A LOOK AT THE BOOK

I Corinthians

Ralph Porter

© 2003


AUTHOR AND DATE


    Paul's authorship of 1 Corinthians is seldom challenged.


         It is supported by external evidence beginning with Clement of Rome and never

              seriously debated.


         Internal evidence also supports Paul as the author since it refers to him by name (1:1;

              16:21).



    Paul wrote to the Corinthians from Ephesus.


         He was there for three years, from A.D. 52 to 55.


         It was probably written shortly before his departure in A.D. 55.



HISTORICAL BACKGROUND


    When Paul first went to Corinth, he settled there for about a year and a half.


         He went from there to Ephesus, leaving Apollos behind.


         After some time passed, Apollos went to Ephesus to see Paul.



    Paul sent a letter to Corinth condemning fornicators and announcing plans to visit them.

    
    He also arranged for a collection to be sent to saints afflicted by the famine.


    Later, Paul received news from members of Chloe's house about divisions and doctrinal

         divergences in the church.


    Paul sent Timothy from Ephesus but he only got as far as Macedonia.


    While Timothy was on his way, Paul received a letter from Corinth telling of several

         problems and asking questions.


    It was at this time that Paul wrote 1 Corinthians.



PURPOSE AND THEME


    Paul's content in 1 Corinthians has been shaped by the various reports he has received.


         He hopes to resolve the problem caused by divisions in the church as well as to

              answer the questions which have arisen.


         Because of its problem-centered structure, the book lacks the unity of theme found in

              others.



    Since Paul applies basic principles of Christian living to each area discussed, the central

         theme of practical sanctification is often applied. This is too general.

 

    Although not universally applicable to all sections, the most serious problem in the

         church and the central theme deals with their lack of love for one another.



ORGANIZATION


    The book is organized around the problems presented.


         The most significant problem is the divisions in the church (1:10-4:31).


         Several problems concerning discipline are noted (5:1-6:20).


         Various disorders in the church are then discussed (7:1-14:40).


         Finally, the doctrinal issue of the resurrection is treated (15:1-58).


    In typical letter form, these topics are enclosed by the introduction (1:1-9) and

         conclusion (16:1-24).






1 CORINTHIANS

The church that had everything-except love                                                 Ralph Porter

Introduction

 

1:1-9

Divisions

1:10-4:21

Discipline

5-6

Disorder

7-14

Doctrine

15

Personal

Matters

16

Greeting

1:1-3










Prayer of 

Thanks-

giving

1:4-9

 

Exhortation 

to Unity

1:10





Description

of Conditions

1:11-12





Correction 

of Their 

Concept

1:13-17





Basis of

Divisions

1:18-4:7


False

concept

of the

message

1:18-3:4

  False

  wisdom

1:18-2:5

  True

  wisdom

2:6-3:5


False

concept

of the

ministry

3:5-4:7





Application

of the

Message

4:8-21

Fornication

5

  Circum-

  stances

5:1-2

      Sin

      commit-

    ted

5:1

      Lack of

      action

5:2

  Com-

  mand

5:3-5

  Illustra-

  tion

5:6-8

  Clarifi-

  cation

5:9-13



Lawsuits

6:1-11

  Circum-

  stances

  lamented

6:1

  Suggested

  corrections

6:2-8

  Problem

  of the

  courts

6:9-11



Misuse of

the Body

6:12-20

  Principle of

  liberty

6:12

  Illustration

  of abuse

6:13-18

  Proper use

6:19-20

 

Concerning

Marriage

7

  Purpose of

  marriage

7:1-9

  Instruction

7:10-40

      For the

      married

10-24

      For the

      unmarried

25-40


Concerning 

Meat

Offered

to Idols

8-11:1

  Principle

  explained

8:1-13

  Principle

  illustrated

9

  Peril of

  partici-

  pation

10:1-22

  Principle

  applied

10:23-11:1


Concerning

Worship

11:2-14:40

  Head

  covering

  for women

11:2-16

  Lord's

  supper

11:17-34

  Spiritual

  gifts

12-14

      Diversity

      of gifts

12

      Superior-

      ity of love

13

      Exercise

      of gifts

14

 

