[The information below was summarized from “Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament (Second Catholic Edition RSV): Introduction to The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians” written by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch]
Author: Apostle Paul
Date: A.D. 56
Themes:
- The First Letter to the Corinthians shows the pressures the early church faced. These pressures came from within the church and from society. Furthermore, these pressures have been present throughout church history and are still present today.
- Paul addresses two vices of the Church in Corinth:
- PRIDE – Intellectual arrogance. Human knowledge and eloquence, rather than paying heed to the gospel’s humble message, was highly respected.
- SELFISHNESS – Lawsuits; assertion of ones freedoms in reckless ways; discrimination of the poor; using ones spiritual gifts to attract attention to oneself.
- Love is patient, kind, and turned toward others.
Additional Information:
- The Church in Corinth was acting immoral and was coming apart, causing disunity and loss of faith.
- A woman named Chloe sent information to Paul regarding the problems occurring in Corinth.
- Paul attempts to guide the Church in Corinth back to the Christian Doctrine, refreshing their commitment to Jesus Christ.
- The issues the Church in Corinth faced are issues the Church has faced throughout history and ones the Church still faces today. Therefore, Paul’s advice and guidance in his First Letter to the Corinthians speaks to all people, including us.
Life Giving Bread 