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Corinthians Introduction

The complex history surrounding the two letters to the Corinthian church begins in Acts 18 during Paul’s second missionary journey. Paul plants the church of which Aquila and Priscilla are its most notable members. However fruitful his initial efforts were by his third missionary journey the relationship had become strained.

• Previous Letter – Paul writes a letter to the Corinthians warning them not to associate with immoral persons. Unfortunately they misunderstood the letter.

• Report of certain disorders – Paul hears a report of certain disorders and receives a delegation from the household of Chloe who had a number of questions

• 1 Corinthians - In response to the reports he writes 1 Corinthians. Paul deals with practical issues as sexual relations, meats offered to idols, disorders in public worship, spiritual gifts, and death and resurrection.

• Painful Visit – Paul decided to make another visit to Corinth which was extremely painful for him. The details of the visit are unknown, but he was forced to withdraw in haste most likely out of being openly insulted by someone questioning his authority.

• Sorrowful Letter – After his painful visit Paul writes a sorrowful yet strong letter to try to rectify the matter.

• Titus meets Paul in Macedonia and reports to him that the sorrowful letter had been received positively.

• 2 Corinthians – Paul writes to the church again expressing his relief at the good news of their response. He wrote them specifically to spur them into action for the collection they promised to give to the Jerusalem church.

Major Themes:

1 Corinthians

Disorders Reported to Paul (1:10-6:20):

• Divisiveness (1:10-4:21)
• Moral lapses (5:1-13; 6:12-20)
• Appeals to heathen lawcourts (6:1-11)

Problems Raised by the Corinthians (7:1-15:58)

• Sexual relations (7:1-40)
  
• Meats sacrificed to idols (8:1-11:1)
  
• Disorders in public worship (11:2-34)
  
• Spiritual gifts (12:1-14:40)
  
• Resurrection (15:1-58)
  

2 Corinthians

The Apostle's Ministry (1:12-7:16)

• His plans (1:12-2:17)
• The character of his ministry (3:1-7:16)
• Ministry is in the service of the new covenant (ch. 3)
• Ministry imposes tremendous responsibilites (4:1-15)
• Ministry must be carried out in the light of the judgment seat of Christ (4:16-6:2)
• His own ministry has had much hardship and suffering
• An exhortation to cleanse themselves from all uncleanness (6:14-7:1)
• An account of the meeting with Titus in Macedonia (7:2-16)

The collection for the Jerusalem church (8:1-9:15)

Paul’s vindication of his Apostleship (10:1-13:10)