Chapter 1024 of 1163

First Corinthians

Corinth, the capital of Achaia, was perhaps the richest and most important city in Greece. It was also the most corrupt. A center for trade, Corinth was invaded by all kinds of religions and philosophies. Paul founded the Corinthian church during his second missionary journey (Acts 18) and ministered there a year and a half.

After he left, serious problems developed in the church, and Paul wrote the members a stern letter that was not successful (1 Cor. 5:9). He heard that the church was divided (1:11), and then a delegation from the church arrived in Ephesus with a letter asking Paul’s help regarding specific questions. First Corinthians was his response.

Paul dealt with sin in the church (chaps. 1–6), and then he answered the questions they asked (chaps. 7–16; note the repeated phrase, “Now concerning . . .”). He discussed marriage (chap. 7), idolatry (chaps. 8–10), public worship (chap. 11), spiritual gifts (chaps. 12–14), the Resurrection (chap. 15), and the special offering he was taking for the Jews (chap. 16).

Paul had planted a church in the city, but the city had gotten into the church; and that explained why there were so many problems. The believers in Corinth needed to heed Romans 12:2, and so do we today.

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