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Home , 1 Corinthians 16, 1 Corinthians 7, Gaius (biblical figure)

I Corinthians BY Background of Corinth Defi nition and Pronunciation: korЂinth (Κόρινθος, Kórinthos, “Ornament”): A celebrated city of the Peloponnesus, capital of Corinthia, which laid north of Argolis, and with the isthmus joining the peninsula to the mainland (also known as the Isthmus of Corinth). Corinth had three good harbors (Lechaeum, on the Corinthian Gulf, and Cenchrea and Schoenus on the Saronic Gulf), and thus commanded the traffic of both the eastern and the western seas. The larger ships could not be hauled across the isthmus (Acts 27:6, Acts 27:37); smaller vessels were taken over by means of a ship tramway with wooden rails. Various arts were cultivated and the Corinthians, even in the earliest times, were famous for their cleverness, inventiveness and artistic sense, and they prided themselves on surpassing the other Greeks in the embellishment of their city and in the adornment of their temples. There were many celebrated painters in Corinth, and the city became famous for the Corinthian order of architecture: an order, which, by the way, though held in high esteem by the Romans, was very little used by the Greeks themselves. The arts and the Isthmian games were celebrated, but the commercial and materialistic spirit prevailed. Harbors are few on the Corinthian Gulf. Hence, no other city could wrest the commerce of these waters from Corinth. The first ships of war were built here in 664 BC. Corinth

Page 2 of 6 came to the front as the wealthiest and most important city in Greece. Though Mummius destroyed it in 146 BC, Caesar restored Corinth a century later (46 BC), and it grew so rapidly that the Roman colony soon became again one of the most prominent centers in Greece. When Paul visited Corinth, he found it a metropolis. Jews flocked to this center of trade (:1-18; :21; :20), the natural site for a great mart, and flourishing under the lavish hand of the Caesars; and this is one reason why Paul remained there so long (Acts 18:11) instead of sojourning in the old seats of aristocracy, such as Argos, Sparta and Athens. He found a strong Jewish nucleus to begin with; and it was in direct communication with . But earthquake, malaria, and the harsh Turkish rule finally swept everything away, except for seven columns of one old Doric temple, the only object above ground left today to mark the site of the ancient city of wealth, luxury and immorality — the city of vice par excellence in the Roman world. Directly south, overlooking the city is the high rock (over 1,800 ft.), called “the Acrocorinth,” which had an imbedded fortress that seemed virtually impregnable. Traces of the old ship canal across the Isthmus (attempted by Nero in 66 – 67 AD) can still be seen, well before excavations were begun for the present canal. At this time, the city was thoroughly Roman. Hence, the many Latin names in the : Lucius, Tertius, , Erastus, (Romans 16:21-23), Crispus, Titus, Justus (Acts 18:7, Acts 18:8), Fortunatus, Achaicus (:17). Later, Corinth would become the richest city in Greece. Its monuments, public buildings and art treasures are described in detail.

Page 3 of 6 Corinthian Church The church in Corinth consisted principally of non-Jews (:2). Paul had no intention at first of making the city a base of operations (Acts 16:9‑10; 18:1); for he wished to return to Thessalonica (1 Thess. 2:17‑18). His plans were changed by a revelation (Acts 18:9-10). The Lord commanded him to speak boldly, and he did so, remaining in the city eighteen months. Finding strong opposition in the synagogue, he left the Jews and went to the Gentiles (Acts 18:6). Nevertheless, Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue and his household were believers and baptisms were numerous (Acts 18:8); but no Corinthians were baptized by Paul himself except Crispus, Gaius and some of the household of Stephanas (:14, 1 Corinthians 1:16) “the first fruits of Achaia” (1 Corinthians 16:15). One of these, Gaius, was Paul’s host the next time he visited the city (Romans 16:23). and Timothy, who had been left at Berea, came on to Corinth about 45 days after Paul’s arrival. It was at this time that Paul wrote his first to the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 3:6). During Gallio’s administration, the Jews accused Paul, but the proconsul refused to allow the case to be brought to trial. This decision must have been looked upon with favor by a large majority of the Corinthians, who had a great dislike for the Jews (Acts 18:17). Paul became acquainted also with (Acts 18:18, 26; Romans 16:3; 2 Titus 4:19), and later they accompanied him to Ephesus. Within a few years after Paul’s first visit to Corinth the had increased so rapidly that they made quite a large congregation, but it was composed mainly of the lower classes: they were neither ‘learned, influential, nor of noble birth’ (1 Corinthians 1:26). Paul probably left Corinth to attend the celebration of the feast at (Acts 18:21). Little is known of the history of the church in Corinth after his departure. came from Ephesus with a letter of recommendation to the brethren in Achaia (Acts 18:27; :1); and he exercised a powerful influence (Acts 18:27-28; 1 Corinthians 1:12). Paul came down later from Macedonia. His first letter to the Corinthians was written from Ephesus. Both Titus and Timothy were sent to Corinth from Ephesus (:17; :13, 15), and Timothy returned by land, meeting Paul in

