1 Corinthians Analysis
E. Lecture 5 – Corinthians
Word Count: 550
1. What is meant by Paul’s “yes, but” logic that he employs in several parts of 1 Corinthians?
What Paul does with the “yes, but” logic or strategy is as follows: he quotes a slogan or perspective popular in Corinth to affirm it (up to a point), but then he qualifies and adds perspective and clarity to such perspective lest it be abused or misused. For example, to say that “everything is permitted” by itself could be used as “carte blanche” to sin. Paul adds a qualification: “but not everything is advantageous.” Paul uses similar “logic” to warn against sexual immorality, gluttony, and other excesses popular in Corinth. The point is that, it is true that the Christian has freedom in Christ, but that freedom does not preclude moral commitment.
2. How does 7:1b form the key to understanding all of 1 Corinthians?
Verse 7:1b deals with sexual immorality. The idea that, “it is good for a man not to touch a woman” is key to understand 1 Corinthians because it lends support to the idea that some ascetic Christians were influencing the rest of the church to forgo all bodily pleasures. If the rest of 1 Corinthians 7 is analyzed under that assumption, then the rest of the rest of the chapter falls into place …show more content…
(2) Tongues are a sign—often of judgment and not to build up—for unbelievers. Paul explains further that if an unbeliever were to witness the gift of tongues in action, s/he may think that Christians are insane and thus reject the
Word Count: 550
1. What is meant by Paul’s “yes, but” logic that he employs in several parts of 1 Corinthians?
What Paul does with the “yes, but” logic or strategy is as follows: he quotes a slogan or perspective popular in Corinth to affirm it (up to a point), but then he qualifies and adds perspective and clarity to such perspective lest it be abused or misused. For example, to say that “everything is permitted” by itself could be used as “carte blanche” to sin. Paul adds a qualification: “but not everything is advantageous.” Paul uses similar “logic” to warn against sexual immorality, gluttony, and other excesses popular in Corinth. The point is that, it is true that the Christian has freedom in Christ, but that freedom does not preclude moral commitment.
2. How does 7:1b form the key to understanding all of 1 Corinthians?
Verse 7:1b deals with sexual immorality. The idea that, “it is good for a man not to touch a woman” is key to understand 1 Corinthians because it lends support to the idea that some ascetic Christians were influencing the rest of the church to forgo all bodily pleasures. If the rest of 1 Corinthians 7 is analyzed under that assumption, then the rest of the rest of the chapter falls into place …show more content…
(2) Tongues are a sign—often of judgment and not to build up—for unbelievers. Paul explains further that if an unbeliever were to witness the gift of tongues in action, s/he may think that Christians are insane and thus reject the