[Biblemat] S:> Churches of the New Testament: Corinth

Wed Aug 8 23:30:26 CDT 2007

http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/outlines/index.html

                 Churches of the New Testament: Corinth

I. Introduction
   A. 1 Corinthians 1:1-2
   B. Corinth-- synonymous with excess, immorality
      1. similar reputation as our Las Vegas
      2. "what happens here stays here"
      3. Drenched in immorality and worldliness
   C. Gospel takes root there with difficulty
      1. Not external difficulty, but internal!
      2. Rife with strife, dissension, division, immorality, etc.
      3. Amazing that Paul can even call them "saints"!
   D. Corinth a "problem" church
   E. Let us explore how it came about

II. Geography and History
   A. Greece; capital of ancient Roman province of Achaia
      1. 56 miles west of Athens
      2. 180 miles southwest of Thessalonica
      3. 815 miles northwest of Jerusalem
   B. Unique placement led to its rise
      1. On the Isthmus of Corinth, connecting Peloponnesus to mainland
         Greece
      2. Acrocorinth: 1886 ft above sea level, easily defended
      3. All north-south land traffic would pass through Corinth
      4. Cenchreae: eastern port, on Aegean Sea
      5. Lechaeum: western port, on Gulf of Corinth, to Ionian Sea
      6. Most commercial ships would transport cargo over isthmus
         rather than brave seas around Peloponnesus
   C. Massive commercial center
      1. 300,000 citizens
      2. 460,000 slaves
   D. History
      1. Corinth founded 9th century BCE
      2. Became part of Roman Empire 2nd century BCE
      3. 146 BCE: razed after revolt against Rome
      4. 46 BCE: rebuilt by Julius Caesar
   E. Known for Immorality
      1. Combination of rise to wealth, transient population, relative
         license led to reputation
      2. "Live like a Corinthian" meant life of sexual indulgence,
         drunkenness
      3. Temple of Aphrodite; 1000 temple prostitutes
   F. Dire need for Gospel-- would it be heard?

III. The Founding of the Church in Corinth, 50-52 CE
   A. After leaving Thessalonica, Paul to Berea then Athens
      (Acts 17:10-34)
      1. Church established in Berea
      2. Paul preached in Athens, converted some
      3. Overall, not fruitful in Athens
   B. Paul then goes to Corinth (Acts 18:1-18)
      1. First is waiting for associates from Macedonia
      2. Stays with Aquila and Priscilla, from Asia Minor, recently
         evicted from Rome, fellow tentmakers (Acts 18:1-3)
      3. Obviously they convert (Acts 18:18, 24-28)
   C. Paul preaches in Corinth
      1. Preaches in synagogue, converts Jews and Greeks (Acts 18:4)
      2. When Silas and Timothy arrive, works in earnest (Acts 18:5)
      3. Jews hardened their hearts; Paul to Gentiles (Acts 18:6)
      4. Stays with Titus Justus who lives next to synagogue
         (Acts 18:7)
      5. Crispus, leader of synagogue, converts (Acts 18:8)
      6. Jesus comforts Paul, establishes that there are many of His
         people there (Acts 18:9-10)
      7. Stays 18 months (Acts 18:11)
   D. Jewish Persecution
      1. Jews rise up, bring charges to Gallio against Paul
         (Acts 18:12-14)
      2. Gallio wants none of their squabbles (Acts 18:15-16)
      3. Sosthenes (Christian?  only Jew?) beaten (Acts 18:17)
   E. Regardless, Paul then takes leave of Corinth (Acts 18:18)
   F. Datable to 52 CE
   G. Church thus established
      1. Should be well-- had Paul 18 months!
      2. Not the case, however

IV. The Church in Corinth, 52-100
   A. Things not well in Corinth
   B. 1 Corinthians
      1. 55-56: Paul in Ephesus (Acts 19)
      2. Delegation of Corinthian brethren deliver letter from Corinth
         about marriage matters and other things
         (1 Corinthians 16:8, 17; 1 Corinthians 7:1)
      3. Heard from household of Chloe regarding problems in Corinth
         (1 Corinthians 1:11)
      4. On account of this, writes 1 Corinthians
   C. 1 Corinthians to 2 Corinthians
      1. Soon after writing 1 Corinthians, visits Corinth, rebukes and
         exhorts brethren; does not go well (2 Corinthians 12:19-13:2)
      2. Infiltration of "Judaizers" bringing commendation, leading
         Corinthians away from Paul toward themselves
         (2 Corinthians 10:12, 2 Corinthians 11:2-4, 11-23)
      3. Paul, having issues in Ephesus, sends Titus
         (2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 7:13-14)
      4. Paul leaves Ephesus, meets Titus in Macedonia
         (2 Corinthians 2:12-13)
      5. On basis of report, writes 2 Corinthians, to see brethren
         soon (2 Corinthians 13:1)
      6. Does so (Acts 20:2)
   D. Paul likely again visited Corinth ca. 63-64 (1 Timothy 1:3,
      2 Timothy 4:20)
   E. End of NT evidence
   F. 1 Clement
      1. Letter from church in Rome to church in Corinth, ca. 70-110 CE
      2. Supposedly by Clement, Paul's associate (Philippians 4:3)
      3. Not inspired, but illustrative
      4. Elders in Corinth, but division and dissension present
         (1 Clement 1, 45-47)
      5. Previous obedience, faithfulness lauded (1 Clement 2)
      6. Current situation, however, worse than 1 / 2 Corinthians
         (1 Clement 47)
      7. Corinth known for contentiousness, zeal about inconsequential
         matters (1 Clement 45)
      8. Call to repentance, humility, and peace (1 Clement 14, 19)
   G. Church in Corinth, then, always stormy
      1. Problems with sin under Apostles and afterward
      2. Let us see their problems that we may avoid them

