How To Read The Bible For All Its WorthSample

Why Did Paul Write 1 Corinthians?

The Historical Context

The first thing one must try to do with any of the Epistles is to form a tentative but informed reconstruction of the situation to which the author is speaking.

• What was going on in Corinth that caused Paul to write 1 Corinthians?
• How does he come to learn of their situation?
• What kind of relationship and former contacts has he had with them?
• What attitudes do they and he reflect in this letter?

These are the kinds of questions to which you want answers. So what do you do?

First, you need to consult your Bible dictionary or the introduction to your commentary to find out as much as possible about Corinth and its people.

Second, and now especially for study purposes, you need to develop the habit of reading the whole letter through in one sitting, and preferably aloud, so that mouth and ear join the eye. You may well be surprised by how much more you retain when you learn to read this way.

We cannot stress enough the importance of reading and rereading. Once you have divided the letter into its logical parts or sections, you will want to begin the study of every section precisely the same way. Read and reread; and keep your eyes open!

Remember, in our initial study of an epistle such as 1 Corinthians, our purpose is first of all to reconstruct the problem. Thus we suggest you jot down four kinds of notes:

• what you notice about the recipients themselves (e.g., whether Jew or Greek, whether wealthy or slave; their problems, attitudes, etc.)
• Paul’s attitudes
• any specific things mentioned as to the specific occasion of the letter
• the letter’s natural, logical divisions

   

In the case of 1 Corinthians, we know what occasioned the letter only at the surface — a report and a letter.

But what we really want to know is the precise nature of each of the problems in Corinth that called forth each specific response from Paul.

We'll discover more next time.