1 Corinthians

Summary

1 Corinthians is a letter to a messy church, and that means it is a letter to churches like ours. It deals with divisions, sexual immorality, litigation, idolatry, public worship, spiritual gifts, the resurrection, and more. Kim Riddlebarger approaches this letter with the steady realism of a pastor who knows that Christian doctrine must meet Christian disorder. We found his approach particularly helpful where he refuses to reduce Paul to a set of rules. He keeps the gospel at the centre, showing that Paul’s correction is designed to rebuild a church around Christ crucified.

Because this is an expository commentary, the aim is not to impress with novelty, but to provide reliable guidance that serves preaching and teaching. Riddlebarger is clear about context, and he often reminds us why Paul says what he says. Corinth was shaped by status, speech, power, and self expression. Paul confronts those values with the foolishness of the cross and the wisdom of the Spirit. When we remember that, Paul’s hard words become deeply pastoral. They are not the anger of a wounded leader. They are the love of Christ guarding His people from ruin.

This volume is at its best when it helps pastors preach the letter as a united call to holiness and unity under the lordship of Christ. It encourages application that is firm, but not harsh. It also reminds us that a church can have many gifts, and still be spiritually immature. That is a searching reminder for our age of platform, personality, and quick influence.

Strengths

First, Riddlebarger is strong at keeping chapters connected to the letter’s larger burden. In 1 Corinthians, it is easy to preach isolated topics, marriage, gifts, tongues, the Lord’s Supper, and to lose the controlling theme of Christ and the cross. He repeatedly brings us back to Paul’s opening, “Christ did not send me to baptise but to preach the gospel,” and the centrality of Christ crucified as the wisdom and power of God. That helps preaching stay centred on redemption rather than moral repair.

Second, the commentary handles doctrinal foundations and practical issues together. When Paul addresses sexual sin, he does not merely demand restraint. He grounds holiness in union with Christ and the indwelling Spirit. When he addresses worship disorder, he grounds it in love, edification, and the God who is not a God of confusion. Riddlebarger helps the preacher hold those connections, so that application is not detached from theology. That matters deeply for lasting change.

Third, he writes with pastoral courage. Some sections, particularly those touching sexuality, gender, and church discipline, demand clarity and compassion. Riddlebarger avoids the softness that fears man, and he avoids the combative tone that forgets we are dealing with sheep. He gives pastors language for firm exhortation that still aims at restoration.

Limitations

The main limitation is that certain disputed passages can feel a bit quick, particularly where readers want deeper interaction with alternative interpretations. That is partly the nature of the series. If you are preaching through chapters 11 to 14 and need a fuller map of the debate, you may want to consult a more technical commentary alongside this one. A second limitation is that some readers may wish for more extended illustration and homiletical shaping. The help is there, but it remains closer to explanation than to sermon craft.

How We Would Use It

We would use this volume for sermon preparation, especially to keep the letter’s message unified across a long preaching series. It is also well suited for elders reading through 1 Corinthians together, because it helps connect doctrine to practical church life. If your church is experiencing division, confusion about worship, or a need for clearer holiness, this commentary will help you keep correction gospel shaped and Christ centred.

We would also use it to guard our own hearts. 1 Corinthians exposes pride in knowledge, competitiveness, impatience with weakness, and fascination with impressive gifts. Pastors are not immune. Riddlebarger’s steady tone helps us let the letter address us before we aim it at others.

Closing Recommendation

This is a solid, pastor friendly guide to a letter that speaks directly to modern church pressures. It is clear, faithful, and steady. We commend it to those who want to preach 1 Corinthians with conviction and tenderness, holding the cross at the centre while calling the church to unity, holiness, and love.