1 corinth - introductions

8/7/2019 1 CORINTH - Introductions

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Corinth

Introductions


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Time 55 ADPaul wrote his letter to the Corinthians in approximately 55 AD. This wasabout 20 years after Jesus had died and rose from the dead. During thistime, we learn from Acts that Paul visited many cities over the course of3 missionary journeys. He went to Corinth on his 2nd missionary journey,

and while there began a church in about 50 AD, staying in Corinth forabout a year and a half. This would have meant that by the time ofPauls writing, the church was approximately five years old. During thistime, Corinth had seemed to go astray from the purity of faithful actionthat Paul began the church with.

Read Acts 18:1-11

What ethnic group comprises the church in Corinth andwhy?

Called TogetherPaul was a champion of the unity of the Body of Christ and writes aboutthis concept in Corinthians as well as in His other books such as Romansand Galatians. He saw the Church as being a unified whole that existedseparately in localities.

Read I Corinthians 1:1:-9

How does Paul express his ideas of unity in the Church?


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Divisions OccurCorinth has several problems when it comes to how they are living outthe actions and attitudes of the Church. They have seemed to turn theGospel into something that is only a philosophical idea, and not a way inwhich they live their lives.

Read I Corinthians 1:10-17

Which names do you recognize from the reading in Acts?

The Wisdom of the CrossPaul goes on to explain that the power of the cross is found in suchstrange places that it appears to be foolishness to everyone else. Hemay have been thinking back to how the Jews rejected him when hewent to Corinths synagogue to proclaim the message of Jesus.

Read I Corinthians 1:18-30

How does Paul explain the wisdom and the foolishnessof Jesus and what He does for us?


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The Lectionary and Corinthians

In the season of Epiphany, Corinthians is always the Epistle (orSecond) reading. The segments of the Epistle match up with thethemes of the Lectionary in this way:

2nd Sunday after Epiphany I Corinthians 1:1-9 - Invitation to

be considered a part of the world wide Church

3rd Sunday after Epiphany I Corinthians 1:10-18 The

issue of discipleship and problems with discipleship arebrought up

4th Sunday after Epiphany I Corinthians 1:18-31 Theweakness or foolishness that seems apparent in followinga crucified God.

Please dont throw this away. If youre not going to use it, leave it forsomeone else to use.

1 corinth - introductions

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