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NTS 501 new testament literature

Explore how 1-2 Corinthians shape church decisions, uncovering themes like spiritual gifts, women's roles, and city life in Corinth. Dive into Paul's letters, historical context, and theological teachings.

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NTS 501 new testament literature

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  1. NTS 501 new testament literature Class VIII: 1-2 Corinthians

  2. 1-2 Corinthians 1.1 Introduction to Corinthian Correspondence • How have 1-2 Cor used to justify theological or practical decisions in the life of the church? • Positive & negative examples • 1 Corinthians – theology in practice • 2 Corinthians – theology of comfort, suffering • Some critical issues in 1 & 2 Cor • Historical reconstruction (e.g. composition of 2 Cor) • Spiritual gifts 1 Cor 12-14; Role of women in 1 Cor 11; 14 • Paul’s opponents in 2 Cor 10-13

  3. 1-2 Corinthians 1.2 The City of Corinth • To “God’s church in Corinth” (1 Cor 1:1; 2 Cor 1:1) • What kind of place was Corinth? • Administrative center of Achaia since 27BC • c. 200,000 inhabitants • Strategic location • Economy • City of the “new rich” & self promotion • Isthmian games (1 Cor 9:24-28) • Inhabited by former slaves

  4. 1-2 Corinthians • The city of Corinth – sex, booze, and religion • “Not for every man is the voyage to Corinth” (Strabo, Geog. 8.6.20) • “Corinthianize”* (Aristophanes); “Corinthian girl” (Plato) • 1000 temple prostitutes in temple of Aphrodite (Strabo, Geog. 8.6.20)** • The “Corinthian hat” [on a drunk]*** • Acrocorinth – temple of Aphrodite, goddess of love, lust, beauty • Near the forum – temple of Apollo & Athena • Northern city wall – sanctuary of Asclepius, the god of healing • Western end of forum – temple for Emperor worship • gods and cults (Dionysius, Ephesian Artemis, Fortuna, Poseidon) • At least one synagogue

  5. 1-2 Corinthians 9 That was the time, too, when one could hear crowds of wretched sophists around Poseidon's temple shouting and reviling one another, and their disciples, as they were called, fighting with one another, many writers reading aloud their stupid works, many poets reciting their poems while others applauded them, many jugglers showing their tricks, many fortune-tellers interpreting fortunes, lawyers innumerable perverting judgment, and peddlers not a few peddling whatever they happened to have. (DioCrysostom, Or. 8.9)*

  6. 1-2 Corinthians 1.3 Author, Date, Provenance 1 Corinthians • Paul – no disputes (1 Cl 47:1-3/1Cor 1:10-17; 1 Cl 49// 1 Cor 13) • AD 53/54, Ephesus during the 3rd missionary journey 2 Corinthians • Paul – no disputes (e.g. Ign. to Eph 15:3 and 2 Cor 6:16) • AD 54/55, Macedonia (Philippi?) during 3rd missionary journey

  7. 1-2 Corinthians 1.4 History of Corinthian correspondence • At least three visits to Corinth • Paul’s visits and letters • 1st visit: AD 50-52 Paul plants the church (Acts 18) • Paul writes the “previous letter” 1 Cor 5:9, 11 [Cor A] • Paul writes 1 Cor from Ephesus AD 53-54 (1 Cor 16:8; Cor B) • 2nd visit: “painful visit” (2 Cor 2:1; 12:4; 13:1-2) • Paul writes the “severe letter” (2 Cor 2:4; 7:8; Cor C) • Paul writes 2 Cor from Macedonia AD 54/55 (2 Cor 7:5; 8:1; 9:2; Cor D) • 3rd visit to Corinth (Acts 20:2)

  8. 1-2 Corinthians The Occasion & purpose of 1 Cor • Paul founded the church (Acts 18; c. AD 50-52) • Paul wrote the “lost letter” [Cor A] (1 Cor 5:9) • “avoid sexually immoral Christians” (5:9) • Response: “Chloe’s people” (1:11); questions for further clarification (7:1, 25; 8:1, 4 ; 12:1; 16:1, 12; cf. 16:15-18) • Paul in Ephesus AD 53-54 (writes 1 Cor) • Return to unity & instruct on correct doctrine & behavior • Paul addresses each question & concern systematically

