The apostle Paul wrote two canonical letters to the church in Corinth. These letters are known as First Corinthians and Second Corinthians in the New Testament.
The church at Corinth was one that Paul himself had founded during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-18). Corinth was the capital city of the Roman province of Achaia, and a major urban center along trade routes. The church there included both Jews and Gentiles from a variety of backgrounds.
In First Corinthians, Paul addresses a number of issues that had arisen in the Corinthian church. Based on reports from members of Chloe’s household (1 Cor 1:11) and from Timothy (1 Cor 4:17), Paul learned there were various factions and internal conflicts. There was also immorality, abuse of spiritual gifts, disorder when they gathered for worship, and confusion about the resurrection.
Some of the major themes and topics Paul addresses in First Corinthians include:
- Divisions and quarrels in the church (1 Cor 1–4)
- Sexual immorality and lawsuits among believers (1 Cor 5–6)
- Marriage, celibacy, food sacrificed to idols (1 Cor 7–8)
- Orderly worship, including the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11–14)
- Correct doctrine on the resurrection (1 Cor 15)
- Closing instructions on giving, Timothy’s visit, greetings (1 Cor 16)
In Second Corinthians, Paul continues to deal with troubling issues that have arisen with the Corinthian church. It appears that Paul had made a painful visit to Corinth after writing First Corinthians, which did not go well (2 Cor 2:1). He then wrote a “severe letter” which also caused grief (2 Cor 2:3-4; 7:8-12).
In this second canonical letter, Paul aims to reconcile with the church and defend his apostolic ministry. He asks the church to deal with offenses rather than tolerate immorality (2 Cor 2:5-11). He explains why he changed his travel plans (2 Cor 1–2). He also argues at length for the legitimacy of his apostleship over against “false apostles” who had come to Corinth (2 Cor 10–13).
Some of the major themes and topics Paul addresses in Second Corinthians include:
- Paul’s conduct and character as an apostle (2 Cor 1–7)
- Instructions on collection for the Jerusalem church (2 Cor 8–9)
- Defense of his authority as an apostle (2 Cor 10–13)
In summary, Paul wrote two main letters to the Corinthian church which have been preserved as part of inspired Scripture:
- First Corinthians – dealing with divisions, immorality, marriage, food sacrificed to idols, worship, and resurrection issues.
- Second Corinthians – dealing with reconciliation, Paul’s apostleship, the Jerusalem collection, and defending against false apostles.
The authenticity of these two canonical letters is well-attested. There are references to First Corinthians sprinkled throughout early Christian literature shortly after the New Testament period. Church fathers like Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Polycarp, Tertullian, and Irenaeus all quote from First Corinthians in their writings.
There is also strong external evidence for Second Corinthians including quotations from church fathers like Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen. Internal evidence also points to Paul as the author of both letters. He identifies himself twice as the author in the opening of First Corinthians (1:1-2) and once in Second Corinthians (1:1).
Some additional insights about Paul’s correspondence with the Corinthians:
- Paul likely wrote First Corinthians during his third missionary journey, probably around AD 53-55, while in Ephesus (1 Cor 16:8).
- Paul probably wrote Second Corinthians after leaving Ephesus and traveling through Troas to Macedonia, around AD 55-56 (2 Cor 2:12-13; 7:5-7).
- Paul references writing at least one other letter to Corinth before First Corinthians, which has not been preserved (1 Cor 5:9).
- Paul refers to his painful visit between the two canonical letters, sometimes called the “severe letter” (2 Cor 2:1-4).
- Paul possibly made a second visit to Corinth between the two canonical letters to resolve the conflicts (2 Cor 13:1-2).
In summary, Paul wrote two lengthy, canonical letters to the Corinthians that have been faithfully preserved and considered part of inspired Scripture. These letters give insight into Paul’s apostolic ministry and the kinds of issues faced by early churches. Paul provided authoritative teaching to correct errors in doctrine, rebuke sinful practices, and answer questions on matters of conscience and Christian living. Both letters reveal Paul’s pastoral heart for the Corinthians and his desire for them to live in purity and peace as followers of Jesus Christ.
The church at Corinth faced many challenges, including disunity, immorality, and false teaching. Through these two letters, Paul aimed to instruct them in Christian doctrine, rebuke sin and false teaching, answer their questions, and reconcile them to himself and his ministry. His passion was for this church to fully reflect Christ in their community and culture. For all generations of Christians, Paul’s letters to the Corinthians provide instruction in living out our faith in Jesus amid a non-Christian society.
Paul likely stayed in touch with the Corinthians after these letters. It seems he was eventually reconciled to them and was able to return for ministry in Corinth. In Romans 16:23, Paul sends greetings from Erastus, the city treasurer of Corinth, implying renewed relationships there. Additionally, in Acts 20:2-3, Paul spent three months in Greece (likely Corinth) during his third missionary journey. So after resolving the conflicts we read about in 1 & 2 Corinthians, Paul was eventually able to return to minister fruitfully once again in this city and church.
In conclusion, Paul wrote two canonical letters to the Corinthians – 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians. These letters give us insight into this early church plant, the challenges they faced, and Paul’s heart to see them mature and unify in Christ. Through God’s providence, these Holy Spirit-inspired letters have been preserved as Scripture for the instruction, encouragement, and equipping of Christians down through the ages (2 Tim 3:16-17). God used Paul’s writings to shape this early church, and He continues to use them mightily in the lives of believers today.
