1 Corinthians Introduction

Paul wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians (written from Ephesus) and the Second Epistle to the Corinthians (written from Macedonia). The first Epistle occasionally reflects the conflict between the thriving Christian church and the surrounding community.

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.

There is a general consensus among historians that Paul is the author of the First Epistle to the Corinthians, classifying its authorship as "undisputed". The letter is quoted or mentioned by early sources, and is included in every ancient canon, including that of Marcion.

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 second 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 seem to come into conflict with 1 Corinthians 11:5 where women are described as praying and prophesying.

The epistle was written from Ephesus, a city on the west coast of today's Turkey, about 180 miles by sea from Corinth. According to Acts of the Apostles, 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). It is usually dated as being in the range of 53 to 57 AD.

Outline

Some epistle divide 1 Corinthians into seven parts:

1. Salutation (1 Corinthians 1:1–3)

Paul addresses the issue regarding challenges to his apostleship and defends the issue by claiming that it was given to him through a revelation from Christ. The salutation (the first section of the letter) reinforces the legitimacy of Paul's apostolic claim.

2. Thanksgiving (1 Corinthians1:4–9)

The thanksgiving part of the letter is typical of Hellenistic letter writing. In a thanksgiving recitation the writer thanks God for health, a safe journey, deliverance from danger, or good fortune.
In this letter, the thanksgiving "introduces charismata and gnosis, topics to which Paul will return and that he will discuss at greater length later in the letter" (Roetzel, 1999).

3. Division in Corinth (1 Corinthians1:10–1 Corinthians 4:21)

Facts of division
Causes of division
Cure for division

4. Immorality in Corinth (1 Corinthians 5:1–1 Corinthians 6:20)

Discipline an immoral Brother
Resolving personal disputes
Sexual purity

5. Difficulties in Corinth (1 Corinthians 7:1–1 Corinthians 14:40)

Marriage
Christian liberty
Worship

6. Doctrine of Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1–58) 7. Closing (1 Corinthians 16:1–24)

Paul's closing remarks contain his intentions and efforts to improve the community. He would first conclude with his paraenesis and wish them peace by including a prayer request, greet them with his name and his friends with a holy kiss, and offer final grace and benediction:

Now concerning the contribution for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia… Let all your things be done with charity. Greet one another with a holy kiss... I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.(1 Corinthians 16:1–24).

Corinth was the center of international shipping trade between Asia and western Europe passing through its harbors. Paul's first visit lasted nearly two years and his converts were mainly Greeks.

Paul wrote to correct what he saw as erroneous views. Several sources informed Paul of conflicts: Apollos (Acts 19:1), a letter from the "household of Chloe", and finally Stephanas and his two friends who had visited Paul (1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 16:17).

Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians urging uniformity expounding Christian doctrine. Titus and a brother whose name is not given were probably the bearers of the letter to the church at Corinth (2 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 16–2 Corinthians 18).

Regarding marriage, Paul does not state that it is better for Christians to remain unmarried, but that if they are unmarried that is okay. When he says if you lacked self-control he uses a word egkrateuomai^[1] that had to do with personal discipline often in the sense of training for athletic competition. Those of the ministry, If they were not married might want to stay unmarried because they could devote more time to their studies and service to others. But if they have a strong to desire to get married or married again that is okay too. I specifically states that he is not making any rule on the subject in 1 Corinthians 7:6 ^[2]

The Epistle clearly include marriage as a ministerial practice in 1 Corinthians 9:5, ^[3] This concurs with Matthew 8:14, which mentions Peter having a mother-in-law.

Corinthians Index

== Footnotes ==

↑ 1467 ἐγκρατεύομαι egkrateuomai \@eng-krat-yoo’-om-ahee\@ middle voice from 1468; v AV-can contain 1, be temperate 1; 2 1) to be self-controlled, continent
1a) to exhibit self-government, conduct, one’s self temperately

1b) in a figure drawn from athletes, who in preparing themselves for the games abstained from unwholesome food, wine, and sexual indulgence
↑ But I speak this by permission, [and] not of commandment.
↑ 1 Corinthians 9:5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and [as] the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

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Brother Gregory
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