Background and Context of 1 Corinthians

The First Epistle to the Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul during his nearly three-year stay in Ephesus ^[6]. This letter was likely penned around A.D. 57 or 58, specifically near the time of Passover in the third year of his residence there ^{[1, 6]}. Paul had planned to visit Macedonia and then return to Corinth, but news from the Corinthian church altered his plans ^[1].

Paul's primary motivation for writing was the information he received regarding significant issues within the Corinthian community ^{[1, 6]}. He had heard of abuses and contentions, initially from Apollos, and later from "the household of Chloe" ^[1]. The Corinthians had also sent Paul a letter, indicating they had questions or concerns they wished him to address ^[1].

The epistle begins with a salutation from "Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the purpose of God, and Sosthenes the brother" ^[2]. Paul identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ, called by God's will ^{[10, 12]}. He joins Timothy with himself in the letter, though Paul is the sole inspired writer ^{[8, 12]}. Following the salutation, Paul offers an apostolical benediction and expresses thanksgiving for the spiritual prosperity of the Corinthian church, noting their enrichment in speech and knowledge, and their eagerness for the revelation of Jesus Christ [16, 1 Corinthians 1:4-7].

Despite this initial commendation, the letter quickly addresses the problems that had emerged. A central concern was the divisions within the church ^{[7, 9]}. Paul reproves the Corinthians for their dissensions, which stemmed from their allegiance to different leaders, such as Paul, Apollos, or Cephas [16, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13]. He emphasizes that ministers are merely servants and stewards of God's mysteries ^{[4, 11]}. Paul reminds them that he did not come to them with "excellence of speech or of wisdom," but rather proclaimed the testimony of God ^{[3, 5]}. He further clarifies that ministers are simply instruments through whom people believe, with God being the one who gives the increase [1 Corinthians 3:5-7].

The apostle also addresses the Corinthians' carnality and immaturity, referring to them as "infants in Christ" who are still "of the flesh" [8, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3]. He instructs them on the proper understanding of ministry, stressing that all ministers are united in their purpose and build upon the same foundation, which is Jesus Christ [18, 1 Corinthians 3:6-11]. Paul warns against building with inferior materials, as each person's work will be tested by fire [1 Corinthians 3:12-15]. He also exhorts them to honor their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit [18, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17].

The letter's content is structured to address these various issues. After the introduction and initial thanksgiving, Paul immediately tackles the divisions and their origins ^[7]. He then discusses the nature of his ministry among them, emphasizing the preaching of the gospel ^[7]. He explains how the gospel, though appearing foolish to some, is God's power and wisdom, designed to humble human pride [14, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31]. The epistle continues to address a range of ethical, theological, and practical concerns, including sexual immorality, lawsuits among believers, marriage, food sacrificed to idols, spiritual gifts, order in worship, and the resurrection of the dead [1 Corinthians 5-15]. The letter concludes with instructions regarding the collection for the saints, Paul's travel plans, and final greetings [1 Corinthians 16].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Corinthians, First Epistle to the — Was written from Ephesus (1 Cor. 16:8) about the time of the Passover in the third year of the apostle's sojourn there (Acts 19:10; 20:31), and when he had formed the purpose to visit Macedonia, and then return to Corinth (probably A.D. 57). The news which had reached him, however, from Corinth frustrated his plan. He had heard of the abuses and contentions that had arisen among them, first from Apollos (Acts 19:1), and then from a letter they had written him on the subject, and also from some of the "household of Chloe," and from ”
I Corinthians “I Corinthians 1:1 (BBE) — Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the purpose of God, and Sosthenes the brother,”
1 Corinthians “When I came to you, brothers, I didn’t come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. -- 1 Corinthians 2:1”
1 Corinthians “So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants, and stewards of God’s mysteries. -- 1 Corinthians 4:1”
I Corinthians “I Corinthians 2:1 (YLT) — And I, having come unto you, brethren, came--not in superiority of discourse or wisdom--declaring to you the testimony of God,”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Corinthians, First Epistle To The — was written by the apostle St. Paul toward the close of his nearly three-years stay at Ephesus, (Acts 19:10; 20:31) which, we learn from (1 Corinthians 16:8) probably terminated with the Pentecost of A.D. 57 or 58. The bearers were probably (according to the common subscription) Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus. It appears to have been called forth by the information the apostles had received of dissension in the Corinthian church, which may be thus explained:--The Corinthian church was planted by the apostle himself, (1 Corinthia”
1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 1 (introduction): In this chapter we have, I. The preface or introduction to the whole epistle (Co1 1:1-9). II. One principal occasion of writing it hinted, namely, their divisions and the origin of them (Co1 1:10-13). III. An account of Paul's ministry among them, which was principally preaching the gospel (Co1 1:14-17). IV. The manner wherein he preached the gospel, and the different success of it, with an account how admirably it was fitted to bring glory to God and beat down the pride and vanity of men (Co1 1:17 to the end).”
2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 1 (introduction): This chapter contains the inscription of the epistle, the salutation of the persons to whom it is written, the preface to it, and the first part of it, in which is the apostle's defence of himself from the charge of fickleness and inconstancy. The inscription is in Co2 1:1, in which an account is given of the person, the writer of this epistle, by his name Paul, and by his office, an apostle of Jesus Christ, which is ascribed to the will of God as the spring and cause of it; and with himself he joins Timothy, whom he calls a brother: also an account”
1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 1 (introduction): The salutation of Paul and Sosthenes, Co1 1:1, Co1 1:2. The apostolical benediction, Co1 1:3. Thanksgiving for the prosperity of the Church at Corinth, Co1 1:4. In what that prosperity consisted, Co1 1:5-9. The apostle reproves their dissensions, and vindicates himself from being any cause of them, Co1 1:10-17. States the simple means which God uses to convert sinners and confound the wisdom of the wise, etc., 18-21. Why the Jews and Greeks did not believe, Co1 1:22. The matter of the apostle's preaching, and the reasons why that preaching was eff”
1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 1:1: We have here the apostle's preface to his whole epistle, in which we may take notice, I. Of the inscription, in which, according to the custom of writing letters then, the name of the person by whom it was written and the persons to whom it was written are both inserted. 1. It is an epistle from Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, to the church of Corinth, which he himself had planted, though there were some among them that now questioned his apostleship (Co1 9:1, Co1 9:2), and vilified his person and ministry, Co2 10:10. The most faithful and useful minister”
1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 3 (introduction): In this chapter the apostle, I. Blames the Corinthians for their carnality and divisions (Co1 3:1-4). II. He instructs them how what was amiss among them might be rectified, by remembering, 1. That their ministers were no more than ministers (Co1 3:5). 2. That they were unanimous, and carried on the same design (Co1 3:6-10). 3. That they built on one and the same foundation (Co1 3:11-15). III. He exhorts them to give due honour to their bodies, by keeping them pure (Co1 3:16, Co1 3:17), and to humility and self-diffidence (Co1 3:18-21). IV. And ”
2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 1:1: This is the introduction to this epistle, in which we have, I. The inscription; and therein, 1. The person from whom it was sent, namely, Paul, who calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. The apostleship itself was ordained by Jesus Christ, according to the will of God; and Paul was called to it by Jesus Christ, according to the will of God. He joins Timotheus with himself in writing this epistle; not because he needed his assistance, but that out of the mouth of two witnesses the word might be established; and this dignifying Timothy wi”

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