1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Argument on 1 Corinthians

Introduction

Corinth—a city of Achaia—located between the Aegean and the Adriatic Seas with proficient commercial imports and exports, enjoyed significant economic benefits. Corinth served as the hub for all north and south tertiary travel, including the pathway to Athens. Early history indicates Corinth's industry comprised of ship manufacturing, "pottery, bronze metal work, and decorative handicraft." Romans destroyed Corinth in 146 B.C., plundering the city's amazing art. In 46 B.C., Julius Caesar sent discharged military veterans to Corinth in an effort to rebuild the city. Eventually the city's population and attractiveness exceeded the original. Unfortunately, idolatry, "luxury, pride, vanity, effeminacy, greed" and immorality also thrived. A plethora of shrines and temples included Apollo and Poseidon, the goddess of love—Temple of Aphrodite—which provided a home for approximately one-thousand religious prostitutes. This temple stood on a 2,000-foot elevated granite mound, otherwise known as Acrocorinth which served as the acropolis—literally high city—for defense. ¹ Sufficiency of space enabled this as the refuge for Corinth's citizens, and the surrounding rural population in the event of an enemy attack. Secular principles infiltrated the Corinthian church, directing the members' thoughts, decisions and resulting actions. Paul lived and preached for eighteen months in Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:11). The Lord used a night vision during this visit in AD 51 to instruct Paul to preach with assurance of safety (Acts 18:10). During Paul's initial visit to Corinth he met fellow tent makers and believers, Aquila and Priscilla. A Pauline authorship date of 54 or 55 AD from Ephesus, during his third missionary journey, proves congruent with most scholars.

Purpose

Paul writes with applied directives of corrective Biblical principles for the local Corinthian church. The aforementioned secularism infiltrated the church. Chloe's household (1 Cor. 1:11-12) and Apollos who returned to Ephesus (1 Cor. 16:12), each sent Paul letters expressing concern of this secularism causing division in the church. Other letters may have existed. Human generated wisdom began replacing wisdom from the Spirit of God, with causative effects of intra-church lawsuits, division, immorality, idolatry, denial of the Resurrection and secularizing communion. Additionally, three men from Corinth came to Paul, apparently presenting him with a letter of inquisitions (1 Cor. 7:1; 16:7). Paul clearly articulates the significance of sanctification and unity.

Argument

Salutation 1:1-3

Riveting messages quickly captivate the receptors. Paul's opening of 1 Corinthians equates with nitroglycerine for the explosive minded, or the richest cheesecake for the dessert connoisseur. Paul immediately establishes the multi-pronged theme of this letter. Because human wisdom received great praise in the Corinthian church, thus causing some to doubt Paul's authority, Paul immediately specifies his authorship and authority as an apostle—specifically and directly called by Jesus Christ—and by God's will. False prophets viewed the simplicity of the Gospel and Paul's message with contempt. This resulted in church dissension and division. Stating his apostleship illustrates his authority to the Corinthian church, while the latter informs them that God has sent him apart. Combined, these offer every reason for the readers' attentiveness.


Scholarly opinions vary from certainty to unsure on whether "Sosthenes our brother" is the same Sosthenes mentioned in Acts 17. The second sentence distinctly identifies the letter's intended recipients and audience. This statement equivocates with one's parents calling them by their first, middle, and last name, precisely identifying the audience to avoid any confusion of whom needs to listen, and respond to the letter's message. Moreover, the Holy Spirit speaking through Paul's pen informs the Corinthian church that despite their immorality and lack of faith, God also sets apart them and everyone who possesses life altering belief in the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. Consequently they should accept and respond to Christ's grace by living
holy, including unification with all believers. This message correlates with Jesus instructing the adulteress woman, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on, sin no more" (Jn. 8:11 NASB).


¹ (MacAurthur 1984, vii, viii)
² (Coffman 1984, 03)
³ (Pringle n.d., 38)
⁴ (Boa, et al. 1997, 1252)
⁵ (D. S. Toussaint 2012, Class Notes)
⁶ (Radmacher, Allen and House 1999, 1459)
⁷ (Pringle n.d., 38)
⁸ (Pringle n.d., 48)




See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc. www.rickemeyer.com

Bibliography

(Serves as Bibliography for the complete 1 Corinthians argument series)

 

Boa, Kenneth, Sid Buzzell, Gene A. Getz, and Bill Perkins. Promise Keepers Men's Bible Study (NIV). Grand Rapids, Michigan: The Zondervan Corporation, 1997.

Coffman, James Burton. First and Second Corinthians. Vol. II. Abilene, Texas: A-C-U Press, 1984.

Dowling, Robin and Dray, Stephen. 1 Corinthians: Free to Grow. Grand Rapids , Michigan: Baker Books, 1995.

Getz, Gene A. Life Essentials Study Bible. Vol. 1. Nashville, Tennessee: Holman Bible Publishers, 2011.

Hillel, Daniel. Introduction to Soil Physics. San Diego: Academic Press, Inc., 1982.

Lowery, David K. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament. Edited by John F., Zuck, Roy B. Walvoord. Colorado Springs, Colorado: David C. Cook, 1983.

Luther, Martin. Day by Day We Magnify Thee. Augsburg, n.d.

MacAurthur, John F. First Corinthians. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Bible Institute, 1984.

Mathias, Art Ph.D. In His Own Image: We are Wonderfully Made. Anchorage, Alaska: Wellspring Publishing, 2003.

Pert, Candice Ph.D. Molecules of Emotion. 1999.

Pringle, John Rev. Commentary on the Epistles of Paul the Apostle to The Corinthians by John Calvin. 500. Vol. First. Baker Books, n.d.

Radmacher, Earl, Ronald B. Allen, and Wayne H. House. Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary. 4th. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1999.

Spirit, Holy. NASB Bible. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1962-1995.

Storer, Sandra J. "PAUL'S DEPICTION OF CELIBACY IN 1 CORINTHIANS 7:25-35:." Thesis: Moody Bible Institute. 2004.

Toussaint, Dr. Stanley. "Acts and the Pauline Epistles, Class Notes." 2012.

Toussaint, Dr. Stanley D. TAI Series: People Come in Four Sizes. Millet the Printer, Inc. Dallas, Texas, n.d.