My scripture studies article “Keep the Ordinances, as I have Delivered Them: 1 Corinthians 11-16.” Quote from the opening paragraphs:
“This lesson begins where a prior lesson left off, the disorder and disunity disrupting the Corinthian church, which Paul sought to repair through his epistles. So as we study the final six chapters of Paul’s 1st epistle to the Corinthians, the most important thing for us to understand is Paul’s overriding purpose in writing the letter in the first place. Sometimes we become so excited by the doctrines and principles shared throughout the many passages that we miss the context and reason for their inclusion. In short, Paul’s original purpose in writing this epistle was to deal with division and general disorder among the early Christian saints living in the city of Corinth. Now, unless we be too hasty to point the finger at these erring saints, perhaps we can put ourselves in their circumstances and realize that misunderstanding, disunity, disorder and carelessness are the common lot of human experience. In other words, Paul’s admonitions for unity and decency are as relevant in our day as they were in his day, though with some cultural nuances.”