  9. 1-2 Corinthians • Problems within the Corinthian church • Disunitywithinchurch (1:11-12) • Sexual immorality (5:1-13; 6:18-20) • Abstinencewithinmarriage (7:1-7) • Meetoffered to idols (8-10) • Litigations (6:1-11) & idolatry (10:1-22) • Disorderwithinchurchservices (11-14) • Lord’ssupper • Spiritual gifts • Thenature of resurrection (15:1-58)

  10. 1-2 Corinthians 2.1 Themes and Message of 1 Cor • Unity & Schism within the church • Factions (1:12-13; 3:5, 21-23) • Foolishness of the cross & true wisdom of Spirit (1:18-2:16)* • Christ the foundation, church as temple of HS (3:1-4:21) • Litigations among believers (6:1-11) • Civil: reputation, bribes, status • Behave “as if” and in light of who you truly are • Lord’s supper – “one hungry…another drunk” (11:17-34) • Roman banquets & issues of socio-economic status • Words of Jesus – koinonia of the new covenant; self-examination; judgment of believers

  11. 1-2 Corinthians • Spiritual gifts – overemphasis on tongues (12-14) • Edification & unity of the body – not for show off • Superiority of love; superiority of gifts that edifice the body • Order in the worship service – each in turn (14:39) • Marriage and sexuality (1 Cor 5:1-13; 6:12-7:39) • Incestuous relationship – boasting (5:1-13) • Church discipline – in order to save him; body of Christ is holy • Visiting prostitutes (6:15-16) • Unity of the body of Christ; body as temple of the HS; resurrection • Marriage and singleness (7:1-39) • Celibacy preferred – “present circumstances” (7:6-8, 25-28, 32-34, 37-40) • Marriage “in the Lord” (7:39; cf. 7:12-16) • Divorce – only infidelity or desertion by unbelieving spouse (7:10-13, 16)

  12. 1-2 Corinthians • Idolatry and meat sacrificed to idols • Idol worship in the Roman society pervasive • Meet in the Roman market “idol meet” • Food sacrificed to idols – knowledge vs. consideration • “eat what ever is sold” (Ps 24:1) – but consider the weak • “flee idol worship” – “whatever you do…glorify God” • Participation in the idols & Lord’s supper not possible (10:20) • “All things are lawful” – “seek the advantage of others”

  13. 1-2 Corinthians • The Nature of Resurrection (1 Cor 15:1-58) • “first importance” – the gospel that saves you (15:1-9) • “how can you say…no resurrection” (15:12) • “How are the dead raised…what kind of body?” (15:35) • Platonic vs. Jewish idea of human body • Paul’s arguments • No resurrection – no hope; why would Paul risk his life? • Christ’s resurrection – the first fruits (15:23) • Resurrection body – spiritual body (Gk. sarkikos vs. pneumatikos) • Seed and plant; perishable – imperishable • Dishonor – glory; weakness – power • Victory over death  Excel in the Lord’s work (15:58) & collection for the saints (16:1-4)

  14. 1-2 Corinthians 3.1 Introduction to 2 Cor • What aspects of 2 Cor are relevant to churches of today? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiyN1uyXsLs

  15. 1-2 Corinthians 3.2 Integrity and unity of 2 Corinthians • One letter or composite of four/five letter (fragments)? • Composite letter – based on “abrupt transitions” & inconsistencies • Composite theory – arguments pro and con • Paul’s travel narration breaks off at 2:13 – resumes 7:5 [Titus] • Tone of 1:1-2:13+7:5-16 is conciliatory but 2:14-7:4 argumentative • Different subject matter & situation*  Two different letters merged into one by editor • Unity of sections evidenced by… • 1st section (1:1-2:13) also argumentative (e.g. 1:15-20) • Rough transitions remain w/ composite theory (“I” to “we” in 2:13/7:5)  2 Cor 1:1-7:16 response to moderately hostile setting

  16. 1-2 Corinthians • Chs. 8-9 as a unit – also abrupt transition b/w chapters 8 and 9 • Unity and connection with the previous section • Formula “concerning” to give explanation to the preceding section • Letters could include various topics (cf. 1 Cor) • Thematic connections to earlier parts of the letter (5:20; 6:11-13; 8:7) • 2 Cor 1-9 & 10-13 – change in tone: reconciliation vs. criticism • Paul thanks for obedience (9:10-15) & “ready to punish disobedience” (10:1-6) • 1-9 treats conflict delicately but 10-13 open “war” against opponents • Is 10-13 the “tearful letter” sent earlier (cf. 2 Cor 2:4; 7:8)?

