1 Corinthians Survey

Theme: Holiness and Order in the Body of Christ

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:10

I. Background and Historical Information (Slide 2)

A. The City of Corinth

Geography: A major Isthmus city with two ports (Lechaeum and Cenchreae). It controlled trade between the Aegean and Adriatic seas.

Culture: Extremely wealthy and diverse but notorious for immorality. The Greek verb korinthiazomai meant "to live like a Corinthian" (immorality).

Religion: Home to the Temple of Aphrodite; the city was a melting pot of Greek philosophy and pagan mystery religions.

B. Occasion of Writing

Author: The Apostle Paul (undisputed).

Date: Approximately AD 53–54.

Location: Written from Ephesus during Paul's third missionary journey.

Trigger: Reports of quarreling from "Chloe’s people" (1:11) and a formal letter of questions from the church (7:1).

II. Manuscript Evidence (Slide 3)

A. Papyrus 46 (P46)

Age: Dated to c. AD 200.

Significance: The oldest nearly complete collection of Paul’s letters.

State of Text: 1 Corinthians is exceptionally well-preserved in this manuscript. It proves that the text was standardized and treated as sacred authority within 150 years of its original composition.

III. Book at a Glance (Slide 4)

Length: 16 Chapters; 437 Verses.

Literary Form: An "Occasional Letter"—meaning it was written to address specific "occasions" or problems.

Key Concept: The Wisdom of the Cross. Paul contrasts worldly wisdom (eloquence, status) with God's wisdom (the sacrificial death of Christ).

IV. The Sections of 1 Corinthians (Slides 5–8)

Teacher's Note: The book is organized as a series of answers to specific problems.

A. Section 1: Divisions in the Church (Ch. 1–4)

The problem of "hero worship" (Paul vs. Apollos vs. Cephas).

Correction: Christ is not divided. Leaders are merely servants; God gives the growth.

B. Section 2: Moral Disorders (Ch. 5–6)

Dealing with lawsuits between believers and sexual immorality.

Correction: The body is a temple of the Holy Spirit; it was "bought with a price."

C. Section 3: Difficulties & Questions (Ch. 7–14)

Paul answers the church’s letter regarding marriage, food offered to idols, and the orderly use of spiritual gifts.

The Love Principle: All things must be done in love (Ch. 13) and for the "upbuilding" of the church.

D. Section 4: Doctrine of Resurrection (Ch. 15)

Addressing those who denied the physical resurrection.

The Foundation: If Christ is not raised, our faith is futile. Because He is raised, death is defeated.

V. Popular Verses (Slides 9–10)

1 Cor 1:18: The power of the Cross vs. foolishness.

1 Cor 6:19-20: Your body as a temple.

1 Cor 10:13: God’s faithfulness in temptation.

1 Cor 13:4-7: The definition of Love.

1 Cor 15:58: Being steadfast and immovable.

1 Cor 16:13-14: The call to be watchful and do everything in love.

Discussion Question: Corinth was a city where 'anything goes.' How does Paul’s call to 'be a temple' help us live differently in our modern culture?