Introduction to the Corinthian Epistles, Part 1:

The Corinthian epistles are very unique and insightful. For instance, 1 Corinthians is the only epistle in which Paul deals with tongues and water baptism. And although Paul labels as Saints those in the church at Corinth, there were many living carnal lifestyles. All of Paul’s epistles have been applicable to the church, the Body of Christ since they were written, and the Corinthian letters are no different; many believers since have lived similar to the Corinthians. During Paul’s time, Corinth was populous, thriving and the chief city of the Roman province of Achaia (the southern area of Greece). Goods were hauled overland on the Isthmus of Corinth from the sea harbors on both sides, so Corinth was the crossroads of east and west travel and commerce by people from different lands, cultures and languages. Paul ministered in Corinth for 1 ½ years, Acts 18:1111 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

, during his second Apostolic Journey as recorded in Acts 18:1 - 181 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.

17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

, estimated to be sometime between 51 and 53 or 54 AD. He returned on his third journey, estimated to be around 56 BC, Acts 20:1 - 51 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.

. * Unlike most missionaries today who are supported by donors, Paul and those with him, including a Jewish couple named Aquilla and Pricilla, supported themselves making tents while Paul preached and taught, Acts 18:2 - 32 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

; 1 Thessalonians 2:99 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

.

What message did Paul teach in Corinth in particular and during his missionary journeys in general?

Some believe he taught the Kingdom message to the Jews in their Synagogues during his missionary journeys, apparently because after he was first saved he preached in the Damascus Synagogues that Christ was the Son of God, Acts 9:2020 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

; his practice of visiting Jewish Synagogues when he first arrived in each town during his missionary journeys and he once took a Jewish Vow in the Temple in Jerusalem, Acts 18:1818 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

; Acts 21:2626 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

. Some also believe Paul should have replaced Judas as one of the 12, or if not, then the Apostle James when he was beheaded, Acts 12:22 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

. All this is error, pure and simple. The Kingdom message is what Peter and the 12 taught after Christ ascended into heaven. It was to and for the Nation of Israel; requiring belief that Jesus was Israel’s Messiah, repentance for their sin and submitting to circumcision and water baptism, Acts 2:38 - 4138 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

. They adhered to the Law of Moses, the Temple in Jerusalem being the center of the Kingdom message centered on Jesus Christ, Acts 2:4646 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

; Acts 3:11 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

; Acts 5:2121 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

; Acts 5:2525 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

; Acts 5:4242 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

. Here, it’s also important to understand that, not only did those Jews who rejected Jesus as Messiah ostensibly follow the law, but those who did believe the Kingdom message also did so, Acts 21:2020 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

; the former in self-righteousness, the later sincerely, understanding the purpose thereof. Furthermore, those believing Jews and the Gentile proselytes who joined them, understood that the Tribulation was the next thing to occur according to prophesy, Matthew 24:15 - 2815 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

25 Behold, I have told you before.

26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

after which Christ would return to earth to rule on earth from Jerusalem, Matthew 24:29 - 3129 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

.

The desire/hope of the believing Jews in Jerusalem was for Christ’s return to establish His Kingdom on earth. When they asked Him when He would do so, Acts 1:66 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

, “And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:7 - 87 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

. The Holy Spirit did come upon them, but they never got out of Jerusalem and Samaria because Israel’s leaders and the majority of the Jews did not believe, so Israel was set aside for a while, as will be shown later. “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9 - 119 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

. He will in the future return in like manner to the Mount of Olives and establish His Kingdom on earth. However, the Church, the Body of Christ of this age, will be raptured to heaven before that, i.e., Christ will meet those who have died in Him along with those believers living at the time, in the air and be caught up to heaven.

