Topic 11Topic 11 1 & 2 Corinthians:1 & 2 Corinthians:Questions about FreedomQuestions about Freedom

A.A. The Church in CorinthThe Church in Corinth1.1. City of CorinthCity of Corinth

a.a. Transportation cross-roads.Transportation cross-roads.

b.b. Major cosmopolitan, commercial center.Major cosmopolitan, commercial center.

c.c. Syncretism – many cultures and religions.Syncretism – many cultures and religions.

d.d. Proverbial for immorality.Proverbial for immorality.

2.2. Church founded on 2Church founded on 2ndnd journey (Acts 18) journey (Acts 18)a.a. 18-month stay.18-month stay.

b.b. Appearance before Gallio.Appearance before Gallio.

B.B. Paul’s Correspondence with CorinthPaul’s Correspondence with Corinth1.1. Authenticity – undisputedAuthenticity – undisputed

2.2. Unity: 2 Corinthians may be “composite” letter.Unity: 2 Corinthians may be “composite” letter.a.a. 2 Cor. 10-13 – harsh tone; crisis at its height2 Cor. 10-13 – harsh tone; crisis at its height

b.b. 2 Cor. 1-9 – mild, conciliatory tone; crisis resolved2 Cor. 1-9 – mild, conciliatory tone; crisis resolved

3.3. Lost lettersLost lettersa.a. 1 Cor. 5:9 – clarifies a “Previous letter” 1 Cor. 5:9 – clarifies a “Previous letter” (unpreserved)(unpreserved)..

b.b. 2 Cor. 2:3; 7:8 –2 Cor. 2:3; 7:8 – regrets a “Harsh letter”regrets a “Harsh letter” (= 2 Cor. 10-13).(= 2 Cor. 10-13).

4.4. SequenceSequencea.a. ““Previous letter” (lost, but referred to in 1 Cor. 5:9)Previous letter” (lost, but referred to in 1 Cor. 5:9)

b.b. 1 Corinthians1 Corinthians

c.c. ““Harsh letter” (= 2 Cor. 10-13)Harsh letter” (= 2 Cor. 10-13)

d.d. ““Conciliatory letter” (= 2 Cor. 1-9)Conciliatory letter” (= 2 Cor. 1-9)

5.5. Date and placeDate and place – – EphesusEphesus; 3; 3rdrd journey; c. 54-55 journey; c. 54-55

Letter from Cor.

“Painful visit”

C.C. 1 Corinthians1 Corinthians1.1. OccasionOccasion

a.a. Paul has received information 2 ways:Paul has received information 2 ways: By word of mouth from “Chloe’s people” (1:11).By word of mouth from “Chloe’s people” (1:11). By letter from Corinth (7:1) – “Now concerning…”By letter from Corinth (7:1) – “Now concerning…”

b.b. Church is in turmoil.Church is in turmoil. All kinds of problems: ecclesiastical; ethical; theological.All kinds of problems: ecclesiastical; ethical; theological. Misguided theology – based on Gnostic notions.Misguided theology – based on Gnostic notions.

2.2. Highlights of 1 CorinthiansHighlights of 1 Corinthiansa.a. ch. 1-4ch. 1-4 Problem of factionsProblem of factions

Factions devoted to Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ (1:12).Factions devoted to Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ (1:12). Apollos – Apollos – educated Jewish Christian from Alexandria (Acts 19); educated Jewish Christian from Alexandria (Acts 19);

sophisticated preaching in Corinth won following; Apollos’ faction sophisticated preaching in Corinth won following; Apollos’ faction boasts higher wisdomboasts higher wisdom..

Theology of the Cross (ch. 1) – God’s “foolish wisdom.”Theology of the Cross (ch. 1) – God’s “foolish wisdom.” Proper regard for leaders (ch. 3) - servantsProper regard for leaders (ch. 3) - servants

2.2. Highlights of 1 Corinthians – cont.Highlights of 1 Corinthians – cont.b.b. ch. 5-6ch. 5-6 Problems of immoralityProblems of immorality

Incest and prostitution are condoned by church (5:1-2).Incest and prostitution are condoned by church (5:1-2). ““All things are lawful for me” (6:12) – slogan of the All things are lawful for me” (6:12) – slogan of the

libertine Corinthians.libertine Corinthians. Paul’s principles for proper exercise of freedom (6:12-20).Paul’s principles for proper exercise of freedom (6:12-20).

c.c. ch. 7ch. 7 Questions about marriageQuestions about marriage Some in Corinth advocate celibacy and divorce for Some in Corinth advocate celibacy and divorce for

spiritual advancement – out of Gnostic presuppositions.spiritual advancement – out of Gnostic presuppositions. Paul also prefers celibacy – because of imminence of Paul also prefers celibacy – because of imminence of

Parousia – but recognizes it is not everyone’s gift (v. 7).Parousia – but recognizes it is not everyone’s gift (v. 7). Advice to the married: continue sexual relations (v. 1-5); Advice to the married: continue sexual relations (v. 1-5);

do not seek divorce (v. 10-11); note “mutual reciprocity.”do not seek divorce (v. 10-11); note “mutual reciprocity.” Advice to the unmarried: remain single if you have the gift; Advice to the unmarried: remain single if you have the gift;

otherwise, marry (v. 6-9; 25-27; 32-33).otherwise, marry (v. 6-9; 25-27; 32-33). Note contrast between v. 10 (“command of the Lord”) and Note contrast between v. 10 (“command of the Lord”) and

v. 12, 25 (Paul’s own opinion).v. 12, 25 (Paul’s own opinion).

