First and Second Corinthians.
The City of Corinth. It contained 400,000 inhabitants and was the
chief city of Greece when Paul visited it, being situated on a large
isthmus where the commerce of the world passed. The inhabitants were
Greeks, Jews, Italians and a mixed multitude from everywhere. Sailors,
merchants, adventurers and refugees from all the world crowded the
city, bringing with them the evils of every country, out of which grew
many forms of human degradation. Religion and philosopy had been
prostituted to low uses. Intellectual life was put above moral life,
and the future life was denied that they might enjoy the present life
without restraint.
The Church at Corinth. It was founded by Paul on the second missionary
journey (Acts 18:1-18). His spirit in founding the church is seen in 1
Cor. 2:1-2. While there Paul made his home with Aquila and Priscilla,
Jews who had been expelled from Rome (Acts 18:2-3), but who now became
members of the church. Apollos preached to this church and aided it in
Paul's absence (18:24-28; 19:1). Both Epistles are full of information
as to the condition of the church and the many problems which hit had
to face from time to time. It must be remembered that Corinth was one
of the most wicked cities of ancient times and that the church was
surrounded by heathen customs and practices. Many of its members had
but recently been converted from heathenism to Christianity and the
church was far from ideal.
First Corinthians.
The Occasion and Purpose of the Letter. Unfavorable news had come to
Paul concerning the Corinthian church and he had written them a letter
(5:9) which has been lost. In that letter he seems to have commanded
them to give up their evil practices and promised to visit them. In
the meantime, members of the household of Chloe(1:11) and other
friends (16:17) came to him at Ephesus and brought news of their
divisions and of the evil practices of certain of their members.
Finally, they wrote him a letter asking his advice on certain matters
(7:1). From all this we learn (1) that there were four factions among
them, 1:2; (2) that there was gross immorality in the church as in the
case of the incestuous person, Ch. 5; (3) that they went to law with
each other, Ch. 6; (4) that many practical matters troubled them.
Paul, therefore, wrote to correct all these errors in doctrine and
practice.
Content. This letter contains some of the greatest passages in the New
Testament. It is, however, remarkable especially for the very
practical nature of its contents. It deals with many of the problems
of every day life and has been said not to discuss but one great
doctrine, that of the resurrection.
Date. From Ephesus in the spring of A. D. 57.
Analysis.
Introduction, 1:1-9.
I. Concerning Divisions and the Party Spirit. 1:10-4.
Divisions are prevented:
1. By Christ as the center of Christianity, 1:10 end.
2. By spiritual mindedness, 2:1-3:4.
3. By a right view of preachers, 3:5-4 end.
II. Correction of Moral Disorders, Chs. 5-6.
1. The incestuous person, Ch. 5.
2. Lawsuits, 6:1-11.
3. Sins of the body, 6;12 end.
III. Answers to Questions and Cognate Matters, 7:1-16:4.
1. Concerning marriage and celibacy, Ch. 7.
2. Concerning things offered to idols. 8:1-11:1.
3. Concerning head dress, 11:2-16.
4. Concerning the Lord's supper, 11:17 end.
5. Concerning spiritual gifts, Chs. 12-14.
6. Concerning the resurrection, Ch. 15.
7. Concerning collections for the saints, 16:1-4.
IV. Personal Matters and Conclusion, 16:5 end.
For Study and Discussion. (1) Earthly wisdom and heavenly foolishness,
1:18-25. (2) Spiritual wisdom, 2:7-16. (3) Paul's apostolic labors,
4:9-13. (4) The scripture estimate of the human body, 6:12-20. (5)
Marriages and divorce, 7:25-50, letting "virgin" mean any single
person, male or female. (6) Paul's practice in the matter of his
rights, 9:1-23. (7) The Christian race, 9:24-27. (8) Love and its
nature, Ch. 13. (a) Superior to other gifts, 1-3. (b) Its ten marks,
4-6. (c) Its power, 7. (d) Its permanence, 8-13. (9) Spiritual gifts,
Chs. 12-14. Name and describe them. (10) The resurrection, Ch. 15. (a)
Calamities to result, if there were none-or the other doctrines here
made to depend on the resurrection; (b) The nature of the resurrected
body.
Second Corinthians.
The Occasion and Purpose of the Letter. From suggestions found here
and there in these two epistles it appears that much communication
passed between Paul and the church and that the two letters that have
come down to us are only some of a series. He suffered much perplexity
and grief because of the conditions of the church. He met Titus in
Macedonia on the third missionary journey (he had hoped for him with
news from Corinth while he was at Troas). He wrote this letter in
response to the messages brought by Titus. He expresses solicitude for
them, defends himself against the charges of his enemies, warns them
against errors, instructs them in matters of duty and expresses joy
that they have heeded his former advice.
The Character and Content. It is the least systematic of all Paul's
epistles. It abounds in emotion, showing mingled joy, grief and
indignation. It is intensely personal and from it we, therefore, learn
more of his life and character than from any other source. This makes
it of great value in any study of Paul himself. Section one has as its
great topic tribulation and consolation in tribulation, and has in it
an undercurrent of apology, darkened by a suppressed indignation.
Section two is colored by a sorrowful emotion. Section three
everywhere teems with a feeling of indignation. Through the whole
letter there runs an undercurrent of self-defense. The "key-note" of
this book, as well as of First Corinthians, is loyalty to Christ.
Date. It was written from Macedonia (probably Philippi) fall of A.D.
57.
Analysis.
Introduction, 1:1-7.
I. Paul's Trials, Principles and Consolation as a Preacher, 1:8-
7:16.
1. His interest in the Corinthian church. 1:8-2:11.
2. His service both to God and men, 2:12 end.
3. His appointment by the Holy Spirit, Ch. 3.
4. His power given by God, Ch. 4.
5. His hope of future blessedness, 5:1-19.
6. His exhortation and appeal to the church. 5:20-7:4.
7. His joy at their reception of the word, 7:5 end.
II. The Collection for the Poor Saints, Chs. 8-9.
1. The appeal for liberality, 8:1-15.
2. The sending of Titus and two other brethren, 8:16-9:5.
3. The Blessedness of liberality, 9:6 end.
III. Paul's Apostolic Authority. 10:1-13:10.
1. He vindicates his apostolic authority, 10:1-12:13.
2. He warns them that his coming will be with apostolic authority,
12:14-13:10.
Conclusion, 13:11 end.
For Study and Discussion. (1) Paul's reasons for not going to Corinth,
1:15-2:4. (2) The glory of the gospel ministry, 4:1-6. (3) His
affectionate injunction, 6:11-18. (4) The grace of liberality, Chs.
8-9. Make a list of (a) ways of cultivating this grace, (b) the
blessings it will bring to the possessor, to others and to the whole
church. (5) Paul's boasting, 11:16-12:20. (a) Of what things did he
boast? (b) When is boasting justifiable? (6) Paul's self-defense?
When should we defend ourselves? (7) The vision of the third heaven,
12:1-4. (8) The thorn in the flesh, 12:7-9. (9) The personal attacks
on Paul. Note the hints in 2:17; 4:3; 5:3; 10:8; 10:10; 11:6.
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