Perhaps more than any other âbookâ in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians offers readers a window to the life of the early church. Through this window we catch a glimpse of a community of faith struggling with questions of identity, relationship, belief, and practice. Yet our vision through the window of 1 Corinthians is not without significant limitations. The author of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul, has framed the shape of the window. For the most part, we can see only what Paul wished to expose and only in the ways he wished to expose them. We cannot know beyond any doubt that his presentation of the situation was an accurate reflection of that situation, nor can we be certain that we even correctly understand what Paul presented.As a part of the canon of Christian Scriptures, 1 Corinthians holds a position of authority for Christians who believe it can still âspeakâ to them in matters of identity, relationship, belief, and practice. This commentary proceeds in the conviction our âhearingâ is enhanced by our âseeing.â The better we can see through this window into the life of that early faith community, the better we can hear the message of this part of Scripture. To that end, this commentary tries to obtain as clear a picture as possible of that community to which 1 Corinthians serves as a window, and looks carefully at the shape and texture of the window itself.
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