1 Corinthians - Introduction

Introduction

Author

THE LETTER IDENTIFIES THE apostle Paul as its author (1:1; 16:21). Though critical scholars often question the authenticity of several other Pauline letters, most biblical scholars are unanimous in affirming that Paul wrote 1 Corinthians.

Historical Background

Paul visited Corinth in the Roman province of Achaia in about AD 50 during his second missionary journey and ministered there for a year and a half (see Acts 18:1-18). While there, he met a Jewish couple named Aquila and Priscilla. Since he shared their tent-making trade, he stayed with them (Acts 18:2-3). He also preached in the Jewish synagogue in Corinth, but when the Jews resisted him, he began teaching in a house next door to the synagogue and saw many Corinthians place faith in Christ (Acts 18:4-8).

Paul probably wrote 1 Corinthians around AD 54 while he ministered in Ephesus for about three years during his third missionary journey (1 Cor 16:8; see Acts 19:1–20:1, 31). This was actually the second letter that Paul wrote to the Corinthians, the first having been lost to history (see 1 Cor 5:9). A number of problems had arisen in the church that Paul felt the need to address. He learned of these issues from “members of Chloe’s people” (1:11; cf. 5:1; 11:18) and from a letter the Corinthians had sent him (7:1; cf. 7:25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1).

Message and Purpose

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to deal with the worldliness that had entered the church in Corinth. It was full of divisions, as well as gross immorality that was tolerated and even approved by the church.

Paul addressed a variety of topics in his letter. He explained the importance and purpose of marriage. He wanted the Corinthians to understand the principle of spiritual freedom because some of them were holding fellow believers hostage to rules that no longer apply in the church age. Paul addressed the Lord’s Supper, which the church was abusing. He was also concerned about the people’s excitement over spiritual gifts alongside their lack of love for one another and their misunderstanding of the resurrection.

Paul had first visited the Corinthians several years prior; therefore, they should have been more spiritually mature than reports suggested. Sadly, the people were carnal, at times living like unbelievers rather than as servants of Jesus Christ. They needed to allow the Holy Spirit to bring them to maturity so that they could have a godly influence on their world and advance God’s kingdom agenda.

VIDEO INTRO

Outline

1. Introduction (1:1-9)
2. Response to Reports from within the Church (1:10–6:20)
   1. Divisions in the Church (1:10–4:21)
   2. Immorality and Settling Disputes in the Church (5:1–6:20)
3. Response to the Corinthians’ Letter (7:1–16:4)
   1. Sex and Marriage (7:1-40)
   2. Food Sacrificed to Idols (8:1–11:1)
   3. Proper Order, Love, and Spiritual Gifts in the Church (11:2–14:40)
   4. The Resurrection (15:1-58)
   5. Collection for the Church in Jerusalem (16:1-4)
4. Conclusion (16:5-24)