Necessity

of the

Resurrection

15:1-34

  Confirm-

  ation of

  Christ's

  resurrection

15:1-11

  Conse-

  quences

  if Christ be

  not raised

15:12-19

  Conse-

  quences of

  Christ's

  resurrection

15:20-28

  Conse-

  quences if

  we have no

  resurrection

15:29-34



Nature of the 

Resurrection

15:35-57

  Illustration

  from nature

15:35-41

  Interpre-

  tation of

  illustration

15:42-49

  Instruction

  concerning

  living saints

15:50-57



Exhortation

based on the

Resurrection

15:58

 

Collection

1-4

 



Plan to Visit 

Them

5-9

 



Mission of 

Timothy

10-12

 



Exhortation 

to Steadfast-

ness and

Love

13-14

 



Direction

concerning

Their 

Teachers

15-18


Personal

Greetings

19-21


Benediction

22-24

 






A LOOK AT THE BOOK

1 CORINTHIANS

THE CHURCH THAT HAD EVERYTHING-EXCEPT LOVE

 

Ralph Porter


Have you ever tried to buy a present for someone who has everything?


The Corinthian church was that kind of church.


It would be very difficult to pastor such a church because they had it all!


    The best teachers had been there


    They had heard all there was to hear from the best teachers of their day.


         That list included Paul himself! As well as Peter and Apollos!


            How do you follow that act?


Nevertheless, things were not well at Corinth.


Having everything except love isn't enough.


AUTHOR AND DATE


    Paul's authorship of 1 Corinthians is seldom challenged.


         It is supported by external evidence beginning with Clement of Rome and never

              seriously debated.


         Internal evidence also supports Paul as the author since it refers to him by name (1:1;

              16:21).



    Paul wrote to the Corinthians from Ephesus.


         He was there for three years, from A.D. 52 to 55.


         It was probably written shortly before his departure in A.D. 55.



BACKGROUND


    Corinth

         Commercial center of about 3/4 million people


              Wealthy and highly cultured


              Known for their intelligence


              Known for artistic, cultural inventiveness


              Known for licentiousness

                   Associated with religious worship

                   Mother-child cult

                   Temple to Aphrodite with 1000 female slaves of Venus (i.e., prostitutes)


              Known for the biennial Isthmian games (second only to the Olympic games)


              It's been said that:

                   Athens worshiped the mind

                   Corinth worshiped the flesh



    When Paul first went to Corinth, he settled there for about a year and a half.


         He went from there to Ephesus, leaving Apollos behind.


         After some time had passed, Apollos went to Ephesus to see Paul.



    Paul sent a letter condemning fornicators and announcing plans to visit them.


         He arranged for a collection for the saints afflicted by the famine.


    Later, he received news from Chloe's house about divisions and doctrinal divergences.


         Paul sent Timothy but he only got as far as Macedonia.


    Then Paul received a letter from the church telling of problems and asking questions.


         It was at this time that Paul wrote 1 Corinthians.



PURPOSE AND THEME


    Content is shaped by the various reports received.


    Paul hopes to resolve the problem caused by divisions and answer their questions.


    Because of its problematic structure, the book lacks unity of theme.


    Since Paul applies basic principles of Christian living to each area discussed, the theme

         of practical sanctification has often been applied.


    The most serious problem: their lack of love for one another.




INTRODUCTION   1:1-9



GREETING   1:1-3


         As is often the case, the greeting serves as a summary.


    Author: Paul is speaking as God's representative   1:1


         Paul was called to serve as an "apostle"--one sent by Jesus Christ.


         Paul was called by God.


    Recipients: Paul is speaking to them as "set apart ones"   1:2


         Paul is writing to full-blooded "Corinthians"


             The Corinthian lifestyle had penetrated the church:

                   Moral pollution & vice

                   Pride

                   Philosophical discussions

                   Great philosophical teachers competing with one another

                   Pop-mixture of liberty, pleasure and religion, all rolled into one.


         Paul is writing to the church


              They had been set apart from all this former lifestyle by Christ Jesus


              They were called "the set apart ones"--"saints".


              They share that calling with all who have called on the name of Jesus--All who

                   have trusted him are to be set apart ones.


    Greeting: Paul wants us to experience the grace and peace of God   1:3


         What they were living in daily experience was anything but a practical outworking of

              God's grace and peace.


         Imitating the Corinthian lifestyle is far from a demonstration of God's grace.

