1 Corinthians (Paul and Enthusiasm)

When did Paul write 1 Corinthians from Ephesus

ca. 54

Why was Paul writing?

• Response to questions about his previous letter to them (must’ve been misunderstood), and about some experiences in their church

• Seeking to address many major issues

• Disunity in the church (factionalized and fractured) (has Christ been divided up? NO. Therefore the Church shouldn’t either)

• Concern over “wisdom and power” and the Crucified Christ (God’s power was manifested w/ Christ’s crucifixion)

• Nature of the resurrection 

• Christian Freedom (food, sexuality, spiritual gifts)

Who were the “wise”?

Educated philosophers (stoicism)

Stoicism

• the only good life to live is in line w/ nature.

• Accepting your fate

• You don’t have any actual control over our lives

• Good life to live is to accept what happens to you (your fate)

What do stoics think we come from?

• The 4 elements: Water, Fire, Air, Earth

The Great Conflagration

• Everything will return to fire (some Corinth Christians believed this)

• No personal afterlife

• Gives them the impression that what they do in their bodies doesn’t matter

Nature of the Resurrection

• more already/not yet eschatology

• “traditional list of resurrection appearances

• Our earthly body will be transformed into a “spiritual body” (our bodies will be made of the same “spirit stuff” God is)

• Jesus destroys all of God’s enemies - last of all Death (by getting rid of our deathful bodies)

Contingency vs Coherency: Women wearing veils

• Contingent issue

  • bcs they were customary, and hair down was a sexual signal (common w/ prostitutes)

  • BUT the Corinth’s didn't care what they did w/ their bodies!

• Men would take advantage of unveiled Corinth women. SO he’s offering advice to stop the issue!