Practical Ways to Build Up the Church

In his introduction to 1 Corinthians (Key Themes section) in the ESV Study Bible, Frank Thielman identifies four practical ways that Paul gives for Christians to build up the church:

1. Be sensitive to those of fragile faith (1 Cor. 8:1–9:18; 10:28, 33).
2. Win unbelievers through culturally sensitive evangelism (1 Cor. 9:19–23; 10:27, 32–33).
3. Conduct worship services in such a way that unbelievers present might come to faith (1 Cor. 14:16, 23–25).
4. Use spiritual gifts in corporate worship not for personal display, or evaluating who has a better gift, but to build up the church (1 Cor. 11:2–16; 12:12–30; 14:1–35).