              There is little evidence that God's grace has transformed their lives.


         Their divisions, quarrels and problems are far from a demonstration of the peace that

              comes from God.



PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING   1:4-9


         In our negative thinking about the Corinthian church we could miss something

              significant.:


                This was one great church!


                   If you were a newcomer to town, you would be delighted to find such a church.

                     It was great! It had everything.


                   You would come to town; look around; and go back to get ready to move

                        saying, ". . . and they have a tremendous evangelical church there!"


    Their privileges:


              They will be unreproveable in the day of judgment

                   because God is faithful,

                        --NOT because of themselves.


              Paul is grateful because they have received EVERYTHING.


        They were enriched in Him   1:4-5


              Paul thanks God for them because of the positional truths he is sure are true of

                them.


              Paul never questions the genuineness of their profession!


              They had received everything--at least in their heads!

              They were enriched in speech--in every word

              They were enriched in all knowledge

              They knew all the doctrines


                   * Rich in every way!

                        Great speakers!

                        Great teaching!

                        Good understanding of the Word!


              The best teachers had all been there and they drank it up.

              They had heard all there was to hear from the best teachers of their day.

                   That list included Paul himself! As well as Peter and Apollos.


        They showed evidence that they were authentic Christians   1:6


            Their public testimony was well-known


              The witness concerning Christ was confirmed by them.

                   They were active in evangelism!


              * Solid testimony for Christ


        They had all the spiritual gifts   1:7a


              * All spiritual gifts were evident among them


        Their eschatology was right   1:7b-8


              They had the right hope.

                They probably even had an annual prophecy conference!


              * Eagerly awaiting the Lord's return


              They knew that He would present them blameless--irreproachable.


              Furthermore, Paul is sure that in spite of present indications,

                   In the end, God will finish the job

                        He is faithful   1:9

                             God did it

                             He called them

                             He is faithful

                             He will finish what He started


    What more could you ask for?


         Missing from this description is love for one another.


        You can have all of the above and still be carnal!


            They were lacking love and unity.


    All the problems mentioned in the book arose because of one basic lack:

         they didn't have genuine love for one another.



WHAT HAPPENS TO A CHURCH WHEN LOVE IS MISSING?

    Divisions/personality cults   1-4

    Indifference to sin in their midst   5

    Legal feuds among brethren   6

    Cheating one another   6

    Legalistic attitudes about marriage   7

    Fights over rights   8-10

    Women's lib   11

    Hoarding food at potlucks   11

    Pride concerning spiritual gifts   12-14

    Inability to correct doctrinal confusion   15

    No interest in giving   16


Is this study practical for life in the 21st century?

Does it have a message for our church today?


    If you have everything they had, but no love, you're just a bunch of noisemakers! 

        (1 Cor. 13)


            It's not worth anything = nothing!


What are we going to do about it?

What does God want you to do about it?


What warning is there in this for us?

What should we do about it?




DIVISIONS 1:10-4:21


    The first and most significant problem of the church without love:

        Divisions and personality cults



EXHORTATION TO UNITY   1:10


    Paul begins by exhorting us to maintain unity in the church.



DESCRIPTION OF CONDITIONS   1:11-12


    They have their eye on the messenger, instead of on God who gave them the message.



CORRECTION OF CONCEPT   1:13-17


    Paul corrects their concept of following human leaders in opposition to one another.


    Each leader represents Christ, --NOT himself.

        HE is the one who died.

        They were baptized in His Name.

        The leaders are united in HIM.

        Each one has his own calling from the Lord.

    Therefore, there should be no cause to divide the church over them.


    Everyone should be serving HIM!



BASIS OF DIVISIONS   1:18-4:7


        They had two major misconceptions:


    Misconception #1: False concept of our message   1:18-3:4


            Our message is not a human message

            No man could have thought it up

            Therefore, no man should be exalted for the message.


              God gave the message.

                Therefore, He alone deserves the credit for it, --NOT MAN


            TWO KEY WORDS:     POWER/weakness     WISDOM/foolishness


             Their misconception of the message is derived from the concept of philosophy.


                 They have viewed Christianity as a philosophy that requires human wisdom to

                    understand.


        False wisdom: Our message is not based on human wisdom   1:18-2:9


                The gospel cannot be understood by human wisdom   1:18-2:9