V. Problems in Corinth
   A. Many problems
   B. Division
      1. Division by factions-- Paul, Cephas, Apollos, Paul
         (1 Corinthians 1:11-12)
      2. Division by socioeconomic status-- Lord's Supper
         (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)
      3. Such indicates to Paul that the Corinthians are worldly, not
         spiritual (1 Corinthians 3:1-4)
   C. Arrogance
      1. Roundly condemned (1 Corinthians 3:18-4:21)
      2. Puffed up, not mourning, over incestuous man
         (1 Corinthians 5:1-2)
      3. Took one another to secular court, defrauded one another
         (1 Corinthians 6:1-8)
      4. Abuse of liberty (1 Corinthians 8)
      5. Went after others, not listening to Paul (2 Corinthians 10-12)
      6. Lack of repentance caused serious problems
      7. Need for disassociation (1 Corinthians 5)
      8. Second rebuke (2 Corinthians 12:19-3:2)
   D. Paul
      1. Needed to defend liberties he did not take
         (1 Corinthians 9:1-12)
      2. Fact he did not receive payment from Corinth used against him
         (2 Corinthians 11:7-9, 12:11-13)
      3. Need to defend his ministry despite apostolic signs being done
         (2 Corinthians 10-12)
   E. Other matters
      1. Avoiding sexual immorality, especially prostitution
         (1 Corinthians 6:9-20)
      2. Some denied the resurrection of the dead
         (1 Corinthians 15:12-19)
      3. Association with unbelievers (1 Corinthians 15:33,
         2 Corinthians 6:11-18)
      4. Imperative to avoid idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:1-14)
      5. Handling restoration (2 Corinthians 2:5-11)
   F. Spiritual Gifts
      1. 1 Corinthians 12-14: Corinthians abusing spiritual gifts,
         Paul sets proper guidelines
      2. 1 Corinthians 13 key: lack of love in Corinth
      3. Problems all avoidable had they the love they needed!
      4. Philippi and Thessalonica had that love; Corinth did not
      5. Highly illustrative!

VI. Positives in Corinth
   A. Some positives
   B. Despite internal dissension, no known actual split
   C. Collection
      1. Told to make collection for saints, as were Macedonia and
         Galatia (Romans 15:26, 1 Corinthians 16:1)
      2. Paul could boast with cause in their preparedness
         (2 Corinthians 8-9)
   D. 1 Corinthians 1:4-9
      1. Paul can still give thanks to God for Corinth
      2. Indication of need to support struggling churches

VII. Conclusion
   A. Corinth a problem church
      1. Full of worldliness and sin throughout apostolic period and
         afterward
      2. Difficult environment did not help
   B. Overall, however, an example of what to avoid
      1. Worldly churches full of sin, difficulties within and without
      2. Easy prey for false teaching
   C. Demonstration of power of love
      1. What makes a strong church?
      2. Grounded in apostolic teaching?  Wealth?  Status in the
         community?  Light to no persecution?
      3. Corinth had these things and was miserable
      4. Love, however, is what they lacked, and such is what Philippi
         and Thessalonica had
      5. Church strong, then, when members love God and one another
   D. Let us strive to have the love we ought in obedience to God and
      working with one another
   F. Invitation/songbook

Ethan R. Longhenry/ disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com
Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio
[http://www.norwalkchurch.org]
Homepage: http://www.deusvitae.com
AOLIM: Deus Vitae/ ICQ#: 28317056
MSN Messenger ID: deusvitae/ Yahoo! Messenger ID: discipuliiesus
Matthew 10:25a (ESV):  "It is enough for the disciple to be like his 
teacher, and the servant like his master."

Renewed in Spirit
http://www.renewedinspirit.org
an interactive online spiritual publication for those seeking the Kingdom 