1. New Testament BCM 103 Dr. Dave Mathewson Gordon College/Denver Seminary

2. 1 Corinthians How many letters did Paul write to Corinth? How many letters did Paul write to Corinth? 1 Cor 5.9 refers to previous letter; 1 st =2 nd ; 2 nd =4 th 1 Cor 5.9 refers to previous letter; 1 st =2 nd ; 2 nd =4 th The severe letter of 2 Corinthians The severe letter of 2 Corinthians The Plan of 1 Corinthians The Plan of 1 Corinthians Chaps. 1-6: Paul responds to reports by word of mouth (1.11) Chaps. 1-6: Paul responds to reports by word of mouth (1.11) Chaps. 7-16: Paul responds to written reports (7.1) Chaps. 7-16: Paul responds to written reports (7.1) OR: Chaps 5-7: Sexual Immorality Chaps 8-14: Idolatry OR: Chaps 5-7: Sexual Immorality Chaps 8-14: Idolatry Now concerning structural marker Now concerning structural marker

3. Corinthians What are problems going on in Corinth? What are problems going on in Corinth? Corinthian culture had infiltrated the Church Corinthian culture had infiltrated the Church Crisis in leadership: patron/client relationship, emphasis on social status/wealth Crisis in leadership: patron/client relationship, emphasis on social status/wealth Influence of Sophists competing for following Influence of Sophists competing for following Problem of sexual immorality--cultic Problem of sexual immorality--cultic

4. Original setting Can we reconstruct the situation that would have caused Paul to write the letter? Can we reconstruct the situation that would have caused Paul to write the letter? 1 Cor. 1-3 How the Corinthians are treating other Christian leaders (e.g. 1:10ff).—indicative of Corinthian thinking 1 Cor. 1-3 How the Corinthians are treating other Christian leaders (e.g. 1:10ff).—indicative of Corinthian thinking Wisdom of Corinth (foolishness) no match with God’s wisdom—don’t treat leaders as Corinthian leaders but as Christians Wisdom of Corinth (foolishness) no match with God’s wisdom—don’t treat leaders as Corinthian leaders but as Christians

5. Maybe this is why Paul refused to accept Corinthian financial support—wanted to avoid political wrangling, patron/client; contra Philippians Maybe this is why Paul refused to accept Corinthian financial support—wanted to avoid political wrangling, patron/client; contra Philippians

6. 1 Corinthians 5 Problem: tolerance of incest Problem: tolerance of incest Solution: expel the immoral person to preserve purity of church Solution: expel the immoral person to preserve purity of church Why were they willing to tolerate and boast? Why were they willing to tolerate and boast? Condemnation of incest – Leviticus 18 Condemnation of incest – Leviticus 18 Judgment in congregation – Deuteronomy Judgment in congregation – Deuteronomy Purity of community and admission to temple - Deuteronomy Purity of community and admission to temple - Deuteronomy

7. 1 Corinthians 7.1 “Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman” (NASB). “Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman” (NASB). “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: ‘It is good for a man not to touch a woman’” (NRSV). “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: ‘It is good for a man not to touch a woman’” (NRSV).

8. 1 Corinthians 11 What was the problem Paul was addressing?—Some eating before others arrive What was the problem Paul was addressing?—Some eating before others arrive How is it they have factions and divisions? Different social levels patron/client; wealthy elite and poor  communion How is it they have factions and divisions? Different social levels patron/client; wealthy elite and poor  communion What does it mean to take the Lord’s Supper in “an unworthy manner?” What does it mean to take the Lord’s Supper in “an unworthy manner?” Problem is not unconfessed sin but using Lord’s supper to divide the church Problem is not unconfessed sin but using Lord’s supper to divide the church