A practical and sensitive commentary on Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth.
First Corinthians is Paul's masterly pastoral letter to a church, which he founded five years earlier, but which in the meantime has lost its way. In Ephesus, Paul was visited by various groups from Corinth bringing disturbing reports of recent developments, but also a list of questions. A little sleuthing helps us recover an idea of the problems in Corinth as well as the questions to whuich they wanted answers. A less imaginiative person may have simply addressed the problems and replied to the questions, but not Paul. Paul discerned in the problems and the questions five underlying issues.
He has arranged his letter as a series of sermons - True Wisdom (1-4), Sexual Holiness (5-7), Temple Attendance (8-10), Behaviour at Church Meetings (11-14), Resurrection Hope (15). This letter is both timely and timeless. It was, doubtless, piercingly relevant for the Corinthians as they sat transfixed listening as it was read to them. But the letter continues to challenge readers today as they apply its princples to life in an increasingly unstable and hostile world - as Corinth was.
Part of The Good Book Company's Commentary List, this commentary has been selected because it not only deals faithfully and carefully with God's Word but is readable, practical and accessible as well.
Contributors | Paul Barnett |
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ISBN | 9781845507213 |
Format | Paperback |
First published | August 2009 |
Dimensions | 135mm x 215mm x 19.8mm |
Weight | 0.42 kg |
Language | English |
Pages | 320 |
Publisher | Christian Focus |
Paul Barnett's contribution to the Focus on the Bible series is a significant one in terms of its scholarship, contemporary insights and application.
A scholar's eye for background detail, a preacher's careful attention to meaning, a pastor's application to the challenges of our contemporary context. All three combine in this clear-minded and warm-hearted exposition of 1st Corinthians, to make Paul's great letter come alive with sparkling insights and pressing relevance.