1 Corinthians

Undergraduate / Graduate

An exegesis course on what was likely Paul's second letter to Corinth (the first, mentioned in 1 Cor 5:9, is lost), that will focus upon the literary composition and purpose of this lengthy epistolary text, and the range of issues over which the Corinthians were divided (sex and marriage, gender roles, legal battles, food, hair, forms of worship, the resurrection of the dead) and the ways Paul seeks to address them and call them to unity. We shall also explore some of what can be known of the social history of the "house churches" in Roman Corinth to whom Paul was writing, as well as the history of Paul's relationship with them and the degree to which when he writes this letter Paul can assume a position of authority ("become imitators of me, as I am of Christ" [11:1]) or must face significant doubt about his legitimacy as a self-proclaimed "apostle."