1 Corinthians Introduction

1.CORINTHIANS.  L.H.BROUGH.

The Text.

R.V. R.S.V. N.E.B.

The Commentaries.   

L.Morris in Tyndale's.    

W.E.Vine.

Dictionaries.       

W.E.Vine.   

New Intervarsity Dict.

           

Introduction:  

Paul's relations with the Corinthians. 

Paul made three visits to Corinth and wrote four letters to the Church.  Paul's second visit to Corinth see 2.Cor.2:1. A painful experience. Paul's third visit to Corinth.

           

The founding of the church see Acts.18:1-7, approximately 50-51.AD.  Sometime after Paul's departure Apollos arrived to continue Paul's work, Acts.18:24; 19:1; 1.Cor.3:6.

           

Paul's first letter, known as the previous letter, (1.Cor.5:9 RV.).  His second letter, that is our First Epistle to the Corinthians, dated 54-56.  His third letter, known as "the severe letter." (2.Cor.2:4; 7:8.  His fourth, or our 2nd Corinthians.

           

Outline:

           

Introduction.                                                                  1:1-9.

Serious defections requiring correction.                          1:10-6:20.

Bickering and personal rivalries.                                     1:10-4:21.

These bickerings arose from a misunderstanding of the true nature of the apostolic ministry.  They had thought of their spiritual guides as leaders of rival parties.  Paul corrects their faulty ideas by showing:

The true nature of their message.                                   1:17-3: 4.

The character of their service.                                        3: 5-4:21.

A case of immorality that required excommunication.      5. 1-13.

Christians must not have lawsuits with one another.         6: 1-11.

Flee fornication.                                                                        6:12-20.

Paul replies to questions sent to him.                             7: 1-11:1.

Questions about marriage.                                             7: 1-40.

About eating meat sacrificed to idols.                            8: 1-11:1.

Love must control the use of freedom.                           8: 1-9:23.

Peril through lack of self-discipline.                                9:24-10:13.

Fellowship with Christ demands abstinence from

the damaging influence of idolatry.                                10:14-22.

Summary of argument and final appeal.                                      10:23-11:1.

The correction of disorders in the Church meetings.         11: 2-14:40.

Woman must veil their heads in the assembled church.   11: 2-16.

Proper conduct for the observing of the Lord's Supper.  11:17-34.

Spiritual gifts, their use and abuse.                                12 - 14.

The Body of Christ formed by the presence of the Holy Spirit.    12: 1-31.

Love is the distinguishing mark of use.                             13: 1-13.

Mutual edification is the aim, achieved by intelligible

orderly communication.                                                 14: 1-40.

An eschatological problem -the resurrection of the body.            15: 1-58.

Concluding instructions and greetings.                           16: 1-23.