1 Corinthians

The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians is the seventh book of the New Testament. The book, originally written in Greek, was a letter from Paul of Tarsus and Sosthenes to the Christians of Corinth, Greece.

This epistle contains some of the best-known phrases in the New Testament:

- "all things to all men" (9:22)
- "without love, I am nothing" (13:2)
- "through a glass, darkly" (13:12)
- "when I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child" (13:11).

There is scholarly consensus that Paul is the actual author. The letter is quoted or mentioned by the earliest of sources, and is included in every ancient canon, including that of Marcion. The epistle was written from Ephesus (16:8), a city on the west coast of today's Turkey, about 180 miles by sea from Corinth. According to Acts of the Apostles, Paul founded the church in Corinth (Acts 18:1-17), then spent approximately three years in Ephesus (Acts 19:8, 19:10, 20:31). The letter was written during this time in Ephesus, which is usually dated as being in the range of 53 to 57 AD.

Outline

1.Salutation (1:1-3)
- Paul addresses the issue regarding challenges to his apostleship and defends the issue by claiming that it was given to him through a revelation from Christ. The salutation (the first section of the letter) reinforces the legitimacy of Paul's apostolic claim.

2.Thanksgiving (1:4-9)
- The thanksgiving part of the letter is typical of Hellenistic letter writing. In a thanksgiving recitation the writer thanks God for health, a safe journey, deliverance from danger, or good fortune.
- In this letter, the thanksgiving introduces charismata and gnosis, topics to which Paul will return and that he will discuss at greater length later in the letter.

3.Division in Corinth (1:10–4:21)
- Facts of division
- Causes of division
- Cure for division

4.Immorality in Corinth (5:1–6:20)
- Discipline an Immoral Brother
- Resolving personal disputes
- Sexual purity

5.Difficulties in Corinth (7:1–14:40)
- Marriage
- Christian liberty
- Worship

6.Doctrine of Resurrection (15:1-58)

7.Closing (16:1-24)
- Paul’s closing remarks in his letters usually contain his intentions and efforts to improve the community. He would first conclude with his paraenesis and wish them peace by including a prayer request, greet them with his name and his friends with a holy kiss, and offer final grace and benediction:

“ Now concerning the contribution for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia… Let all your things be done with charity. Greet one another with a holy kiss… I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen." (1 Cor. 16:1-24).