Introduction: To understand Paul’s perspective it is important to understand a little about his "person". Paul, before his encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus, was named Saul. He was born in Tarsus, a Roman province. Saul, a Jew, was therefore also a Roman citizen. This is a factor that plays into his life while he under arrest. As a Jew, Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee. These were Jews who were very devout followers of the Torah and believed that Moses received a second Torah on Mt. Sinai with the tablets. It was an oral tradition that came to be recorded in books like Mishna and Talmud (commentaries and rabbinical debates about the Torah) which attempted to explain and understand the Torah. They believed from the oral tradition that there was a resurrection from the dead. Paul’s conversion on the road is dated around 35CE. Prior to his conversion Saul worked to stamp out the "heretical" group who followed Jesus of Nazareth. Acts gives account that Saul was responsible for the stoning of Stephen and many others. After his encounter with Christ, Paul became an apostle (one who is sent out) to the gentiles. Peter’s primary calling was to the Jews. In his courier he made 4 missionary journeys throughout the area extending all the way to Rome. (See "The Bible and You," p. 10-11)

Corinth is a Greek city and an important and ancient sea port in the Mediterranean Sea. It was under Roman rule at the time and an important commercial cite. The church in Corinth was founded by Paul. The way a church came into existence began with Paul’s preaching and witnessing to Christ in the city. As followers came to believe they came to be related in groups who met in people’s home. As is the case, there were people from all walks of life and from all economic levels – the rich and poor, slaves and free, males and females. The small home churches were general operated by the host in whose home the church met. It is generally assumed that Paul would stay in a place for a year to a year and half to help teach and guide the young churches, and then he would move on to the next location to begin the process again.

The letters were means of communication to the young churches while he wasn’t away. It appears that some of the leaders where able to stay in touch and check with Paul as they had concerns. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians appears to have spurred by the concerns of a woman named Chloe. The letters are not meant to be "theological treatises" but communication from the "father" of the young churches to his children. They later came to be retained by the churches for constant reference and sent around to other places. We have a second letter to the Corinthians. What is commonly accepted is that 1^st Corinthians is relatively intact, while 2^nd Corinthians seems to be pieced together between four others.

In the first three verses an important distinction arises with regard to Paul’s view of those who have heard and believed – those who have followed Jesus – they are "sanctified" and therefore are "saints". Sainthood later (in the Middle Ages) came to be viewed as a title reserved for those 1) who are dead; 2) have done at least 3 miracles. In Pauline language, the saints are those who have been called by Christ, baptized, and saved. Saints are living beings who are in the world and interacting with it on a daily basis.

An important theme in the Paul’s writing is "the grace of God". Grace came to be the touchstone of the reformation based in large part on Luther’s understanding of Paul’s writing. Grace is gift – it comes uninvited, undeservedly – from God through Christ Jesus. "Testimony" is the all important means by which God’s grace is conveyed. As grace is given to individuals and they experience the gifts of God and tell about it – their testimony is the grist on which others come to believe. The testifying of Christ’s activity is present event. It is what Christians do in the world (or should be doing). But, there is another dimension in Paul’s writing that needs to be understood in order to comprehend the present – there is a "world to come" – we are waiting for the "revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is known also as "the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." It is the fulfillment of God’s faithful promise. We live in a condition of "already but not yet." We are saints in the world, in the present, but the fullness has not come yet. We are waiting and moving toward more.

The future fulfillment brings a dimension to the present. What we will be is to have a bearing on what we are and the way we act and the way we live in the present. It is like the notion that we are already saints – now act like it.

Doing the right thing . . . we need to address this concept for just a moment. We can do the right thing because we are afraid that if we don’t, the consequences will be terrible. We can do the right thing because the law says to the right thing and we respect authority. We can also do the right thing because it is simply the right thing to do. We can also do the right thing because we love the one who commands the right thing. Paul’s perspective on the future (the eschaton – the end things) bringing forth the right things in the present, is about doing the right things because we have become saints – connected to Christ. Be who you are – and act like it.

The next verses begin the conversation about the content of the letter and the problem that has come to Paul’s attention. The problem is divisions among them. Here is the first example of how the future is not being acted out in the present among the Corinthian Christians, they are divided. Evidently they sorted themselves out according to the leaders that they follow. Some of the people mentioned are apostles like Cephas (Latin for Peter). Appolls may be one of the home owners who is hosting a church. Evidently their claim was, "I belong . . ." Paul quickly gets into the point – our common future dictates that we need to be in accord in the present, but the agreement must be on this point focal point – Christ. It was Christ who was crucified. It was Christ into whose name we have all been baptized. Therefore, it is Christ who must be central. The issue of who baptized them is brought to the forefront. It appears that they claim a following to the one who baptized them. Once again, however, Paul pulls them back to that all important focus – it is Christ who is central. It is Christ who called Paul to be an apostle to proclaim the gospel – not with eloquence or wisdom – "so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power." Here we embark on the most essential focus of all of Paul’s writings – the cross of Christ.

People are here divided into two different categories; those who are being saved, and those who are perishing. Notice the present participles – are being. This is present event among people who are living. The differentiation is made on one criterion only – their perspective on the cross of Christ. Paul uses two ideas; foolishness and wisdom; however he creates a further division along the lines of foolishness and wisdom as to whether it is from the human or God’s perspective.