Corinthians: The Scandal

In order for the Corinthians, "the saints who are in Corinth" (Ehrman 2004, 228), to understand that resurrection involves Jesus being raised bodily from the dead, the congregation needs to shy away from promiscuous sexual behavior and understand the message of "Christ's death and resurrection" (Ehrman 2004, 230). Paul notes that the evil forces will remain in the world until the end comes and Jesus returns. Paul notes that the Corinthians misinterpretation of his teachings, bad behavior, and exalted status are the result of evil forces (Ehrman 2004, 231). By using 1 Corinthians and "A Brief Introduction to the New Testament" the problems that were caused by the Corinthian community in the first letter can be artificially reconstructed by using these six issues found in 1 Corinthians: Salutation and Thanksgiving (1:1-9), Division in Corinth (1:10-4:21), Immorality in Corinth (5:1- 6:20), Difficulties in Corinth (7:1- 14:40), Doctrine of Resurrection (15:1- 58), and the Closing (16:1-24).

From Chloe and her people to God's chosen Apostle Paul. I pray for the people of Corinth, thanking my God for your physical condition, good fortune, and prosperity to your selected destinations. I'm hoping that God our father and the Lord send you peace and tranquility for the duration of your long travels and deliverance from danger. The places that you journey through have been chosen by God for you to aid because "he made you holy by means of Christ Jesus" (1: 3-), just as he did for all people everywhere that call on the name of our Lord Jesus to help in times of need or salvation (1: 3-7). The congregation of Corinth forgot your original teachings, and shaped their own. As a chosen Apostle of Christ and the founder of the successful "model church of the Thessalonians" (Ehrman 20024, 232) I know that you can help the community that you created. I am very confident that you will address the problems that have crept into Corinth's reputation. The individuals of Corinth engage in sexually promiscuous activities daily, and a large prosperous city that it once was glorified is now tarnished (Ehrman 2004, 228). Originally it was known as a major center of trade and communication (Ehrman 2004, 227).

I always thank my God for you and your mystical knowledge, spiritual truths, force and power to lead the communities that you have established. The people here look up to "Jesus as the crucified Christ" (Ehrman, 2004, 230) and to the noted message of Christ's death and resurrection. "This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1: 7-8). Jesus will clear you of everything that is being blamed on you, and will keep you strong so you can face the communities and anything that gets in your way.

Aquila and Priscilla appeal the decisions of separation of my brothers and sisters. They have spoken to me about how you first came into contact with them, indicating that converted you converted them to the "same faith in Jesus" (Ehrman 2004, 228). Instructing them clearly that they only "need to worship one true God", but as we were deep in conversation they to do not understand why it is difficult for the community to apprehend the importance "to await his son" (Ehrman 2004, 230). Also you came to Corinth to convert Jews, and then spent time in Corinth for almost a year and half bringing faith "to the wise by human standards" (1:26), the non influential that lacked dignity and noble birth (Ehrman 2004, 229), and the few that were well-grounded, educated and powerful (9:7-8). I glorify your ability to influence the people that claim you as the "apostle to the gentile" (Ehrman 2004, 229) and the fortunate that were very wealthy compared to the others.

Although you have been the most successful in converting a large amount of pagans, and a few wealthy people the two groups have very strong differences due to their standards. The two groups can not get a long because of their backgrounds of wealth and education. The only thing that these two share is the arrangement of their "basic failure to recognize the limitations and dangers of Christian existence in the age before the end" (1-4). This problem has given us a bad reputation. Of course the community is guilty but it is obvious that the issues were partially socioeconomic, as clearly highlighted during the communal dinners that were held. The individuals that did not have to work long hours that day enjoyed lots of food and drink earlier then the poorer members that had to work longer days, and you could only imagine when they came to dinner there was very little food left because the others had their fill at dawn.

After leaving for the city of Ephesus to continue your mission a very skilled speaker by the name of Apollos came to Corinth (Acts 18: 24-28) and continued instructing the teachings of Christ to the Christians claiming that you would do the same for him and for others. Apollos was not aware of your current location but he presumed that you would stop in Ephesus. After awhile Apollos left to continue his journey and left our city which still had no significant indication of becoming corrupt. The community did not stay orderly to much longer after Apollos had left. The time you spent in Corinth generated an intelligent bunch whether through human standard or education. I can strongly say that we have a more "sophisticated understanding of the faith than those in Thessalonica" it is evident (Ehrman, 2004, 229). The end result turned into immorality in our community, an immorality far worse than I could imagine (5:1-6:20).

As individuals of the community started to think that they fully understood their religion, the congregation had twisted all of the concrete points in your message towards salvation, and they started to develop their own fictitious views that were unconventional (5:1- 6:20). Adding their heinous views, they threw everyone in the community off track. They debased "Jesus as Crucified Christ" (Ehrman 2004, 230) and adjoined their brainless fixations. The immorality in Corinth was at its peak with personal disputes and sexual purity that is blatantly against spiritual truth. They need to honor God with their bodies (6: 19-21)

The commotion has stirred up a whirlwind of catastrophe. The church has "divided against itself, with different factions claiming different leaders, each of whom [seek] their own spiritual superiority and [claim] to represent the true faith as expounded by one or another" (Ehrman 2004, 232)( 1 Cor 5:1-6:20). The leaders of the community are appalling; the ones who are suppose to represent the wise and power have all agreed that "power indicates the superior standing of those who have already been exalted to enjoy the privileges and benefits of the exalted life in Christ" (Ehrman 2004, 234). The foolish do not recall your message that in this world if you have human power and wisdom it has no salvation (6:3- 7:1).

Finally, marriage, Christian liberty, and worship have caused difficulties in Corinth (7:1- 14:40). The couples that have gotten married to avoid high levels of sexual promiscuity need to resist temptation. The couples are running around initiating affairs with other promiscuous couples, believers that God was blind and would look pass them just because they were married. They assumed that God would overlook their bad habits because they were married (7:6-9). There are also men that have been with prostitutes on the regular basis. That behavior is not one of the worst cases. There is also a man in the community that sleeps with his stepmother on the regular basis, and he has no shame. The entire community knows about him and his stepmothers' actions, and they do not really care about it anymore (1:2). If you were here in Corinth right now you would be very disappointed to see the people that you have converted and the extreme sinners that they have all turned into. I do not blame you for their actions; I blame them for their actions. They have led themselves away from your straight path to salvation.

If the congregation of Corinth does not understand the resurrection of Christ they will not "inherit what will last forever" (15: 50). What I am saying is that the congregation of Corinth needs to be harshly reminded of what they already believe in because this is what started the current movement. I am not the only member of Corinth that will acknowledge this issue. Three members from the church Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have been waiting for a reply. I believe that they have another urgent issue that is far worse than the man sleeping with his stepmother (1:2) (16: 15-18). Send word of your return with my people, and I will wait for your return (16:5-7). May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace (1:3).