1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians
The New Testament contains more counsel and teachings from Paul to the Church
members in Corinth than to any other branch of the Church. In fact, Paul’s two epistles
to the Corinthians make up one-fourth of all of Paul’s existing writings. Written by
Apostle Paul near the conclusion of his three-year visit to Ephesus which likely ended
sometime between A.D. 55 and 56. This epistle was written to Church members in the
city of Corinth. Paul had preached the gospel in Corinth for nearly two years and
organized a branch of the Church there. 1 Corinthians is Paul’s second letter to Church
members in Corinth. In this epistle, Paul made it clear that Church members lacked
unity and that some pagan beliefs and practices had begun to influence their
observance of gospel principles and ordinances. He wrote to Church members in
Corinth to help them with their questions and problems and to strengthen the converts
who struggled with reverting to their past beliefs and practices.
1 Corinthians 1-11 – Paul warns against divisions within the Church and emphasizes
the importance of unity among Church members.
1 Corinthians 12-14 – Paul teaches that we are to seek the gifts of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 15-16 – Paul testifies that he stands among many others who are
witnesses of the resurrected Christ.
2 Corinthians
While many of Paul’s letters focus on doctrine, much of this letter emphasizes his
relationship with the Corinthian Saints and his love and concern for them. Though Paul
was firm in his opposition to critics, throughout 2 Corinthians we see him as a tender
priesthood leader caring for the happiness and well-being of the Saints. Shortly after
Paul wrote the epistle we have as 1 Corinthians, a riot developed in Ephesus in
opposition to his teachings, and he departed to Macedonia. It appears that while he was
in Macedonia he wrote 2 Corinthians, likely around A.D. 55–57. This epistle was written
to Church members in Corinth. The Corinthian branch of the Church was making
progress, but Paul also learned of false teachers there who were corrupting the pure
doctrines of Christ. Much of 2 Corinthians addresses the problems caused by these
false teachers. In general, the text of 2 Corinthians reveals several purposes of this
letter; to express gratitude to and strengthen the Saints who had responded favorably to
his previous letter, to warn of false teachers who corrupted the pure doctrines of Christ,
to defend his personal character and authority as an Apostle of Jesus, and to
encourage the Corinthian Saints to make a generous financial offering to the
impoverished Saints of Jerusalem.
2 Corinthians 1-5 – Paul testifies that God comforts His children in all their tribulations.
2 Corinthians 6-13 – While facing criticism and opposition from false teachers, Paul
defends his sincerity as a servant of the Lord and invites his readers to be separate
from the world.
1 Thessalonians
The First Epistle to the Thessalonians is believed to be the earliest of the Apostle Paul’s
existing epistles and may be the oldest book in the New Testament. Paul’s teachings in
this epistle are focused primarily on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, including the
hardships that followers of Jesus Christ will face before His return, the Resurrection of
Christians at the Second Coming, and the timing of Christ’s coming. This epistle was
wrriten around A.D. 50-51 and was written to the members of the Church in
Thessalonica. The Thessalonian converts were some of the first Europeans to embrace
the gospel, and they faced persecution as a result. They also had many questions about
the Second Coming. Therefore, in his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul wrote words of
encouragement and strength and addressed their questions about the Second Coming
of Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1-3 – Paul expresses great appreciation for the Saints in Thessalonica.
1 Thessalonians 4-5 – Paul tells the Saints to be holy and to sanctify themselves. He
explains that when the Lord comes again, Saints who have been faithful in their
testimony of Christ, both those who have died and those who are still alive, will rise and
meet the Lord.

1 Corinthians

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