  17. 1-2 Corinthians • Some pointers toward unity between 1-9 & 10-13 • 1-9 to congregation at large, 10-13 to opponents • Focus on comparing Paul to opponents in 10-13 (synkrisis) • Pauses in dictation/writing? New information? • Abrupt shift of tone in Hellenistic letters – Demosthenes’ 2nd Epistle • Additional considerations • What’s the purpose/occasion for the possible composite document? • No manuscript evidence for composite document • Why did editor(s) leave such abrupt transitions after such careful editorial work of several letter fragments? • Alerts readers of differences in tone and transitions in 2 Cor

  18. 1-2 Corinthians 3.3 Occasion and purpose • After writing 1 Cor from Ephesus (1 Cor 16:5-7) • Change in plans – “painful confrontation” (2 Cor 2:5; 7:12; 13:2) • Paul unreliable? (1:15-23) • Avoid second confrontation & pain (1:23; 2:1-3) • Arrival of “super-apostles” (11:5; 12:11) & contest for authority • “tearful letter” (cf. 1 Cor 5:9; 2 Cor 2:3-4, 9; 7:12) • “ultimatum” to the church to discipline (2 Cor 2:9; 7:12; regret 7:8) • Trials in Asia – “deadly peril” (1:8-9) • Paul to Troas (2:12-13); message from Titus about repentance (7:9-11) • Paul’s confidence restored (7:16) • Writing of 2 Cor as a response • Purpose of 2 Cor • Defend his integrity, apostolic authority & counter false teachers

  19. 1-2 Corinthians 3.4 Themes and Message of 2 Cor • Integrity and apostolic authority of Paul • Paul’s integrity and apostolic authority questioned • Sincerity and suffering (1:12; 2:17; 4:16; 6:4-10; 11:21-33) • Personal relationship w/ Corinthians (2:1-4; 6:12; 11:11) • Ministry of HS & New Covenant from God (3:1-18; 5:17) • Apostolic authority of Paul (1 Cor 5:3-5; 14:37-38; 11:1) • “super apostles” challenge (11:12-14, 22-23) • Who is a true apostle? Qualifications? (cf. Rom 16:7) • Sings and wonders (12:12) • “seen the Lord” (9:1; cf. 15:3-8) • Founder of the church & authority to discipline (6:13; 12:14; 10:2-6) • Spokesperson for authoritative tradition (15:3; 11:2, 23)

  20. 1-2 Corinthians • Offering to the poor 2 Cor 8-9; (cf. Gal 2:10; Acts 11:29-30; 24:17) • Unfulfilled promises (cf. 1 Cor 16:1-3; 2 Cor 8:10-11) • God’s economy – “neither excess or want” (8:12-15) • Theological and practical factors • God’s grace work in Macedonia – “out of extreme poverty” (8:1-4) • Voluntary; privilege; first to the Lord • Theological reasons • Christ’s self-giving sacrifice (8:9) • God’s promised provision & blessing (9:6-12) • Glory of God and confession of the gospel (9:13-14) • Integrity in the Lord and before people (8:20-22) • “sharing with them and all others” (9:13)

  21. 1-2 Corinthians • Suffering, weakness, comfort, and power • Paul “despaired of life” – God’scomfort (1:3-11) • Paul accused of timidity, unimpressiveappearance(10:1, 10) • He isweak – butGod shows power in weakness • Triumphalprocession (2:14-17) • Treasure in earthenvessels (4:7) • Paul’sapostolicsufferingbringssalvation to others (6:6-8) • God’spowerbecomesevident in suffering (4:7; 12:9-10) • Focuson eternal things (4:7-12; 5:1-10) • Boastingaboutsuffering - exposeopponents’ foolishness (11:16-12:10)  Human weakness and sufferingisthesoilonwhichGod’sgrace and powerbecomes a reality – butonlytothosewhohavefaithtoseeGod’s eternal purpose in it

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