1/2 Corinthians and Romans

Ephesus

1 Corinthians was written from

18 months

Paul remained in Corinth for

Achaia

Corinth is in the Roman province of

Sophists

Orators who drew crowds and students

AD 53–55

Approximate date 1 Corinthians was composed

Julius Caesar in 44 BC

Corinth was recolonized by

Natural person can't understand the Spirit; spiritual person sees God's wisdom in the cross

Natural person vs. Spiritual person in 1 Corinthians 1–2

Foolishness, but God's power to believers

Message of the cross to Gentiles

Divisions, immorality, lawsuits, marriage, food offered to idols, spiritual gifts, resurrection

Primary reasons Paul wrote 1 Corinthians

Second missionary journey

Paul first visited Corinth on his

1 Corinthians 1:18 "The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing..."

Key text - 1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 5:17"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation..."

Key text - 2 Corinthians

• Unity of the church (1 Cor 1–3)

• Resurrection of the body (1 Cor 15)

• Generosity and giving (2 Cor 8–9)

• Power made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12)

• New covenant ministry through the Spirit (2 Cor 3)

Major doctrinal points of 1–2 Corinthians with examples:

Amanuensis

Secretary who took dictation:

Super-apostles (These opponents emphasized status, eloquence, and visions)

Paul calls his opponents in Corinth: 

• Multiple letters may be present in 2 Corinthians

• Painful letter likely found in chapters 10–13

• Letter of reconciliation likely in chapters 1–9

Composition of 1–2 Corinthians:

Epideictic rhetoric

Type of rhetoric using praise and blame:

• Paul's visits

• Paul's defense of his apostolic authority

Two major themes of 2 Corinthians:

the ministry of Moses

According to 2 Cor 3, Paul’s ministry of the Spirit has far more glory than that of

fourth

The letter known as “2 Corinthians” perhaps is at least Paul’s _______ epistle to the Corinthians.

• Support the poor in Jerusalem

• Strengthen unity between Gentile and Jewish Christians

Purpose of the collection:

client

When a patron gave a gift, the recipient or ________ was obliged to offer thanks

covenant

Paul’s ministry fulfills the prophet Jeremiah’s promise of a “new 

Spain

In Romans, Paul’s ultimate goal is to take the gospel to what region?

Mixed community of Jews and Gentiles

The church at Rome is largely comprised of 

Tertius

The name of Paul’s scribe that helped compose Romans is 

Phoebe

Who (perhaps) will deliver the epistle to the Romans?

• Some think it was sent to another church (like Ephesus)

• Others say it fits with Rome because of Paul’s wide network

Understand the theories about Rom 16 

1. Introduction and Theme (1:1–17)

2. Problem of Sin (1:18–3:20)

3. Justification by Faith (3:21–5:21)

4. Life in Christ/Sanctification (6–8)

5. Israel’s Role (9–11)

6. Practical Exhortations (12–15)

7. Personal Greetings (16)

Know and understand the main parts of Romans – Give chapters 

Romans 1:16–17 – "I am not ashamed of the gospel..."

Key text of Romans

Romans 6:14 – Believers are under grace, not law
Romans 7:14–25 – Describes the inner conflict of wanting to do good but struggling with sin

Be able to explain in brief words Rom 6:14; 7:14-25.

he righteousness of God revealed through faith, available to both Jews and Gentiles
Table fellowship and Gentile inclusion: Central to Paul's vision of unity in Christ

What is central theme of Romans (pages 334-35) – How is table fellowship and the acceptance of Gentiles viewed? 

God has not rejected Israel; their role is part of God’s larger redemptive plan (Romans 9–11)

What is the role of Israel in the understanding of Romans?

Emphasizes Jewish-Gentile unity and the role of the law as boundary markers, not salvation

What is the  “new perspective” emphasis

Corinth

Romans was written from the city of ______. 

Edict of Claudius: Expelled Jews from Rome in AD 49 because of unrest over “Chrestus” (likely related to Jesus)

The edict of _______ expelled the Jews from Rome. Year? Reasons?