul? What kind of activity did Paul engage in once he
arrived at Corinth? When did he engage in it and what, therefore, is Luke
trying to tell us? What can we learn from Paul’s example here?

2. In verse 4, what two verbs are used to describe Paul’s method of
evangelization to these Bible-believing Jews?

3. The NASB translation says, in verse 5, “But when Silas and Timothy
came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to
the word…” How does this help us understand what Silas and Timothy
brought with them when they came to Corinth from Macedonia? How do
Philippians 4:15 and 2 Corinthians 11:9 help clarify? What does this
teach us concerning the importance of supporting pastors, church planters,
and missionaries?

4. According to verse 6, how did the Corinthians initially respond to the
preaching of the gospel? How does 1 Corinthians 1:22-23 shine light on
why they initially responded in this way? How did Paul then respond to
their opposition and reviling? What does Paul mean by, “Your blood be on
your own heads! I am innocent”? How does 1 Kings 2:37 help clarify?

5. What happened immediately following Paul saying, “From now on I will
go to the Gentiles” according to verses 7-8? How does this highlight the
sovereignty of God in saving sinners? How do 1 Corinthians 1:24 and 1
Corinthians 3:7 help clarify what happened here?

6. Read verses 9-11. Why did Jesus appear to Paul in a vision? What can we
learn in these verses concerning the Lord Jesus’ love for His people?
According to verse 11, how well did Paul know this church that he writes
the letter of 1 Corinthians to?