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 while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper parts, came to Ephesus;
And this was done for the space of two years, so that all the inhabitants of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.
Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, I ceased not to warn every one, night and day, with tears.
For it hath been declared to me of you, my brethren, by them of the family of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus: for they have supplied what was wanting on your part.
For from much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that ye might be grieved, but that ye might know the abundant love which I have toward you.
I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; so taking leave of them, I went forth into Macedonia.
So that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also compleat this gift among you.
But thanks be to God, who put the same diligent care for you in the heart of Titus. For he accepted indeed the exhortation, but being more forward, he went to you of his own accord. read more. And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise in the gospel is through all the churches: (And not only so,
Hastings
CORINTHIANS, FIRST EPISTLE TO THE
1. Occasion of the Epistle.
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But every one that heareth these my sayings, and doth them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, who built his house on the sand.
and not as the scribes.
Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist; but he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he.
But he said to them, All men cannot receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.
And when they had ordained them presbyters in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
and things strangled and fornication; from which keeping yourselves ye will do well. Fare ye well.
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, heard; whose heart the Lord opened to assent to the things which were spoken by Paul.
And when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in spirit, and testified to the Jews, that Jesus was the Christ.
And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
Then they all took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things.
Now a certain Jew, Apollos by name, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
And having abode there three months, an ambush being laid for him by the Jews, as he was about to sail into Syria, he determined to return by Macedonia.
And having abode there three months, an ambush being laid for him by the Jews, as he was about to sail into Syria, he determined to return by Macedonia.
and came to them at Troas in five days, where we abode seven days.
And sending to Ephesus from Miletus, he called thither the elders of the church.
And he had four daughters, virgins, who were prophetesses.
What shall we say then? We will continue in sin that grace may abound?
And I say, through the grace which is given to me, to every one that is among you, not to think of himself above what he ought to think, but to think soberly, according to the measure of faith which God hath distributed to every one.
Timothy my fellow-labourer, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater my kinsmen salute you.
For it hath been declared to me of you, my brethren, by them of the family of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, every one of you saith, I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I of Christ.
Now this I say, every one of you saith, I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?
I know not that I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel; but not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness:
to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness:
Behold your calling brethren: that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called:
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God.
Yet we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: but not the wisdom of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the hidden wisdom of God in a mystery,
Which also we speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Holy Spirit, explaining spiritual things by spiritual words.
all are yours, And ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
These things, brethren, I have by a figure transferred to myself and Apollos, for your sakes; that ye may learn in us, not to think of men above what is here written, that ye may not be puffed up for one above another.
Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and off-scouring of all things to this day.
with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one to Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
I wrote to you in an epistle, Not to converse with lewd persons. But not altogether with the lewd persons of this world, or the covetous, or the rapacious, or idolaters, for then ye must go out of the world.
For what have I to do, to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within?
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, refer it to the unjust, and not to the saints? Know ye not, that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Know ye not, that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not, that we shall judge angels? read more. How much more things pertaining to this life? If then ye have any controversies of things pertaining to this life, do ye set them to judge who are of no esteem in the church? I speak to your shame. What, is there not so much as one wise man among you, that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and this before the infidels. Indeed even this is altogether a fault among you, that ye have contests with each other. Why do ye not rather suffer wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, even your brethren.
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful for me; but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any.
All things are lawful for me; but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats are for the belly, and the belly for meats; yet God will destroy both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. read more. And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise us up by his power. Know ye not, that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot?
Know ye not, that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. Know ye not, that he who is joined to an harlot is one body? For they two, saith he, shall be one flesh. read more. But he that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doth, is without the body; but he that committeth fornication, sinneth against his own body. Know ye not, that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have from God? And ye are not your own: For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God with your body and your spirit, which are God's.
Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote to me, It is good for a man, not to touch a woman.
The married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband.
Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one who hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
But she is happier, if she continue as she is, in my judgment; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
Now as to things sacrified to idols, we know: for all of us have knowledge.
For if any one see thee, who hast knowledge, sitting at meat in an idol-temple, will not the conscience of him that is weak be encouraged to eat of the things sacrificed to the idol? And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died. read more. But when ye sin thus against your brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?
Have we not power to lead about with us a sister, a wife, as well as the other apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Peter?
Who ever warreth at his own charge? Who planteth a vineyard, and doth not eat of its fruit? Or who feedeth a flock, and doth not eat of the milk of the flock?
If others partake of this power over you, do not we rather? Yet we have not used this power: but we suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
So also hath the Lord ordained, that they who preach the gospel, should live of the gospel.
What then is my reward? that when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
Know ye not, that they who run in the race, all run, but one receiveth the prize? so run that ye may obtain.
Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that all our fathers were under the cloud,
And all drank the same spiritual drink (for they drank out of the spiritual rock which followed them; and that rock was Christ) Yet, with the most of them, God was not well-pleased;
There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above your ability, but will with the temptation make also a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ.
Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the orders, as I delivered them to you.
But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered, dishonoureth her head; for it is the same as if she were shaved.
For this cause also the woman ought to have a veil upon her head, because of the angels.
Therefore when ye come together into one place, it is not eating the Lord's supper.
I praise you not. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus the night in which he was betrayed,
Ye know that when ye were heathens, ye were carried away after dumb idols, as ye were led.
And God hath set in the church, first, apostles, secondly, prophets, thirdly, teachers: afterward miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, different kinds of tongues.
Let your women be silent in the churches; for it is not permitted them to speak, but to be in subjection, as the law also saith. And if they desire to learn any thing, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is indecent for a woman to speak in the assembly.
Let all things be done decently and in order.
according to the scriptures, And that he was buried, and that he was raised the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.
But if Christ is preached, that he rose from the dead, how say some among you, that there is no resurrection of the dead?
Concerning the collection for the saints, as I have ordered the churches of Galatia, so also do ye.
(for I pass through Macedonia) And perhaps I may stay, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me forward on my journey, whithersoever I go.
And in this confidence I was minded to come to you before, that ye might have had a second benefit, And to pass by you into Macedonia,
But I call God for a record on my soul, that to spare you, I came not as yet to Corinth.
But their understandings were blinded: and until this day the same veil remaineth unremoved on the reading of the old testament, which is taken away in Christ.
And though I wrote to you, it was not for his sake who had done the wrong, nor for his sake who had suffered it, but for the sake of manifesting to you in the sight of God our diligent care over you.
And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun a year ago, not only to do, but also to do it willingly.
For I know your readiness, which I boast concerning you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
Do ye look at the outward appearance of things? If any man be confident, that he is Christ's, let him again think this of himself, that as he is Christ's, so we also are Christ's.
I am coming to you this third time: every word shall be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses.
For the husband is head of the wife, as Christ also is head of the church:
For the husband is head of the wife, as Christ also is head of the church:
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons,
Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus a brother,
Wherefore we would have come to you (even I Paul) once and again, but Satan hindered us.
Among which are Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
For I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
Who have erred from the faith, saying, The resurrection is already past, and overthrow 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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After these things, Paul departing from Athens, came to Corinth.
And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Now while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper parts, came to Ephesus;
And this was done for the space of two years, so that all the inhabitants of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.
Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, I ceased not to warn every one, night and day, with tears.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we may know the things which are freely given to us of God.
I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.