Questions on the First Epistle to ... Corinthians

Preface

The following questions, like those which I have published on the Gospels, Acts and Romans, are designed to be used in connexion with my Notes on the New Testament. Except those which are derived directly from the text — and which are printed in large type — they are formed in general from the Notes, and are so constructed that an answer can be found to them there. They are thus intended to embrace all that is necessary to a fair and full elucidation of the sense of the sacred writer.

A few questions, in this volume, are proposed, however, to which no direct answer can be found either in the text or Notes; but they are either of such a kind that the answer would be obvious, or such as tend to excite enquiry and thought on some important doctrine or practice. Nearly all of these are

added at the end of the Lesson, under the title of General Questions on the Lesson, Many of these are of a practical character, and are designed to enable the teacher to make a personal appeal to his pupils on the subject of religion.

It is not supposed that these questions ha.ve any peculiar advantage over other questions on the Epistles, except that a teacher, by the use of the Notes, may be enabled to prepare himself for the instruction of his class, and a scholar may have immediate access to what it is hoped is a fair explanation of the New Testament.

ALBERT BARNES.

Philadelphia, Dec. 6, 1845.

QUESTIONS

OX THE

FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.

LESSON I.

Introductory Questions to the First Epistle to the Corinthians.

Where was Corinth ?

What advantages had it for commerce ?

What harbors had it ?

When, and by whom, was the city founded ?

Why did it receive the name Corinth ?

How was it defended 1

What games were celebrated in its vicinity ?

Are those games ever referred to in the New Testament ? See 1 Cor. ix. 24, 26, 27.

What was the character of the inhabitants of Corinth ?

What causes contributed to corrupt the people ?

What kind of religion prevailed there ?

When was Corinth taken by the Romans ?

What was meant by the celebrated Corinthian brass ?

Of what part of Greece was Corinth the capital ? _

What is the present name and condition of the city ?

By which of the apostles was Corinth first visited ?

At what time did he go there ?

From what place did he go there ? Acts xviii. 1.

Whom did he find there ? Acts xviii. 2.

To whom did Paul first preach the gospel there ? Acts xviii. 5.

How did they receive it ? Acts xviii. 6,

To whom did he then say that he would go ? Acts xviii. 6.

Into whose house did he enter ? Acts xviii. 7. J* (5)

tf QUESTIONS ON THE

What encouragement had he to preach in Corinth? Acts xviii. 9, 10.

How long did he remain there ? Acts xviii. 11.

Who then opposed hirn ? Acts xviii. 12.

How did Gallio treat the case when it was brought before him ? Acts xviii. 14—16-

Where did Paul then go ? Acts xviii. 18.

What may we infer from the fact that a church was established in so gay and wicked a city as Corinth was?

Where was this epistle written ?

By whom was it written ?

On what occasion was it written ? Compare ch. vii. 1. xvi. 17, 18, 19.

What evils existed in the church which required correction? See ch. i. 11—13; v; vi. 1—8; xi. 17—34.

By whom was the epistle sent to Corinth ? 2 Cor. vii. 6, 7, 8, 13, 15 ; xii. 18. Comp. Acts xxi. 29. _

What was the effect of this epistle in correcting the evils which prevailed in the church at Corinth? 2 Cor. ii. 6; vii. 9, 11, 15.

What is the general character of this epistle ?

How does it compare with the epistle to the Romans in regard to the ease of understanding it ?

General Questions on the Lesson.

What causes contributed to the prosperity of Corinth ?* What was the effect of wealth on their character? What tendency has wealth when unrestrained by the

To what vices are commercial towns particularly ex-

How may wealth and prosperity be made to contribute to the welfare of a people ?

To what vices are individuals who are prospered particularly exposed ?

How may prosperity in worldly matters be made to contribute to the welfare of an individual ?

FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 7 LESSON II.

Chap. i. vs. 1 — 9.

Salutation, and commendation of the Corinthians for their Christian graces.

1. What does Paul call himself in the beginning of this chapter?

What is an apostle ?

