Topical Encyclopedia Introduction:The First Epistle to the Corinthians, often referred to as 1 Corinthians, is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian church in Corinth. This epistle is a significant part of the New Testament canon and addresses various issues faced by the early church, providing doctrinal teachings and practical guidance. Authorship and Date: The Apostle Paul is universally recognized as the author of 1 Corinthians. The letter is believed to have been written around A.D. 55 during Paul's third missionary journey, while he was in Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:8). Historical Context: Corinth was a major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth, commerce, and moral decadence. The city was a melting pot of cultures and religions, which presented unique challenges for the fledgling Christian community. The church in Corinth was established by Paul during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-17). Purpose and Themes: Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to address reports of division, immorality, and doctrinal confusion within the Corinthian church. The letter responds to questions posed by the Corinthians and provides instruction on various issues, including: 1. Divisions in the Church: Paul appeals for unity, emphasizing that believers are all part of the body of Christ and should not align themselves with different leaders (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). 2. Moral and Ethical Conduct: Paul addresses issues of sexual immorality, urging the church to maintain purity and discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1-13, 6:9-20). 3. Marriage and Singleness: Paul provides guidance on marriage, celibacy, and the roles of husbands and wives (1 Corinthians 7:1-40). 4. Christian Liberty and Idolatry: Paul discusses the balance between Christian freedom and responsibility, particularly concerning food offered to idols (1 Corinthians 8:1-13, 10:23-33). 5. Spiritual Gifts and Worship: Paul instructs on the use of spiritual gifts, emphasizing love as the greatest gift and providing guidelines for orderly worship (1 Corinthians 12:1-14:40). 6. The Resurrection: Paul affirms the resurrection of Christ and its implications for believers, offering a detailed exposition on the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-58). Key Passages: · Love Chapter: 1 Corinthians 13 is renowned for its profound description of love, highlighting its enduring and selfless nature. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud" (1 Corinthians 13:4). · The Body of Christ: Paul uses the metaphor of the body to describe the church, emphasizing the interdependence of its members (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). · The Resurrection: Paul declares, "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22), underscoring the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Impact and Legacy: 1 Corinthians has had a profound impact on Christian theology and practice. Its teachings on love, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection continue to influence Christian thought and worship. The epistle's emphasis on unity and holiness remains relevant to contemporary church life, offering timeless guidance for addressing challenges within the Christian community. Smith's Bible Dictionary First Epistle To The Corinthianswas written by the apostle St. Paul toward the close of his nearly three-years stay at Ephesus, (Acts 19:10; 20:31) which, we learn from (1 Corinthians 16:8) probably terminated with the Pentecost of A.D. 57 or 58. The bearers were probably (according to the common subscription) Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus. It appears to have been called forth by the information the apostles had received of dissension in the Corinthian church, which may be thus explained: --The Corinthian church was planted by the apostle himself, (1 Corinthians 3:6) in his second missionary journey. (Acts 18:1) seq. He abode in the city a year and a half. (Acts 18:11) A short time after the apostle had left the city the eloquent Jew of Alexandria, Apollos, went to Corinth, (Acts 19:1) and gained many followers, dividing the church into two parties, the followers of Paul and the followers of Apollos. Later on Judaizing teachers from Jerusalem preached the gospel in a spirit of direct antagonism to St. Paul personally. To this third party we may perhaps add a fourth, that, under the name of "the followers of Christ," (1 Corinthians 2:12) sought at first to separate themselves from the factious adherence to particular teachers, but eventually were driven by antagonism into positions equally sectarian and inimical to the unity of the church. At this momentous period, before parties had become consolidated and that distinctly withdrawn from communion with one another, the apostle writes; and in the outset of the epistle, 1Cor 1-4:21, we have this noble and impassioned protest against this fourfold rending of the robe of Christ. Library The First Epistle to the Corinthians The First Epistle to the Corinthians the Pauline Salutation of ... The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians Introductory Note to the First Epistle of Clement to the ... The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians On the Clause, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, with a Reading from ... Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on ... The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians A Fragment of a Work of Pierius on the First Epistle of Paul to ... The First Epistle. To all the Ministers of the Church Catholic. Resources What is the first earth age? Is the concept of a first earth age biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the law of first mention? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that Jesus is the 'first-born' over Creation? | GotQuestions.org First: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics First and Second Books Of Chronicles First and Second Books Of Kings First Epistle To The Corinthians First Epistle To The Thessalonians First Fruits: As a Heave offering First Fruits: Belonged to the Priests First Fruits: First Ripe of Fruits, Grain, Oil, Wine, and First of Fleece, Required As an offering First Fruits: Freewill offerings of, Given to the Prophets First Fruits: Offerings of, Must be Free from Blemish First Fruits: Presented at the Tabernacle First Fruits: To be offered As a Thank-Offering Upon Entrance Into the Land of Promise First Fruits: Wave offering of The First Born of Clean Beasts: Antiquity of offering The First Born of Clean Beasts: Could not be a Free-Will offering The First Born of Clean Beasts: Flesh of, the Priest's Portion The First Born of Clean Beasts: Law of Redemption For The First Born of Clean Beasts: Not Shorn The First Born of Clean Beasts: Not Taken from the Dam for Seven Days The First Born of Clean Beasts: Not to Labour The First Born of Clean Beasts: Offered in Sacrifice The First Born of Clean Beasts: To be Redeemed The First Born of Israel: Price of Redemption For The First Born of Israel: Price of, Given to the Priests The First Born of Israel: To be Redeemed The First Born of Israel: Tribe of Levi Taken For The First Born of Man and Beast Dedicated to God The First Born of the Donkey to be Redeemed With Lamb or Its Neck Broken The First Born: Dedicated to Commemorate the Sparing of the First Born of The First Born: Laws Respecting, Observed at Christ's Birth The First Born: Laws Respecting, Restored After the Captivity The First Born: Objects of Special Love The First Born: Precious and Valuable The First Born: Privileges of a Double Portion of Inheritance The First Born: Privileges of Authority Over the Younger Children The First Born: Privileges of Could be Forfeited by Misconduct The First Born: Privileges of Could be Sold The First Born: Privileges of in Case of Death the Next Brother to Raise up Seed To The First Born: Privileges of not to be Alienated by Parents Through Caprice The First Born: Privileges of Precedence in the Family The First Born: Privileges of Special Blessing by the Father The First Born: Privileges of The Father's Title and Power The First Born: Superseded: Aaron The First Born: Superseded: Adonijah The First Born: Superseded: Cain The First Born: Superseded: David's Brothers The First Born: Superseded: Esau The First Born: Superseded: Ishmael The First Born: Superseded: Japheth The First Born: Superseded: Manasseh The First Born: Superseded: Reuben The First Born: The Beginning of Strength and Excellency of Power The First Born: The Dignity of Christ The First Born: The Dignity of the Church The First Fruits: Allotted to the Priests The First Fruits: Church of Christ The First Fruits: Different Kinds of all Agricultural Produce The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Barley Harvest The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Fruit of New Trees in Fourth Year The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Honey The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Wheat Harvest The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Wine and Oil The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Wool The First Fruits: First Converts in Any Place The First Fruits: God Honored by the offering of The First Fruits: Holy to the Lord The First Fruits: Law of, Restored After the Captivity The First Fruits: Offering of, Consecrated the Whole The First Fruits: Resurrection of Christ The First Fruits: The Jewish Church The First Fruits: To be Brought to God's House The First Fruits: To be offered in a Basket The First Fruits: To be offered with Thanksgiving The First Fruits: To be offered without Delay The First Fruits: To be the Very Best of Their Kind Related Terms |
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