II.  EPISTLES TO THE CORINTHIANS.

11.  THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS was written from Ephesus, not far from the time of Pentecost (chap. 16:8); not from Philippi, according to the subscription appended to it.  It was during Paul’s second and last visit to that city, as we learn from his directions concerning a collection for the saints at Jerusalem, and his promise to come to the Corinthians through Macedonia (chap. 16:1-5); for when Paul left Ephesus after his second sojourn there he went by Macedonia and Achaia (of which province Corinth was the capital) to Jerusalem to bear alms.  Acts 19:21; 20:1-3; 24:17.  Paul’s second stay in Ephesus, during which time some think that he made a short visit to Corinth not mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, which would be the second in order, that promised in this and the second epistle being the third (2 Cor. 12:14; 13:1), extended over the space of about three years.  Acts 19:1-10; 20:31.  From his words (chap. 16:3-8), we gather that the epistle was written not long before the close of this period.  Chronologists generally place it about A.D. 57.

12.  The occasion of his writing was more specific than when he penned his epistle to the Romans.  Corinth, the renowned capital of the Roman province Achaia, situated on the isthmus that connects the southern peninsula of Greece—­the ancient Peleponnesus and the modern Morea, and enjoying the advantage of two ports was alike distinguished for its wealth and progress in the arts, and for its luxury and dissoluteness of morals.  Here the apostle had labored a year and six months, and gathered a flourishing church embracing some Jews, but consisting mostly of Gentiles.  Acts 18:1-11; 1 Cor. 12:2.  These Gentile converts, having just emerged from the darkness and corruption of heathenism (chap. 6:9-11), and living in the midst of a dissolute community (chap. 5:9, 10), did not wholly escape the contamination of heathenish associations and heathenish vices.  Chaps. 5, 6, 8, 10.  Taking a low and worldly view of the Christian church and the spiritual endowments of its several members, they were led into party strifes and rivalries.  Chaps. 1:11-13; 3:3-7.  Certain vain-glorious teachers, moreover, had come in among them with a great show of worldly wisdom, who disparaged Paul’s apostolical standing, taught the people to despise the simplicity of his teachings, and sought to supplant him in the confidence and affections of the Corinthian church.  Chaps. 4, 9; 2 Cor. 10-13.  In addition to this, certain disorders and abuses had crept into their public assemblies (chaps. 11, 12, 14), and some among them denied the doctrine of the resurrection.  Chap. 15.  According to the most probable interpretation of chap. 5:9, the apostle had already written them a letter on some of these points which has not come down to us, and the Corinthians themselves had written to the apostle, asking his advice on some points of