The First Epistle to the Corinthians – Introduction

A letter in which church discipline, the role of women, and the question of idolatry are discussed: Is this an interesting document? Is it only valid for the time and environment of the days of the first Christians? No. It is remarkable that Paul does not limit his address to the recipients of the time, but explicitly addresses his letter to “all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ “[1]. Even for Christians in the 21st century, 1 Corinthians has lost none of its validity.

First Corinthians is a “problem book” in the sense that Paul deals with the problems or questions (“Now concerning …”) with which the assembly in Corinth was confronted. The divisions, the “hero worship” of leading servants, immorality, legal disputes, marital problems, dubious practices, the regulation of the exercise of spiritual gifts, and even doctrinal aberrations are dealt with here.

However, it would be wrong to think that the letter only deals with problems! This letter also contains chapter 13: the most beautiful treatise on love, not only in the Bible but also in world literature. The detailed teaching on the resurrection – both that of Christ and that of believers (chapter 15) – and thoughts on the Lord’s Supper (chapter 11) are also found in this important letter. It is a treasure trove of practical Christian teaching.

Date

Paul informs us that he is writing from Ephesus (chap. 16:8, 9, cf. v. 19). As he served there for three years, 1 Corinthians was most likely written in the second half of this long ministry, i.e. around 55 to 57 AD.

The City of Corinth – a “Melting Pot” of Antiquity

The city of Corinth is located in southern Greece, west of Athens, strategically located on the trade routes of Paul’s time. This made it an important center for international trade and a large number of people and goods came to this city. Due to the various idolatrous cults to which the people adhered, the city also became the scene of various forms of immorality, so that the name Corinth became synonymous with everything impure and sensual. The city’s reputation was so bad that a verb was even coined, korinthiazomai, which means “to lead a lewd life”. Yet it was precisely in this “Sodom and Gomorrah” that the Lord had a great people. The background from which the first Christians in Corinth came is made very clear by Paul in the letter: “For consider your calling, brethren, that there are not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; … Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be mistaken! Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but you have been washed, but you have been sanctified, but you have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 1:26; 6:9-11).

How the Gospel came to Corinth

The apostle Paul first visited Corinth on his second missionary journey (Acts 18). There he met Aquila and Priscilla, who became valuable and valued co-workers of the apostle in the future. They were tentmakers and therefore had the same trade as Paul. He worked with them during his first time in Corinth and, as was his custom, initially went to the synagogue every Sabbath to converse with the Jews and Greeks (proselytes who had converted to Judaism) who were present. When the Jews objected and blasphemed, Paul made it clear to them that he would now also address the non-Jewish inhabitants of the city.

Despite all the rejection, there were also conversions among the Jews. Two rulers of the synagogue in Corinth were converted: Crispus (Acts 18:8) and (very probably) Sosthenes (v. 17). Many Corinthians who listened to the apostle also believed and were baptized. A trial brought by the Jews before the proconsul Gallion did not bring them any success either, as Gallion was indifferent to what he called “disputes about words and names and the law you have” (vv. 12-17).

The Lord appeared to Paul in a night vision to encourage him once again. He gave him the assurance: “I have a great people in this city” (Acts 18:10). Paul stayed there for about a year and six months (v. 11) and taught the Word of God among the believers. Finally, he left Corinth and traveled on to Ephesus (vv. 18.19).

On his third missionary journey (from chap. 18:23; 19), Paul stayed in Ephesus for three years. Here he heard of serious difficulties in the assembly at Corinth. His information was mainly based on two sources:

• He had heard about disagreements in Corinth through Chloe’s housemates (1 Cor. 1:11).
• In addition, the Corinthians had written him a letter with various questions about Christian practice.

This situation prompted the apostle to write this letter to the Corinthians.

I would like to conclude with a fitting quote:

“It is impressive to see the effort and precision with which Paul responds both to the questions the Corinthians had put to him and to the abuses he had heard about. He denounces misbehavior with very clear and sometimes harsh words – but he does it out of love (2 Cor. 2:4; 11:11; 12:15)”.

Structure

Footnote:

[1] cf. 1. Cor 4:17; 7:17; 11:16; 14:33