What is meant by the expression through the will of xi. 22, 33; xii. 1, 12.

Why does he here say that he had been called to the

apostleship by the will of God? — Comp. 2 Cor. x.

8—10.

Who was associated with Paul in writing this

epistle ?

Who was Sosthenes ? — See Acts xviii. 17. Why was he associated with Paul in writing this epistle? Is there any reason to think that he was inspired? Was Paul accustomed to unite other names with his

own in writing his epistles ? 2 Cor. i. 1. Gal. i. 2.

Phil. i. 1. Col. i. 1. 1 Thess. i. 1. Did he ever employ persons to write his epistles ? — Rom,

xvi. 22. Col. iv. 18. 2 Thess. hi. 17.

2. To what church was this epistle written ? Why is that church called the church of God ?

What is said of the members of that church ?

What is meant by sanctified ?

What is meant by their being sanctified " in Christ

Jesus" ?

Does this term prove that they were all true christians ? Does it prove that they were regarded as christians?

What were they called to be ?

What is meant bv called 1

By whom were they called ? — See 2 Tim. i. 9. 1 Pet.

i. 15.

What is meant by saints ?

To whom besides the church in Corinth was

this epistle addressed ?

What is meant by ' calling on the name of Jesus Christ'? Does this prove that the Lord Jesus is divine ? — See

Acts vii. 59.

What is meant by the expression ' both theirs and ours'? What does this prove about the equality of christians ? Were the epistles which the apostles wrote designed to

be confined in their use to those churches to which

they were addressed ?

3. What does he desire for those to whom he wrote this epistle ?

What is meant by grace?

What by peace? — Comp. Rom. v. 1; viii. 6. Phil.

Who is referred to by "God our Father" ?

In what sense are grace and peace from God the Father ?

In what sense are grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ?

What does this prove abcut the equality of the Lord Jesus Christ with God ?

4. For what does Paul say he thanked God ?

What is meant by on your behalf?

What is meant here by the grace of God ? Is it right to commend others ?

5. For what particular thing did he say in the fifth verse that he thanked God ?

What is meant by in every thing?

What is meant by enriched ?

In what respects were they enriched ? What is meant by in all utterance ? What is meant by in all hnowledge ? Is it to be supposed that this was true of all the individuals of the church ?

6. In the sixth verse, what is said of the testimony of Christ]

What is meant by the testimony of Christ ? What is meant by its being confirmed in them ? How had this been done ?

7. In what respect does he say that they did not come behind ?

What is meant here by gift ?

What is meant by come behind ?

For what did they wait ?

To what 'coming of Christ' does he here refer?

What is implied by their waiting for that ?

Are christians ever elsewhere represented as waiting for

the coming of Christ? — See Titus ii. 13. 2 Pet. iii.

12. Heb. ix. 28. Rev. xxii. 20, 21. What does this prove about their state of mind ? In what respects are we to wait for the coming of Christ

now ?

8. What does the apostle say the Lord Jesus would do to them ?

For what would he do this 1

What is meant by his confirming them ?

What is meant by his confirming them to the end ?

What is meant by their being blameless ?

Does it mean that they were then perfect ?

When would they be blameless ?

What day is here referred to by the ' day of Jesus

Christ' ?

Why is it called his day ?

9. What does the apostle say about the faithfulness of God 1

Why does he say this here ?

What is meant when it is said that God is. faithful ? What encouragement should this furnish to Christians ? Comp. Phil. i. 6.

A*

To what does the apostle say God had called

them ?

What does he mean here by called ? What is meant by the fellowship of his Son ? — See John

xv. 1—8.

In what respects do christians have fellowship with

Christ ?— See Rom. viii. 9. 1 Pet. iv. 13. Col. i. 24.

Rom. viii. 17. Matth. xix. 28. Rev. hi. 21.

General Questions on the Lesson.

What dangers are there in commending others ? — Vs.

4, 5.

By what should our commendations be guarded? Which has the best ensct on the mind — commendation

or blame ?

Should we ever attribute to others any thing more than

they really possess ?

