“Be Perfectly Joined Together” (Part 1)

All Posts Archived Lessons New Testament Old Testament Book of Mormon Doctrine & Covenants Search “Be Perfectly Joined Together” (Part 1) CFMCorner Aug 18, 2023 26 min read Updated: Jun 24, 2025 CFM: August 21–27 1 Corinthians 1–7 Videos and Podcasts Video/ Podcast ​Lesson Extension ​Additional Materials Scripture Central 1 Corinthians 1-7 Study Guide Follow Him 1 Corinthians 1-7 Part 1 , Part 2 Transcripts Line Upon Line 1 Corinthians 1-7 ​FHE Lesson Teaching with Power 1 Corinthians 1-7 ​ Don't Miss This 1 Corinthians 1-7 ​ ​CFM New Testament 1 Corinthians 1-7 ​Unshaken 1 Corinthians 1-7 ( Part 1 , Part 2 ) ​ ​The Interpreter Foundation 1 Corinthians 1-7 ​Study helps by Jonn Claybaugh ​Teaching Helps with John Hilton 1 Corinthians 1-7 ( not yet posted ) ​ ​Ponderfun 1 Corinthians 1-7 ( not yet posted ) ​Talking Scripture 1 Corinthians 1-7 Show Notes ​Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class , New Testament The Epistles of Paul, 1 Corinthians: Notes , Slides , Handout Resources and Insights about this Week's Lesson ( Link for Part 2 ) 1 Corinthians was likely written around the year 53-55 AD, during Paul's second or third missionary journey. Based on the context of Paul's introduction and his mention of Sosthenes , it was probably written at the very end of his second or beginning of his third tour. Paul wrote this letter while he was in the city of Ephesus, located in the province of Asia (modern-day Turkey). ( Review Lesson for Acts 16-19 ). Basic Timeline of Events: ~50-54: Paul's 2nd Missionary Journey ~50-51 AD: Paul arrives in Corinth, befriends Aquila and Priscilla, supports himself as a tentmaker. ~51-52 AD: Writing of 1 Thessalonians (from Corinth). ~51-52 AD: Writing of 2 Thessalonians (from Corinth). ~52 AD Paul appears on trial before the proconsul Gallio in Corinth, charges dismissed. ~52 AD Paul departs for Ephesus and stays there for around 2 years (possible date of 1 Corinthians) ~52 AD Claudius expels Jews from Rome ~54 AD Paul returns Antioch, visiting a a few places on his return 54 AD: Nero becomes Emperor and allows Jews back into Rome. ~54-58 AD Paul's 3rd Missionary Journey begins ~54-55 AD 2nd possible date for Paul's 1st letter to the Corinthians, written from Ephesus. ~55-57 AD: Paul writes 2 Corinthians from Macedonia. Late 50s AD: Paul's brief return to Corinth. ~ 57 AD: Paul's final journey to Jerusalem and subsequent imprisonment. 66 AD: Outbreak of the First Jewish-Roman War. 70 AD: Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. As previously discussed, Paul's letters were purposefully tailored to address specific situations and challenges within the communities that he wrote to. Therefore, gaining insight into the community and the contextual circumstances is essential for properly grasping the significance of Paul's message. With this in mind, exploring Corinth's historical and cultural backdrop becomes paramount in illuminating Paul's message. This background serves as a valuable lens through which we can better appreciate the depth and relevance of Paul's letter to the Corinthians. I. Introduction to Corinth's History and Culture: The city of Corinth traces its origins back to around 900 BC when it was established by the Doric Greek dynasty of the Bacchiadae. This period lasted until approximately 747 BC, when a political upheaval led to a shift in governance that resulted in an aristocratic oligarchy structure. Across the subsequent centuries, Corinth thrived as one of Greece's most prosperous city-states, often rivaling Athens. During the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, Corinth's involvement with the Achaean League led to tremendous prosperity, causing Corinth to rise in rank and population, eventually becoming the largest Greek city of its time, earning it the status of the league's capital. Nevertheless, Corinth's prosperity was disrupted in 146 BC by the destructive intervention of the Romans, which left Corinth largely deserted for quite some time. The city experienced a revival in 44 BC when Julius Caesar refounded it as Colonia Laus Iulia Corinthiensis, an honorific title that paid tribute to Julius Caesar. This marked a turning point, as the reestablished Corinth became a prominent Roman colony. The city's inhabitants were a mix of freedmen, veterans of the Roman army, locals, and migrants from other regions. This transformation fundamentally altered the city's character, creating a blend of Roman and Greek influences that defined its identity. Corinth's geographical location was a key factor that set it apart as a major center for trade and commerce in the ancient world. Situated on an isthmus connecting the Peloponnesian peninsula with mainland Greece, Corinth was strategically positioned between the Aegean Sea to the east and the Ionian Sea to the west. This unique placement made Corinth a natural crossroads for both land and sea trade routes. The city boasted two harbors, Cenchrae in the