Page 49 - New Testament Survey Student Textbook

The second part of the letter’s body (7:1–15:58) discusses issues raised in the Corinthians’ letter to Paul.
He responds to them about marriage (7:1–40), food sacrificed to idols (8:1–11:1), conduct in worship
(11:2–34), the practice of spiritual gifts (12:1–14:40), and resurrection (15:1–58). Paul concludes the letter
by going over some personal items, including his travel plans and the offering he was collecting for the
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impoverished church in Jerusalem (16:1–24).

Outline
• Introduction (1:1–9)
• Paul responds to reports of the Corinthians’ conduct (1:10–6:20)
• Paul responds to the Corinthians’ letter (7:1–15:58)
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• Concluding matters (16:1–24)

Special Features In 1 Corinthians

*Excursus on Paul’s approach to religious pluralism

In his book, Christianity and the Religions, [William Carey, 1995], 99-105, Dr. Don N. Howell, Jr., made a
powerful statement, “The Apostle Paul and First Century Religious Pluralism.” Here Howell provides an
introduction where he points out that, “Paul addresses the problem of (i) participation in feasts in pagan
temples (1 Cor 8:1-13; 10:1-22),” before later turning his attention to “(ii) the eating of meat sold in the
marketplace that had been offered on a pagan altar (10:23-30).”

With this introduction, Howell provides Three fundamental convictions that guided the apostle in his
approach to idolatry:

First, Idols have no real, objective, ontological existence (8:4; 10:19-20a). Corollary #1: Incidental
contact with idolatry and idolaters is unavoidable and harmless (1 Cor 5:9-11). Corollary #2: The
consumption of meat that has been offered on a pagan altar is not in and of itself harmful (1 Cor 10:25-
27).

Secondly, while idols have no ontological existence, they most certainly do possess phenomenological or
perceptual reality in the minds of their devotees (8:5, 7-13). Such perceived reality underscores the
gravity of protecting the conscience, both of oneself and of others (cf. 1 Tim 1:5, 19; 3:5; 4:2; Tit 1:15).
Corollary #3: The believer’s freedom to eat whatever one’s host prepares in a private meal is qualified—
the believer should refrain from eating when it would damage the high moral expectations an
unbelieving informant has of Christians (10:27-30).

Thirdly, while idols have only perceptual, not objective existence, behind the worship of idols is the
activity of demons (10:20). Corollary #4: Believers must not take part in overtly idolatrous activities such
as banquets in pagan temples because the worship of the true God and the worship of idols are
mutually exclusive (1 Cor. 10:14-22; 2 Cor. 6:15-18; 1 Thess. 1:9). Wilderness Israel is the prime example
of a privileged people who subjected herself to demonic influence through engaging in idolatry (1 Cor.
10:1-13).

80 Barry, J. D., et al
81 Ibid

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