1 Corinthians Session 1 | A letter of Instruction, encouragement, and correction 1:1-9 Big Ideas: • Introduction and Overview What was Corinth like? (Pagan) Date of 1 Corinthians (historical accuracy) Historical and cultural (Gods providence in obedient servants) Specific Occasion of the First Letter to the Corinthians So what was going on in Corinth that warranted so much contact between Paul and the believers there? Some Literary Characteristics to Consider 1. The first has to do with sayings of the Corinthians recorded in the letter that were making the rounds among a certain percentage of the church members. 2. Another feature of Paul’s literary technique in this letter is the matter of what appear to be digressions. 3. A third literary feature of 1 Corinthians I would argue for is a decided lack of literary unity in the letter as a whole. 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Take Away: 1. How does studying an ancient book of the Bible, the way we are, have any positive bearing on my life today? 2. Take some time to read through the entire book of 1 Corinthians. Write down questions and things you want to do further study on. Missions Updates: