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The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians (see Online Text) is a New Testament document.

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Overview

Corinth was one of the most important cities in Greece. Paul visited the city during his Second Missionary Journey; see Paul in Corinth.

1 and 2 Corinthians are the only two extant letters of, at least, four letters Paul said he wrote to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians was apparently written by Paul while he was in Ephesus during his Third Missionary Journey.

As 1 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians is not a treatise of theology but mostly an occasional letter, that does not offer a general picture but a series of answers to questions raised by the community. At times this makes even hard to understand what Paul deals with. Since the letter Paul received from the community in Corinth is not extant, we know the answers Paul gave, but not the questions posed.

The letter is sent by Paul and Sosthenes, but Paul now claims the authority of an “apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” [The “apostolicity” of Paul was disputed by many Christians, as he was not a disciple of Jesus]

(a) Who is Jesus?

Two powers in Heaven: God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1:2-3). God and his Son Jesus Christ our Lord (1:9). (Jesus is Lord not God!)

Two powers only: "Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as in fact there many gods and many lords--yet for us there is one God, The Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist" (8:5-6). [God is the Maker; Christ is the Instrument of God's Creation.]

Jesus is the final Judge: "when the lord comes, he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness" (4:5)

Jesus is the Forgiver: "Christ died for our sins" (15:3); "He is our paschal lamb" (5:6)

Against death (15:20 etc.) Death came because of Adam (Jesus is the new Adam) Christ is the first fruit then us, then the kingdom and the destruction of every authority and power, then death, the last enemy. "When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all" (15:28).

Jesus belongs to God. "As You belong to Christ, so Christ belongs to God" (3:23). "Christ is the head of every man, and the husband is the head of his wife, and God is the head of Christ" (11:3)

(b) What is the Church?

Those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus (1:2) "You were washed, sanctified, justified in the name of Jesus and in the Spirit for our God" (6:11)

"Both Jews and Gentiles" (1:24) "No longer under the Law" (9:20)

The world does not understand:

• "None of the rulers of this age understood this" (2:8).
• "A stumble block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles" (1:23)
• "We are weak, but we are strong” (4:10)

(c) What is the goal?

To be found blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (1:8).

• "This age and the rulers of this age are doomed to perish" (2:6).
• "The appointed time has grown short (7:29)... The present form of this word is passing away" (7:31)

The Christians will judge the world and the angels (6:2-3). The Christian will be resurrected, will receive a spiritual body (15:47)

(d) In the meantime: Undivided heart.

Separation from evil

• Separation from the sinners within the community (5:3-13), not separation from the world. "What have I to do with judging those outside? … God will judge those outside" (5:12-13)

Interior unity:

• Your body is a temple (6:19-20)
• "The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord" (6:13)

Holiness and Sexual immorality.

• Do you not know that you are God's Temple and that God's Spirit dwell in you... God's temple is holy and you are that temple" (3:16)
• "your bodies are members of Christ... Anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication!” (6:15-18)
• "The sinners will not inherit the kingdom of God" (6:10)

Example: Idolatry (ch. 10:14-22)

This provokes the jealousy of the Lord. The danger of demons: Women covered their heads "because of the angels" (11:10)

Example: Marriage (ch.7)

"It is well for a man not to touch a woman", but desire is worse, so it is better to have a spouse" (7: Better to marry than to be aflame with passion (7:9) By way of concession, not command.

No divorce (7:10-11) (not I but the Lord)

No divorce of an unbeliever (I and not the Lord)

Remain in our condition (I have no command of the Lord, however)

"The married man's interests are divided" (7:34) But it is better to have your desire under control.

This is the example of Paul, but other apostles and the brothers have wives (9:5)

--Unity in the community:

"I appeal to you... that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose" (1:10)

Divisions during the holy meals (11:17-34)

The church is the body with many members (ch 12). Harmony among he different parts of the body. The supreme principle of "love / agape" (ch. 13) more than "faith" (in the justification) and "Hope" (in the future")

Ancient Greek had three terms for "love":

• AGAPE: sharing
• PHILIA: friendship
• EROS: sexual attraction

Paul's "love" is agape, i.e. "sharing" of gifts, mutual love (ch. 14)

--Unity among the communities:

"The collection of money for Jerusalem" (ch. 16)

External links

• Wikipedia
• Early Christian Writings