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CORINTHIANS
CHAPTER 1

God comforts and cares for his saints—The saints are sealed and given assurance by the Spirit in their hearts.

[ Paul wrote at least three letters to the Corinthian saints. The first apparently has been lost to us; we have copies of the second and third letters. These last two are known as First Corinthians and Second Corinthians, respectively. Second Corinthians is a follow-up letter to First Corinthians. It was from Macedonia, as evidence within the epistle itself suggests, that Paul wrote 2 Corinthians (2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:5–7; 9:2–4). Since Luke places Paul’s visit to Macedonia near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, the letter was likely written in A.D. 57.


The letter reveals that Paul wrote for at least five reasons: (1) to defend his work in the ministry; (2) to commend the Corinthian saints for their improvements since he last wrote; (3) to defend his personal character and conduct; (4) to encourage a generous financial gift for the impoverished saints of Jerusalem; and (5) to speak of an impending third visit to Corinth.

When the letter was completed, and there is good evidence to suggest that it was written in haste, Paul sent it with Titus on a return journey to Corinth. Titus was accompanied by two companions (2 Corinthians 8:18, 22), one of whom may have been Luke. Paul commends Titus and his party strongly to the Corinthians and urges them to make “proof” of their love and of Paul’s boasting in their behalf by making a generous contribution for the poor and sending it back with Titus (2 Corinthians 8:24; 9:5). Religion 211-212 Manual

 

The letter comprising 1 Corinthians brought about a polarization in the Corinthian ecclesia. some of the ecclesia, apparently the majority (cf. 2:6), observed Paul's admonitions. But, a faction hostile to Paul emerged. This group slandered Paul in his absence and appears to have sought to take control of the Corinthian Church.


What motivated the antagonists is unclear. Perhaps some were offended at Paul's censures in the first letter and therefore sought to rid themselves of him. Or, maybe they took advantage of Paul's prolonged absence to promote themselves at his expense. Regardless, this group attacked Paul's character and put themselves up as faithful Christians commended by the Jerusalem Church (cf. 3:1).

The result is this letter is loaded with polemical arguments intended to defend Paul's character and attack his antagonists
(e.g., 1:15-17, 2:17, 3:1, 11:3-4, 11:18-33, 12:1-5, 12:12-18). Failing to read this letter in that light leaves the reader
wondering what Paul is talking about.

This letter appears to have followed fairly soon after the delivery of the 1 Cor. letter, given the comment on the
excommunication of the individual cited in 1 Cor. 5, cf. 2:5-11. How soon after is unclear, but I would assume it was a matter of
only months.

Paul, who was ever tireless in his persuasions for the cause, left Ephesus in company with others and sailed north to Troas. There he hoped to meet Titus,who would be returning from Corinth and from whom Paul desired to learn how the saints there had received Paul’s first epistle. But Titus was not at Troas; and Paul, increasingly anxious for news of the welfare of the Corinthian church, hastened by ship west across the Aegean Sea into Macedonia, where he worked among the branches of the church and waited for Titus.Paul was an example of a true believer. He had an opportunity at Troas to preach the gospel, and his devotion to the cause of preaching to the gentiles is of record; but Paul had a flock at Corinth, already in the fold, whom he had just recently corrected. And now, with all the feeling of a tender shepherd, his soul yearned to take them into his arms and assure them of his love. Before he could go to Corinth, Paul wanted to meet Titus and receive his report.Finally, in the fall of A.D. 57, at Philippi, Titus arrived. Paul was able to hear his report with gladness, for those who were errant among the saints at Corinth had repented and were anxious to see Paul again.Titus’ report and Paul’s anxiety for the Corinthian church prompted Paul to write a second letter—tender and kindly in many respects—of how God shall comfort the saints in tribulation and bear them up against all the purposes that combine in mortality to make earth life a probation and a test. He wrote of other themes as well in this epistle, some of them personal. Study carefully all the themes, but take particular note in these passages of his counsel to the down trodden, of his encouragement to the oppressed,and of his comfort to those whose hearts waver in the quest of wresting victory from the burdens of a fallen world.The prophets have offered similar encouragement and counsel to the Saints of every age. Joseph Smith is quoted as saying this:“You will have all kinds of trials to pass through.And it is quite as necessary for you to be tried as it was for Abraham and other men of God, and (said he) God will feel after you, and He will take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings, and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Celestial Kingdom of God.” (Joseph]

the church at Corinth has been polluted by apostates who hate Paul’s integrity, doctrine, and authority.   Because he announced a change in itinerary regarding his visit to the Corinthians, enemies now say his work and word cannot be trusted.  Chapters 1-7 seem to be his explanation for the change in his plans.  These same infidels have claimed that Paul is not really an apostle, and that he has pocketed the money collected in Corinth for the poor in Jerusalem.  In chapters 8-9, Paul reminds the believers of his conduct among them and asks them to take that as evidence of his trustworthiness.  In chapters 10-13, Paul promises that he will come to the saints in Corinth, he testifies of his apostolic calling, and he expresses his readiness to exercise discipline upon those who challenge the truth and pervert the gospel of Christ.

