Overview
First Corinthians is Paul's response to divisions and moral problems in the ekklesia he founded at Corinth, and to questions the community had raised. It addresses factions, sexual immorality, lawsuits, marriage, food offered to idols, order in worship, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection, presenting love as the proper way of all gifts.
Theme A community united in the Messiah and living in holiness
Historical background
Corinth was the capital of the province of Achaia and a commercial city with two harbors. Paul remained there about eighteen months on his second missionary journey and established the community (Acts 18). This letter was written during his stay in Ephesus, after he received reports and a letter from Corinth.