BACKGROUND FOR THE LESSON.
Paul founded the Corinthian church on his second missionary journey around 50 A.D. Coming from Athens, where the response to the gospel was minimal, Paul was discouraged when he arrived in Corinth (see I Corinthians 2:1-5). With assurance from the LORD, Paul remained in the city for some 18 months (see Acts 18:9-11). In spite of opposition, many Corinthians were obedient to the gospel (see Acts 18:8). Although Paul and his coworkers, Timothy and Silas, sought to establish the congregation in the faith before leaving the city, this church had some major problems (see I Corinthians 1:10-17; 5:1, 9-13; 6:1-8; 7:1-9). Since the same problems they faced then are still with us today, I Corinthians is one of the most relevant New Testament epistles. Paul wrote this first letter to the church at Corinth during his Third Missionary Journey (see Acts 18:22-23) at the close of his three year stay in Ephesus (see Acts 19:1; 20:31; I Corinthians 16:5-8). He founded the church in Corinth during his Second Missionary Journey (see Acts 15:36-18:22) and spent 18 months there (see Acts 18:1, 11). The main reason Paul wrote this first letter to the Corinthian believers was in response to a letter he received asking his advice about issues they were debating such as marriage and the use of foods offered to idols (see I Corinthians 7:1; 8:1-13). But the apostle was also greatly troubled by reports from Corinth about divisions, contentions and other issues (see I Corinthians 1:10-12). As Greeks, the people of Corinth were most likely influenced by Greek philosophers who scoffed, or made fun of the very idea of a resurrection (see Acts 17:32). While it is unlikely that the Corinthian believers doubted the resurrection of Christ, it was apparent from I Corinthians 15:12 that they had doubts concerning the future resurrection of Christians. This prompted Paul to write fully about the resurrection in this week’s lesson.