Bible Interpretation, Student Workbook, SW05

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B I B L E I N T E R P R E T A T I O N

E. What is Paul’s purpose in writing the book?

1. 1 Corinthians is Paul’s answer to a previous letter which he had written to them, 1 Cor. 5.9 - I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people.

2. Paul is replying concerning questions they had, and conditions within the church that needed to be addressed.

F. How does this passage contribute to the author’s purpose?

2

1. He discusses the idea of Christian liberty in chapter 8, affirming that he would not eat meat if it caused his Christian brother to stumble, 1 Cor. 8.1-13 ( note where the passage begins and ends, what section it is in ).

2. Paul here defends his apostleship before the Corinthians, discussing the rights that he has as an apostle , 1 Cor. 9.1-7.

a. He defends his right as an apostle to eat and drink, v. 3.

b. He defends his right to take a believing wife along with him on his apostolic journeys as the other apostles , v. 5.

c. He defends his right to refrain from living and be supported on the Gospel itself, v. 6.

3. He gives ordinary analogies to prove that the one who serves in a context can be supported from that context.