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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Whilst Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having pass'd through the upper provinces of Asia, arrived at Ephesus, where finding some disciples, he said to them,
this he continued for two years; so that the Jews and proselytes of that part of Asia heard the doctrine of the Lord Jesus.
be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears.
for I have been inform'd, my brethren, by some of Chloe's family, that there are contentions among you.
I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus are come: for what was wanting on your side, they have supplied.
for out of much affliction and anguish of heart, I wrote to you with many tears; not to make you uneasy, but to make you sensible of the overflowing tenderness which I have for you.
I was so uneasy in my mind for not finding Titus my brother, that taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
I therefore desired Titus, as he had begun, to finish this contribution among you.
But thanks be to God, who disposed Titus to be so industrious for you. for he not only complyed with my exhortation, but being more than ordinarily concern'd, he voluntarily went to you; read more. with whom I have sent one of the brethren, who is not only distinguish'd among all the churches, by his preaching the gospel,
Hastings
CORINTHIANS, FIRST EPISTLE TO THE
1. Occasion of the Epistle.
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but every one that heareth these instructions of mine, and practiseth them not, shall be compared to a fool who built his house upon the sand:
for he taught them, as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
I declare unto you, among the whole race of prophets, there never appear'd a greater than John the Baptist: (notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of the
but he reply'd, 'tis not everyman can live single, but only such as have the gift of continency.
and after they had by prayers and fastings establish'd Pastors for them in every church, they recommended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the flesh of strangled animals, and from fornication: you will do well to preserve your selves from these practices. farewel.
so we took our places, and convers'd with the women, that came there. one of them was nam'd Lydia of Thyatira, a trader in purple, and a Jewish proselyte. she heard us: and the Lord inclin'd her heart to attend to what Paul said.
and when Silas and Timothy were arriv'd from Macedonia, Paul with great concern remonstrated to the Jews, that Jesus was the Messiah:
the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his family, as well as many of the Corinthians, who heard Paul, and were baptized.
but the Greeks in a body fell upon Sosthenes the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the tribunal: whilst Gallio was unconcern'd about the matter.
In the mean time a Jew, nam'd Apollos, born at Alexandria, a man of letters, and vers'd in the scriptures, arriv'd at Ephesus.
there he stay'd three months; and then the Jews conspiring to surprize him at his embarkation for Syria, it was thought adviseable he should return thro' Macedonia. Sopater of Berea,
there he stay'd three months; and then the Jews conspiring to surprize him at his embarkation for Syria, it was thought adviseable he should return thro' Macedonia. Sopater of Berea,
after the feast of unleaven'd bread we sail'd from Philippi, and in five days we join'd them at Troas, where we stay'd seven.
At Miletus he sent a message to the pastors of the church at Ephesus, to come to him:
he was one of the seven deacons, and had four daughters all virgins, prophetesses.
Do we then conclude thus, let us continue in sin, that the divine favour may be more fully display'd?
Now it is by virtue of my apostolical commission, that I charge every man among you, not to entertain too high an opinion of himself; but modestly consider, that 'tis God who has dealt to every man his proportion of spiritual gifts.
Timotheus my collegue, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
for I have been inform'd, my brethren, by some of Chloe's family, that there are contentions among you. I mean that one or other of you cries out "I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas,
I mean that one or other of you cries out "I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I of Christ." is the school of Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were you baptized into the name of Paul?
for Christ did not send me to baptize: but to preach the gospel: tho' not with the preaching of the wise, lest the cross of Christ should have been hinder'd in its efficacy.
where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputant of this age? has not God prov'd the wisdom of this world to be downright folly.
where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputant of this age? has not God prov'd the wisdom of this world to be downright folly.
we preach Christ crucified, an obstacle to the Jews indeed, and to the Gentiles foolishness: but to those who believe,
we preach Christ crucified, an obstacle to the Jews indeed, and to the Gentiles foolishness: but to those who believe,
for consider, brethren, that not many worldly wise, not many men of power, not many men of birth are among you that are called.
As for me, my brethren, when I appear'd among you, it was not to represent to you the divine mystery in sublime language, and with human literature.
However, what we preach is wisdom, to those who are thoroughly instructed: yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who will soon come to nothing.
this is what we declare, not in the words which human wisdom, but which the holy spirit dictates; explaining spiritual things in a spiritual language.
all are yours; and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
These things, my brethren, I have represented to you in my own person, and that of Apollos, out of respect to you: to show you how to moderate your esteem by the rule prescrib'd, that you may not be transported in favour of one rather than another.
and when we are defamed, we intreat: in a word, we are look'd upon as the dregs and scum of mankind, even to this day.
to deliver him up to satan, to suffer corporal punishment, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.
When I formerly writ to you, not to keep company with the vicious: I did not mean the vicious Gentiles, the misers, the raparees, or with idolaters; for then you must have gone out of the world.
for what have I to do to judge those who are without the church; but are not you to judge those that are within?
When any controversy arises among you, will any one presume to appeal to the Gentiles, and not to Christians? don't you know that these are to judge the world? if the world is to be judg'd by you, are not you qualify'd to decide your petty causes?
don't you know that these are to judge the world? if the world is to be judg'd by you, are not you qualify'd to decide your petty causes? don't you know that we shall be judges of angels? much more then of the affairs of life? read more. if then you have the cognizance of such matters, why do ye set those to judge who are despised by the church? I speak it to your shame. what, is there not a man of experience amongst you, capable of being arbitrator between his brethren? but when a contest arises, you must refer the decision to infidels? beside, you are absolutely in the wrong in going to law with one another at all: why don't you rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer loss? nay, in this case, you act injuriously, and do damage even to your brethren.
and such were some of you: but you have been washed, you have been sanctified, you have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the spirit of our God. Are all things lawful for me? however, all things are not expedient: are all things lawful for me? however, I will not be a slave to any.
Are all things lawful for me? however, all things are not expedient: are all things lawful for me? however, I will not be a slave to any. "meat is design'd for the belly, and the belly for meat:" true, yet God has design'd both for destruction. now the body is not design'd for licentiousness, but for the glory of the Lord; since the Lord died for the glorification of the body: read more. for as God hath raised up the Lord, so will he likewise raise us up to partake of his own power. Don't you know, that your bodies are parts of Christ's mystical body? now, how can that which is Christ's, be made the property of a very creature?
Don't you know, that your bodies are parts of Christ's mystical body? now, how can that which is Christ's, be made the property of a very creature? it cannot be. why, don't you perceive, that where there is such an attachment, they are but as one person? for the scripture says, "they two shall be as one." read more. but he that is attach'd to the Lord, is united to him by one and the same spirit. flee licentiousness. no other sin that a man commits does affect the church as a body: but the licentious commits a fraud against the whole body to which he belongs. what! know ye not that your bodies are the temple of the holy spirit, which is in you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? for you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
Now as to the question you writ to me about; "whether it is best for a man not to marry?"
as to the married, I enjoin this rule, not as from my self, but from the Lord, that a woman should not leave her husband:
As to the case of celibacy, I have no positive instructions: yet my advice deserves to be regarded, as coming from one the divine favour has distinguished.
but she will be happier, if she remain a widow, in my opinion: and I think the divine spirit suggests the same.
Now as to things offered to idols, 'tis certain that the knowledge you all pretend to have, swells you with pride, but 'tis charity that edifieth.
for if any man see you who have a just notion of idols, sitting at table in their temple, will not the person who is wrong in his notions be incouraged to eat what is offered to idols, tho' contrary to his own opinion? so that your notions may endanger the life of thy weak brother, for whom Christ died. read more. but when you thus offend against the brethren, by wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. wherefore if my eating makes my brother offend, I will never eat flesh rather than make my brother offend.
Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you become christians by my labour?
have not we the liberty to take a christian woman with us in our travels, as well as the rest of the apostles, as the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas did?
who ever serves in war at his own charges? who plants a vineyard, and does not eat of the fruit? or who feeds a flock, and eats not of the milk of the flock?
if others partake of your substance, have not I a better title? nevertheless, I have not made use of this privilege; but bear with any thing rather than obstruct the gospel of Christ.
even so has the Lord ordained, that they who preach the gospel, should live by the gospel.
whence then is my reward? why, from my preaching the gospel of Christ gratis, without making use of the privilege which the gospel gives me.
You know, that in a race, tho' all run, but one receives the prize: so run, that you may obtain.
I would not have you ignorant, my brethren, that all our fathers were under the Cloud, all passed thro' the sea:
and all drank the same spiritual drink: (for they drank of what flowed from the spiritual rock: and that rock was Christ.)
you have met with no trials yet, but such as are common to men: and God who is faithful, will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength; but will with the temptation make a way to escape, by enabling you to bear it. wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
Imitate herein my example as I do that of Christ.
Imitate herein my example as I do that of Christ. now I commend you, brethren, for remembring all my orders, and for keeping the rules I delivered to you.
or prophesies with her head uncovered, dishonoureth the man who is her head: for it is the same thing as if her head was shav'd.
therefore the woman ought to be veil'd, out of regard to the angels.
when you thus assemble therefore, this is not eating the Lord's supper.
For I received it from the Lord, and I inform'd you of it: that the Lord Jesus, the night in which he was betrayed, took bread:
when you were Gentiles, you know how you were seduced by your leaders, to the worship of dumb idols.
which God has placed in the church, first apostles, next prophets, then teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, assistants, governours, interpreters of languages.
Let your women be silent in your assemblies: for they are not allowed to discourse there; but are to observe orders, as indeed the law implies: and if they desire to have information about any point, let them consult their husbands at home: for it does not become women to ask questions in the church.
let all things be done with decency, and without disorder.
that he was buried, and rose again the third day, as the scriptures foretold:
Now if it has been declared, that Christ rose from the dead, how comes it, that some among you assert, "there is no resurrection of the dead?"
Now as to the collection for the converts at Jerusalem, do as I have directed for the churches of Galatia.
pass thro' Macedonia) and perhaps I shall make some stay, if not pass the winter with you, that you may forward me on my journey, wherever I go.
in this confidence I purposed to visit you before now, (that you might have again the like satisfaction)
I call God to witness, and may I die if it is not true, that the reason of my not coming yet to Corinth, was to avoid using any severity towards you.
besides, their minds were greatly prejudiced: for that very veil would still have obstructed the understanding of the old testament, unless it had been taken away by Christ.
wherefore, my writing to you so severely did not proceed from any prejudice to him, that had done the wrong, or from favour to him that suffered wrong, but to show my conscientious regard to your welfare.
in this I only advise you: it being for your credit, since you have not only begun to execute it, but you were the first that form'd the design a year ago.
for I know your generous propensity, and I mention'd it with applause to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; so that your zeal has influenc'd many others.
Do ye judge of things by the outward appearance? if any man is confident in himself, that he is Christ's, let him from himself conclude too, that as he is Christ's, even so are we.
This is the third time I am coming to you: "in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."
for the husband presides over his wife, as Christ presides over the church: and he it is that preserves the whole body.
for the husband presides over his wife, as Christ presides over the church: and he it is that preserves the whole body.
the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the christians that are at Philippi, to the bishops, and to the deacons.
Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the divine appointment, and Timothy our brother,
this I Paul have frequently attempted, but Satan has been my obstacle.
Hymeneus and Alexander are of that number, whom I have deliver'd to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
for I don't allow a woman to be a teacher, nor to dictate to her husband; but let her be silent.
they have deserted the faith themselves, and debauch'd the faith of others, by maintaining, "the resurrection is already past."
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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After this Paul left Athens and arriv'd at Corinth:
so he continued there a year and a half preaching the word of God among them.
Whilst Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having pass'd through the upper provinces of Asia, arrived at Ephesus, where finding some disciples, he said to them,
this he continued for two years; so that the Jews and proselytes of that part of Asia heard the doctrine of the Lord Jesus.
be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears.
now the spirit which we have received, is not the spirit of this world, but that which comes from God; that we might know what he has graciously bestowed upon us.
I have planted, Apollos watered: but God gave the increase.