Corinthians Essay Example For Students

Corinthians Essay Corinthians, the seventh book of the NewTestament, was written by Paul to get across that Jesus isalive (15:3-18) and that we will be resurrected (15:35-38),among other things. Today there is no dispute that Paul isthe author of I Corinthians. Both external and the internalevidence for the Pauline authorship are so strong that thosewho attempt to show the apostle was not the writersucceed chiefly in proving their own incompetence ascritics.1 As internal evidence, Paul identifies himself as theauthor in 1 Corinthians 1:1 and 16:21. External evidence ofPaul writing this letter is supported by people such asClement of Rome (c. 95-97) and Augustine (c. 400). Theletter was written to the people of Corinth. Corinth was astrategically located Roman city on the main land routebetween East and West and was the crossroads for severalsea routes. Corinth was famous for its intellectual andmaterial prosperity and was honored with being the capitolof Ancaia. It also became famous for its corruptio n. Paulbegan his ministry there on his second missionary journey. He converted many influential people in Corinth, thus hestayed for a year and a half. Most likely, Paul left Corinth inthe fall of AD 51. Paul returned to Corinth on his third tripto Asia, c. fall, AD 52. Paul then wrote this letter fromEphesus while on his third trip to Asia. Paul wrote the letterseveral years after his initial departure from Corinth in thefall of AD 51-52. The letter was written before thebeginning of the summer since Paul intended to leaveEphesus after Pentecost. It was also written before wintersince Paul wanted to come to them and spend the winter. Paul wrote the letter four or five years after his initialdeparture from Corinth. Paul had many points that hewanted to get across in I Corinthians. For instance, thepurpose of the letter was to address problems in the localchurches of Corinth. Also, to counter worldly wisdom withSpiritual wisdom, and to answer questions that Corinthianshad brought to Paul. (7:1,25 8:1) Furthermore, he wantedto deal with the several moral problems and the divisionsthat had formed as people had divided into fan-clubs andwere proclaiming themselves followers of Paul, Apollo,Peter or Christ. During this time the Corinthian church hadmany problems. Most of these problems were the result ofpride and placing so much emphasis on social status. InCorinth there was a lack of church discipline and an abuseof the Christian liberty. Paul dealt with these problems oneby one, but the pinnacle of Pauls argument is in chapter 13where he emphasizes the importance of love. Love ofothers is incompatible with pride and is to be thefundamental principle that guides all actions. I Corinthianspoints out to me what I should do, and not do to become agood Christian. For instance, Paul lists many things that youshould not be in 6:9- 11. Paul also pointed out that Jesus infact did rise again, as he said he would, in 15:3-8. Hestates that Jesus came to him, and this gives us evidencethat Jesus stayed true to the Scriptures. Furthermore, Paultells us in 15:35- 38 that we will be resurrected. 1Robertson and Plummer, I Corinthians (ICC), xvi. Religion