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Book of 1 Corinthians
Pronunciation:
Authorship and Origin:
Written somewhere between 57 A.D. and 90 A.D., Paul answers numerous questions sent to him
from the Christians in Corinth. Paul apparently had heard of the moral laxity of the church
at Corinth, while he was in Ephesus about 55 A.D., via a delegation from the church to him.
Paul sent Timothy to follow the letter and address some of the developments and abuses of
the church in Corinth. Corinth was a major Roman colony, with many ships going in and out
of it's port. So it was fairly properous and had many transients moving through the city
which at that time probably had a population of about 600,000. Paul was likely the first
missionary to Corinth, although he does mention Apollos as a later missionary
also. Paul later revisits Corinth again, and subsequently writes a second letter -
II Corinthians.
Overview and Significant sections
The unity of the church is threatened by dissensions. Groups seem to be meeting apart and have
separated rather than maintain a single congregation. He is opposed to schisms, and requests
they stay together whether they follow the teachings of Paul, Apollos, or Peter.
- Chapters 1 - 4 Addressing various dissensions.
- Chapter 5 - 6 Sexual Immorality and Litigation
- Chapter 7 - 16 Answers to questions from Corinth:
- Celibacy and Marriage
- Food offered to idols
- Conduct at congregational meetings
- Resurrection of the Dead
- Chapter 16 - 18 Exhortations, Personal Notes from Paul
For more detailed study:
Read Chapter 1. (the entire book is available here.)
The Concise Matthew Henry Commentary on this book.
bible.org study of this book.
the World Wide Study Bible has Dictionary, Commentary, Scripture and sermons available
on this book.
