New Testament Survey: First Corinthians

The Author External evidence clearly shows that the apostle Paul authored the book. Internal evidence of Paul’s authorship is also very strong. – 1:3; 16:21-24

The Date A letter that preceded the first letter contained no additional needed truth. –1 Corinthians 5:9 Paul, while in Ephesus in 55 AD, learned of serious problems in Corinth. Divisions existed in the church. The Corinthian church sent Paul a letter requesting answers to several questions.

Paul answered with this epistle dispatched by Timothy. –1 Corinthians 4:17 Had Paul paid them a personal visit after his first letter? –2 Corinthians 12:14; 13:1,2 Did the letter accomplish its intended purpose? –2 Corinthians 2:4; 7:8 Paul wanted to know the effect of the letter. He waited for Titus to come from Corinth with answers. –2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:5,13 The Date

The City Corinth was geographically situated at the center of the Grecian peninsula. Built upon an isthmus, it was strategically important in the defense and conquest of the Grecian peninsula. The city was fortified by a wall. Citadel rising 2,000 feet above sea level— the view from the summit to the sea, from both east and west, is magnificent.

The City A lower-level harbor made Corinth a city of east-west trade. In 46 B.C., Julius Caesar established a Roman colony in Corinth. The new city grew, attracting both Jews and Greeks, who were more numerous than Romans. Dishonesty, suspicion, speculation, egotism, profligacy, and vice ruled the city. The temple to the goddess Venus supported 1,000 temple prostitutes!

The Church Established by Paul –Acts 18:8 After Paul, Apollos met with unusual success in preaching the gospel. Division arose when men started following other men instead of Christ. Their licentious character was evidenced by some of the sins committed by God’s people. –1 Corinthians 6:11

The 1 Corinthian Letter The letter’s address is significant. –1:1,2 Its first four chapters deal with division. –Trusted in human wisdom –Gloried in men rather than Christ –Carnally minded, making spiritual understanding and reception impossible –Failure to distinguish between holy and profane things—ending in defilement of God’s temple

Prescription for remedying the division (1:10): –“ Speak the same thing.” – “That there be no more divisions among you.” – “That you be perfected together in the same mind and same judgment.” The 1 Corinthian Letter

Paul dealt with the corrupt influence of heathen immorality. – Chapters 4 and 5 The Church was harboring a man who was living in open adultery with his father’s wife! Public withdrawal – 5:5 Have no company with him—make him ashamed! – 5:9 The 1 Corinthian Letter

Engaged in commerce and industry— sometimes with one another. Some were having financial disputes and disagreements. They sought to settle the matter before heathen courts and judges. Paul condemned this and told them to settle these matters among themselves. – 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 The 1 Corinthian Letter

Moral laxity had made it difficult for them to honor their marriage commitments. A chapter is devoted to answering their questions about this relationship. Certain rules and applications were to be used “because of the present distress.” – 1 Corinthians 7:26-32 Marriage was to be honored, even when a Christian was married to an unbeliever. – 1 Corinthians 7:10-24 The 1 Corinthian Letter

Some were eating for food the remnants of the bodies of animals offered in heathen services. Some of the Jewish brethren questioned this practice. Paul taught that this matter was a case of “personal liberty.” The practice was not to be exercised at the expense of a weaker brother’s conscience. – 1 Corinthians 8—10 The 1 Corinthian Letter

Paul next discussed the local church’s obligations. The church was to support and sustain those who made their living by preaching and teaching the gospel. – 1 Corinthians 9 The 1 Corinthian Letter

Abuses during the worship assembly: –God’s order of authority and the place of women –Praying and prophesying –Refusing to wear the veil—a custom of the day showing subjection and the man’s authority 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 The 1 Corinthian Letter

Having a feast before observing the Lord’s Supper. Glutting themselves with food and drink— not spiritually discerning the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. They came together to worship. They had houses in which to eat and drink to nurture their physical bodies. – 1 Corinthians 11:19-34 The 1 Corinthian Letter

Due to their exaltation of selfish ambitions and fleshly values, they had serious disputes about spiritual gifts. –Pitting the importance of one gift against another. –The nature and purposes of the gifts. 1 Corinthians 12 –The “better way”—love –Temporal nature of the gifts 1 Corinthians 13 –Each member working together for the whole! 1 Corinthians 14 The 1 Corinthian Letter

Questions concerning the resurrection: –Christ has risen 15:1-11 –Meaning of the resurrection 15:12-57 –Universality of the resurrection 15:20-22 –The Christian’s new body 15:42-49 –Inheriting the kingdom of God 15:50,51 The 1 Corinthian Letter

Question concerning the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem: –Divine plan for church finances 16:1,2 –Benevolence to be raised by its own contribution –Church to select its own messengers 16:3,4 –Limited to the “needy saints.” Acts 11:27-30 The 1 Corinthian Letter