| 1 Corinthians – Introduction |
Author: The Apostle Paul
Origin: On Paul’s third missionary journey during his three year ministry in Ephesus (16:8-9)
Date: Most dates range between no earlier than a.d. 55 and no latter than a.d. 57. Paul had written a previous letter to this one that he refers to in 1 Corinthians 5:9.
Recipients: The Church at Corinth
Setting: Corinth was a key city in ancient Greece until it was destroyed by the Romans in 146 b.c. Julius Caesar rebuilt it as a Roman colony in 46 B.C. and it grew and prospered, becoming the capital of the province of Achaia. Its official language was Latin, but the common language remained Greek. In Paul’s day Corinth was the metropolis of the Peloponnesus since it was strategically located on a narrow [neck of land] between the Aegean Sea and the Adriatic Sea that connects the Peloponnesus with northern Greece. Because of its two seaports it became a commercial center, and many small ships were rolled or dragged across the Corinthian isthmus [is-mus] to avoid the dangerous 200-mile voyage around southern Greece. Nero and others attempted to build a canal at the narrowest point, but this was not achieved until 1893. The city was filled with shrines and temples, but the most prominent was the Temple of Aphrodite on top of an 1,800-foot promontory called the Acrocorinthus. Worshipers of the “goddess of love” made free use of the 1,000 Hieroduli (consecrated prostitutes). This cosmopolitan center thrived on commerce, entertainment, vice, and corruption; pleasure-seekers came there to spend money on a holiday from morality. Corinth became so notorious for its evils that the term Korinthiazomai (“to act like a Corinthian”) became a synonym for debauchery and prostitution.
In the city, the Temple of Apollo employed young men whose job was to fulfill the sexual desires of male and female “worshipers.” The gross immorality of the city made even pagans in other cities uncomfortable. [1]
In Paul’s day the population of Corinth was approximately 700,000, about two-thirds of whom were slaves. The diverse population produced no philosophers, but Greek philosophy influenced any speculative thought that was there. In spite of these obstacles to the gospel, Paul was able to establish a church in Corinth on his second missionary journey (3:6, 10; 4:15; Acts 18:1-7). Persecution in Macedonia drove him south to Athens, and from there he proceeded to Corinth. He made tents with Aquila and Priscilla and reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue. Silas and Timothy joined him (they evidently brought a gift from Philippi; see 2 Cor. 11:8-9; Phil. 4:15), and Paul began to devote all his time to spreading the gospel. Paul wrote First and Second Thessalonians, moved his ministry from the synagogue to the house of Titius Justus because of opposition, and converted Crispus, the leader of the synagogue. Paul taught the Word of God in Corinth for eighteen months in A.D. 51-52. After Paul’s departure, Apollos came from Ephesus to minister in the Corinthian church (3:6; Acts 18:24-28).[2]
Occasion: Paul received a letter from the household of Chloe about some concerns in the church, (1:11). A delegation consisting of three men were sent with the letter (16:17), to bring back Paul’s instruction.
Purpose: The main purposes of Paul’s letter were to rebuke individuals of their sin, to correct the sin through proper procedures and replacing sinful behavior with righteous behavior, to answer the questions about proper Christian behavior on a personal and social level, to prepare the Corinthian church for a visit from him, and to defend his apostleship against yet further attack.
Theme: The New Testament Church
Key Words: Church (22 times); Wisdom (18 times); & Knowledge (11 times)
Key Verses: 1 Co 1:2—To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
1 Co 1:30—But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
1 Co 2:7-8—But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
8which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
1 Co 10:31—Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Christ In the Book: There is hardly an area in life that we don’t see the relevance of Christ in this book. Christ becomes for the believer all that is good and necessary in order to become and to do all that God desires of us. “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Co 1:30-31)
The entire book could be outlined according to 1 Corinthians 1:30.
1. Wisdom, (1-4)
2. Righteousness, (5, 6)
3. Sanctification, (7-14)
4. Redemption, (15, 16)
Distinctives: This book contains the most varied approaches Paul uses to address his audience, (e.g., logic, sarcasm, entreaty, scolding, poetry, narration and exposition.
It is the only letter that addresses the subject of the spiritual gifts to the extent it does.
[1] Barton, Bruce B., and Grant R. Osborne. 1 & 2 Corinthians. Life application Bible commentary, Page 18. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House, 1999.
[2] Bruce Wilkinson & Kenneth Boa, Talk Thru the Bible, p. 381, 382.
Faith Aids 