1. Form of Pauline Epistles Letter as Literary Form Paul’s letter’s follow the normal scheme of Hellenistic letters

2. Form of Pauline Epistles 1. Salutation Sender Addressee Greetings 2. Thanksgiving/Blessing (Note: Galatians)

3. Form of Pauline Epistles 3. Body Situational a. Orthodoxy - Right Thinking (Rom 1-11) b. Orthopraxy - Ethical living (Rom 12-16) 4. Closing

4. Texts: Ancient vs.Modern How was it written? Usually dictated, to a scribe or secretary (Official term: Amanuensis) “I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord.” (Romans 16:22 With Paul’s personal note at the end (1 Cor 16:21, Gal 6:11-18, Philemon 19)

5. Texts: Ancient vs.Modern How was it delivered? Usually by private friends or slaves (maybe even the scribe who wrote it? How was it read? Usually aloud 1 Thes 5:27; Col 4:16; Rev 1:1-3; Mark 13:14

6. Ancient Reading-Event Acts 15:30-35 NIV: “The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.” Who did the reading? (15:31a) Literally: “After reading, they rejoiced.” What took place after the reading? (15:32-35) Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

7. Life and Letters with Corinth 1.Paul, Silas, Timothy establish church on 2 nd Missionary Journey (50-52AD) (Acts 18:1-17) 1 st letter 2. Paul writes 1 st letter to Corinth probably from Ephesus, now lost (1 Cor 5:9-11)

8. Life and Letters with Corinth 3. Communication From Corinth to Paul Chloe’s household 1 Cor 1:11 or Oral? 1 Cor 5:1 or Letter? 1 Cor 7:1 Visit by Stephanas (1 Cor 16:15-18) 2 nd letter 4. Paul writes 2 nd letter (1 Corinthians) from Ephesus in AD 54

9. Life and Letters with Corinth 3 rd letter 5. Paul writes a 3 rd letter “Painful letter” (2 Cor 2:3; 7:8) probably 2 Cor 10-13 from Ephesus 54-56 AD 4 th letter 6. Paul writes a 4 th letter which we have as 2 Cor 1-9 possibly 54-56 AD.

10. 1 Corinthians: Dealing with Disunity Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Cor 1:10

11. 1 Corinthians: Dealing with Disunity Background to City of Corinth Background to City of Corinth: Capital and largest city of Achaia Commercial / Shipping center Immoral capital (Aphrodite) Sizable Jewish Presence

12. 1 Corinthians: Dealing with Disunity Reading Clues Reading Clues: Disunity of Church(s) “Heart” of the Matter (1 Cor 3:1-4) Dissatisfaction with Apostle 1 Cor 4:1-3; 2 Cor 10-13 (esp. 11:5-6; 12:11)

13. 1 Corinthians: Dealing with Disunity 1. Introduction1:1-9 2. Paul’s Response to Chloe’s Reports about Community Life in Corinth a. Divisions in the Church1:10-4:20 b. Report of Immorality5:1-6:20

14. 1 Corinthians: Dealing with Disunity 3. Paul’s Response to Qs from Corinth a. Qs about Marriage7:1-40 b. Qs about Food/Faith8:1-11:1 c. Qs about Worship11:2-14:40 d. Qs about Resurrection15:1-58 e. Qs about Collection16:1-4 4. Closing Remarks16:5-24

15. Important Themes in 1 Corinthians 1.Necessity of Unity 2.Problem of Conscience 3.Lawsuits among Christians 4.Importance of Worship in the church 5.Resurrection from the Dead