Contents

Series Page

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Series Preface

Author’s Preface

Abbreviations

Transliteration

Map

Introduction to 1 Corinthians

I. Letter Opening (1:1–3)

II. Thanksgiving for God’s Grace Given to Them (1:4–9)

III. Factions and Dissension in the Church (1:10–4:21)

A. The Report of Their Factions (1:10–17)

B. The Foolish Wisdom of the Cross (1:18–25)

C. God’s Choice of the Foolish (1:26–31)

D. Human Wisdom versus the Spirit and Power of God (2:1–5)

E. The Spirit’s Revelation of God’s Wisdom (2:6–16)

F. Evaluating the Work of God’s Servants (3:1–17)

G. How to Regard Oneself; How to Regard Others (3:18–4:5)

H. The Apostles as Models of the Wisdom of the Cross (4:6–13)

I. Appeal to Imitate Their Father Paul (4:14–21)

IV. Incest, Lawsuits, and Prostitution (5:1–6:20)

A. The Case of Incest (5:1–8)

B. Renewed Warnings about Tolerance of Sin in the Church (5:9–13)

C. Admonition against Lawsuits (6:1–11)

D. Admonition against Visiting Prostitutes (6:12–20)

V. Instructions about Sexual Relations, Divorce, and Marriage (7:1–40)

A. Sexual Relations within Marriage (7:1–5)

B. Celibacy or Marriage for the Unmarried and Widows (7:6–9)

C. Instructions about Divorce for Those Married to Christians and for Those Married to Non-Christians (7:10–16)

D. Guiding Principle Underlying the Discussion: Remain as You Are (7:17–24)

E. The Advisability of Marriage for the Betrothed and for Widows (7:25–40)

VI. The Dispute over Food Sacrificed to Idols (8:1–11:1)

A. Introduction of the Issue of Idol Food (8:1–6)

B. Refutation of Their Practice because of Its Danger to Fellow Christians (8:7–13)

C. Paul’s Own Example to Undergird His Counsel (9:1–27)

D. Refutation of Their Practice from the Negative Example of the History of Israel in the Wilderness (10:1–13)

E. Refutation of Their Practice from the Example of the Lord’s Supper (10:14–22)

F. Practical Advice for Dealing with the Issue of Idol Food in Pagan Settings (10:23–11:1)

VII. Headdress in Public Worship (11:2–16)

VIII. Divisions at the Lord’s Supper (11:17–34)

IX. The Use of Spiritual Gifts in Public Worship (12:1–14:40)

A. Introduction of the Topic of Spiritual Gifts (12:1–3)

B. Variety and Unity of Spiritual Gifts (12:4–11)

C. The Diversity and Interdependence of Members of the Body (12:12–31)

D. Love: A More Excellent Way (13:1–13)

E. The Comparison between Tongues and Prophecy (14:1–19)

F. The Preference for Prophecy (14:20–25)

G. Regulations for Worship and Concluding Instructions on Spiritual Gifts (14:26–40)

X. The Resurrection (15:1–58)

A. Prologue: Preaching and Belief about the Resurrection of Christ (15:1–11)

B. The Consequences If the Resurrection of the Dead Is Not True (15:12–19)

C. The Consequences Since the Resurrection of the Dead Is True (15:20–28)

D. The Consequences If the Resurrection of the Dead Were Not True (15:29–34)

E. The Bodily Character of the Resurrection (15:35–49)

F. All Will Be Changed (15:50–58)

XI. Instructions for the Collection and Travel Itineraries (16:1–12)

XII. Letter Closing (16:13–24)

Works Cited

Index of Subjects

Index of Authors

Index of Greek Words

Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings

Notes

Paul's first letter to the Corinthians is one of the most important epistles in the New Testament. David Garland's thoughtful new commentary draws on extensive research and engages the best of contemporary scholarship while providing a readable study that will be accessible to thoughtful readers as well as students, pastors, and scholars. After considering the context of the letter and the social and cultural setting of Corinth, Garland turns to his exegetical work. An introduction to each major unit of thought is followed by the author's own translation of the Greek text. In the course of his verse-by-verse commentary, he incorporates references to other ancient writings that help explain particular aspects of Paul's meaning or provide information on the social and cultural context. He also refers to the work of other commentators and provides extensive notes for further reading and research.