Table of Contents
Contributors vii
The SPCK International Study Guides viii
Acknowledgements ix
Using this Commentary x
Further reading xii
Introduction 1
1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians 1.1-9: Greetings and thanksgiving 9
1 Corinthians 1.10-4.21: Divisions in the Church 14
1.10-31: A plea for unity 14
2.1-16: Human wisdom versus God's wisdom 20
3.1-23: The nature of Christian leadership Part 1 26
Special note A: The flesh 31
4.1-21: The nature of Christian leadership Part 2 33
1 Corinthians 5.1-6.20: Moral problems in the Church 39
5.1-13: Discipline and purity 39
6.1-20: Pagan courts and Christian purity 43
1 Corinthians 7.1-40: Purity, sexual relations, divorce and marriage 50
1 Corinthians 8.1-11.1: Food sacrificed to idols 57
8.1-13: Christian freedom and the common good 57
9.1-27: Use and abuse of Christian freedom 61
10.1-11.1: Flee from idolatry 67
Special note B: Case studies 72
1 Corinthians 11.2-14.40: Christian worship 75
11.2-34: Head covering and the Lord's Supper 75
12.1-31: Many members, one body 82
Applied theology essay 1: The Holy Spirit and spirituality 88
Kirsteen Kim
13.1-13: The way of love 94
14.1-40: Spiritual gifts and edification 99
Applied theology essay 2: Women in Corinthians 105
Lisa Meo
1 Corinthians 15.1-58: The resurrection 112
Special note C: The kerygma of the early Church 114
Special note D: Resurrection and reincarnation 118
1 Corinthians 16.1-24: Finance and farewell 120
2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 1.1-7.16: Paul's visit, tearful letter and apostolic ministry 129
1.1-24: Greeting, prayer, thanksgiving and travel plans 129
2.1-17: Paul's defence 135
Special note E: Lessons on church discipline 138
3.1-18: A ministry of the new covenant 141
4.1-18: Treasure in jars of clay 146
5.1-21: Ambassadors for Christ 153
Special note F: The new creation 157
Applied theology essay 3: Reconciliation 160
Daryl Balia
6.1-18: Christian relationships 164
7.1-16: Urgent appeals 170
2 Corinthians 8.1-9.15: The collection 176
8.1-24: Grace of giving 176
9.1-15: More about giving 183
Special note G: Paul's vocabulary of giving 185
2 Corinthians 10.1-13.14: Paul's self defence and preparation for visit 188
10.1-18: Paul's apostolic defence 188
Special note H: Spiritual warfare 191
11.1-33: Paul's foolish boasting 194
Special note I: Further reflection on 2 Corinthians 11.21-33 202
12.1-21: Foolish boasting and heavenly visions 205
Special note J: Paul's thorn in the flesh 209
13.1-14: Concluding appeal 211
Index 215