Page 4 of 6 Macedonia (:1), who visited Greece again in the year 56 – 57 or 57 – 58 AD.

Summary of 1 Corinthians Date and place: Written about 59 AD at the close of the apostle’s three-year residence at Ephesus. (:31; 1 Corinthians 16:5-8) Author Paul — 1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of through the will of God, and our brother Theme Christian life and conduct. Even all the doctrinal sections are built around this theme. The occasion for writing was a letter of inquiry about certain doctrines (:1; 8:1-13), and the visit of some brethren from Corinth, reporting on the condition and various problems of the church (1 Corinthians 1:11; 5:1; 11:18; 15:12). Paul had many matters to deal with. From: International Standard Encyclopedia Outline of 1 Corinthians I. Prologue, I:1-9 A.Apostolic Greeting, 1:1-3 B.Personal Appreciation, 1:4-5 C.Divine Confirmation, 1:6-9 II. The New Faith and Some Old Problems, 1:10 — 4:21 A.Individual Preference Versus Divine Unity, 1:10-17 B.Human Wisdom Versus Divine Power, 1:18-31 C.C. Personal Knowledge Versus Divine Revelation, 2:1-16 D.Carnal Children Versus Spiritual Temples, 3:1-23 E.Stewardship Versus Harsh Leadership, 4:1-21 III.The New Faith and a New Morality, 5:1-13 A.The Boldness of Sin, 5:1 B.Weak and Carnal Tolerance, 5:2-5 C.The New Faith and a New Power, 5:6-13 IV.The New Faith and a New Fellowship, 6:1-20 Page 5 of 6 A.Fellowship Versus Carnal Litigation, 6:1-11 B.Liberty Versus Spiritual Discipline, 6:12-14 C.A Warning Against Fornication, 6:15-18 D.The Christian’s Body as a Sanctuary, 6:19-20 V. The New Faith and , 7:1-40 A.Marriage and Celibacy, 7:1-2 B.The Christian Attitude Toward Sex, 7:3-6 C.Personal Preference and Peculiar Gift, 7:7-9 D.Christian Obligations in Marriage, 7:10-16 E.Principle of Spiritual Contentment, 7:17-24 F. Marriage and Christian Service, 7:25-38 G.Christian Remarriage, 7:39-40 VI.The New Faith and Spiritual Liberty, 8:1-11:1 A.The Principle of Spiritual Liberty, 8:1_13 B.Christian Liberty and Dedication, 9:1_27 C.Christian Liberty: Dangers and Limits, 10:1-11:1 VII.The New Faith and Public Worship, 11:2-34 A.Appearance of Women in Public Worship, 11:2-16 B.Disorders at the Lord’s Supper, 11:17-34 VIII.The New Faith and Spiritual Gifts, 12:1 — 14:40 A.The Variety of Spiritual Gifts, 12:1-7 B.The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, 12:8-11 C.Diversity in Unity, 12:12-31 D.The Greatest of Spiritual Graces, 13:1-13 E.Prophecy Superior to Speaking In Tongues, 14:1-40 IX.The New Faith and the Resurrection, 15:1-58 A.Certainty of the Resurrection, 15:1-34 B.Nature of the Resurrection Body, 15:35-58 X.Fellowship in the New Faith, 16:1-24 A.Christian Liberality, 16:1-4 B.Paul’s Evangelistic Concern, 16:5-12 C.Conclusion, 16:13-24

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