DESCRIPTION:

This course will focus on detailed exegesis of portions of the Greek text of the epistle. Emphasis will be on the exegesis, interpretive problems, and theological understanding of the text.

It is hard to understate the value and relevance of 1 Corinthians for Christian life, corporate worship, and ministry. It has a little bit of everything for everyone: from spiritual arrogance to sexual conduct, from true spirituality to gluttony at the Lord's table. During this course, particular attention will be given to the background (socially, historically, and theologically) which occasioned Paul's writing of this letter. In tandem with this we will consider the significance of this letter in terms of our own personal Christian lives, how we practice this in the corporate setting of the Church.

Lecture and discussion. The class will meet daily, Monday-Friday, July 10-21, for four-hour sessions (1.00 p.m.-4.50).

1 Corinthians in a good modern translation (NRSV, NASB, NKJV, etc.).

A critical text of the Greek New Testament: Either

Aland, K.; M. Black; C. Martini; B. Metzger; and A. Wikgren, eds. The Greek New Testament. 4th ed. (revised). United Bible Societies, 1993. Or

Nestle, E. and Aland, K. Novum Testamentum Graece. 27th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelstiftung, 1993.

Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. (New International Commentary on the New Testament.) Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1987.

The student should become familiar with the selection of commentaries on 1 Corinthians in the Library. Some additional outside readings will be assigned in class. However, several texts deserve special notice and these are:

Barrett, C. K. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. (Black's New Testament Commentary 7.) Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1993.

Bray, Gerald Lewis, ed. 1-2 Corinthians. (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament 7.) DownersGrove: InterVarsity Press, 1999.

Hawthorne, G. F.; R. P. Martin; and D. G. Reid, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Witherington, B., III. Conflict and Community in Corinth: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1995.

1. Regular preparation for and participation in class discussions of exegesis of the text, including translation of the Greek.

2. Four exegetical assignments on passages in 1 Corinthians (3-4 double-spaced pages each) (40%).

3. A 10-12 page exegetical paper on a passage in 1 Corinthians, chosen from 3 or 4 designated passages (30% of grade); due August 18.

4. A short translation exam at the end of the first week to be taken from 1 Corinthians (10%).

5. Final Exam (20% of grade).

Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament Exegesis (NTE).