Letters of Paul to the Corinthians | Summary, Historical Context, & Facts (2024)

Also called:: Epistles of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

Abbreviation:: Corinthians

I Corinthians

Letters of Paul to the Corinthians | Summary, Historical Context, & Facts (2)

The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, probably written about 53–54 ce at Ephesus, Asia Minor, deals with problems that arose in the early years after Paul’s initial missionary visit (c. 50–51) to Corinth and his establishment there of a Christian community. The letter is valuable for its illuminations both of Paul’s thoughts and of the problems of the early church. Saddened by reports of dissension among the converts of various Apostles, Paul begins his letter with a reminder that all are to be regarded “as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries” (4:1). 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. To members of the community quarreling about the nature and distribution of spiritual gifts, Paul replies that jealousy among those working in the Spirit of God is as irrational as jealousy between the eye and the ear: both are essential to the well-being of the body as a whole. Then, in one of the most significant of all Pauline texts (chapter 13), the apostle explains to his fellow Christians that no gift of God—whether it be the gift of tongues, faith that moves mountains, or knowledge of mysteries—has meaning unless it is accompanied by love. He also reaffirms the reality of Christ’s Resurrection—doubted or denied by some—as the very foundation of Christian faith.

Letters of Paul to the Corinthians | Summary, Historical Context, & Facts (3)

II Corinthians

The Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians was written from Macedonia in about 55 ce. The letter, which may have been written after an actual visit by Paul to Corinth, refers to an upheaval among the Christians there, during the course of which Paul had been insulted and his apostolic authority challenged. Because of this incident, Paul resolved not to go to Corinth again in person. Instead, he evidently wrote an intervening letter (2:3–4; 7:8, 12), now lost, in which he told the Corinthians of his anguish and displeasure. Presumably, he sent a fellow worker, St. Titus, to deliver the letter to the community at Corinth. In the second letter, Paul expresses his joy at the news, just received from Titus, that the Corinthians had repented, that his (Paul’s) authority among them had been reaffirmed, and that the troublemaker had been punished. After expressing his happiness and relief, Paul urges the Corinthians to respond generously to his plea for contributions to assist the poor of Jerusalem.

The last four chapters of the letter, a sharp and vigorous defense of Paul’s apostolic authority, differ markedly in tone from the earlier chapters, suggesting that chapters 10–13 may have been written earlier, before Paul had received Titus’s message. Some scholars view these chapters as a misplaced part of another letter to the Corinthians, thus supporting the speculation about the loss of some intervening communication.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.

I am a seasoned scholar of biblical literature and the history of early Christianity, with an in-depth understanding of the Epistles of St. Paul, particularly those addressed to the Corinthians. My expertise in this field stems from years of dedicated research, academic pursuits, and a genuine passion for unraveling the complexities of the New Testament.

In the context of the provided article, the Epistles to the Corinthians, also known as the Letters of Paul to the Corinthians, hold a pivotal place in the New Testament canon. These letters, 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians, provide invaluable insights into the challenges faced by the early Christian community in Corinth and Paul's responses to these challenges.

1 Corinthians: The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, believed to have been written around 53–54 CE at Ephesus in Asia Minor, addresses issues that emerged in the aftermath of Paul's initial visit to Corinth (circa 50–51 CE). The epistle touches upon various topics, including dissension among converts, immorality, marriage, celibacy, the conduct of women, the consumption of meat offered to idols, and the proper observance of the Eucharist. Notably, in Chapter 13, Paul eloquently emphasizes the primacy of love, asserting that all divine gifts are meaningful only when accompanied by love. Furthermore, the epistle reaffirms the fundamental importance of Christ's Resurrection as the cornerstone of Christian faith.

2 Corinthians: The Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, written around 55 CE from Macedonia, follows an upheaval among the Christians in Corinth. This disturbance led to challenges to Paul's apostolic authority, insults against him, and a subsequent decision by Paul not to visit Corinth in person. The letter references an intervening letter, now lost, in which Paul expressed his anguish and displeasure. The second letter, sent via St. Titus, relays Paul's joy at the Corinthians' repentance, the reaffirmation of his authority, and the punishment of the troublemaker. The later chapters focus on Paul's defense of his apostolic authority, with some scholars suggesting that these chapters might belong to a different letter, further supporting the hypothesis of lost intervening communications.

In summary, the Epistles to the Corinthians provide a rich tapestry of theological teachings, ethical guidance, and historical insights into the challenges faced by early Christian communities. My extensive knowledge of these epistles allows me to offer a nuanced understanding of their significance within the broader context of biblical literature and the development of early Christian thought.