1 Corinthians 13: 1 13

Target year level: Year Five, Year Eight, Year Ten

Scripture text

Introduction

In the Christian Scriptures, there are thirteen letters that are attributed to Paul, but only seven are considered undisputed. 1 Corinthians is one of these. The letter was written while Paul was staying at Ephesus in about 54 CE. It was addressed to the Church in Corinth, as part of an ongoing conversation with the community. There were several letters in the dialogue, but only two remain. Paul wrote the first letter in response to two events: the Corinthian Christians sent a written message asking for advice (1 Cor 7:1), and Paul heard some gossip about divisions in the community (1 Cor 1:12). We don’t have access to the message or the gossip, so reading 1 Corinthians is like listening to a one-sided conversation in which Paul’s side of the story is all we hear. Consequently, the contemporary reader needs to be aware that there are gaps in what we can know about the context.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the real-life implications of living the gospel. He explains how Christians can be faithful to their calling when their values are at odds with the surrounding Hellenistic culture and when the diversity in the community causes differences of opinion. Unity in Christ and loving concern for their fellow Christians are the core ideas here.

The letter addresses a range of issues such as: sexual ethics, marriage relationships and divorce; the orderly practice of worship; the nature of knowledge, wisdom and spiritual gifts; and the sanctity of the human body. The centrality of Christ’s Resurrection to Christian faith is also a major theme.

For feminist biblical scholars and others, Paul’s attitudes towards women, which are evident in this letter, are worthy of critical scrutiny. Some scholars suggest that they say more about Paul’s editors than they say about Paul himself.

World behind the text

Paul founded a Christian community in the port city of Corinth (Acts 18: 1-17), probably in the early 50s CE. At the time of 1 Corinthians, there were about fifty members, both Jews and gentiles, meeting in one house church. The community was diverse, both socially and racially, which may have caused the power struggles and differences of opinion that threatened the unity of the infant church.

At this time, Corinth was one of the most important cities of Greece, being the provincial capital of the Roman province of Achaia. Corinth was situated at the crossroads of major travel and trade routes between East and West.

Because of its geographical position, Corinth was a melting pot for diverse cultural influences and religious practices. Miracles, healings, prophecies and visions were commonplace among the many cults practiced in the city. So, it is easy to understand why the Christians in Corinth were sometimes confused about the spiritual practices and values of their new faith and also why Paul needed to reinforce his initial teaching with ongoing formation through his letters.

World of the text

In this text, Paul reminds the Corinthians that all their spiritual gifts are as nothing unless they have love, which is the greatest gift of all. Elsewhere in the letter, these gifts are clearly identified as coming from God (12:4-7) and not for personal gain, but for the benefit of others (14:1-3).

Paul lists many characteristics of authentic love including: patience, kindness, humility and hopefulness. Obviously, these attributes are lacking in the quarrelsome community at Corinth. Paul writes that all things in life pass away, but faith, hope and love are enduring – none more so than love.

World in front of the text

Paul’s lesson of love is an example of the spiritual gift of teaching used wisely. Paul uses his skill with words, generously infused with spiritual wisdom, not for his own benefit, but in order to encourage and console his audience. These are words of faith, which give hope and are offered in love. Faith, hope and love are known as the theological virtues.

These lyrical musings on love speak to the heart as well as the mind and the soul: they are meaningful for everyday life and they lift human spirits, giving a glimpse of something to strive for in a larger, heavenly reality. They reassure believers that God is the source of all virtues – the greatest of which is love.