Saronic Gulf to the east and Lechaeum to the west, in the Gulf of Corinth. This strategic location facilitated the movement of goods, people, and vessels between the Aegean and Adriatic Seas, allowing ships to avoid the treacherous Cape Maleae and save time on their journeys. Additionally, a paved highway known as the Diolkos, made it possible to transport goods, animals, and even small boats across the narrow isthmus, further enhancing Corinth's importance as a transit hub. This efficient transportation connection made Corinth a bustling hub of economic activity, where merchants, traders, and travelers converged, contributing to its reputation as one of the most prosperous and influential city-states in the ancient Mediterranean world. In 1858 a major earthquake destroyed the city, providing a unique opportunity for archeologists. Modern Corinth was able to be relocated and built about 3 miles northeast of the former site. This allowed for a comprehensive exploration and excavation of the ancient city. To this date, excavations have uncovered a great deal from the Roman period city, including the Corinthian forum (divided into its upper administrative and lower commercial), its marketplace (agora), the amphitheater, the villa of Anaploga, a city council building (bouleterion), a gymnasium, baths, fountains, various temples, and sanctuaries, including those dedicated to Apollo, Asclepius, Athena, Demeter, Kore, Hera, Palaimon, Poseidon, Sisyphus, Sarapis, Tyche, Venus, and the temple of Aphrodite on Acrocorinth. ( Archaeological Site ) Corinth was renowned for its diverse and thriving industries. One of its most celebrated contributions was Corinthian Bronze, a unique alloy that combined gold, silver, and copper, resulting in a lustrous and distinctive metal renowned for its beauty and durability. This Corinthian Bronze was highly sought after for use in constructing temples, palaces, theaters, and musical instruments throughout the Roman Empire. Its applications extended even to the Temple in Jerusalem, where it was used in the design of the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:2,10). This prominence of Corinthian Bronze is mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the apostle Paul. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul draws on the image of a “sounding brass” or a “clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1 INT χαλκός , נְחֹשֶׁת ). This metaphor, which alludes to musical instruments crafted from Corinthian Bronze, underscores the idea that without charity, even the most impressive or valuable materials hold little value. Corinthian bronze, renowned for its excellent reflective properties, was used for crafting mirrors as well. Paul seems to allude to this practice when he delves into the motif of distorted reflection in his discourse in 1 Corinthians 13:12 INT . While the King James Version translates “mirror” as “glass,” a more precise rendering would be a bronze mirror because this was how they were made at that time. In a masterful analogy, Paul likens our finite comprehension on earth to gazing upon an enigma or an obscured image through a bronze mirror, juxtaposing its opaqueness with the vividness of comprehending something or someone “face to face.” This comparison serves as a metaphor for the clarity of human understanding ( 1 Corinthians 13 :12 INT ). The essence of this analogy encapsulates the notion that, much like the mirrors of Corinth that yielded distorted reflections, the unveiling of God's truth illuminates a clearer comprehension of reality. Incorporating these types of cultural and tangible references into his letters, Paul skillfully connected familiar elements of Corinthian life, such as Corinthian Bronze and mirrors, to deeper spiritual truths, creating a bridge between the material world and the realm of faith. II. Religious Landscape: During this time, the religious landscape in Corinth was diverse, marked by a vast tapestry of beliefs and practices that were influenced by its multicultural environment. The city was known for its numerous temples, each dedicated to various deities, which fostered a pervasive atmosphere of idol worship. Prominent among these temples were those dedicated to Apollo and Aphrodite. The Temple of Apollo, one of the oldest and most revered in Corinth, stood as a major landmark in the city. The Temple of Aphrodite, located on the Acrocorinth hill , was infamous for employing many sacred prostitutes , contributing to the city's reputation for sexual immorality. The concept of syncretism was deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of Corinth. Syncretism refers to the blending or merging of different religious, cultural, or philosophical beliefs and practices into a new, often hybrid, form , resulting in a very flexible approach to spirituality. The acceptance of various deities from both Greek and Roman pantheons contributed to this syncretic atmosphere. People in Corinth often incorporated new gods