Corinthians #1 An Introduction and Overview to First & Second Corinthians Acts 18:1-17

Corinthians #1 An Introduction Here’s the tentative schedule & outline: Lesson #2- Divisions: Causes, Consequences & Solutions, chps.1-4 Lesson #3-Private and Public Morality, chps.5-8 Lesson #4-Influence and Christian Freedom, chps.9-10 Lesson #5-Worship&Spiritual Gifts, chps. 11-14 Lesson #6-Resurrection & Concluding Matters, chps. 15-16 Lesson #7-The Follow-ups: Treatment of the Penitent, His Apostleship, Giving, 2Cor.

Corinthians #1 An Introduction General Theme/Purpose of the Letter: Was to correct division, urge exemplary moral behavior, and encourage steadfastness through the hope of resurrection. This letter was written: -because of reports received by Paul, 1:11; 11:18ff; 15-12 -and in answer to questions asked of him, 7:1,25; 8:1; 12:1

Corinthians #1 An Introduction The Occasion of the Letter: -As previously stated, reports had reached Paul of the church’s problems. -But also note a few key contributing factors: >Paul had spent more time there than anywhere else, Acts 18:11. >He had converted many there, Acts 18:8. >So great was his concern over these reports that he sent Timothy to help, 4:17; 16:10. >Likewise, Appollos had labored with them, 3:5-6; see also Acts 18:27-28.

Corinthians #1 An Introduction And yet, despite all of Paul’s time and efforts, the beginning success of the work there, and the subsequent efforts of other faithful teachers, very serious problems existed at Corinth! Paul is fully informed of the problems and very concerned regarding them. Therefore, he writes a very stern and forceful letter of rebuke & correction-1Corthians.

Corinthians #1 An Introduction Corinth, the city: >was situated on an isthmus between the Aegean and Ionian seas. >it connected Peloponnesus with the mainland of Achaia. >much of the commercial traffic between Asia and the west came through its ports. >had an overland road on which smaller ships were hauled the five miles to eliminate the dangerous journey around. >Nero (in Paul’s day) tried but abandoned a canal through Corinth. It was eventually dug and completed in 1893.

Corinthians #1 An Introduction So what? The geography made Corinth a vital military stronghold for centuries. It also made it a commercial center of trade. All of which made Corinth a bustling, robust, and populous city. The historian Strabo says that it had more than 1,000 prostitutes in the temple of Venus. These factors also contributed to making it a very wicked place. (Rom. 1:21-32 was thus inspired) Such was Corinth in 52A.D. when Paul entered.

Corinthians #1 An Introduction Origins of the Church at Corinth, Acts 18 >Paul came there from Athens on his second missionary tour, v.1. >He came there alone and worked with Priscilla and Aquila-Jews from Italy, vv.2-3 >When Silas and Timothy joined him from Macedonia (cf Acts 17:14-15), he devoted himself completely to teaching, v.5. >His initial efforts in the synagogue toward the Jews were met with rejection, vv.4,6. >He then turned to the Gentiles and found success, vv.7-11, 18. This became the Church at Corinth!

Corinthians #1 An Introduction The Place of Writing: >was Ephesus, !Cor. 16:8,9. >It was to Ephesus Paul had gone when leaving Corinth, Acts 18:18-19, on his way back to Antioch. >Ephesus was only about eight days by sea and this proximity led to the frequent and quick reports Paul received regarding the church in Corinth. >Thus, soon after Paul’s departure, the church changed quickly and badly, and the letter was written to correct these serious problems.

Corinthians #1 An Introduction The Time of Writing. Here are some pertinent factors: >Paul stayed at Ephesus for about 3 years, Acts 20:31. >At the time of writing, Apollos, (who had been at Corinth for some time, cf. Acts 18:27ff) was with Paul, 1 Cor. 16:12. >If the time of Paul’s sojourn there began in 54A.D. as supposed ,then the time of writing to Corinth was likely toward the end of those three years- just before Pentecost. about 57A.D.

Corinthians #1 An Introduction Remember the main points: >Corinth was a strategic military and commercial city, making it wealthy, populous, important, and quite corrupt morally. >Paul had spent considerable time there and left the church in pretty good shape. >But soon after his departure for Ephesus, things went badly quickly! >So he writes back to Corinth in response to reports he had received along with questions they had asked. >The book is serious rebuke designed to put this church back on the “straight & narrow” way quickly!