1 CORINTHIANS

Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary

General Editors

T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, Andreas J. Köstenberger

Assistant Editors

James M. Hamilton, Kenneth A. Mathews, Terry L. Wilder

David I. Starling

1 Corinthians

Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary

Copyright 2025 David I. Starling

Lexham Academic, an imprint of Lexham Press

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Print ISBN 9781683598183

Digital ISBN 9781683598190

Library of Congress Control Number 2024952171

General Editors: T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, Andreas J. Köstenberger

Assistant Editors: James M. Hamilton, Kenneth A. Mathews, Terry L. Wilder

Lexham Editorial: Derek Brown, John Barach

Cover Design: Joshua Hunt

To my wife Nicole,

whose daily presence and encouragement immeasurably enrich

our shared journey of life and ministry.

CONTENTS

General Editors’ Preface

Acknowledgments

List of Abbreviations

Introduction

I. Paul and the Beginnings of Corinthian Christianity

II. The Corinthian Context

III. The Corinthian Church

IV. Paul’s Letter: Occasion, Aims, and Coherence

V. Biblical and Theological Themes

§1 God

§2 Christ

§3 The Spirit

§4 Wisdom

§5 Grace

§6 Salvation

§7 Eschatology

§8 The Church

§9 Leadership and Ministry

VI. Outline

Exposition

I. Letter Opening (1:1–9)

A. Greeting (1:1–3)

B. Thanksgiving Report (1:4–9)

II. Response to Reports of Division over Leaders (1:10–4:21)

A. Initial Response to Reports of Division (1:10–17)

B. Reframing Wisdom in Light of the Cross (1:18–2:16)

C. Reframing Leadership in Light of God’s Judgment (3:1–4:5)

D. A Climactic Challenge to the Corinthians’ Boasting (4:6–21)

III. Response to Reports of Immorality and Predatory Lawsuits (5:1–6:20)

A. Egregious Immorality (5:1–13)

B. Predatory Lawsuits (6:1–11)

C. Permissiveness and Prostitution (6:12–20)

IV. Responses Regarding Marriage and Virgins (7:1–40)

A. Commands and Concessions, Primarily Addressed to the Married (7:1–16)

B. The General Principle: Remain with God Where You Were Called (7:17–24)

C. Advice Relating Primarily to the Situation of Virgins (7:25–40)

V. Response Regarding Food Sacrificed to Idols (8:1–11:1)

A. Food, Idols, and the ...