1 Corinthians - a one page A4 introduction

MESSY CHURCH: Christian community in a pagan culture between cross and resurrection

Paul’s “First” Letter to the Corinthian Church – a less than one A4 page introduction

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From the Apostle Paul (9:1-3, 15-18; 12:28; 15:8-9) and Sosthenes – cf. Acts 18:17 - a scribe / secretary (amanuensis)? cf. 16:21 Did he carry the letter to Corinth?

 

To the church in Corinth (map: https://bibleatlas.org/corinth.htm), which Paul founded on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-8) ? in the Autumn of AD 50. Paul stayed for 18 months, his second longest stay in any city. Maybe Paul’s most “successful” church in terms of growth but as we’ll see with issues! Paul probably wrote to them in AD 54 – 55 in response to their worrying letter (7:1). Paul has had a report from Chloe’s household (1:11f) and had learnt about problems in the church. See also 16:17; 5:1. Sometimes he seems to be responding to their questions (7:1) / possibly quoting ?them (6:12; 10:23). The church members seem to be mostly gentiles = non-Jews (12:2). Maybe it is a church of around 100 people in a city of 50 000. Notice 1:2, they are called to be holy in Corinth – a great challenge, as it is for us in 21^st Century Britain! How does their new identity in Christ apply to the values of their culture? Paul says, “Don’t listen to your culture, rather listen to Word of Grace!” (Mody)

 

Corinth is in modern day Greece. The Greek city had been a Roman colony for over a century when Paul went there. It was the seat of the Roman governor of the province of Achaea and had a population larger than Athens. It is on an isthmus (narrow strip of land / land-bridge). “Situated on the main north-south route between northern and southern Greece, and with two good ports that linked it to Italy on the west and Asia Minor on the east, Corinth quickly became a center for commerce.” (Fant & Reddish). The city was competitive, selfish, prosperous, growing, booming (rich & underclass), bustling, international, pluralistic, individualistic, self-sufficient, valuing rhetoric, status, honour, patronage, achievement, power, knowledge, wisdom, spirituality and autonomy / freedom. The Corinthians seem influenced by pagan philosophy e.g. sophistry, Stoicism (4:8-9). Like many other pagan cities, idolatry was everywhere and sex lives could be colourful. How can the church be holy in this unholy culture? Paul will tell them what they do with their bodies really matters. “Body” is used 47 x in 1 Cor. The church seems affected by pride and division.

 

Was there a previous letter of Paul to Corinth? (5:9)

 

1 Corinthians is a wide-ranging letter. It could be seen as “the longest pastoral document in the New Testament” (Winter). It speaks of grace, mission, love and hope. This letter can help us to apply the great truths of the gospel to the realities of daily life. How does the gospel of the death and resurrection of Jesus teach us to live? The cross is especially prominent at the beginning of the letter and the resurrection at the end. In the middle, the gospel is applied to the mess of life. And it is quite messy at times! These are not perfect Christians with a perfect church – though perhaps they think they have already arrived (4:8) and have a high opinion of themselves. The Corinthians need to learn what authentic Christian community under the cross looks like. “The terms “cross/crucify/crucifixion” are used more frequently in 1 Cor than in any other Pauline letter.” They are associated not merely with the execution of a criminal but with folly, weakness, and shame, and that is the grace of God. (Mody). Issues and themes include: True and false wisdom, factionalism, conflict, sexual immorality (incest, prostitution), marriage, greed and the godly use of our bodies, idolatry, gathered worship, spiritual gifts, giving, the resurrection. Paul calls his readers to a lifestyle of service shaped by the cross and governed by the new age of salvation. And he also gives instructions about the collection for the poor (16). Flee and glory are key words. They are to flee sexual immorality (6:18) and honour / glorify God with their bodies (6:20). They are to flee idolatry (10:14) and do everything for the glory of God (10:31). “Shape your lives not by what seems wise in this age, but in light of the truly glorious: Christ’s cross - because you know his resurrection age is coming!” (Ham)

 

Issues addressed in 2 Corinthians might also be relevant. In 2 Cor, Paul defends his apostleship in contrast to the so-called “super-Apostles”, who might seem so much more impressive. Paul speaks of God’s power made perfect in weakness.

 

NIV Proclamation Bible summary sentence: “All believers in Christ are God’s holy temple and should live in keeping with that holy status by being unified, shunning pagan vices and glorifying God under the lordship of Christ.” (Rosner)