1 PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ [ He has been called, and set apart as a special witness for Christ. He wrote the first letter to the saints in Corinth which pretty much dealt with repentance. So here we get to see what he writes and in dong so we get a glimpse at how the church may have changed. ] by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: [ The whole of the Peloponnesus, the region around south western Greece or that country separated from the main land by the Isthmus of Corinth. From this we may learn that this epistle was not only sent to the Church at Corinth, but to all the Churches in that country. ]
Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, [ I know that I said some strong things when I wrote to you last time, but I did them out of love for you, wishing you to be able to have the peaceful feelings that come from being right with God. ] and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, [ From Greek the translation would be compassion. Compassion = with feeling, suffering, our he suffered along side us. Christ is that mercy which the Father extended to us. ] and the God of all comfort; [ Wow is this not the kind of God that you would want to belong to his kingdom? How does he try to comfort us? He tries to pull us out from our sins into a world without sin where there is true peace and knowledge that we are on the path that will return us to him. ]
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, [ Does the Lord always comfort everyone in their trials? Does the Lord comfort everyone the same in their trials? Why some and not others? attitude, belief, ask for his help. "What does Malachi say the Lord is like? What are some of the fires that the Lord may allow to come to his people in order to purify and purge them? It is for God to declare the furnace, and the day and the time; and it is for man to submit and endure, for gold becomes gold by passing through fire and men may become what God has designed they become only by passing through trial. Now what is trial? You know of Abraham’s trial, and of the suffering strewn in the path of Joseph Smith, of which President Brigham Young recalled: Joseph could not have been perfected, though he had lived a thousand years, if he had received no persecution. If he had lived a thousand years, and led this people, and preached the Gospel without persecution, he would not have been perfected as well as he was at the age of thirty-nine years. You may calculate, when this people are called to go through scenes of affliction and suffering, are driven from their homes, and cast down, and scattered, and smitten, and peeled, the Almighty is rolling on his work with greater rapidity.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 351.)] that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, [ How can we help others receive comfort from God? You can comfort others as God has comforted you. Always be ready to share your testimony, to love and comfort others as that is what the Lord expects of us. What does Paul tell of about spiritual comforts(the gifts) that we may have received? They are no for us alone but to be distributed just as with any of the gifts of God - to the help and benefit of others. ] by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, [ We need to consecrate our sorrows to the Lord, did he not do the same for us. ] so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. [ Or Christ understands our suffering and so he suffers along with us to the same degree. What is Paul trying to say here about the comfort he received during his trials? That he could stand as well, as firm, and as easy, in the heaviest trial, as in the lightest; because the consolation was always proportioned to the trial and difficulty. Hence we learn, that he who is upheld in a slight trial need not fear a great one; for if he be faithful, his consolation shall abound, as his sufferings abound. Is it not as easy for a man to lift one hundred pounds' weight, as it is for an infant to lift a few ounces? The proportion of strength destroys the comparative difficulty. ]
6 And whether we be afflicted, [ Whether we need to go through the storm, take it head on. ] it is for your consolation and salvation, [ What part does affliction and trial play in our salvation? Peter makes interesting comment as well regarding trials - see 1 Peter 2:20 - We don't get any credit toward our salvation for trials caused by our own disobedience; just those that are placed upon us as disciples. ] which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, [ Or whether God changes the path of the storm so that we do not have to go through it. ] it is for your consolation and salvation. [ Paul uses the same words in the beginning of this verse, sugesting to me that it does not matter if God comforts you in the storm or if he removes you from going through the storm, all roads, both ways lead to the same place, the comfort and compassion of God are there either way. ] .
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, [ As Elder Maxwell said of the reason why God told him that he needed to suffer the trials of cancer - "so that he could teach with authenticity". ] so shall ye be also of the consolation.
8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, [ He feels that it is wise to let others know what he has been through. This is often the case with ourselves; sometimes we choose to let others in so that they might understand, that they might learn from what we have learned, or that they might know that we understand their trials as we have had some of the same. sometimes it is better not to share as well. Referring to the events of Acts 19:19? To what part of his history the apostle refers we know not: some think it is to the Jews lying in wait to kill him, Acts xx. 3; others, to the insurrection raised against him by Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen, Acts xix. 23; others, to his fighting with beasts at Ephesus, 1 Cor. xv. 32, which they understand literally; and others think that there is a reference here to some persecution which is not recorded in any part of the apostle's history. ] that we were pressed out of measure, [ Out of our comfort zone. What happened when we get out of our comfort zone? ] above strength, [ Above our own strength? What happens to us we we are outside of our ability to fix the problem with our own strength? We realize that we must rely on the Lord - he is our only hope. When we understand that- that he is there with strength beyond measure, the power of our life grows. ] insomuch that we despaired even of life:[ We did not know if we would even make it through. There is no part of Paul's history known to us which can justify these strong expressions, except his being stoned at Lystra; which if not what is here intended, the facts to which he refers are not on record - but in Acts 19:19 the Jews who returned to find Paul preaching had presumed that he had been killed when they stoned him. As Lystra was properly in Asia, unless he mean Asia Minor, so did this stoning at Lystra really take his life, so that his being raised was an effect of the miraculous power of God; he might be supposed to refer to this. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians was written after a time of great persecution when Paul and Timothy. What does one learn about himself during trails? What does one learn about life during trials? Why does the Lord allow us to endure trials? ]
But we had the sentence of death [ But if we really believe in the plan of God then is death so bad? After all did not Christ overcome death for us? ] in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: [ Because if God overcame death and we trust in him we will be ok. ]
10  Who delivered [ Past tense. ] us from so great a death, and doth deliver: [ Present tense. ] in whom we trust that he will yet deliver [ Future tense - so every condition is covered. ] us;
11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, [ Why is it important for us to pray for each other? How have the prayers of others blessed you or someone you know? How are we blessed when we pray for others? Paul expresses his knowledge that it is with the help of the saints thru their prayers that they have been blessed as well. Have you ever stopped to wonder what innumerable blessings do the prayers of the Saints draw down on for the benefit of the prophet? the apostles? The Bishop? ] that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. [ As we start to pray for others, we have a genuine interest in what happens in their life. As we do that we become more aware of Gods hand in their lives as well. Because you were in on what was going on in the lives of those that you are praying for you also have reward in the blessing as they come to pass. ]
12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, [ What is fleshly wisdom? Those who are uninfluenced by the Spirit of God, those that have a secular interest in, ease, profit, pleasure, and worldly honour in view] but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. [ That is, We have given the fullest proof of this in our conduct towards you; YOU have witnessed the holy manner in which we have always acted; and GOD is witness of the purity of the motives by which we have been actuated; and our conscience tells us that we have lived in uprightness before him. ]
13 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read [ In the first epistle which he had sent them. ] or acknowledge; [ Our letters that we have written you are straight forward, they were not meant to go over your heads. To be the truth of God; and which he hoped they would continue to acknowledge, and not permit themselves to be turned aside from the hope of the Gospel. ] and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit; [ Or that he might stop by to visit them again. ]