What are the privileges of having fellowship with the

Lord Jesus ?

If God has begun a good work in us, is there reason to

think that if will be carried forward to perfection ?—

Ver. 8. Comp. Phil. i. 6.

What character in us is necessary in order that we may

appeal to the faithfulness of God to keep us ?—

Ver. 9.

What are the advantages of being able thus to appeal to

him in the temptations and trials of this world ?

LESSON III.

Reproof of the Corinthians for their parti/ spirit.

10. To what does the apostle exhort the Corinthians?

In whose name does he exhort them to do this 1

What is implied here by the use of the term brethren ? What is meant here by the name of Jesus Christ ? Why does the apostle here appeal to the name and au

thority of the Lord Jesus ?

What is meant by the word divisions here ? — See th\*

margin.

What kind of divisions existed in the church at Corinth ? What is meant by their speaking the same thing ? On what points should christians be agreed ? How should they act on the points in which they are

agreed ? — Phil. iii. 16.

If thev differ in opinion, what kind of spirit should the 1 '

manifest ?

What is meant by the phrase be perfectly joined together ?

What is meant by their being joined together in the

same mind ? — See Rom. xv. 5.

What is meant by being joined together in the same

judgment ?

What is the proper foundation of christian union ? Can it be expected that all christians will -see alike in

regard to the doctrines of religion ?

11. What did the apostle say had betm declared to him \

By whom had he been told this 1

Had the Corinthians written a letter to him? — Ch.

vii. 1. 1 'id they mention their contentions in that ? Why did they not ?

What is meant by ' the house of Chloe' ? Who was Chloe ?

12. What did every one of them say?

What kind of divisions are here referred to ? What is meant by / am of Paul ?

Does he mean to say here that there was a party in the church at Corinth that was called after him ?

What class of persons would be likely to range themselves under him as their leader ?

"Who was Apollos ? — Acts xviii. 24.

Had he preached in Corinth? — Acts xviii. 27, 28; xix. 1.

What class of persons would be likely to regard him as a leader ?

Who was Cephas ? — John i. 42.

Of whom was he regarded particularly as the apostle ? —Gal. ii. 7.

What peculiarity of views had Peter ?

Did he ever differ from Paul ?— Gal. ii. 11—17.

What class of persons would be likely to regard him peculiarly as a leader ?

What is meant by I of Christ ?

What did this sect probably profess ?

Are there any now who profess peculiarly to be followers of Christ ?

Is it right for christian sects to be formed as followers of distinguished men ?

Are there any such now ?

13. What question does the apostle ask about

Christ ?

What question about himself]

What is the general design of these questions ?

What is meant by is Christ divided ?

What ought to be the estimate in which Christ is held in the Church ?

What is meant by was Paul crucified for you ?

What is the argument of the apostle here against forming a sect called after himself?

Who was crucified for men ?

What influence ought this fact to have on christians in regard to forming different sects ?

What is meant by were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

What is implied in being baptized in the name of any one ?

What is the argument here ?

Why does he mention himself here, and not also Apollos and Peter ?

14. For it hat does he say he thanked God ?

Why did he not baptize? — Ver. 17. Who was Crispus ? — Acts xviii. 8. Who was Gaius ? — Rom. xvi. 23.

15. Why does he say that he thanked God that he had not baptized more of them 1

Why would any be likely to say that he had baptized in his own name ?

16. Whom had he baptized beside Crispus and Gaius ?

What is meant by household ? — Comp. Acts vii. 10 ; x.

2; 3d. 14; xvi. 15, 31. 1 Tim. hi. 4, 5, 12. Is it probable that there were any infants in the family ? Who was Stephanas ? — Ch. xvi. 15. Is it probable that he resided at Corinth when he -was

baptized ?

How could the apostle say that he knew not whether

he had baptized any other members of the church ?

17. What does Paul say that Christ did not send him to do?

What did he send him to do ?

In what way was he to do it ?

What is meant when it is said that Christ did not send him to baptize ?

Did the Lord Jesus himself baptize ? — John iv. 2.

