Sunday School notes
Second reading
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
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Sunday School Notes, January 26, 2020
About 1 & 2 Corinthians
Paul’s history with his Corinthian church*
Paul’s First Visit. Paul, Timothy & Silvanus arrive (about 50 AD from Athens?) in Corinth, set up shop, meet clients; teach Christ crucified, raised and imminent return; win converts, instruct them about new ethics and faithful Life in Christ, and to convert others, then leave for their next city (Ephesus?)
Paul’s First Letter (see 1Cor5:9) has been lost. Apparently addressed some issues that he found out had arisen.
Corinthians’ First Letter to Paul. Some members wrote to Paul asking clarification or about other ethical matters (e.g., should married Christians have sex with spouses? (1Cor7:1)
Paul’s Second Letter is our 1 Corinthians. Paul wrote from Ephesus responding to Corinthians’ questions and reacting to info from Chloe’s people, and saying he plans a second visit.
Paul’s Second Visit. At 2Cor2:1-4 says he does not want to make another painful visit. Indicates that his second visit was not well received, he was abused, humiliated (2Cor2:5-11), left angry and threatening to return (2Cor13:2).
Arrival of the Superapostles. Again, we get this from 2Corinthians. People teaching that Life in Christ was already an exalted, glorified existence. (contrast with Paul’s apocalyptic belief and teaching Christ crucified, dead, resurrected, and imminently returning to judge and rule.
Paul’s Third Letter (painful letter is 2Cor10-13) dismissing the Superapostles and
Paul’s Fourth Letter (conciliatory letter is 2Cor1-9)
Paul’s apocalyptic theology and overall message to his audience, largely gentile pagans. God is soon bringing the End Time, when Christ will return to rule forever. In this world created by the One God of Israel, we live lives of sin and evil. Sent from heaven (?) or chosen by God at his Resurrection, Christ was crucified to save us by dying for our sins. Christ, dead, raised by God (as the “first fruits” of the imminent general resurrection in which both living and dead will be clothed with spiritual bodies), and in his resurrection exalted to be the Son of God, will imminently return to judge the living and the dead, who will meet Christ in the clouds for judgment; and then Christ will rule as Son of God forever. Only those who believe in God, and that Christ is the Son of God, and that God raised him from the dead, will be saved,
1st Corinthians by chapter
1:1-9 Warm Opening
1:10f Concern about divisions and infighting.
2 Proclaiming Christ crucified
3 Continues concern about divisions
4 Admonition, threatens to come visit again and set folks straight.
5 Sexual immorality
6 Lawsuits in civil courts among believers
7 About marriage, widows, singles, marry or not
8 About eating food offered to idols
9 Rights of an Apostle, of which Paul does not take advantage
10 Do not worship idols
11 Head covering, worship, dishonoring the Lord’s Supper
12 Spiritual gifts
13 Love discussion
14 Orderly worship, speaking in tongues, women don’t speak in worship
15 Resurrection of Christ, believers’ resurrection, the resurrection (spiritual) body
16 Collection for Jerusalem, Paul’s travel plans, final greetings and closing.
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* Gratitude for Prof. Bart Ehrman, The New Testament