Reference: Corinthians, First Epistle To The
Easton
was written from Ephesus (1Co 16:8) about the time of the Passover in the third year of the apostle's sojourn there (Ac 19:10; 20:31), and when he had formed the purpose to visit Macedonia, and then return to Corinth (probably A.D. 57).
The news which had reached him, however, from Corinth frustrated his plan. He had heard of the abuses and contentions that had arisen among them, first from Apollos (Ac 19:1), and then from a letter they had written him on the subject, and also from some of the "household of Chloe," and from Stephanas and his two friends who had visited him (1Co 1:11; 16:17). Paul thereupon wrote this letter, for the purpose of checking the factious spirit and correcting the erroneous opinions that had sprung up among them, and remedying the many abuses and disorderly practices that prevailed. Titus and a brother whose name is not given were probably the bearers of the letter (2Co 2:13; 8:6,16-18).
The epistle may be divided into four parts:
(1.) The apostle deals with the subject of the lamentable divisions and party strifes that had arisen among them (1-4).
(2.) He next treats of certain cases of immorality that had become notorious among them. They had apparently set at nought the very first principles of morality (5; 6).
(3.) In the third part he discusses various questions of doctrine and of Christian ethics in reply to certain communications they had made to him. He especially rectifies certain flagrant abuses regarding the celebration of the Lord's supper (7-14).
(4.) The concluding part (15; 16) contains an elaborate defense of the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, which had been called in question by some among them, followed by some general instructions, intimations, and greetings.
This epistle "shows the powerful self-control of the apostle in spite of his physical weakness, his distressed circumstances, his incessant troubles, and his emotional nature. It was written, he tells us, in bitter anguish, 'out of much affliction and pressure of heart...and with streaming eyes' (2Co 2:4); yet he restrained the expression of his feelings, and wrote with a dignity and holy calm which he thought most calculated to win back his erring children. It gives a vivid picture of the early church...It entirely dissipates the dream that the apostolic church was in an exceptional condition of holiness of life or purity of doctrine." The apostle in this epistle unfolds and applies great principles fitted to guide the church of all ages in dealing with the same and kindred evils in whatever form they may appear.
This is one of the epistles the authenticity of which has never been called in question by critics of any school, so many and so conclusive are the evidences of its Pauline origin.
The subscription to this epistle states erroneously in the Authorized Version that it was written at Philippi. This error arose from a mistranslation of 1Co 16:5, "For I do pass through Macedonia," which was interpreted as meaning, "I am passing through Macedonia." In 1Co 16:8 he declares his intention of remaining some time longer in Ephesus. After that, his purpose is to "pass through Macedonia."
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And it came to pass, while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul having come through the upper regions came down into Ephesus: and found certain disciples,
And this took place two years; so that all dwelling in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Watch therefore, remembering, that three years night and day I ceased not admonishing you with tears.
For it has been revealed to me concerning you, my brethren, by those who are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
But I will come to you when I may go through Macedonia; for I do go through Macedonia;
But I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: because they have supplied your deficiency:
For out of much tribulation and anguish of heart, I wrote to you through many tears; not in order that you may be grieved, but that you may know the divine love which I have unto you exceedingly.
and I had no rest to my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus: but having bidden them adieu, I came away into Macedonia.
that we should exhort Titus, that as he formerly began it, he may indeed also complete this grace unto you.
But thanks be unto God, who gives this same enthusiasm in your behalf in the heart of Titus; because he indeed accepted our exhortation; and being the more enthusiastic, came unto you of his own accord. read more. But we sent with him the brother, whose praise in the gospel is through all the churches;
Hastings
CORINTHIANS, FIRST EPISTLE TO THE
1. Occasion of the Epistle.
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And every one hearing these words of mine, and doing them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.
for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Truly I say unto you, Among those having been born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: nevertheless the least in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he.
And He said to them, All do not receive this word, but those to whom it has been given.
And electing elders for them in every church, praying with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
to abstain from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which keeping yourselves, you will do well. Fare ye well.
And a certain woman Lydia by name, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, worshiping God, was hearing us: whose heart the Lord opened to give attention to the words spoken by Paul.
And when both Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was straitened with the word, witnessing to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
But Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
And all taking Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, beat him before the tribunal; and nothing of these things was a care to Gallio.
And a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came into Ephesus, being mighty in the scriptures.
and having remained three months, a plot rising against him from the Jews, when about to sail for Syria, he was of a mind to return through Macedonia.
and having remained three months, a plot rising against him from the Jews, when about to sail for Syria, he was of a mind to return through Macedonia.
and we, after the days of unleaven bread, sailed from Philippi, and came to them into Troas within five days; where we spent seven days.
And having sent from Miletus into Ephesus, he called for the elders of the church.
Then what shall we say? must we abide in sin, in order that grace may abound?
For I speak, through the grace which has been given unto me, for every one who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, as God has imparted to each one the measure of faith.
Timothy my fellow-laborer salutes you; and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my consanguinity, salute you.
For it has been revealed to me concerning you, my brethren, by those who are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. And I say this, that each one says, I indeed am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
And I say this, that each one says, I indeed am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with the wisdom of speech, in order that the cross of Christ may not be made of none effect.
Where is the wise man? where is the scribe? where is the investigator of this age? has not God rendered the wisdom of the world foolishness?
Where is the wise man? where is the scribe? where is the investigator of this age? has not God rendered the wisdom of the world foolishness?
but we preach Christ having been crucified, to the Jews indeed a stumbling block, and to the Gentiles foolishness;
but we preach Christ having been crucified, to the Jews indeed a stumbling block, and to the Gentiles foolishness;
For you see your calling, brethren, that there are not many wise according to the flesh, not many influential, not many high-born:
And I, brethren, having come unto you, came not in the excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming unto you the testimony of God.
But we speak wisdom among the perfect: not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nought:
Which things indeed we speak, not in the teachable words of human wisdom, but in the teachable words of the Spirit, expounding spiritual things to spiritual people.
All things are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
But, brethren, I have transferred these things to myself and Apollos on your account: that you may learn among us not to be wise above what is written; in order that you may not be puffed up one in behalf of one against another.
being scandalized, we entreat: we have become as the offscourings of the world, the refuse of all things until now.
to turn over such a one to Satan for the destruction of carnality, in order that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
I have written unto you in a letter to have no fellowship with fornicators; not at all with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and the extortioners, or with the idolators; since you ought therefore to come out of the world.
For why is it for me to judge the outsiders? Do you not judge those within? But God will judge those without.
Which one of you having a matter dares to go to law with another before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? and if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy of the smallest judgments?
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? and if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy of the smallest judgments? Do you not know that we shall judge angels, not indeed matters of this life? read more. Then if indeed you have judgments appertaining to this life, do you sit those down who are little esteemed in the church? I speak this to your shame. Is there not one wise man among you who shall be able to judge between his brother? But does brother go to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers? Indeed it is already altogether a small matter to you, that you have law-suits one with another. Why do you not rather stiffer injustice? why are you not rather defrauded? But you inflict injustice, and defraud, and that your brethren.
And such were some of you: but you have washed, but you have been sanctified, but you have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful to me, but all things are not profitable: all things are lawful, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
All things are lawful to me, but all things are not profitable: all things are lawful, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the stomach, and the stomach for meats: but God will destroy both this and them. The body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body: read more. but God both raised up the Lord, and will raise you up through his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? then taking the members of Christ, shall I make them the members of a harlot? it could not be so.
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? then taking the members of Christ, shall I make them the members of a harlot? it could not be so. Do you not know that he who is joined to the harlot is one body? for it says, They two shall be one flesh. read more. But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit. Fly from fornication. Every sin which a man may commit is outside of his body; the one committing fornication sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? and you are not your own; for you have been bought with a price: indeed glorify God in your body.
But concerning those things about which you wrote to me: That it is good for a man not to receive a wife:
But I proclaim to those who have married, not I, but the Lord, That a wife shall not depart from her husband
But concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give knowledge, as one having obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful.
But she is happier if she may so remain, according to my opinion: but I realize that I truly have the Spirit of God.
But concerning things offered to idols: we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but divine love builds up.
For if any one may see you having knowledge sitting at the table in the idol temple, will not the conscience of him, being weak, be encouraged to eat things sacrificed to the idols? For the weak one is destroyed by your knowledge, the brother for whom Christ died. read more. And you, sinning so against the brethren, and wounding their weak conscience, are sinning against Christ. If indeed meat causes my brother to stumble, I never eat any more meat, in order that I may not lay a stumblingblock in the way of my brother.
Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen the Lord Jesus? are you not my work in the Lord?