To whom was the business of baptism probably entrusted ?

What were probably the reasons that the apostles did not themselves baptize ?

What is meant when Paul says that Christ sent him to preach the gospel ?

What are we to infer from this in regard to the main duty of ministers ?

What is meant by wisdom of words ?

Why was he not to preach with wisdom of words ?

What is meant here by the cross of Christ ? 2

What by its being made of none effect ?

How would preaching ' with wisdom of words' be

likely to make the gospel of none effect? ' What are we to learn from this in*regard to the proper

manner of preaching ?

General Questions on the Lesson.

What are the usual causes of division among christians ?

What would tend most to promote unity? — Comp. John xiii. 34, 35.

How far is unity ever to be expected among christians ?

Can there be real unity of heart when there is a difference of judgment ?

Can members of different churches be truly united in love?

What feelings should we have towards those who conscientiously differ from us in doctrine ?

What have been the evils of divisions in the christian Church?

What effect have those divisions had in deterring men from becoming christians ?

Ought they to have any such effect ?

Do they do any thing to show that the christian religion is not a divine revelation ?

Is Christianity responsible for those divisions ?

To what are they to be traced ?

Can you see from these views any reason for the earnestness with which the Saviour prayed that his peapie might be one ? — John xvii. 21 — 23.

What is true eloquence ?^Comp. ver. 17.

Is it proper for a minister of the gospel to cultivate true eloquence ?

LESSON IV.

The preaching of the Cross. It confounds all human wisdom.

18. What is said of the preaching of the cross in regard to those. who perish 1

What is the preaching of the cross ?

Who are meant by them that perish ?

What is meant by foolishness ?

In what respects is it foolishness to them ?

How has the gospel been regarded by the great mass

of mankind I Why has it been so regarded ?

Does this prove that the gospel is foolishness ?

What is said of the preaching of the cros3 in

regard to those who are saved 1 What is meant by saved 1 How is it the power of God to them ? Has the gospel any power of itself?

19. What does the apostle say was written T

What is meant by is written t

Where is this passage recorded ? Isa. xxix. 14.

What is the sense of the passage as recorded in Isaiah ?

On what principle is it applied by the apostle here ?

What is meant by the wisdom of the wise ?

What is meant by I will destroy i

How does the gospel do this ?

What is meant by prudent ?

What is meant when it is said that God will bring to

nothing the understanding of the prudent ? How does the gospel do this ?

What temper of mind does the gospel require ?

20. What questions are asked in the twentieth verse 1

Is this quoted from the Old Testament? — See Isa. xxxiii. 18.

What is meant by the wise ?

What by the scribe ?

What by the disputer of this world ?

What is meant when it is said that God hath made foolish the wisdom of this world ?

What is implied by the questions in this verse ?

21. Did the world by wisdom know God 1 What is meant by the wisdom of God here ?

How was the wisdom of God shown in this ? What is meant by the world here ?

In what sense was it true that the world did not know _God?

What did it please God to do 1 What is meant by ' it pleased God' ? What is meant by the foolishness of preaching t How are men saved by preaching 1 What is meant by believing ?

How are men saved by believing ?

22. What do the Jews require 1

What do the Greeks seek after ?

What is meant by a sign ?

What kind of signs did the Jews require ? — Matth. xii. 38 ; xvi. 1 ; Mark viii. 11. Luke xi. 16 ; xii. 54 — 56. Who were the Greeks ? — Comp. Rom. i. 16. What kind of wisdom did they seek after ?

23. What does the apostle say he preached ?

What does he say this was to the Jews ?

What to the Greeks ?

What is meant by preaching Christ crucified ?

What is a stumbling block ?

In what respects was 'Christ crucified , a stumbling block

to the Jews ?

In what respects was it foolishness to the Greeks ? How do men commonly regard it now ?

24. What is it to those who are called ?

Who are meant by those who are called ? In what sense is Christ the power of God ?

In what sense is he the wisdom of God ?

What does this verse teach about the equality of christians ?

