Loading...
By far Paul’s fullest discussion of the Spirit in the life of the Christian community comes to us in 1 Corinthians 12-14. To make sense of that discussion, I need to say something about the letter of 1 Corinthians in general, and the community to which it is addressed.
Here is the introduction to the letter I give in my textbook, The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings (Oxford University Press):
****************************
Corinth was a large and prosperous city south of Thessalonica, in the Roman province of Achaia, of which it was the capital. Located on the isthmus dividing the northern and southern parts of modern-day Greece, it was a major center of trade and communication, served by two major ports within walking distance. The city was destroyed in 146 b.c.e. by the Romans but was refounded a century later as a Roman colony. In Paul’s time, it was a cosmopolitan place, the home of a wide range of religious and philosophical movements.
Corinth is perhaps best remembered today for the image problem it suffered throughout much of its checkered history, at least among those who advocated the ancient equivalent of “family values.” Its economy was based not only on trade and industry but also on commercialized pleasures for the well-to-do. It is not certain that Corinth’s loose reputation was altogether deserved, however; some modern historians have suggested that its image was intentionally tarnished by the citizens of Athens, one of its nearby rivals and the intellectual center of ancient Greece. It was an Athenian, the comic poet Aristophanes, who invented the verb “Corinthianize,” which meant to engage in sexually promiscuous activities. In any event, many people today know about the city only through the letter of 1 Corinthians, a document that has done little to enhance its reputation.
The congregation that Paul addresses appears to have been riddled with problems involving interpersonal conflicts and ethical improprieties. His letter indicates
The rest of this post is only for blog members. But hey, you could belong to the elite corps. Join the blog! It costs little, gives a lot, and raises money for charity. Every penny you pay goes to help those in need. Click here for membership options
Great contextualizing of the Corinthian church! Thanks! -bw
I love reading about Corinth! Most fascinating letters of Paul!
Hi Bart,
I’m confused about 1 Cor. 11. It seems scholars believe this chapter to be original, and it appears to clearly require women to veil, yet the practice is non-existent in modern Protestant churches. I’ve heard it argued this verse was meant to align people with the customs of the time, yet Paul gives the reasons of female subordination (“a mark of authority on her head”) and some type of divine explanation (“because of the angels”). Augustine, Luther, and Chrysostom all wrote about the veil being required. I’m curious as to your thoughts on why this Apostolic command stopped being followed, and why a Christian who believes the Bible is infallible simply chooses to disobey it?
I once attended a Plymouth Brethren church where women were indeed expected to wear head coverings. I don’t know the history of when women stopped having to cover their heads, but it’d be interesting to know!
Yeah it’s weird to me. It was included in the Catholic Church in the Code of Canon Law of 1917, and disappears in the 1983 CIC. Seems to me to be something where the Church just met popular opposition. Luther and Calvin both wrote about the veil being required for example. But comes across as kind of pick and choosy by Christians, however you feel about the social implications of that requirement/Paul’s justification.
Sorry to bother, but I have another question related to 1 Corinthians. I was reading your book “Peter, Paul, and Mary Magdalene” and on page 20 you say “at this period, Christians met in the larger homes of their more wealthy members, not in church buildings.” This is in reference to Galatia, but it is my understanding 1 Corinthians was written just as early. In the english versions of my Bible, it translates Paul as discussing events in the “church.” What is the actual Greek word used in 1 Corinthians, and why does it get translated as “church” if Christians did not yet meet in churches?
Yes, the “church” in these contexts means the gathering together of Christians for worship and fellowship, not a building. The first evidence of a church building we have is two centuries after Paul (it is a converted house — furnished newly with a baptismal “tub” and Xn paintings etc.) in teh city of Dura Europos Syria, sometime around 250 CE. Before then Xns met in homes and then, when their numbers increased, in outside places, especially cemeteries (since they were large and conveniently located).