“Introduction to the First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians,” New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2016)
Members of the early Church who lived in Corinth struggled with many problems that exist in the world today, such as disunity, false teachings, and immorality. In 1Corinthians we learn that Paul taught these Saints how to promote unity in the Church, how to learn the things of God, the role of the physical body as a temple for the Holy Ghost, the nature of spiritual gifts, the importance of taking the sacrament worthily, and the reality of the Resurrection. Through their study of Paul’s teachings recorded in 1Corinthians, students can learn doctrines and principles that will help them live righteously in spite of the wickedness that surrounds them.
The opening verse of the First Epistle to the Corinthians indicates that it was sent by the Apostle Paul and a disciple named Sosthenes, who may have served as Paul’s scribe (see 1Corinthians 1:1). While the details of Sosthenes’s role are unknown, it is clear that Paul was the author of the epistle’s content (see 1Corinthians 16:21–24).
When and where was it written?
Paul wrote the epistle known as 1Corinthians near the conclusion of his three-year visit to Ephesus (during his third mission), which likely ended sometime between A.D.55 and56 (see Acts 19:10; 20:31; Bible Dictionary, “Pauline Epistles”).
To whom was it written and why?
This epistle was written to Church members in the city of Corinth. Paul had preached the gospel in Corinth for nearly two years (see Acts 18:1–18) and organized a branch of the Church there (see Bible Dictionary, “Pauline Epistles”). Later, while Paul was preaching in Ephesus during his third missionary journey, he received communication from Church members in Corinth. He wrote a response to the branch (see 1Corinthians 5:9), but unfortunately this epistle was lost and is therefore not found in our scriptures. Later, Paul received another report from Church members in Corinth concerning problems in the Church there (see 1Corinthians 1:11), which he responded to by writing another epistle, which became known as 1Corinthians. Hence, 1Corinthians is actually Paul’s second letter to members in Corinth.
In Paul’s day, Corinth was the capital of the Roman province Achaia, which covered most of ancient Greece south of Macedonia. As a wealthy trade center, Corinth attracted people from throughout the Roman Empire, making it one of the most diverse cities in the area. Idol worship dominated Corinthian religious culture, and there were numerous temples and shrines throughout the city. At the time of Paul’s ministry, the Corinthians had a reputation for being grossly immoral. For instance, ritual prostitution was reportedly practiced at the temple of Aphrodite.
Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians makes it clear that Church members lacked unity and that some pagan beliefs and practices had begun to influence their observance of gospel principles and ordinances (see 1Corinthians 1:11; 6:1–8; 10:20–22; 11:18–22). Paul wrote to Church members in Corinth to help them with their questions and problems and to strengthen the converts who struggled with abandoning their past beliefs and practices.
What are some distinctive features of this book?
The New Testament contains more counsel and teachings from Paul to the Church members in Corinth than to any other branch. In fact, Paul’s two epistles to the Corinthians make up one-fourth of all of Paul’s existing writings.
In 1Corinthians we learn that Paul explained that Jesus Christ had fulfilled the law of Moses. Paul emphasized the importance of “the keeping of the commandments of God” (1Corinthians 7:19) “under the law of Christ” (1Corinthians 9:21) in order to receive the blessing of salvation through the gospel.
1Corinthians 1–11 Paul warns against divisions within the Church and emphasizes the importance of unity among Church members. He warns members against sexual immorality, teaches that the body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, and encourages self-discipline. He addresses specific questions regarding marriage and missionary service, as well as the ordinance of the sacrament and whether or not it is permissible to eat sacrificial meats that have been offered to pagan idols.
1Corinthians 12–14 Paul teaches that we are to seek the gifts of the Spirit. He reminds the Corinthian Saints of the importance of apostles, prophets, and teachers and the care members should have for one another. He highlights the importance of charity above all other spiritual gifts.
1Corinthians 15–16 Paul testifies that he stands among many others who are witnesses of the resurrected Christ. He teaches that everyone will be resurrected and that baptism for the dead affirms the truth of the future Resurrection. Paul explains that resurrected bodies will vary in degrees of glory and that Jesus Christ’s victory over the grave removes the sting of death. Paul organizes a collection for the poor Saints in Jerusalem.
FAQs
The first major section of the letter focuses on the divisions that are plaguing the church in Corinth. These divisions are being fueled by the “wisdom” of this world—the values, aims, and ambitions of Corinth itself. God's wisdom subverts all of that, and the pattern of God's wisdom takes the shape of the cross.
