Paul s s 1 st letter to the church in Corinth Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ their their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.. 1
The City of Corinth 2
Prehistoric era The ancient city The city was founded before 4,000 BC (abt 6,000 BC). According to myth, the city was founded by Corinthos, a descendant of the god Helios (the Sun), while other myths suggest that it was founded by the goddess Ephyra, a daughter of the titan Oceanus. According to myth, Sisyphus was the founder of a race of ancient kings at Corinth. It was also in Corinth that Jason, the leader of the Argonauts, abandoned Medea. Corinth took part in the first naval battle on record, against the Hellenic city of Corcyra. 3
The ancient city Classical Greek era (~7 th century BC) The ancient city rivaled Athens and Thebes in wealth, based on the Isthmian traffic and trade. The city had two main ports, one on each gulf, serving the trade routes of the western and eastern Mediterranean. Both ports had docks for the large war fleet of the city-state. It is believed that Corinth housed a great temple on its ancient acropolis dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite. The story is that there may have been more than 1,000 temple prostitutes employed at the Temple of Aphrodite, (based upon archaeological evidence, this may not be accurate). Corinth was also the host of the annual Isthmian Games, held in honor of Poseidon. 4
The ancient city Trade routes Classical Greek era (continued) Sea travel around Peloponnesus was a 250mi dangerous journey. A mariners saying was, A sailor never travels around the cape until he writes his will. 5
The ancient city Classical Greek era (continued) Periander was the first to attempt to cut across the Isthmus to create a seaway to allow ship traffic between the Corinthian and the Saronic Gulf. He abandoned the venture due to the extreme technical difficulties he met, but he created the Diolkos (a stone-built overland ramp) instead. Diolkos means place of dragging Ships were transported across the Isthmus of Corinth by means of the diolkos. Ships were put on sleds and rolled on logs along. A canal was begun by Nero (1 st century) and finished at the end of 18 th century. 6
The ancient city Classical Greek era (continued) During this era Corinthians developed the Corinthian order. The Corinthian order was based upon the accumulation of wealth and the luxurious lifestyle in the ancient city-state. Horace is quoted as saying: "Not everyone is able to go to Corinth", due to the expensive living standards that prevailed in the city. The city was renowned for the temple prostitutes of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who served the wealthy merchants and the powerful officials living in or traveling in and out of the city. Greek culture placed a premium on wisdom. 7
The ancient city Roman Greek era (~146BC ~300AD) The Romans destroyed Corinth following a siege in 146 BC; upon entering the city Mummius put all the men to the sword and sold the women and children into slavery before he torched the city. Julius Caesar refounded the city as Colonia laus Iulia Corinthiensis in 44 BC shortly before his assassination. Under the Romans, it became the seat of government for Gulf of Corinth Southern Greece or Achaia and was noted for its wealth. Saronic Gulf to Corinthianize = to practice sexual immorality 8
Paul s second missionary journey The apostle Paul first visited the city (AD 50 or 51), Gallio, the brother of Seneca, was proconsul. Paul resided here for eighteen months (see Acts 18:1-18). Total distance ~2,800mi 49-52 AD 9
The City of Corinth Temple of Apollo was in the center of the city. Apollo was the god of music, song and poetry and was the ideal of male beauty, making Corinth a centre for homosexuality Soon after Paul s departure Apollos came from Ephesus (before 1 Corinthians written - see Acts 18:18-28) During Paul s second visit in the spring of 58 it is likely the Epistle to the Romans was written. 10
The City of Corinth Up to 12 temples at time of Paul (unsure how many active) Aphrodite, goddess of love. Apollo, god of light, sun, truth Asclepius, god of healing Playwright at time used phrase living like a Corinthian to describe drunken and licentious behavior As Paul arrived at Corinth, he would have seen lots of rock piles, ruins of ancient city walls. Pop: 250,000 free + up to 400,000 slaves = 650,000 Corinth, the capital of the province of Achaia, was a city of social, cultural, and religious diversity, including Jews. The Jews living there were more cosmopolitan and multicultural than those in Palestine. In 49 AD, the Jews were expelled from Rome. A good number migrated to Corinth. While Paul stayed in Corinth, he met with Jewish refugees from Rome. Paul sought out two of them, Aquila and Prisca, because they were tentmakers like himself. He asked if they could work together as business associates. Aquila and Prisca also became key leaders of the young Christian church. Around 150-200 followers of Christ were in Corinth at the time of Paul's writing his letters to them. Corinthian Christians lived in large, complex households and worshiped in house churches that reflected the city's diverse make-up. 11
Paul s 1 st Epistle to the Corinthians The Church: Founded by Paul (Acts 18:1-7) Jews attempted to close church, failed (Acts 18:12-17) Gifted (1:4-7) Immature & unspiritual (3:1-4) Many in church carried with them the sins of their former life (6:9-11) Paul s work continued by Apollos (3:6) & possibly Peter (1:12) 12
Paul s 1 st Epistle to the Corinthians The Date & Occasion: Written from Ephesus (16:8) Paul ministered in Ephesus for 3 years During 3 rd missionary journey (55 or 56 AD) Why was letter written? Response to concerns of the household of Chloe (1:11) 1 st letter did not resolve the problems (5:9-11) Also to answer matters you wrote about (7:1) possibly delivered by Stephanas, Fortunatus, Achaicus (16:17) 13
Paul s 1 st Epistle to the Corinthians The Letter: No dispute that letter was written by Apostle Paul 2 nd letter by Paul to Corinth (5:9) 1 st letter not to associate with sexually immoral people 2 nd letter = 1 Corinthians 3 rd letter was Paul s severe letter (2 Cor 2:3-4; 7:8, 12) 4 th letter = 2 Corinthians Theme is how to set right a worldly church that so lightly regards their alarming attitudes, errors and actions. Without this letter WE would be very much the poorer 1 Cor 11 the Lord s Supper 1 Cor 13 - the most beautiful essay on love in ALL literature 1 Cor 15 - teaching on the Lord s (& our) resurrection 14
Paul s 1 st Epistle to the Corinthians Major problems addressed: Divisions and cliques Hero worship of leaders (Paul, Apollos, Peter & Christ) Incest Civil litigation Immorality Women in church Abuse of Lord s Supper Marriage Food offered to idols Spiritual gifts Denial of bodily resurrection of Christ Collection for Jewish Christians in Jerusalem 15