2.2. Highlights of 1 Corinthians – cont.Highlights of 1 Corinthians – cont.d.d. ch. 8-10ch. 8-10 Question of idol-meatQuestion of idol-meat

Meat that was ritually slaughtered in pagan temple.Meat that was ritually slaughtered in pagan temple. ““Weak” – refused to eat for fear of idolatry.Weak” – refused to eat for fear of idolatry. ““Strong” – ate freely out of knowledge that idols are not Strong” – ate freely out of knowledge that idols are not

real gods.real gods. Paul – the strong are right in principle; but Paul – the strong are right in principle; but freedomfreedom to eat to eat

must be exercised in context of must be exercised in context of lovelove (v. 9-13). (v. 9-13).

e.e. 11:2-1611:2-16 Veiling of womenVeiling of women Women are praying/prophesying with uncovered heads.Women are praying/prophesying with uncovered heads. Paul allows them to pray/prophesy but with veils on.Paul allows them to pray/prophesy but with veils on. Veil is concession to prevailing culture; permission to Veil is concession to prevailing culture; permission to

pray/prophesy is woman’s new freedom in Christ.pray/prophesy is woman’s new freedom in Christ.

f.f. 11:17-3411:17-34 Problem of conduct at Problem of conduct at Lord’s SupperLord’s Supper Occasion for drunken revelry, dividing rich and poor.Occasion for drunken revelry, dividing rich and poor. Paul recalls origin of meal in sacrifice of Christ (v. 23-26).Paul recalls origin of meal in sacrifice of Christ (v. 23-26). Guidelines: scrutinize your conduct before eating (v. 28); Guidelines: scrutinize your conduct before eating (v. 28);

wait for one another (v. 33).wait for one another (v. 33).

g.g. ch. 12-14ch. 12-14 Problem of spiritual giftsProblem of spiritual gifts Over-emphasis on spectacular gifts like “tongue-Over-emphasis on spectacular gifts like “tongue-

speaking” (speaking” (glossolaliaglossolalia) – disruptive and divisive.) – disruptive and divisive. ch. 12 – Variety of gifts/unity of churchch. 12 – Variety of gifts/unity of church

a)a) All do not have same gift – all gifts serve the one church.All do not have same gift – all gifts serve the one church.b)b) Analogy of church as the “body” of Christ.Analogy of church as the “body” of Christ.

ch. 13 – The “Love Hymn” – love as greatest giftch. 13 – The “Love Hymn” – love as greatest gifta)a) Without love, other gifts are meaningless.Without love, other gifts are meaningless.b)b) AgapēAgapē – unconditional, self-giving love. – unconditional, self-giving love.

ch. 14 – Evaluation of tongue-speaking – overrated ch. 14 – Evaluation of tongue-speaking – overrated a)a) Tongue-speaking is private; prophecy benefits whole Tongue-speaking is private; prophecy benefits whole

church.church.b)b) Guidelines for practice of tongue-speaking.Guidelines for practice of tongue-speaking.c)c) Silencing of women in 14:34-35 is puzzling – could be treating local Silencing of women in 14:34-35 is puzzling – could be treating local

problem; or may be a later, non-Pauline interpolation.problem; or may be a later, non-Pauline interpolation.

h.h. ch. 15ch. 15 Resurrection of believersResurrection of believers Some denied future resurrection of the body.Some denied future resurrection of the body. Paul argues from res. of Christ to res. of believers.Paul argues from res. of Christ to res. of believers.

a)a) Bodily – salvation of whole person.Bodily – salvation of whole person.b)b) Future – salvation not yet complete.Future – salvation not yet complete.

i.i. ch. 16ch. 16 Collection for Jerusalem; Collection for Jerusalem; wrapping upwrapping up

D.D. 2 Corinthians2 Corinthians1.1. OccasionOccasion

a.a. Conditions are worse.Conditions are worse.b.b. Opponents called “Super-apostles” undermine Opponents called “Super-apostles” undermine

Paul’s ministry.Paul’s ministry. Boast of Jewish credentials, miracles, wisdom.Boast of Jewish credentials, miracles, wisdom. Oppose Paul as weak, unimpressive, deceitful.Oppose Paul as weak, unimpressive, deceitful.

c.c. Paul has made disastrous “painful visit.”Paul has made disastrous “painful visit.”

2.2. Highlights of 2 CorinthiansHighlights of 2 Corinthiansa.a. ch. 10-13ch. 10-13 “Harsh letter”“Harsh letter”

Deals sternly with church.Deals sternly with church. Ironic boasting match – boasts of weakness, suffering Ironic boasting match – boasts of weakness, suffering

(11:21, 23-30; 12:10).(11:21, 23-30; 12:10). Sends letter with Titus as personal envoy.Sends letter with Titus as personal envoy.

b.b. ch. 1-9ch. 1-9 “Conciliatory letter”“Conciliatory letter” Has met Titus in Macedonia; gets good news (2:12-13; 7:5-7).Has met Titus in Macedonia; gets good news (2:12-13; 7:5-7). Breathes sigh of relief (1:3-7); writes mild letter putting whole Breathes sigh of relief (1:3-7); writes mild letter putting whole

affair in perspective.affair in perspective.

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