Church Of Corinth: Chapter Summary

Putting pen to paper, Paul pleas with the Corinthians to better themselves through Christ Jesus. While in discourse with the Corinthians, the polemic language of Paul becomes, at times, difficult to digest. While pursuing a better relationship with the believers in Corinth, the apostle often used terms such as ‘we,’ ‘our,’ and ‘us.’ These pronouns can be understood in multiple ways; however, the manner in which they are comprehended sheds light on Paul’s agenda. In the analysis of 2 Corinthians 4: 8-18, the pronouns are best understood as being inclusive in terms of Paul, his followers, and the believers in Corinth.

The first section of the note on 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 in the HarperCollins Study Bible leads the reader to contemplate the issue of unity in the body of Christ, the lack of which is arguably the origin of most, if not all of the issues facing the Corinthian church. The Christians in Corinth were challenged with several internal problems, many of which could have been solved by the members seeking unity in their diversity. Paul introduces the idea that the church should function as the body of Christ, valuing the abilities and roles that God chose for each member. The first part of the note states, “Like certain other ancient writers, Paul regards the human body as illustrating the point that unity and diversity are not incompatible, applying

Kim addresses more scholars of the anti- imperial, political interpretations; Richard Horsley, and Neil Elliott and their interpretations of First Corinthians. In essence, Kim refutes their interpretations of passages in First Corinthians because the terminology Paul used in First Corinthians is indicative of the evil system of the world and not the Roman Empire. Kim argues that although the terms may seem to be referring to the Roman Empire, the Roman Empire is just an instrument being used in the hands of a more evil force. Elliott’s arguments along with Horsley’s end up being contradicted within the epistle itself. Kim ultimately concludes that Wright, Georgi, Elliott, and Horsley all have a problem with their

In 1Corinthians, Paul appeals to the lowest denominator in the group and abjures wisdom. “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, the intelligence of the intelligent will I frustrate.” 1Cor18. He deals with incest, lawsuits, sexual immorality, and married life, food sacrificed to idols – matter which one readily answered by the Torah and the law. Yet Paul does no research and uses no knowledge he might have learned in his years as a practicing Jew. He relies only on his own intuition, and his personal revelation of Jesus’ death, resurrection and the imminence of his second coming. Unfortunately, this off-the-cuff memo of dealing with real life issues is open to prejudices, rationalizations, projections and a variety of defense mechanisms.

Paul instructs the Corinthians in several aspects and teaches them how to live their lives as Christians. The Corinthian church has several serious problems that they either ignore or simply think their sin is ok. Paul holds them accountable in all that they are doing and reprimands them. He illustrates that he will either come to them with a gentle spirit or the rod of discipline. One of the topics discussed is idol meat.

Saint Paul is disgusted with the situation in Corinth because they citizens are not following the laws mandated to Christ. He does not like the divisions of the city because he knows the outcome of people who deviates from their faith. Saint Paul believes that people’s lack of faith caused the fracture. He says, “I appeal to you… that all of your agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Cor. 6-7:10). In others words, for the community to thrive again, they need a strong belief in their faith and need a resolution to their problems. Some issues are self-afflicted such in the cases in the act of marriage and sacrificial food (1 Cor. 7:36-37, 8:7-8). Paul knows that it is a challenge for human beings to dedicate themselves to a man they never seen, but his letter attempts to convince the community that is worthwhile. In the past, people who deviated from their faith faced terrible consequences (1 Cor. 10:9-10) and he wants to prevent that from happening in Corinth. Saint Paul wants the people to realize the end goal of their sacrifices. He says, “Everyone who competes in the fames gets into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that lasts forever” (1 Cor. 9:25). Saint Paul insists that

When looking at the 1 Cor. Passage, it is important to realize that Paul’s letters are occasional, they were meant for a specific audience. In this case, the Christians in Corinth were taking other Christians to court. Court cases in this context were extremely public, something

Paul's first letter to the Corinthians speaks of his emphasis on how the proper Christian conduct in the lives of the church at Corinth. In this very practical and straight-forward letter Paul took the responsibility as the founding father, the pastor, and as someone who cares about the Corinthians, to address some of the critical issues that have some direct impacts that will affect the health of the church itself. Out of many ideas that Paul addressed in his writing, the idea of "Church discipline" is one of the important principles that stands out for me in this letter. As a leader, Paul modeled some of the significant examples that highlighted the idea of Church discipline in the letter:

Apostle Paul also brought to light in verses 15-18 that there were some Christians who resented him for the

Paul was also concerned how this sin had affected the Corinthian Church. The consequences of our

To me this states that the apostle Paul was trying to convert the Athenians to Christianity because they believed in a different God, which is in direct contrast with a point made on page 154:

Finally, the passage closes (verses 35-58) with a proclamation of the victory attained through Jesus’ resurrection. First, Paul seeks to prove to the Corinthians that Christ was raised from the dead. It is the foundation of our faith. Therefore, no Christian should partake in denying this foundational truth.

In Romans 1-8 Paul is writing to teach the doctrine of Christ. Although Paul goes into much more depth in these eight chapters, his message ultimately boils down to the following sentence. We have all sinned and deserve death, however, through the redemption and sanctification of Christ we have been saved and should now lead, Christ centered lives of faith.

Beginning as a direct rebuttal of Corinth beliefs regarding resurrection and eventually evolving into a explicit and according to Paul irritable account of the events that lead to resurrection of the dead. The passage showcases Paul’s authority on followers of Christ and just how seriously his understanding and beliefs regarding Christ were taken. Again as 1 Corinthians is in part a direct address to his intentions in helping the church and part response to Corinth inquiries.The Resurrection of the Dead passage Paul structures his response in a way that makes no room for his commentary to be misinterpreted or ignored. Verses 12-19 are a clear formulation of taking Corinthian rebuttals to resurrection and using their own phrasing to admonish their disbelief.These verses are structured as a continuous unfolding of Paul's response. It begins in verse 12 with an acknowledgement that some in Corinth do not believe in resurrection of the dead and then continues on verse after verse appealing to that disbelief. The structure is a very much a “this, then this, then this argument, mounting the consequences of not believing in resurrection of the dead on top of one another until he reaches a conclusion that should cause all disbelief to vanish; if Corinthians do not believe in resurrection then they cannot believe that Christ was resurrected and if they do not believe that then their faith must be in vain.

He lets them know that there is no one that is without sin and stands guilty before God. Apart from being in a personal relationship with the Lord, the average person has always felt that they were a good person, or a morally good person that performs good deeds. Paul points out throughout the book that it is the saving faith in Christ Jesus’ virgin birth, death, burial and resurrection that saves our soul and not anything that we can or could do. With that faith, we are to live in the assurance that we are accepted by God and endowed with the power of the Holy Ghost to do, not just good but, godly works of righteousness, all by the motivation of love for Him. All the while, we are to understand that it is not the works that make us righteous but rather, our faith in Jesus. He points out that thinking we are saved by works is living under the Law, which is contrary to why God gave them the Law.