Book of First Corinthians

Corinth, the most important city in Greece during Paul's day, was a bustling hub of worldwide commerce, degraded culture, idolatrous religion. There Paul founded a church (Acts 18:1-17), and two of his letters are addressed "To the church of God which is at Corinth" (1:2; 2 Cor 1:1).

First Corinthians reveals the problems, pressures, and struggles of a church called out of a pagan society. Paul addresses a variety of problems in the life-style of the Corinthian church: factions, lawsuits, immorality, questionable consequences, abuse of the Lord's supper, and spiritual gifts. In addition to words of discipline, Paul shares words of counsel in answer to questions raised by the Corinthian believers.

The oldest recorded title of this epistle is Pros Korinthious A, in effect, the "First to the Corinthians." The A was no doubt a later addition to distinguish this book from Second Corinthians.