1 Corinthians

The First Epistle to the Corinthians (Ancient Greek: Α΄ Επιστολή προς Κορινθίους), often referred to as First Corinthians (and written as 1 Corinthians), is the seventh book of the New Testament of the Bible. Paul the Apostle and "Sosthenes our brother" wrote this epistle to "the church of God which is at Corinth", in Greece.

The First Epistle to the Corinthians, often referred to as First Corinthians, is the seventh book of the New Testament of the Bible. The Apostle Paul and "Sosthenes our brother" wrote this epistle to "the church of God which is at Corinth", in Greece.1 Corinthians 1:1-2

This epistle contains some of the best-known phrases in the New Testament, including (depending on the translation) "all things to all men" (1 Corinthians 9:22), "without love, I am nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:2), "through a glass, darkly" (1 Corinthians 13:12), and "when I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child" (1 Corinthians 13:11).

There is near consensus among historians and Christian theologians that Paul is the "undisputed" author of Corinthians. The letter is quoted or mentioned by the earliest of sources, and is included in every ancient canon, including that of Marcion.

Marcion was an important leader in early Christianity. His theology rejected the deity described in the Hebrew Scriptures and in distinction affirmed the Father of Christ to be the true God. He was denounced by the Church Fathers and he chose to separate himself from the proto-orthodox church. He is often considered to have been a catalyst in the development of the New Testament canon.

However, two passages may have been inserted at a later stage. The first passage is 1 Corinthians 11:2–16 dealing with praying and prophesying with head covering.

“The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, Christian Fathers, or Fathers of the Church are ancient and generally influential Christian theologians, some of whom were eminent teachers and great bishops. The term is used of writers or teachers of the Church not necessarily ordained[1] and not necessarily "saints"—Origen Adamantius and Tertullian are often considered Church Fathers but are not saints owing to their views later deemed heretical —although most are honored as saints in the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran churches, and other churches and groups.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Fathers

They were “deemed heretical” by whom?

139 ~αἵρεσις~ hairesis \@hah’-ee-res-is\@ from haireomai meaning choose; n f AV-sect 5, heresy 4; 9

1) act of taking, capture: e.g. storming a city

2) choosing, choice

3) that which is chosen

4) a body of men following their own tenets (sect or party)

4a) of the Sadducees

4b) of the Pharisees

4c) of the Christians

5) dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

Acts 24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect <hairesis> of the Nazarenes:

Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy <hairesis>, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

Acts 26:5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect <hairesis> of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Acts 28:22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect <hairesis>, we know that every where it is spoken against.

1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies <hairesis> among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies <hairesis>,

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies <hairesis>, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

139 ~αἵρεσις~ hairesis \@hah’-ee-res-is\@ from 138; TDNT-1:180,27; n f AV-sect 5, heresy 4; 9

1) act of taking, capture: e.g. storming a city 2) choosing, choice 3) that which is chosen

4) a body of men following their own tenets (sect or party)

4a) of the Sadducees

4b) of the Pharisees

4c) of the Christians

5) dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims

Is Religion about what you think???

Fathers of who??

The second believed inserted passage is 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 which has been hotly debated. Part of the reason for doubt is that in some manuscripts, the verses come at the end of the chapter instead of at its present location.

Furthermore, Paul is here appealing to the law which is uncharacteristic of him. Lastly, the verses come into conflict with 11:5 where women are described as praying and prophesying.

The epistle was written from Ephesus (16:8) on the west coast of Turkey, about 180 miles by sea from Corinth. Paul founded the church in Corinth (Acts 18:1–17), then spent approximately three years in Ephesus (Acts 19:8, 19:10, Acts 20:31). The letter was written during this time in Ephesus, which is usually dated as being in the range of 53 to 57 AD.

The traditional subscription to the epistle, translated in the King James Bible, states that this epistle was written at Philippi, perhaps arising from a misinterpretation of 16:5, "For I do pass through Macedonia", as meaning, "I am passing through Macedonia". In 16:8 Paul declares his intention of staying in Ephesus until Pentecost.

This statement, in turn, is clearly reminiscent of Paul's Second Missionary Journey, when Paul traveled from Corinth to Ephesus, before going to Jerusalem for Pentecost (cf. Acts 18:22). Thus, it is possible that I Corinthians was written during Paul's first (brief) stay in Ephesus, at the end of his Second Journey, usually dated to early 54 AD. However, it is more likely that it was written during his extended stay in Ephesus, where he refers to sending Timothy to them (Acts 19:22, 1 Corinthians 4:17). Also, his references to Apollos (1:12, 3:4, etc.) show that Apollos was known to Paul and the church at the time of writing, which would preclude the first recorded visit to Ephesus (See Acts 18:24-28).

Corinthians Index

1 Corinthians Introduction | 1 Corinthians 1 | 1 Corinthians 2 | 1 Corinthians 3 | 1 Corinthians 4 | 1 Corinthians 5 | 1 Corinthians 6 | 1 Corinthians 7 | 1 Corinthians 8 | 1 Corinthians 9 | 1 Corinthians 10 | 1 Corinthians 11 | 1 Corinthians 12 | 1 Corinthians 13 | 1 Corinthians 14 | 1 Corinthians 15 | 1 Corinthians 16