16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, [ His plan or desire was that he would stop by Corinth and see them on his way to Macedonia. ] and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.

[ Verses 17-20 are Pauls response to those suggesting that he is vacillating in nhis desire to visit the saints in Corinth.His enemies appear to be using this particular point to say that it is typical for him. ]

17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? o [ Was I fickly minded, could I not make up my mind? ] or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
19 For the son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; [ He then goes on to address his spiritual consistency in preaching Christ to them, and their spiritual unity in Christ. In doing so Paul trys to draw a line and exclude those who are his enemies by insinuating they are the ones vacillating and more importantly they are rejecting the spiritual things, and those who the the Lord has anointed (v. 20-21).]
22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest [Earnest is a technical term which came from the ancient world of finance and means “a guarantee” or “caution money.” It is used in exactly the same sense we use it today in the phrase “earnest money.” It was an initial sum of money given as a guarantee that the remainder owing would later be paid. What Paul suggests is that we have been given the Holy Ghost, an initial payment of blessedness which serves as a guarantee of a much fuller payment in the future if we continue faithful.] of the Spirit in our hearts.
23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. [ He used his better judgement by not coming to Corinth; he spared them because if he would have he would have been harsh in what he said and did. v23-24 are best grouped with 2:1-5. Paul is saying he wanted to spare them his presence (v. 23) and the grief it would cause when he censured the ecclesia and excommunicated people (cf. 2:1-5). That is why he wrote the letter instead of coming in person (cf. 2:3). ]
24  Not for that we have dominion over your faith, [ Or I am not hear to Lord or rule over you. ] but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.