Unlike the Kingdom message being preached by Peter and the 12 at the time, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Saul (later Paul) on the road to Damascus and saved him; Saul had not sought the Lord out, in fact he was on his way to persecute the Kingdom saints living in Damascus. The Lord Jesus Christ unilaterally saved Saul in spite of his sin/s and subsequently informed him he was to bear the Lord Jesus Christ’s name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel, Acts 9:1616 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

. Paul’s message is called the Gospel of the Grace of God, Acts 20:2424 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

, which was not, like the Kingdom message, based on repentance for crucifying the Lord, circumcision, water baptism and following the law, it was: “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” Romans 3:21 - 2221 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

; 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 41 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

. Again, whereas the Jews who believed the Kingdom Gospel preached by Peter and the 12 were waiting for the Tribulation and Christ’s return to rule over Israel on earth, those believing Paul’s Gospel of God’s Grace await the Rapture, which will occur prior to the Tribulation.

As to Paul’s preaching in the Synagogues, it is obvious and logical that when he did so he would first point out the Old Testament (OT) Scriptures that prophesied the Messiah and then argue that Jesus fulfilled those prophesies. I recommend you read the epistle to Hebrews and picture Paul teaching the contents thereof to Jews in the Synagogues. Being knowledgeable of the OT, Hebrews clearly teaches Jesus Christ fulfilling the OT prophesies. (It is also obvious the epistle to the Hebrews will be relevant to Jews living during the future Tribulation, after the present Church, the Body of Christ is raptured.)

Paul was commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven to take His name to Gentiles, Kings and the children of Israel, Acts 9:1515 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

and evidence is clear that Paul did just that throughout the Acts period; that being the secret revealed to him by the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, Romans 16:25 - 2625 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

; Ephesians 3:2 - 72 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

; the Gospel of the Grace of God, Acts 20:24. And the Gospel Paul taught is as valid today as it was when he taught it during his lifetime; it being that individual Jews and Gentiles who recognize their sin, Romans 3:2323 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

, and believe Christ died for their sin and rose again for their justification are saved to eternal life 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 4.

Before examining Paul’s time in Corinth, consider Paul and Barnabas’ experience during their first missionary journey when they came to Antioch, Pisidia in Galatia, Acts 13:14 - 5214 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

30 But God raised him from the dead:

31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

. Paul went first to the Synagogue and after the rulers read the law and the prophets, they asked Paul to say a word. Paul reviewed briefly Israel’s history up to John the Baptist, and then pointed out that even though there was no cause to kill Jesus, the Jewish rulers asked Pilot to do so. And just as God had promised in the OT prophets, He raised Him from the dead: “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, (the Jews and Gentiles listening) that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:38 - 3938 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

. (Christ’s death and resurrection is key to both the Kingdom message and the unique Gospel of Grace revealed to Paul for us.) Paul told the Jews listening to beware that what the prophets foretold would happen to them because they would not believe what they heard him teaching, Acts 13:40 - 4140 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

. After the Jews left the Synagogue, the Gentiles who heard Paul, asked him for an encore the following Saturday. Paul urged many of the Jews and worshipping proselytes who heard him to continue in the Grace of God, Acts 13:4343 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

, that is, the Gospel of God’s Grace that Paul had been sent to preach. The next Sabbath almost everyone in the city showed up to hear the Word of God, which made the unbelieving Jews envious to the point they contradicted and blasphemed the Word spoken by Paul. At this, Paul and Barnabas said it had been necessary to preach the Word of God to them but since they judged themselves unworthy of everlasting life, (their unbelief of that Word) they were going to the Gentiles and the Gentiles were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord and as many as were ordained unto eternal life believed, Acts 13:44 - 4844 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

.

Additional evidence that Paul did not teach the Kingdom message in Antioch, Pisidia, Galatia is Paul’s epistle to the Galatians, believed to be the first one he wrote, in which he corrected the believers there because they had corrupted the doctrine of justification, having been misled by Judaizes teaching they should follow the law after having been saved by Grace, Galatians 2:1616 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

; Galatians 3:11 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

; Galatians 3:1111 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

; Galatians 3:2424 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

; Galatians 5:1 - 51 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

.

Our next study will examine the miraculous sign gifts such as the gift of tongues and the practice of water baptism during Paul’s missionary journeys.

* Approximate dates and chronological order of events taken from notes and appendices (180 & 192) in the Companion Bible as well as from “The Timeline of Paul’s Ministry” pamphlet by Pastor Kevin Sadler, President of the Berean Bible Society