1. AUTHOR. — Paul.

2. DATE. — The spring of 57 A. D.

3. TO WHOM WRITTEN. — To the church at Corinth, which had been founded by Paul on his second missionary journey, about 52 A. D., and which consisted of both Jewish and Gentile Christians.

4. HISTORICAL OCCASION. — While Paul was staying at Ephesus, during his third missionary journey, some came from Corinth to consult Paul on certain subjects that had been discussed there, and he had also learned that there was a factious spirit in the Corinthian church, and that they tolerated certain gross immoral practices. He wrote this letter in view of these facts.

5. LEADING TOPICS. — A statement of the relation of Christians to Christ; reproof for dissensions and lax morality; instruction concerning marriage; food offered to idols and conduct in religious meetings; the distribution of spiritual gifts.

6. CHIEF PURPOSE. — To show that Christians are the body of Christ, that they should therefore abstain from the pollution of the world, separating themselves from all that defiles; that all gifts received from the indwelling Holy Spirit are intended for the edification of this body, and that death cannot have dominion over it, but that those who belong to Christ will be raised as was he.

7. GENERAL ANALYSIS.

Part I. Unwarranted divisions in the church, Ch. 1-4.

Part II. Teachings on morality, Ch. 5–11.

Part III. Bestowment of spiritual gifts, Ch. 12–14.

Part IV. Certainty of resurrection, Ch. 15.

Conclusion, Ch. 16.

8. SPECIAL TEACHING OF THE BOOK. — Spiritual things not understood by the natural man; Christians the body of Christ; the duty of being considerate of one another; Unity of Christians; the pre-eminent character of love; those who die in Christ are to rise again.

9. RELATION TO OTHER N. T. BOOKS. — Acts shows how the church, the body of Christ, began its history;. this Epistle shows the relation of the members of Christ to their Head, to each other and to the world.

10. TOPICS FOR SPECIAL STUDY. — The history of Corinth; the importance of the place as a commercial centre; the religious condition of the Gentiles at this time.