by Charles Hodge
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
Paul's relation to the church in Corinth was in some respects peculiar. He was not only the founder of the congregation, but he continued in the closest relation to it. It excited his solicitude, called for the wisest management, tried his patience and forbearance, rewarded him at times by signal evidence of affection and obedience, and filled him with hopes of its extended and healthful influence. His love for that church was therefore of special intensity. It was analogous to that of a father for a promising son beset with temptations, whose character combined great excellencies with great defects. The epistles to the Corinthians, therefore, reveal to us more of the personal character of the apostle than any of his other letters. They show him to us as a man, as a pastor, as a counsellor, as in conflict not only with heretics, but with personal enemies. They reveal his wisdom, his zeal, his for bearance, his liberality of principle and practice in all matters of indifference, his strictness in all matters of right and wrong, his humility, and perhaps above all, his unwearied activity and wonderful endurance.
There is another consideration which gives a special interest to these epistles. They show more clearly than any other portion of the New Testament, Christianity in conflict with heathenism. We see what method Paul adopted in founding the church in the midst of a refined and corrupt people; how he answered questions of conscience arising out of the relations of Christians to the heathen around them. The cases may never occur again, but the principles involved in their decision, are of perpetual obligation, and serve as lights to the church in all ages. Principles relating to church discipline, to social relations and intercourse, to public worship, the nature of the church, and of the sacraments, are here unfolded, not in an abstract form, so much as in their application. These epistles, therefore, in reference to all practical measures in the establishment of the church among the heathen, and in its conduct in Christian lands, are among the most important portions of the word of God.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
CHAPTER 1
-- Introduction to the Epistle. Vs. 1–9
-- Of the Divisions in the Church of Corinth. Vs. 10–16
-- Paul's defence of his manner of preaching. Vs. 17–31
CHAPTER 2
-- Continuation of his defence of his mode of preaching. Vs. 1–16
CHAPTER 3
-- Reproof of the Corinthians for their dissensions about their religious teachers. Vs. 1–23
CHAPTER 4
-- Ministers, as stewards, should be faithful, as Paul had proved himself to be, vs. 1–21
CHAPTER 5
-- Reproof for retaining an unworthy member in the church. Vs. 1–13
CHAPTER 6
-- On going to law before the heathen. Vs. 1–11
CHAPTER 7
-- Instructions concerning marriage and other social relations. Vs. 1–24
-- Of Virgins and Widows. Vs. 25–40.
CHAPTER 8
-- On eating of sacrifices. Vs. 1–13
CHAPTER 9
-- The right of ministers to an adequate maintenance. The necessity of self-denial. Vs. 1–27
CHAPTER 10
-- The necessity of self-denial argued from the case of the Israelites. Vs. 1–13
-- Proof that attendance on sacrificial feasts in a heathen temple is idolatry. Vs. 14–22
-- Under what circumstances it was lawful to eat meat offered to idols. Vs. 23–33
CHAPTER 11
-- On the impropriety of women appearing in public unveiled, vs. 2–16
-- Celebration of the Lord's Supper, vs. 17–34
CHAPTER 12
-- Of Spiritual Gifts, vs. 1–31
CHAPTER 13
-- Christian Love. Vs. 1–13
-- Superiority of Love to all other gifts
CHAPTER 14
-- Superiority of the gift of prophecy to that of tongues. Vs. 1–25
-- Special directions as to the mode of conducting their public assemblies, vs. 26–40
CHAPTER 15
--- The Resurrection of Christ as securing the Resurrection of his People, vs. 1–34
-- Nature of the resurrection body, vs. 35–58
CHAPTER 16
-- Concerning the Collection for the Saints at Jerusalem