missions
Understanding Paul Is Understanding the Word of God: 1 Corinthians 1:1–3, Part 1
By John Piper at Desiring God
· June 16, 2026
· 1 min read
When Paul writes to the Corinthians, he writes as a man who once persecuted the church, who then encountered Christ, and who now writes the words of God.Watch Now
Why this matters
The significance of Paul's writings to the Corinthians lies in his unique background, having transitioned from a persecutor of the church to a vessel for God's word. This transformation lends credibility to his message, as he can speak to both the struggles of the faith and the redemption found in Christ. As a result, his letters, including 1 Corinthians, offer a distinct perspective on the Christian experience, one that is rooted in his personal encounter with Jesus. The fact that Paul's writings are considered the words of God underscores the importance of his ministry and the impact of his message on the early Christian church. For modern missionaries and faith-based organizations, Paul's story serves as a powerful example of the transformative power of faith and the importance of sharing the gospel with others, highlighting the need for effective discipleship and evangelism in their work.
About this story
Original reporting by Desiring God . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Desiring God . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: missions ·
Published: June 16, 2026 ·
Source: Desiring God ·
Reading time: 1 min
newsletter" aria-label="Newsletter signup" style="margin:24px 0;padding:20px 24px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#1e3a5f 0%,#2d5a8c 100%);border-radius:10px;color:#fff">
Get more Christgiving stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering missions and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When Paul writes to the Corinthians, he writes as a man who once persecuted the church, who then encountered Christ, and who now writes the words of God.Watch Now
When was this published? This article was first published on June 16, 2026 by Desiring God and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by John Piper at Desiring God. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more missions coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .