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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Now it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul, after passing through the hinterland, came to Ephesus, where he found a few disciples.
This went on for two years, so that all the inhabitants of Asia heard the Lord's message, Jews as well as Greeks.
So be on guard; and remember that for three years I ceased not to admonish you all, night and day, even with tears.
For it has been plainly told me concerning you, my brothers, by Chloe's people, that there are dissensions among you.
I am glad that Stephanus and Fortunatus and Achaicus have arrived, for they have made up for your absence.
For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart, through many tears; not to pain you, but to convince you of my love, my abundant love for you.
I could get no peace of mind because I failed to find Titus, my brother. So I bade them good-bye and started off for Macedonia.
With the result that I have been begging Titus that, as he had been the one to begin the work with you, so he should complete among you this grace also.
But thanks be to God who has inspired in the heart of Titus the same zeal on your behalf that I have. For he not only consented to my request, but being thoroughly in earnest, comes to you of his own accord. read more. And I am sending with him that brother whose fame in the service of the gospel is spread through all the churches.
Hastings
CORINTHIANS, FIRST EPISTLE TO THE
1. Occasion of the Epistle.
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"And every one who hears these words of mine and does them not, I will liken to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.
for he was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes taught them.
"In solemn truth I tell you that there has not arisen among those born of women a greater than John the Baptist; yet one of the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
He answered them. "Not all are accepting this teaching, but only those to whom it has been granted.
They chose elders for them in every church, after prayer and fasting, and commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
"that you abstain from food that has been sacrificed to idols, and from tasting blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear from these things and it will be well with you. Farewell."
Among them was a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, who belonged to the town of Thyatira. She, since she was a worshiper of God, listened to us, and the Lord opened her heart to attend to what Paul said.
And when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was engrossed in his message, earnestly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
And Crispus, the warden of the synagogue, believed on the Lord, with all his household; and many of the Corinthians from time to time listened, believed, and were baptized.
Then they all laid hold of Sosthenes, the warden of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal; but Gallio took no notice.
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, a learned man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
Just as he was about to set sail for Syria, the Jews laid a plot against him, and he determined to return through Macedonia.
Just as he was about to set sail for Syria, the Jews laid a plot against him, and he determined to return through Macedonia.
but we ourselves set sail from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and joined them five days later at Troas. There we remained for a week.
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church to come to him;
Now Philip had four unmarried daughters who prophesied,
What then shall we say? Shall we continue to abound in sin, in order that grace may come to abound?
For, through the grace that was given to me, I tell every man among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think, as to think soberly, according to the measure of faith which God has given him.
Timothy, my fellow worker, salutes you; so do my fellow countrymen Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater.
For it has been plainly told me concerning you, my brothers, by Chloe's people, that there are dissensions among you. I mean by this that one of you says, "I am a follower of Paul"; another, "I of Apollos"; another, "I of Cephas"; another, "I of Christ."
I mean by this that one of you says, "I am a follower of Paul"; another, "I of Apollos"; another, "I of Cephas"; another, "I of Christ." Has Christ been divided? Paul, was he crucified for you? or was it into the name of Paul that you were baptized?
For Christ did not think I baptized any one else. For Christ did not send me forth to baptize, but to proclaim the gospel; and that not in philosophic words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made an empty thing.
Sage, rabbi, skeptic of this present age??here are they all? Has not God made foolish the philosophy of the world?
Sage, rabbi, skeptic of this present age??here are they all? Has not God made foolish the philosophy of the world?
but we come preaching a crucified Messiah??o Jews a stumbling-block, to Greeks foolishness,
but we come preaching a crucified Messiah??o Jews a stumbling-block, to Greeks foolishness,
For consider your own calling, brothers, that not many wise in earthly wisdom, not many powerful, not many of noble birth, have been called.
And when I came to you, brothers, I came not to proclaim God's great secret purpose in fine language of philosophy;
Notwithstanding, among those who are mature I do teach philosophy; though not the philosophy of the present age, nor of its rulers who are coming to nought.
Of these high themes we speak in words not taught by human philosophy, but by the Spirit; interpreting spiritual things to spiritual men.
and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
Now these things, brothers, I have applied in a figure to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that in us you might learn not to go beyond what is written; that none of you be puffed up for the one, against the other.
When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when defamed, we conciliate. We have been made, as it were, scum-o'-the-earth, the very refuse of the world, to this very hour!
I have handed over such a man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, that his spirit may be saved, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
I told you in my letter not to associate with the immoral. Not that in this world you were actually to have no contact with the immoral, the avaricious, the thievish, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world, altogether.
What have I to do with the judging of outsiders? Must not you judge those who are within the church, while God judges outsiders?
Dare any one of you who has a grievance against his neighbor go to law before heathen judges, instead of before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be tried by you, are you unfit to try such trifling cases?
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be tried by you, are you unfit to try such trifling cases? Do you not know that we are to try angels? How much more, then, the affairs of life. read more. Why then, if you have cases relating to earthly affairs which need to be decided, is it men who are absolutely nothing in the church whom you make your judges? I say this to shame you. Is it so that there is not among you a single wise man, capable of deciding between a man and his brother? Must brother go to law with brother, and that, too, before unbelievers? Indeed, to say nothing more, the fact that you have lawsuits with one another is altogether a defect in you. Why not rather suffer injustice? Why not rather endure being cheated? On the contrary, you yourselves are inflicting injustice and fraud, and that upon your brothers.
Such were some of you, but you have washed away your stains, you have been consecrated, you have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God. "All things are lawful for me"? Yes, but not all things are good for me. "All things are lawful for me"? Yes, but I will not let myself be enslaved by the power of any.
"All things are lawful for me"? Yes, but not all things are good for me. "All things are lawful for me"? Yes, but I will not let myself be enslaved by the power of any. "Food is meant for the stomach, and the stomach for food"? Yes, but God will soon put an end both to the one and to the other. The body, however, exists not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body; read more. and the God who raised up our Lord will up-raise us also by his mighty power. You know, do you not, that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of a harlot? God forbid!
You know, do you not, that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of a harlot? God forbid! Do you not know that he who joins himself to a harlot is one with her in body? (For God says, The two shall become one flesh.) read more. While a man who is united with the Lord is one with Him in spirit? Flee from immorality. Every other sin that a man commits lies outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is within you, the Spirit whom you have from God? You are not your own; for you have been bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your bodies.
Now concerning the question in your letter. It is well for a man to have no intercourse with a woman,
But to those already married my commandment is??nd not mine, but the Lord's??hat a wife is not to leave her husband;
I have no command from the Lord to give you concerning unmarried women; but I give you my opinion, and it is that of a man who, through the Lord's mercy, is deserving of your confidence.
But she is happier, in my judgment, if she remains as she is; and I think that I, too, have the Spirit of God.
Now in regard to food which has been offered to idols, we are sure of course that "we all have knowledge." But knowledge puffs up, while love builds up.
For if any one should see you, the possessor of "knowledge," reclining at table in an idol's temple, would not his conscience, if he were weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? So he is lost, this weak man, lost by your "knowledge." this brother for whom Christ died. read more. In so sinning against your brothers, and in ever and again wounding their weak consciences, you are sinning against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat makes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, lest I make my brother to stumble.
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
Have I no right to take a believing wife with me on my journey, as the rest of the apostles and the Lord's brothers and Peter do?
What soldier ever serves at his own expense? What farmer ever plants a vineyard and his flock and does not taste the milk?
If others share this authority over you, do not I far more? Yet I have not availed myself of it, but am patiently enduring; so that I may not in any way hinder the progress of Christ's gospel.
Even so the Lord ordained that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
What then is my wage? This, that I can make the gospel free where I carry it; and that I can refrain from using my rights as a preacher of the gospel.
Do you not know that in a foot-race, though all run, only one receives the prize? So run that you may win.
For I would not have you ignorant, brothers, how our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,
and all drank from the same spiritual stream, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
No temptation has overtaken you that is beyond man's power; but God is faithful, who will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but will, with every temptation, provide the way of escape also, so that you may be able to withstand. So then, my beloved, continually flee from idolatry.
Be imitators of me, as I am an imitator of Christ.
Be imitators of me, as I am an imitator of Christ. Indeed I praise you for remembering me in everything, and because you are holding fast to the traditions just as you received them.
but every woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head (her husband). for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven.
For this reason the woman ought to have authority over her head, because of her guardian angels.
For I passed on to you the account, which I myself received from the Lord; how the Lord Jesus, on the very night he was betrayed, took bread,
You know that when you were heathen you went astray after dumb idols, wherever he be led.
And God has appointed those in the church to be first of all apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers. then workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, users of various kinds of "tongues."
"In your congregation" you write, "as in all the churches of the saints, let the women keep silence in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. On the contrary let them be subordinate, as also says the law. And if they want to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a women to speak in church."
Let everything be done decently and in order.
that he was buried, and that he was raised the third day, according to the Scriptures,
If then, we are preaching Christ, that he rose from the dead, how are some of you saying that there is no resurrection from the dead?
Now concerning the offering for the saints, you also are to do as I directed the church of Galatia.
I shall remain some time with you; possibly spending the winter, in order that you may help me forward in whatever journey I take.
And in this confidence I intended to visit you, before going elsewhere, that you might have a pleasure twice over.
But for my part I call God to witness, as my soul shall answer for it, that it was to spare you that I came not to Corinth
Nay, their minds were made dull; for to this very day, at the public reading of the Old Testament, the same veil rests thereon, because it is not revealed to them that in Christ the veil is taken away.
So then, even if I did write to you, it was not for the sake of the wrong-doer, or of him who had been wronged, but to make clear to yourselves in the sight of God your earnest care for me.
And I will give you my opinion in this matter; for this offering is fitting in your case, considering that you made a beginning before others, not only in the willingness to do something but also in actually doing something a year ago.
for I know how ready you are, and am always boasting about you to the Macedonians, telling them that Greece has been ready for a year past; and your zeal has been a spur to the majority of them.
Look these facts in the face. If any man is fully persuaded as regards himself that he belongs to Christ, let him consider again with himself, that just as he is Christ's, so also am I.
This will be my third visit to you. Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be confirmed.
because a husband is the head of his wife even as Christ is head of the church, his body, which he saves.
because a husband is the head of his wife even as Christ is head of the church, his body, which he saves.
Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, and to the elders and deacons.
For that reason I would fain have visited you??, Paul, again and again??ut Satan hindered me.
Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have given over to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.
I allow no woman to teach, or to exercise authority over a man; but let her keep quiet.
Among such are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have gone astray concerning the truth by declaring that the resurrection is already past; and they are undermining 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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So he lived there a year and six months and continued to teach them the word of God.
Now it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul, after passing through the hinterland, came to Ephesus, where he found a few disciples.
This went on for two years, so that all the inhabitants of Asia heard the Lord's message, Jews as well as Greeks.
So be on guard; and remember that for three years I ceased not to admonish you all, night and day, even with tears.
But we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which comes forth from God, that we may realize the blessings freely given us by God.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God made the seed grow.