Have we not a right to lead about a sister as a wife, as the other apostles also, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
Whoever goes to war at his own charges? who plants a vineyard, and does not eat the fruit of it? or who shepherdizes a flock, and does not eat of the milk of the flock?
If others partake of your bounty, shall not we the more? But we have not used this privilege, but we bear all things, in order that we may not give a hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
So also the Lord has commanded those preaching the gospel to live of the gospel.
Then what is my reward? that preaching the gospel, I may render the gospel free from charge, in order that I may not use my right in the gospel.
Do you not know that those running in the stadium, indeed all run, and one receives the prize? So run, that you may receive it.
For I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
and all did drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
No temptation has overtaken you, except that which is human: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also make a way of escape, in order that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, fly from idolatry.
Be ye imitators of me, as I also am of Christ.
Be ye imitators of me, as I also am of Christ. But I praise you because you remember me in all things, and hold fast the commandments, as I delivered them unto you.
But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head: for that is one and the same to her being shaven.
Therefore the woman ought to have authority on her head, on account of the angels.
For I received this from the Lord, which I have also delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the night in which he was betrayed, took bread,
let the women be silent in the churches: for it is not permitted to them to talk; but let them be subordinate, as the law also says. But if they wish to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is disgraceful for a woman to talk in church.
but let all things be done decently and in order.
and that he was buried, and that he arose on the third day according to the Scriptures;
But if Christ is preached that he is risen from the dead, how do certain ones among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But concerning the contribution to the saints, as I commanded the churches of Galatia, so you also do.
and perhaps I may abide with you, and even spend the winter with you, in order that you may send me forward whithersoever I may go.
And in this confidence I wished to come unto you sooner, that you may have a second grace;
But I call God to witness to my soul, that sparing you I did not yet come into Corinth:
But their minds were darkened. For until this day the same veil remains in the reading of the old covenant, remains, not lifted; because it is done away in Christ;
Since then indeed I wrote to you, not on account of the one having done the wrong, nor on account of the one having suffered the wrong, but in order that your zeal, which is in our behalf to you before God, might be made manifest.
And herein I give my judgement: for this is profitable to you, who not only began to do, but to be anxious, a year ago:
For I know your promptitude, of which I am boasting to the Macedonians in your behalf, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has aroused many.
Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If any has trusted to himself that he belongs to Christ, let him again consider this in reference to himself, that as he belongs to Christ, so do we also.
This the third time I am coming to you: in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.
because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is also the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body.
because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is also the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body.
Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.
Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and brother Timothy,
Because we wish to come to you, I Paul indeed both once and twice; and Satan hindered me.
of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
but I do not permit a woman to dictate or usurp authority over her husband, but to be in silence.
who have made shipwreck concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has already come, and they overturn the faith of some.
Smith
Corinth'ians, First Epistle to the,
was written by the apostle St. Paul toward the close of his nearly three-years stay at Ephesus,
which, we learn from
probably terminated with the Pentecost of A.D. 57 or 58. The bearers were probably (according to the common subscription) Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus. It appears to have been called forth by the information the apostles had received of dissension in the Corinthian church, which may be thus explained: --The Corinthian church was planted by the apostle himself,
in his second missionary journey.
seq. He abode in the city a year and a half.
A short time after the apostle had left the city the eloquent Jew of Alexandria, Apollos, went to Corinth,
and gained many followers, dividing the church into two parties, the followers of Paul and the followers of Apollos. Later on Judaizing teachers from Jerusalem preached the gospel in a spirit of direct antagonism to St. Paul personally. To this third party we may perhaps add a fourth, that, under the name of "the followers of Christ,"
sought at first to separate themselves from the factious adherence to particular teachers, but eventually were driven by antagonism into positions equally sectarian and inimical to the unity of the church. At this momentous period, before parties had become consolidated and that distinctly withdrawn from communion with one another, the apostle writes; and in the outset of the epistle, 1Cor 1-4:21, we have this noble and impassioned protest against this fourfold rending of the robe of Christ.
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And he spent a year and six months teaching the word of God among them.
And it came to pass, while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul having come through the upper regions came down into Ephesus: and found certain disciples,
And this took place two years; so that all dwelling in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Watch therefore, remembering, that three years night and day I ceased not admonishing you with tears.
But we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God; in order that we may know the things which have been graciously given unto us from God.
I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.