1 Corinthians - Introduction

Introduction

Bibliography

1 Corinthians - Leon Morris, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, IVP, (1983).

1 Corinthians - Mathew Bartlett, The Pentecostal Bible Commentary series, (2012)

The Corinthian letters are ones over which there is virtually complete agreement that Paul wrote them. 1 Corinthians itself claims quite clearly that Paul is the author (1:1,2; 16:21), and the early church attested that Paul was the author. It was written about 55 AD while Paul was in Ephesus.

Corinth itself was a major sea trading city, and a strongly hellenistic one. It was also famous for its idols, in particular Aphrodite. The temple of Aphrodite was served by as many as one thousand temple prostitutes. This prevalence of sexual immorality in the city, both as a result of its trading status and its pagan worship, led to it being infamous and the phrase “to Corinthianize” meant to commit sexual immorality. This is why sexual ethics (or lack of them) is such an important feature of the letter.

The letter itself is a response to concerns raised by the household of Chloe, and answers to a series of questions. In some ways the church was thriving, in that spiritual gifts were in use, it was probably a reasonable size and was active. At the same time it was a complete mess of a church! Note that Paul does not write off the church, but brings apostolic correction and instruction. When faced with false teaching or bad practice we too often ban good practice along with the bad. Throughout this letter Paul always ensure that the good things are maintained and enhanced.

We sometimes have a rather idealised picture of the early church. There is absolutely nothing ideal about the early church, and Corinth is perhaps the prime example. Very serious problems existed, but Paul seeks to sort out these problems. We all go through numerous times when we encounter problems in our own churches. We should be saddened by this, but not dismayed. Instead we should seek to bring godly correction.

Paul had founded the church in Corinth (Acts 18). The church was probably predominantly Gentile, with Jewish problems, especially circumcision, not featuring in the letter. Though it is worth noting that Paul bases key elements of teaching on the Old Testament. The Old Testament is as relevant to Gentile Christians as it is to Jewish ones. God had also spoken to Paul in a vision (Acts 18:9,10), Paul was there to carry out God’s work.

In the New Testament we have two letters, but all in all it is likely that there were four letters, and three visits to Corinth. Morris lists these as:

Visits:

• Founding of the church
• The “painful visit”
• A visit after 2 Corinthians was sent

Four letters:

• The “previous” letter
• 1 Corinthians
• The severe letter
• 2 Corinthians

The main “problems” and issues dealt with in the letter are:

1. Divisions in the church, namely “personality cults”.
2. Immorality in the church, and failure to deal with it properly.
3. Lawsuits among believers.
4. Teaching on marriage.
5. How to live in a pagan society
6. The Lord’s supper, and other aspects of public worship
7. Spiritual gifts
8. The Resurrection

All these matters are highly relevant today!