1 Corinthians
Paul answers divisions, disorder, and questions in the church at Corinth, in the Roman province of Achaia.
What the sources say, and how sure we are
- The text says
Paul founded the church in Corinth and writes from Ephesus, planning to stay there until Pentecost. He mentions an earlier letter that has not survived.1 Cor 16:8; 1 Cor 5:9; Acts 18:1–11
- Outside evidence
The Gallio inscription from Delphi dates Gallio’s proconsulship of Achaia to about AD 51–52, which anchors Paul’s eighteen months in Corinth to about AD 50–52. Corinth was the capital of the province of Achaia, while Thessalonica and Philippi lay in Macedonia.Gallio Inscription, Delphi; Acts 18:11–12
- The text says
In 15:3–8 Paul passes on what he “received”: that Christ died for our sins, was buried, was raised on the third day, and appeared to Peter, the Twelve, more than five hundred, James, all the apostles, and finally Paul.1 Cor 15:3–8
- Debated
Most scholars hold that 15:3–5 is an early tradition that Paul received, perhaps from his first visit to Jerusalem about three years after his conversion (Gal 1:18). They disagree about its exact date and source, and about how it relates to the Gospel accounts.Gal 1:18–19
- Christian conclusion
Christians hold that the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the gospel and the hope of the resurrection of believers.1 Cor 15:14; 1 Cor 15:20–23