1
Corinthians
Summary[i]
Writer: The Apostle Paul. His relation
to the church at Corinth is set forth in Act_18:1-18
and in the Epistles to the Corinthians.
Date: First Corinthians was written in
A.D. 59, at the close of Paul's three year's residence in Ephesus. Act_20:31; 1Co_16:5-8.
Theme: The subjects treated are
various, but may all be classified under the general theme, Christian conduct.
Even the tremendous revelation of the truth concerning resurrection is made to
bear upon that theme 1Co_15:58. The
occasion of the Epistle was a letter on inquiry from Corinth concerning
marriage, and the use of meats offered to idols ; 1Co_7:1;
1Co_8:1-13 but the apostle was much
more exercised by reports of the deepening divisions and increasing contentions
in the church, and of a case of incest which had not been judged ; 1Co_1:10-12; 1Co_5:1.
The factions were not due to
heresies, but to the carnality of the restless Corinthians, and to their Greek
admiration of "wisdom" and eloquence. The abomination of human
leadership in the things of God is here rebuked. Minor disorders were due to
vanity, yielding to a childish delight in tongue and the sign gifts, rather
than to sober instruction (1Co_14:1-28).
Paul defends his apostleship because it involved the authority of the doctrine
revealed through him.
A rigid analysis of First
Corinthians is not possible, The Epistle is not a treatise, but came from the
Spirit through the apostle's grief, solicitude, and holy indignation. The
following analysis may, however, be helpful.
1. Introduction: The believer's standing in
grace (1 Corinthians 1:1-9).
2. The contrast of their present factious state
(1 Corinthians 1:10 - 4:21).
3. Immorality rebuked; discipline enjoined (1
Corinthians 5:1 - 6:8).
4. The sanctity of the body, and Christian
marriage (1 Corinthians 6:9 - 7:40).
5. Meats, and the limitations of Christian
liberty (1 Corinthians 8:1 - 11:1).
6. Christian order and the Lord's Supper (1
Corinthians 11:2-34).
7. Spiritual gifts in relation to the body, the
church, and Christian ministry (1 Corinthians 12:1 - 14:40).
8. The resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians
15:1-58).
9. Special directions and greetings (1 Corinthians 16:1-24).