1. Class VIII: 1-2 Corinthians
NTS 501 NT Intro and Survey
Class VIII: 1-2 Corinthians

2. 1-2 Corinthians 1.1 Introduction to Corinthian Correspondence
How have 1-2 Cor used to justify theological or practical decisions in the life of the church?
Positive & negative examples
1 Corinthians – theology in practice
2 Corinthians – theology of comfort, suffering
Some critical issues in 1 & 2 Cor
Historical reconstruction (e.g. composition of 2 Cor)
Spiritual gifts 1 Cor 12-14; Role of women in 1 Cor 11, 14
Paul’s opponents in 1 Cor 10-13

3. 1-2 Corinthians 1.2 The City of Corinth
To “God’s church in Corinth” (1 Cor 1:1; 2 Cor 1:1)
What kind of place was Corinth?
Administrative center of
Achaia since 27BC
200,000 inhabitants
Strategic location
Economy
City of the ‘new rich’ &
self promotion
Isthmian games
1 Cor 9:24-28

4. 1-2 Corinthians The city of Corinth – sex, booze, and religion
“Not for every man is the voyage to Corinth” (Strabo, Geog )
“Corinthianize” (Aristophanes); “Corinthian girl” (Plato)
1000 temple prostitutes in temple of Aphrodite (Strabo, Geog )
The “Corinthian hat” [on a drunk]
Acrocorinth – temple of Aphrodite, goddess of love, lust, beauty
Near the forum – temple of Apollo & Athena
Northern city wall – sanctuary of Asclepius, the god of healing
Western end of forum – temple for Emperor worship
gods and cults (Dionysius, Ephesian Artemis, Fortuna, Poseidon)
At least one synagogue
 Many of the problems in 1-2 Cor related to the situation – sexual immorality; drunkenness; meet sacrificed to idols; resurrection body

5. 1-2 Corinthians 1.3 Author, Date, Provenance 1.3.1 - 1 Corinthians
Paul – no disputes (1Cl 47:1-3/1Cor 1:10-17; 1Cl49//1Cor13)
AD 53/54, Ephesus during the 3rd missionary journey
Corinthians
Paul – no disputes (e.g. Ig. to Eph 15:3 and 2 Cor 6:16)
AD 54/55, Macedonia (Philippi?) during 3rd missionary journey

6. 1-2 Corinthians 1.4 History of Corinthian correspondence
At least three visits to Corinth
Visits and letters
1st visit: AD Paul plants the church (Acts 18)
Paul writes the “previous letter” 1 Cor 5:9, 11 [Cor A]
Paul writes 1 Cor from Ephesus AD (1Cor 16:8; Cor B)
2nd visit: “painful visit” (2Cor 2:1; 12:4; 13:1-2)
Paul writes the “severe letter” (2 Cor 2:4; 7:8; Cor C)
Paul writes 2 Cor from Macedonia AD 54/55 (2Cor 7:5; 8:1; 9:2; Cor D)
3rd visit to Corinth (Acts 20:2)

7. 1-2 Corinthians 1.4.1 The Occasion & purpose of 1 Cor
Paul founded the church (Acts 18)
Paul wrote the “lost letter” (5:9)
‘avoid sexually immoral Christians’
Response: ‘Chloe’s people’ (1:11); questions for further clarification (7:1, 25; 8:1,4 ; 12:1; 16:1,12; cf. 16:15-18)
Paul in Ephesus AD 51-52
Return to unity & instruct on correct doctrine & behavior
Paul addresses each question & concern systematically

8. 1-2 Corinthians Problems within the Corinthian church
Disunity within church (1:11-12)
Sexual immorality (5:1-13; 6:18-20)
Abstinence within marriage (7:1-7)
Litigations (6:1-11) & idolatry (10:1-22)
Disorder within church services (11-14)
Lord’s supper
Spiritual gifts
The nature of resurrection (15:1-58)

9. 1-2 Corinthians 2.1 Themes and Message of 1 Cor
Unity & Schism within the church
Factions (1:12-13; 3:5, 21-23)
Foolishness of the cross & true wisdom of Spirit (1:18-2:16)
Christ the foundation, church as temple of HS (3:1-4:21)
Litigations among believers (6:1-11)
Civil: reputation, bribes, status
Behave “as if” and in light of who you truly are
Lord’s supper – ‘one hungry…another drunk’ (11:17-34)
Roman banquets & social status issues
Words of Jesus – koinonia of the new covenant; self-examination; judgment of believers

10. 1-2 Corinthians Marriage and sexuality (1 Cor 5:1-13; 6:12-7:39)
Spiritual gifts – overemphasis on tongues (12-14)
Edification & unity of the body – not for show off
Superiority of love; superiority of gifts that edifice the body
Order in the worship service – each in turn (14:39)
Marriage and sexuality (1 Cor 5:1-13; 6:12-7:39)
Incestuous relationship – boasting (5:1-13)
Church discipline – in order to save him; body of Christ is holy
Visiting prostitutes (6:15-16)
Unity of the body of Christ; body as temple of the HS; resurrection
Marriage and singleness (7:1-39)
Celibacy preferred (7:6-8, 25-28, 32-34, 37-40)
Marriage “in the Lord” (7:39; cf. 7:12-16)
Divorce to be avoided (7:10-13, 16)

