1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians Written by Paul to

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians • Written by Paul to Christians in Corinth – 1 Cor 1: 1 -2, “Paul…and Sosthenes…to the church of God that is in Corinth” • Corinth, the city – on the Isthmus of Corinth, a commercial crossroad overlooking the two ports of Cenchreae and Lechaeum, a place where many shippers going from Asia to Italy preferred to take their goods over the tiny strip of land separating the Aegean and the Gulf of Corinth and the Ionian Sea. – An important port town, famous for the Isthmian games, and athletic contest held every two years and second only to the Olympic games in importance – Ancient city had been destroyed in 146 BCE but the Romans had re-established the city in 44 BCE as a Roman colony – As many colonists were former slaves, the city had a constitution that allowed freed former slaves to actually be elected as chief magistrates of the city – Had a reputation for its sexual promiscuity (Aristophanes created the verb korinthiazethai— “to fornicate”), but in reality was probably much like any port city in terms of virtue and vice – A Greek city, it had a Jewish community of some sort, although the size of the Jewish population is unknown (excavation at Corinth found an inscription, “Synagogue of the Hebrews”) – Had some impressive temples to Greek divinities, especially Aphrodite (which would have likely included temple prostitution), Apollo and Asklepios

1 Corinthians • Paul first arrived in Corinth circa 49 -50 CE and stayed there 18 months establishing a Christian community (Acts 18: 11) • Wrote this letter from Ephesus (1 Cor 16: 8) in the spring (“before Pentecost”), circa 53 -55. • Had written to them previously (5: 9) • Wishes to visit them, but is deferring his visit because he has much to do in Ephesus and wants to do more than just pass through when he comes (16: 7 -9)

1 Corinthians • Seems to be writing in response to two events: 1. A report from “Chloe’s people” about dissension within the community (11: 11, 11: 18) • Contents of report? – Factions based on various Christian leaders/teachers (1: 12) – Sex issues: Son and Step-mother cohabitate (5: 1) and prostitution (6: 15) – Problems at the “Lord’s supper” (11: 20 -21) 2. A letter from the Corinthians themselves asking Paul for advice (7: 1) • Contents of their letter? . . . Questions about, – – – Sex within marriage and single virgins (definitely; 7: 1, 25) Food sacrificed to idols (very likely; 8: 1) Spiritual Gifts (very likely; 12: 1) Paul’s collection of money for fellow Christians in Jerusalem (very likely; 16: 1) The resurrection of Jesus (possibly; 15: 1) (could also come from Chloe’s report)

1 Corinthians • Nature of Corinthian Congregation – Likely consisted of a number of house churches (typically ancient house structures would limit a single congregation to 30 -50 people max. ); total number of Christians is unknown, might have been 150 -200? – The head of the household where a church met was most likely the house-church leader (e. g. , Chloe of 1 Cor 1: 11) – Hints at a broad spectrum in terms of socio-economic levels • 1: 26, “Not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth”— “not many” implies some elites, but a good number of non-elites such as freed slaves and slaves • 11: 21, “For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk” implies dramatic economic disparities between church members

1 Corinthians • Nature of Corinthian Congregation – While the church was established by Paul, other prominent Christian preachers/teachers seem to have passed through their church communities as well • Cephas/Peter? (1: 12; 9: 5) • Apollo (1: 12; 3: 5 -6) – Ethnically, while some were Jewish, the majority were likely Greeks (and of these likely former “God-fearers” [Greeks who had already hung out in Jewish synagogues but not fully converted to Judaism] and out Greek pagans) – Would have likely brought many Greek ideas and religious notions and practices into their newfound Christian belief system, e. g. , • emphasis on impressive rhetoric (1: 22; 2: 1 -5) • lax sexual mores or relaxed attitude toward certain sexual practices (by Jewish standards) • emphasis on gnosis (knowledge) as ultimate religious value • ecstasy as an expression of divine worship • Puzzlement over bodily resurrection (vs. soul survival)

1 Corinthians Contents…to be done as a class…