Norman L. Geisler - A Popular Survey of the New Testament

First Corinthians is one of the least disputed books of Paul in the New Testament. Along with 2 Corinthians, Romans, and Galatians, it has Pauls fingerprints all over it. It is also one of the early books in the New Testament and provides an insightful portrait of a cosmopolitan, worldly, and struggling New Testament church.

Who Wrote It?

The evidence that the apostle Paul wrote this book is beyond all reasonable doubt. This is clear from the book itself as well as from early and later sources outside 1 Corinthians that cite it.

Internal Evidence

The book begins with the claim that Paul, called to be an apostle, wrote it (1:1). This claim is repeated throughout the book (1:1214; 3:45, 22; 16:21). Further, the character of the book is Pauline. Not only is it in his writing style, but it manifests his doctrinal interest as well as his pastoral care for the church. Even the critics of the book are virtually unanimous in supporting the Pauline authorship. Typically, he signs off with a greeting in his own hand (16:21; see 2 Thess. 3:17).

External Evidence

The evidence from outside the book supports strongly the internal evidence. First of all, Pauls name is found on it in the earliest known manuscripts of the book. Further, the earliest Fathers, beginning in apostolic times (with Clement of Rome, ca. AD 95), attributed it to Paul. From the first century on, there is a continuous and nearly unanimous consent of Fathers and later scholars who cite it. This includes Ignatius, Polycarp, Shepherd of Hermas , the Didache, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, Cyril of Jerusalem, Eusebius, Jerome, and Augustine.

When Was It Written?

The book was written between AD 55 and 56, while Paul was at Ephesus (Acts 19:1). The evidence in support of this date comes from several internal and external facts combined. First of all, we know from secular sources that the proconsul Gallio began his term in AD 51 (18:12). Further, according to Acts 18, Paul ministered in Corinth there in AD 50 to 51. And Paul was in Ephesus for more than two years (19:10). It was during this time that he wrote 1 Corinthians. This would place it about AD 55 to 56.

To Whom Was It Written?

The book of 1 Corinthians was written to the pagan converts of Corinth called the church of God, which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints (1:2).

There were some one-half million people in Corinth. It was known as the vanity fair of the Roman Empire. It was considered a city of vulgar materialism and immorality and a place of idolatry. The goddess Aphrodite was a favorite. Corinth was also a place of pleasure and sensuality, which had even penetrated the church and meant that one of its members should be excommunicated (5:1). The Christians were chiefly poor and pagan and not rich or Jewish.

Where Were the Readers Located?

The recipients of the letter were located in the city of Corinth in the province of Achaia (Europe). Corinth was an important center of commerce. It was a place of athletic contests, second only to Olympia (see the athletic metaphor in 1 Cor. 9:2427). It was also an international city with a mixed population. Although it was Greek, it boasted no great philosophers as Athens had. Indeed, Paul chided the church for the lack of many wise people in their number (see 1:20).

Why Was It Written?

There were many reasons for the writing of this Epistle. They can be divided according to corresponding chapters. (1) Paul was concerned about administering the churchs affairs (chaps. 16). (2) He desired to answer the churchs questions (chaps. 714). (3) Paul wanted to address the churchs misgivings (chap. 15). (4) He wished to ask for the churchs contribution to help the poor saints in Jerusalem (chap. 16).

What Is It About?

The Theme: Sanctification in Christ (1:2).

The Key Verse: The key verse is 2:14: The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Key Words and Phrases: body (44x), brethren (38x), church (22x), cross (2x), crucify (4x), discern , examine , judge (10x), exercise authority , authority (13x), holy , saints (13x), know (48x), power (15x), raise , raise up , resurrection (20x), sanctif y (4x), Spirit (41x), spiritual , spiritually (15x), unbelievers (11x), wisdom , wise (26x), world (21x), you , your (150x). See appendix 3 for a more complete word study.