1 Corinthians Prep Paper

Explore the history of Corinth, its people, place, and position in the time of Apostle Paul.

First Corinthians

David W. Hegg • May, 2020

Paul’s initial visit to Corinth is described in Acts 18 and begins his relationship with the believers there. It appears certain Paul wrote at least 4 letters to the Corinthian church. His First Letter, now lost is mentioned in 1 Cor. 5:9. Later, Chole’s people visited Paul and informed him of issues in the church (1 Cor. 1:11). It seems they also brought a letter from the church (1 Cor. 7:1) asking Paul’s counsel. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthian church, which we know as First Corinthians was written in response to the issues brought to him.

Paul’s second visit to Corinth is not recorded in Acts but was predicted in 1 Cor. 16:5 and referred to in 2 Cor. 2:1 as “painful.” In response to what he experienced during this visit Paul penned his Third Letter to Corinth, a letter that is now lost but often referred to as “the severe letter” and mentioned in 2 Cor 7:8. Paul wrote this letter and gave it to Titus with the understanding that after delivering it Titus would meet Paul in Troas (see: 2 Cor. 2:12,13). 

In response to the Corinthian acceptance of “the severe letter” Paul writes what we know as Second Corinthians which is actually at least his Fourth Letter to the church. In it he addresses ongoing issues including the questioning on the part of some regarding Paul’s apostolic authority

1. Corinth in the Time of Paul

Geography

Corinth is valuable geographically as a trade city since it connects the Greek Isthmus and has a European and Asian harbor. Weather below the Isthmus was often treacherous, especially in winter. By the 2nd century AD, Corinth was the largest city in Greece.

The two harbors allowed access to both Asia and Italy. The harbor called Cenchreae opened to Asia, and Lechaeum to Italy. The Diolkos was a four mile stone road connecting the two that enabled cargo and even small ships to be hauled across the isthmus to avoid the treacherous sea journey around the cape of the Peloponnese.

A building boom occurred between the reigns of Augustus (63bc-14ad) and Nero (37ad-67ad)  making Corinth the most dazzling Greek city. Paul would have visited this city at the height of its prominence. 

Roman originCorinth was colonized at the direction of Julius Caesar in 44 BC, as a rebellion against Rome’s ally Sparta had caused its destruction in 146 BC. Its formal name was Colonia Laus Julia Corinthensis (Corinth in Honor of Julius). It was colonized by freedmen, veterans, and indigenous Greeks.

A Greek anthology refers to the first Corinthian settlers as “those often sold, unstable, or disreputable slaves.” The first colonists were desperate and out of options. They began looting Greek tombs and established a market for items from Corinthian graves.

Government

Corinth’s government was tripartite, with an assembly of citizen voters, a city council, and annual magistrates. Colonists could own property and initiate civil lawsuits. The civil senate could promote public buildings, roads, and other facilities. There were two chief magistrates who had jurisdiction in criminal cases. 

ResourcesThe Peirene Springs that fed Corinth had an average flow rate of 18 cubic meters per hour, enough in itself to supply the needs of the city. There was also an inexhaustible supply of clay and sandstone for the building of the city, as well as limestone for roads. Essentially, they were rich.

Culture in Paul’s TimeCorinth had more business than it could handle. The volume of trade was enhanced by huge numbers of travelers. Cut-throat competition ensured that only the committed survived. The Isthmian games were one of three or four PanHellenic festivals celebrated biennially. The games would have taken place in 49 and 51AD, around when Paul presumably arrived in Corinth in the spring of 50AD.

StatusSocioeconomic status changed rapidly because of the large influx of migrants and the proclivity for infection clearing spaces for more workers. There was also status inconsistency. Corinth was very concerned with status, honor, and self-promotion, but they could be of good status in one field but low in status in another field. Economics, power, education, moral purity, family, are all status indicators. 

Corinthians valued the self-made-person who had escaped humble origin, which was contrary to Paul taking the place of a servant willingly.

Social climbing was a major preoccupation, and Paul’s stepping down in apparent status would have been considered foolish. Public self-promotion became an art form. It was an honor/shame culture where public recognition was often more important than facts. A person’s sense of worth was based on others of one’s recognizing one’s accomplishments.

