Theme - Paul's relation to the church at Corinth is narrated in Acts 18:1-18. Here he was joined by Silas and Timothy and established one of the strongest missions of his second missionary tour. It was a church made up almost entirely of Gentiles, many of whom were converted from the rankest pagan religions and practises. Corinth itself was a wealthy and wicked city of more than 400,000 population, the most important city of that part of Europe, and it was strategically located as a centre for evangelistic activities for all of Greece and bordering states. The occasion for this Epistle grew out of the fact that the membership of the Corinthian church was marked by social and economic differences. Many were steeped in pagan vices, and the Grecian tendencies to factionalism permeated the church.

Outline - A working outline for this Epistle may be stated by setting forth the purpose for which it was written: I. To Rebuke the Party Spirit (1-4) II. To Enjoin Proper Discipline for Gross Immoralities (5) III. To Reprove the Church for Turning to Pagan Courts with Personal Grievances (6) IV. To Answer Questions Concerning Marriage and Divorce (7) V. To Settle Controversies Concerning the Eating of Food Offered to Idols (8-10) VI. To Correct Certain Disorders with Reference to the Behaviour of Women in Church (11) VII. To Give Instructions Concerning Spiritual Gifts (12-14) VIII. To Refute Those Who Argued against the Resurrection of the Dead (15) IX. To Urge Participation in the Collection for the Poor Saints (16:1-4) X. To Inform and Commend Certain Fellow Workers (16:5-24)