11. 1-2 Corinthians Idolatry and meat sacrificed to idols
Idol worship in the Roman society pervasive
Meet in the Roman “Publix”
Food sacrificed to idols – knowledge vs. consideration
“eat what ever” but consider the weak
“flee idol worship” – “whatever you do…glorify God”
Participation in the idols & Lord’s supper not possible (10:20)
“All things are lawful” – “seek the advantage of others”

12. 1-2 Corinthians The Nature of Resurrection (1 Cor 15:1-58)
“first importance” – the gospel that saves you (15:1-9)
“how can you say…no resurrection” (15:12)
“How are the dead raised…what kind of body” (15:35)
Platonic vs. Jewish idea of human body
Paul’s arguments
No resurrection – no hope
Why would Paul risk his life?
Christ’s resurrection – the first fruits (15:23)
Resurrection body – spiritual body (Gk. sarkikos vs. pneumatikos)
Seed and plant
Perishable – imperishable
Dishonor – glory
Weakness – power
Victory over death
 Excel in the Lord’s work (15:58) & collection for the saints (16:1-4)

13. 1-2 Corinthians 3.1 Introduction to 2 Cor
What aspects of 2 Cor are relevant to churches of today?

14. 1-2 Corinthians 3.2 Integrity of 2 Corinthians
1-9 & – change in tone
Is the “tearful letter” (cf. 2 Cor 7:8)?
“tearful letter” - offender punished (2Cor 2:5-6); no references in 10-13
Written back to back? Why fuse & leave such abrupt transition? cf. 9:4
1-9 to congregation at large, to opponents
Pauses in dictation/writing? New information?
Transition between chps. 8-9 abrupt – “Now concerning…”
Intro formula used to give an explanation to the preceding section
2:14-7:4 – interruption of discussion regarding Titus (cf. 2:13, 7:5)
Connection b/w 2:13 and 2:14
6:14-7:1 – out place & character for Paul ‘Take us into your hearts’
Necessary qualification for his plea “to open heart”
Disruption of thought due to time lapse?

15. 1-2 Corinthians 3.3 Occasion and purpose
After writing 1 Cor from Ephesus (1Cor 16:5-7)
Change in plans - “painful confrontation” (2Cor2:5; 7:12; 13:2)
Paul unreliable? (1:15-23)
Avoid second confrontation & pain (1:23; 2:1-3)
Arrival of “super-apostles” (11:5; 12:11) & contest for authority
“tearful letter” (cf. 1Cor5:9; 2Cor 2:3-4, 9; 7:12)
“ultimatum” to the church to discipline (2Cor 2:9; 7:12; regret 7:8)
Trails in Asia – “deadly peril” (1:8-9)
Paul to Troas (2:12-13); message from Titus about repentance (7:9-11)
Paul’s confidence restored (7:16)
Writing of 2 Cor as a response
Purpose of 2 Cor
Defend his integrity, apostolic authority & counter false teachers

16. 1-2 Corinthians 3.4 Themes and Message of 2 Cor
Integrity and apostolic authority of Paul
Paul’s integrity and apostolic authority questioned
Sincerity and suffering (1:12; 2:17; 4:16; 6:4-10; 11:21-33)
Personal relationship w/ Corinthians (2:1-4; 6:12; 11:11)
Ministry of HS & New Covenant from God (3:1-18; 5:17)
Apostolic authority of Paul (1Cor 5:3-5; 14:37-38; 11:1)
‘super apostles’ challenge (11:12-14, 22-23)
Who is a true apostle? Qualifications? (cf. Rom 16:7)
Sings and wonders (12:12)
“seen the Lord” (9:1; cf. 15:3-8)
Founder of the church & authority to discipline (6:13; 12:14; 10:2-6)
Spokesperson for authoritative tradition (15:3; 11:2, 23)

17. 1-2 Corinthians
Offering to the poor 2 Cor 8-9; (cf. Gal 2:10; Acts 11:29-30; 24:17)
Unfulfilled promises (cf. 1Cor 16:1-3; 2Cor 8:10-11)
God’s economy – “neither excess not want” (8:12-15)
Theological and practical factors
God’s grace work in Macedonia – extreme poverty (8:1-4)
Voluntary; privilege; first to the Lord
Theological reasons
Christ’s self-giving sacrifice (8:9)
God’s promised provision & blessing (9:6-12)
Glory of God and confession of the gospel (9:13-14)
Integrity in the Lord and before people (8:20-22)
“sharing with them and all others” (9:13)

18. 1-2 Corinthians Suffering, weakness, comfort, and power
Paul “despaired of life” – God’s comfort (1:3-11)
Paul accused of timidity & unimpressive appearance (10:1, 10)
He is weak – but God shows power in weakness
Triumphal procession (2:14-17)
Treasure in earthen vessels (4:7)
Paul’s apostolic suffering brings salvation to others (6:6-8)
God’s power becomes evident in suffering (4:7; 12:9-10)
Focus on eternal things (4:7-12; 5:1-10)
Boasting about suffering - expose opponents’ follishness (11:16-12:10)
 Human weakness and suffering is the soil on which God’s grace and power becomes a reality – but only to those who have faith to see God’s eternal purpose in it

19. 1-2 Corinthians 1.