The letter of 1 Corinthians to the members of the church at Corinth gives us one of the best pictures from either the New Testament or other records of history of how Christianity attempted to relate to an unChristian culture. Many commentaries emphasize the presence of problems in the church at Corinth. A more reasonable explanation sees the letter focusing on the decisions to live faithfully in an environment hostile to faith.
In many ways the church at Corinth struggled in the same way the church struggles today. Does a person of faith drink, smoke, or go out to piano bars late at night? What words provide a proper perspective on the LGBTQ+ issues? How can a Christian speak the truth without alienating everyone around him?
Who Wrote the Book?
The external evidence for the authorship of 1 Corinthians by the Apostle Paul is strong and continuous. Clement of Rome in the first century speaks of this epistle as “the epistle of the blessed Apostle Paul.” Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, The Didache, and almost every other early source acknowledge the authorship of Paul
The internal evidence is just as strong. The writer calls himself Paul several times. The book easily dove-tails with the events of Paul’s life as recorded in the book of Acts. The affirmation that the resurrection had been seen by 500 witnesses many of whom were still alive would have been a statement in poor taste if the book were written later by someone other than Paul.
To Whom Was the Book Written?
The story of the beginning of the church at Corinth comprises Luke’s story as recorded in Acts 18:1-18. Paul came to Corinth from Athens. He made his home with Aquila and Priscilla who had come there from Rome. They were also tent makers do the three of them worked to help support Paul. Paul spent about 18 months there before appearing in front of Gallio for trial. Soldiers released Paul and the apostle set sail for Syria to close the second journey.
When Was the 1 Corinthians Written?
The book does present some challenges. In this epistle, Paul uses a phrase that refers to a former letter (1 Corinthians 5:9). Either Paul was talking about something that he wrote earlier in this letter or there were a separate letter written that we do not possess.
Paul himself explains the letter originated from Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:8-9). Paul had a 2 year ministry in Ephesus. Time pushes the writing toward the end of that stay. We would date the writing of 1 Corinthians sometime in the spring of AD 54 or 55.
What Messages Resonate in the Book?
The apostle’s purpose seems to be clear from the contents of the epistle. His themes develop concerning:
- The rebuke of a divisive or party spirit
- The problems of sexual morality
- Understanding and application of teaching about food sacrificed to idols
- The correct teaching about concepts in public worship
- The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead
- Practical concerns of Paul for folks in Corinth
What Do People Say About 1 Corinthians?
Many leading Bible teachers make strong statements about the book of 1 Corinthians. Here are a few of their comments:
The gospel of the crucified Messiah must transform not only our beliefs but our behavior.
D.A. Carson, The Cross and Christian Ministry: An Exposition of Passages from 1 Corinthians
First Corinthians contains a frank discussion of the church and the issues that impacted real people in the first century. The Corinthian church was corroded with sin on a variety of fronts, so Paul provided an important model for how the church should handle the problem of sin in its midst. Rather than turn a blind eye toward relational division and all kinds of immorality, he addressed the problems head on. In his bold call to purity within the Corinthian church, Paul made it clear that he was willing to risk the good opinion of some in order to help cleanse the sin that tainted the church.
Chuck Swindoll
The resurrection of Jesus was like a boulder crashing into the pool of history.
Karl Barth
The same power that brought Christ back from the dead is operative within those who are Christ’s. The resurrection is an ongoing thing.
Leon Morris
1 Corinthians 13 is the Mount Everest of love writings.
Max Lucado
If Christ is not raised … he’s a counterfeit god too. You’re still in your sin, not secure in the prodigal grace of a loving Father. There’s no hope for justice, and your work may as well be pointless because we’re all heading for oblivion anyway. If Christ is not raised, Christianity is not intellectually credible or existentially satisfying.
Tim Keller