What does it teach about the difference between christians and other men ?

What does it teach about the necessity of a change of heart ?

25. What is said of the foolishness of God 1

What is meant by the foolishness of God ?

Does this mean that any thing that God does is really

foolish?

In what respects is the foolishness of God wiser than

men ?

What is said of the weakness of God ? What is denoted by the weakness of God 1 In what respects is this stronger than man ? What may we learn from this verse about God ? — Ans.

(1) That he often effects his purposes by that which

seems to men to be weak and foolish. (2) That he

is great.

26. What does the apostle say they saw ? What is meamt here by calling ?

What is meant by wise men after the flesh ?

Were any such persons converted ?— Comp. Acts xviii.

8, 17. Rom. xvi. 23. John xix. 38, 39 ; xii. 42. Who are meant by mighty and noble ? What class of persons in general composed the early

christian churches ?

How has it been since ?

What is there peculiarly to hinder the conversion of the

wise, the mighty, and the noble ?— Co^i) Tohn ix

27. Whom had God chosen ?

For what purpose has he chosen the foolish things of

the world ?

What are meant by the foolish 'things of the w T orld? What, is meant by confound ?

In what w T ay does the choice of them confound the wise ? What are meant by the weak things of the world ? How does the choice of them confound the mighty ? 2* '

28. What is said of the base things of the world 1

What are meant by base things ?

What are meant by things that are despised ? What are denoted here by things that are not ? What is meant by bring to nought things that are ? How does the choice of such things accomplish this ?

29. What is the object for which all this is done 1

What is meant here by flesh ?

What is meant by glory ?

What is meant by in his presence ?

What class of persons may we suppose from these verses, will compose the great body of christians?

Are there any of noble rank, and of wealth, who become christians ?

What state of mind is the gospel fitted to produce ?

In what respects are men on a level ?

30. Who are Christians said to be of ?

What is meant by being of him ?

How is this ' in Christ Jesus' ?

What is he made unto us ?

What is wisdom ?

How is he made wisdom unto us ? Comp. Col. ii. 3. 1 Cor. iv. 10.

What is meant here by righteousness ?

How is he made unto us righteousness ? Comp. Rom. Hi. 26, 27.

What is the scripture doctrine of justification ?

What is meant by sanctification ?

How is Christ the means of our sanctification ?

What is meant by redemption ?

How has Christ redeemed us ? Gal. iii. 13. 2 Cor. v. 21.

In what respects then are we indebted to Christ for salvation ?

Can the things here specified be obtained in any other way than through him ?

Can men be saved in any other way than by Christ ?— Acts iv. 12.

31. What passage is fulfilled by this? Where is this passage recorded ? — Jer. ix. 23, 24. What is meant by glorying in the Lord ? How should the plan of salvation lead us to glory in the

Lord ?

What cause have we for glorying in the Lord ? Is it right to glory in our own talents and attainments ? In what respects should men regard themselves as

equal ?

What is the proper state of mind which we should

cherish before God ?

General Questions on the Lesson.

Should men be willing to preach that which the world regards as foolishness ? — ver. 18.

Should preachers be influenced by the opinion of the world as to what they preach ?

Is it any evidence that the gospel is foolishness because the world has regarded it as such ?

How, if it be a truly wise system, can it be accounted for that the world regards it as folly ?

What reason can be given to show why men were permitted to make the experiment whether they could find out God. — ver. 21.

Has the experiment been fairly made ?

Wa3 it long enough continued to give men a fair opportunity to see what they could do ?

Was it conducted by those who were well qualified to make the experiment ?

Could it be better conducted now ?

What should we learn from this in regard to the need of revelation ?

How do the people of the world now regard the gospel ? vs. 23, 26.

Is this any reason why we should not be christians ?

Are they likely to become christians who depend on the unaided powers of their own minds ?

What exercise of our powers are we to put forth in order to become Christians? — Phil. ii. 12. 2 Pet. I. 5 — 7. Heb. iv. 11, Luke xiii. 3, Acts xvi. 31.

LESSON V.