Religion

The Roman empire allowed for multiple gods as long as the people also recognized the Emperor as god. Christianity was not persecuted because it worshiped Jesus Christ, but because in doing so, it insisted that there was only one true God. The “crime” of Christianity was that it refused to agree with the pluralistic ethos of Rome, and more specifically, with emperor worship. 

2. The Christian Community in Corinth and its relationship to Paul

The Strategic importance of Corinth for Paul

• Corinth had a large Jewish community (Bolstered by the edict of Claudius, which kicked Jews out of Rome). The “Olympic-like” games that were held there attracted many visitors. Corinth’s harbors made it a busy trade city and would have made Paul’s trade as a tent-maker in demand. Tents were needed for the spring games, awnings for shops and even sail for merchant ships. This would have allowed Paul to be financially independent and offer time for ministry. Corinth was rapidly growing, bringing many cultures together as seen in the fact that it became the largest city in Greece by the 2nd century.

Paul and Corinth

Paul visited Corinth after Athens, which was after Thessalonica, after Philippi, on his second missionary journey. Paul didn’t want to make Christianity another commodity sold in the street by rhetoric, and so refused to use those strategies. The Corinthian culture was self-promoting, obsessed with reputation, ambitious, and emphasized autonomy and rights. To this society, the message of Paul based on a crucified man would have been quite foolish. The Corinthians were after rhetoric and word-wisdom, so Paul refused to use it. In addition, Paul’s tentmaking job would be seen as weak and lowly.

Paul’s Letters to Corinth

• Paul’s first letter (now lost) to Corinth: see 1 Cor 5:9: “I wrote to you in my letter …”

• Corinthian Letter to Paul (now lost) presumably brought to him by Chloe’s people (1 Cor. 1:11; 7:1)

• Paul wrote 1 Corinthians in response to problems Chloe’s people (1Cor1:11) brought to him that appear to be in addition to the things about which the Corinthian church wrote in their letter (see above). The book addresses many issues, some of which were questions from the Corinthian church brought by them as well (7:1ff). He wrote the letter from Ephesus.

• Paul visited Corinth a 2nd time that is not recorded in Acts but was predicted in 1 Cor 16:5 and referred to in 2 Cor. 2:1,2 as“ painful.”

• In response to what he saw there, he penned a letter that is often referred to as “the severe letter” mentioned in 2 Cor. 7:8. Paul wrote this letter, and gave it to Titus charging him to take the letter from Ephesus where Paul was, to Corinth, and then return to meet Paul at Troas (see: 2 Cor 2:14ff). 

• Paul writes 2nd Corinthians in response to Titus’ report concerning their response to the “severe” letter, as well as the ongoing issues in the Corinthian church, which now includes the fact that some are questioning the validity of Paul’s apostolic appointment. 

Paul’s Corinthian Ministry in Acts

Acts 18:1-4:

            Paul met with Priscilla, Aquila, and Pontus. 

            He stayed in Corinth making tents and preaching in the Synagogue.

Acts 18:5-11

            Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia.

            The Jews rejected Paul, but either from that witness or Paul’s continued witness to the Greeks, Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, repented. Many Gentiles      converted; The Lord told Paul he would not be harmed.

Acts 18:12-17

            The Jews take Paul before Gallio.

            The Jews beat up Sosthenes.

The Epistle

Paul’s time in Corinth recorded in Acts is widely agreed to be from March in 50 AD to around late September in 51AD. Gallio is dated July 51AD to June 52AD, or the same months in 50-51AD from the Delphic Letter of Claudius, first discovered in 1905. Roman officials would normally be chosen before April 1st and take office July 1st. The letter referring to Gallio is dated April or May 52AD and is a report. The later date for Gallio remains more likely but not certain.

After leaving Corinth 

Paul went from Antioch to Galatia, while Apollos went from Ephesus to Corinth. Paul then returned to Ephesus and stayed there for 18 months from winter 52-53 to spring or summer of 54AD.

Once Apollos returned to Paul with news in the summer of 53 Paul wrote 1 Corinthians. Early 54 or 55AD is a widely held view for when 1 Corinthians was finished.

Date: Spring 54 or 55AD.

Reasons for the letter

There was an oral report of discords and splits brought by Chloe’s people.

There was a letter from the Christians in Corinth with inquiries of Paul.

Paul wants to visit Corinth but may need to send Timothy on his behalf.

Better news may have come through Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achacus (16:17-18).