The Common Gospel

Excerpt

Most of the sections of the epistle have begun with a clear reference to the reasons that had led Paul to write them—news, for example, received from Chloe’s household (1:11), or questions asked in a Corinthian letter (7:1, etc.). No such reference is made in the present paragraph, and it is not till 15:12 that we learn that there were some in Corinth (of whom Paul had heard, possibly through Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus—16:17) who held the view that there was no resurrection of the dead. Throughout chapter 15 Paul deals with this erroneous opinion, its presuppositions and its consequences. In doing so he finds it necessary to begin some way back; hence the present paragraph, which is intended to call to mind that the resurrection of Christ played an essential part in Paul’s preaching, and indeed in all Christian preaching. Paul plunges directly into the theme. More

Barrett, C. K. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. London: Continuum, 1968. Print. Black’s New Testament Commentary.