E AUTHENTICITY First Corinthians is one of the bestattested epistles as to authorship and unity of content IV SURVEY OF CORINTHIANS A FIRST READINGS By now you have established some patterns for surveying a Bible book, so all the various steps will not be repeated here nor in the chapters that follow Be sure to include: first quick scanning, followed by a slower scanning observing of key words, phrases, atmosphere assigning segment titles (For Corinthians each chapter is a new segment, with these two changes: 11:2 replaces 11:1 as a beginning, and chapter may be divided into two segments: 1:1-9 and 1:10-31.) comparing the beginning and end of the book looking for turning points, progressions, and climax, if any B CORRELATIONS You can move out in various directions in your study from this point on Some “search missions” are suggested below Your ultimate aim, of course, should be to correlate all your observations into one overall picture of Corinthians (Note: Be sure to read every Bible reference cited below.) Look for groupings of chapters according to a common subject A clue to this is Paul’s use of phrases such as, “I have been informed” (1:11; 5:1) and “Now concerning” (7:1, 25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1 [cf 11:2]) Actually, as to general structure, Corinthians is one of the simplest of Paul’s epistles Justify the twofold outline shown on Chart 70: acknowledging reports; answering inquiries What kinds of problems are discussed in chapters 1-6? What kinds of questions are discussed in chapters 7-15? How 1:1-9 and 16:1-24 serve as introduction and conclusion, respectively? First Corinthians is one of the most practical of all Paul’s epistles Make a note of all the problems explicitly mentioned by Paul in the epistle Group those according to common subject, and compare your conclusions with the outlines of Chart 70 After recognizing a problem in the Corinthian church, Paul o ers solutions, including examples of his own personal experiences As you survey the chapters of this letter, keep aware of these three subjects: problems, solutions, examples Go through the epistle and mark in your Bible every block of positive doctrine, contrasted with the discussions of the various evils of the Corinthian church (The length of each block will vary from a paragraph to more than a chapter.) Note also where Paul gives personal testimony What chapters would you consider key chapters for the particular subjects they present? What primary doctrines of the gospel appear from time to time throughout the epistle? Did you notice, for example, ... aware of these three subjects: problems, solutions, examples Go through the epistle and mark in your Bible every block of positive doctrine, contrasted with the discussions of the various evils of. .. conclusions with the outlines of Chart 70 After recognizing a problem in the Corinthian church, Paul o ers solutions, including examples of his own personal experiences As you survey the chapters of this... conclusion, respectively? First Corinthians is one of the most practical of all Paul’s epistles Make a note of all the problems explicitly mentioned by Paul in the epistle Group those according to common