1 Corinthians Lecture

Corinth’s Reputation - City of Sin
- Sexual promiscuity
Cenchreae - Allowed for it to become a trade hub
Cosmopolitan
Congregation - mostly poor, mostly Gentiles, though two wealthy Jewish leaders converted, but fairly diverse
Paul, Silas, Timothy - make tents in the city to become a part of their culture and city
- Stayed 18 months
1 Corinthians was actually the second letter written
Written in response to -- Chloe’s people and churches’ questions
Purpose - Provide guidance to issues and problems threatening the unity of the church

Cliques - by leader (Paul, Cepheus, Apollos)
Temple - everyone in the temple is important and all need to do their job
Spiritual Infants - Not firm enough in their faith to be spoken to with the hardness of Christianity and didn’t act mature enough to admit their downfalls
Christ Crucified - focused too much on Christ exalted, so Paul tries to draw them back to Christ crucified

Some felt that the resurrection had already happened
Paul argued against his by presenting:
- While Jesus conquered Death, Evil is still being conquered
- The dead had not perished, but are waiting to be risen up again
- Exchange of perishable bodies for imperishable bodies in the resurrection

Problem - didn’t know how to deal with meals together and manage meals/drinks together
Liturgy - Earliest and most laid out story of the Last Supper
Examine Yourselves - do not partake without the right heart and mind
Grace - We are all equal at this table and working together, noticing our own faults and extending grace to others

Immorality - some immorality needs severe punishment (man with stepmother)
- Harsh punishment was meant to take away the protection of the church and bring them back in a roundabout way
All Things Lawful? - Corinthians believed that “freedom in Christ” meant freedom to do all things
Celibacy? - A good option if you can stick with avoiding passions; though marriage was not a bad option

Sacrificed Meat - cannot eat because sacrificed to demons
Demons - Roman Gods
Purchased Meat - Marketplace sold unclean meat; but as long as you didn’t know if it was sacrificed it was okay to eat
Weaker Members - Do not eat sacrificed meat in front of people that would take offense to it (Jewish Christians)

Spiritual Gifts - wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, teaching, etc.
Glossolalia - Speaking in tongues
- Acts - Glossolalia used when extended to new groups
- 1 Corinthians - Glossolalia used in worship (and addition of interpreters)
Problems - boasters (saw it as a special gift), disrupted service, put off other members
Paul’s Admonitions - Gifts should be used for love, Gifts should be used for unifying the church