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- I. To Whom:
- a. General:
- i. “To the church of God which is at Corinth”
- 1. “Church of God” is synonymous with “church of Christ” (Rom 16:16).
2. This is so because Jesus purchased the church with His blood (Ac 20:
28).
3. Jesus said He would build His church (Matt 16:18).
4. Jesus is deity (Jn 1:1-14).
5. Hence, to say church of God is to express the deity of the Christ.
- ii. Corinth was the capital city of Achaia.
- 1. The population of the city in the biblical times would have been around
600,000.
2. Enjoyed wealth.
3. was overrun with sexual indulgence—temple to the goddess of
passion (Venus), who was worshipped by 1-2,000 harlots, the
priestesses of the temple, commonly called “slaves of the temple.”
4. They were proud of their mental acuteness, and loved to argue for
argument’s sake.
- iii. A church was established there in 51 A.D. (Ac 18:1-8), and it is they whom
Paul addresses.
- b. Specific:
- i. “Sanctified in Christ Jesus.”
- 1. Jn 17:17.
2. Hagiazo—to separate from the profane and be dedicated to God.
3. Where? In Christ (Gal 3:26-27).
4. There is no sanctification out of Christ.
- ii. “Called to be saints.”
- 1. Hagios—a holy thing.
2. Called to be a holy thing through the gospel (2 Thess 2:14; 1 Cor 1:9).
3. Hence, it was preached to them: Ac 18:1-8.
- c. Universal:
- i. “With all who in every place call on the name of Jesus…”
- 1. Gen 4:26; 12:8.
2. Ac 2:21; 37-38; 22:16 (cf. Matt 28:19; Ac 11:26).
- ii. “Teach everywhere in every church” (4:17).
iii. “Churches of Galatia so do you” (16:1).
II. Date:
- a. 54-55 A.D. for the following reasons.
- i. We know it was after Ac 18, which was 51 A.D. because Paul was still with
them for eighteen months (Ac 18:11).
ii. We know that it was written from Ephesus before Paul had gone to
Jerusalem where he was arrested (16:8; cf. Ac 18:21; 19:21; 20:16).
iii. We know that Paul remained in Ephesus for three years (Ac 20:31).
iv. We know when Paul went to Ephesus (Ac 19).
- b. This would put the date between 54 & 55 A.D.
III. Author:
- a. Paul (1:1).
b. Through the scribe Sosthenes (1:1).
- i. Rom 16:22.
ii. 1 Pet 5:22.
IV. Purpose:
- a. To correct the world’s influence over the local church.
- i. Christ and His gospel are the solution to every problem, and the answer to
every question. This book shows how the doctrine of Christ is practically
applied to specific problems and/or situations.
ii. Shows how to delineate the situation and bring to bear the specific
principle or doctrine.
iii. Numerous brethren brought problems and questions to Paul’s attention: 1:
11; 3:5-6; 16:12; 16:17—7:1.
- b. The focus of division is a continual problem:
- i. 1:10; 3:3-4; 4:6; 6:7-8; 8:11; 11:18; 12:15, 21, 25, 14:20; 15:12.
ii. Correction: 1:9, 17, 21; 2:9-13; 4:2-5; 6:7; 8:13; 9:23-27; 11:23-26; 13:1-7;
14:3-5, 19.
- c. Great teaching on the church’s purpose: 3:5-15; 12:11-27.
d. Deals with the assembly:
- i. 11:17-20; 14:23.
ii. Lord’s Supper (11:23-26).
iii. Giving (16:1, 2).
iv. Preaching (14:3-5; 15).
v. Singing (14:15).
vi. Praying (14:15-16).
vii. 14:33, 40.
V. Interesting Facts:
- a. Church discipline—ch.5.
b. Spiritual gifts were temporary—ch.13.
c. All things in the service, work and worship of the church were supposed to be the
same—4:17.
d. We can all overcome the things we face in life—10:12-13.
e. People can turn from homosexuality—6:9-11.