What is the main message of 1 Corinthians? ›
Outline. 1 Corinthians 1–11. Paul warns against divisions within the Church and emphasizes the importance of unity among Church members. He warns members against sexual immorality, teaches that the body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, and encourages self-discipline.
What is the key verse in 1 Corinthians? ›
Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
What questions does Paul answer in 1 Corinthians? ›
Then, while answering questions sent from Corinth, he addresses matters of immorality, marriage and celibacy, the conduct of women, the propriety of eating meat offered to idols, and the worthy reception of the Eucharist.
What was the purpose of Paul's first letter to Corinthians? ›
Paul writes on their behalf to guard against the threats posed to the community by the views and conduct of various minorities. He writes with confidence in the authority of his apostolic mission, and he presumes that the Corinthians, despite their deficiencies, will recognize and accept it.
What was one of the key issues that Paul dealt with in 1 Corinthians? ›
I count 15 distinguishable problems that Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians: partisanship, with the Corinthians factionalizing behind rival leaders (1:10–4:21; 16:10–18); incest (5:1–13); prostitution (6:12–21); celibacy within marriage (7:1–7); Christians married to one another asking about divorce (7:8–11, 39); ...
What are the three themes of the book of 1 Corinthians? ›
1 Corinthians challenges believers to examine every area of life through the lens of the Gospel. Specifically, Paul addresses divisions among believers, food, sexual integrity, worship gatherings, and the resurrection.
Why is 1 Corinthians so important? ›
First Corinthians contains a frank discussion of the church and the issues that impacted real people in the first century. The Corinthian church was corroded with sin on a variety of fronts, so Paul provided an important model for how the church should handle the problem of sin in its midst.
What is the summary of the first book of Corinthians? ›
WHAT'S IT ABOUT? Paul responds to reports of dissension within the Corinthian congregation by reminding his readers of their unity in Christ and their responsibility to honor one another as members of the body of Christ.
What is the main theme of 1 Corinthians Chapter 1? ›
He also chooses to not take claim for anything he has done, constantly reminding his audience that everything he does is through Christ. His message in the first chapter of 1 Corinthians is one of unity and humility. He speaks harshly against the idea of any sort of division in the church.
Definitions of Corinthian. a resident of Corinth. type of: Greek, Hellene. a native or inhabitant of Greece. a man devoted to the pursuit of pleasure.
What is 1 Corinthians 3 saying? ›
First Corinthians 3 follows Paul's teaching that only spiritual people can understand the wisdom of God. Paul cannot fully call the Corinthian Christians spiritual people, though, because they continue to live of the flesh, as if they were still infants trapped in an immature condition.
What problems does Paul address in 1 Corinthians? ›
Paul's letters to the church in Corinth show that the problems of the city also affected the Christian community. Among the myriad problems in the Corinthian church were: claims of spiritual superiority over one another, suing one another in public courts, abusing the communal meal, and sexual misbehavior.
What is the main problem of the church in Corinth? ›
The church at Corinth struggled with problems stem- ming from spiritual immaturity, arrogance, and a lack of concern for corporate holi- ness. The shocking absence of corporate discipline in the church is seen by its apparent condoning of a case of incest (5:1-13).
What advice did Paul give to the Corinthians? ›
Paul emphasized the gift of charity, which he characterized as being pure, unselfish love and concern for the well-being of others. He taught that charity should govern the exercise of all other spiritual gifts in the Church.
What are the moral issues of 1 Corinthians? ›
As the main ethical section of 1 Corinthians, Chapters 5–14 move from a discussion that includes sexual immorality (πορνεία), impurity (ἐκκαθάρατε τὴν παλαιὰν ζύμην), greed (ὑμεῖς ἀδικεῖτε καὶ ἀποστερεῖτε), bodily ownership (σῶμα οὐ τῇ πορνείᾳ ἀλλὰ τῷ κυρίῳ) and marriage in Chapters 5–7, to a discussion of issues that ...
What are the spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 1? ›
These gifts include the word of wisdom and word of knowledge, along with faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning between spirits, speaking in tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. These gifts were likely on display in Corinth. Paul emphasizes that the Spirit decides who to give each gift to.
What is the conclusion of the book of 1 Corinthians? ›
Finally, 1 Corinthians ends with Paul's instruction to the Corinthians to take up a collection for the benefit of the poor in Jerusalem. He expresses his hope that he will be able to visit Corinth soon, and in the meanwhile urges the Corinthians to accept his emissary Timothy with open arms.
