First Corinthians Interpretation Book

Introduction 1

Outline of the Letter 13

Opening the Letter: A Community Called By God 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 15

1:1-3 Salutation 15

1:4-9 Thanksgiving 17

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 19

A Call for Unity in the Community 1 Corinthians 1:10?4:21 21

1:10-17 Factions in the Community 21

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 25

1:18?2:5 The Foolishness of die Cross Excludes Boasting 26

God's Foolishness and Human Wisdom (1:18-25) 27

God's Calling Excludes Human Boasting (1:26-31) 31

Preaching the Cross (2:1-5) 35

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 36

2:6?3:4 Wisdom for die Mature 39

God Reveals the Hidden Wisdom of the Cross through die Spirit (2:6-16) 41

People of die Flesh (3:1-4) 47

Interpretation

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 49

3:5-23 The Community and Its Leaders Belong to God 51

Paul and Apollos as God's Field Hands (3:5-9) 52

Our Construction Work Will Be Tested by Fire (3:10-15) 53

The Church as God's Temple (3:16-17) 56

Reprise and Summary: All Belongs to God (3:18-23) 58

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 61

4:1-21 Direct Confrontation with Corinthian Boasters 64

Servants Are to Be Judged Only by Their Lord (4:1-5) 65

Puffed-Up Corinthians and Suffering Apostle (4:6-13) 67

Fatherly Admonition to Paul's Corinthian Children (4:14-17) 73

A Final Warning to the Boasters (4:18-21) 75

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 76

A Call for Community Discipline 1 Corinthians 5:1?6:20 80

5:1-13 "Drive Out the Wicked Person from among You" 80

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 88

6:1-11 Legal Disputes Should Be Handled within the Community 92

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 98

6:12-20 "Glorify God in Your Body' 101

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 107

Responses to Contested Issues in Corinth 1 Corinthians 7:1?15;58 110

7:1-40 Sex and Marriage at the Turn of the Ages 111

Outline of 1 Corinthians 7 112

Counsel for Corinthians in Various Marital Statuses 113

General Rule: Remain as You Were When Called (7:17-24) 122

Counsel for Engaged Couples: Remain as You Are (7:25-38) 126

Reprise: Counsel for Wives and Widows (7:39-40) 129

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 130

8:1?11:1 Idol Meat 134

Knowledge Puffs Up, but Love Builds Up (8:1-13) 136

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 143

The Apostolic Example of Renouncing : Rights (9:1-27) 146

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 156

Warning against Idolatry (10:1-22) 159

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 171

Conclusion: Use Your Freedom for the Glory of God (10:23?11:1) 174

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 180

11:2?14:40 Community Worship 181

Hairstyles and Gender Distinctions (11:2-16) 182

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 190

Interpretation

The Lord's Supper: Discerning the Body (11:17-34) 192

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 203

Spiritual Manifestations in Worship (12:1?14:40) 206

Excursus: "Women should be silent in the churches" (14:34-35) 245

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 249

15:1-58 The Resurrection of the Body 252

The Resurrection of the Dead Is Constitutive of the Gospel (15:1-34) 254

Resurrection Means Transformation of the Body (15:35-58) 269

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 277

Concluding Matters: A Community Called to Love 1 Corinthians 16:1-24 283

16:1-12 The Collection and Travel Plans 284

16:13-24 Farewell 288

Reflections for Teachers and Preachers 293

Bibliography 297