Occasion
Some scholars think that this letter sews together more than one letter of Paul; in particular, the shift in tone at 10:1 might point in this direction. But even ancient letter collections usually retained the distinction between one letter and the next. For various reasons, Paul’s more controversial tone in chs. 10–13 can make sense without us assuming that it represents a separate letter. First, educated writers could vary their tone within a work. Second, orators sometimes reserved the most controversial or emotional material for the final section of their argument; out of sensitivity to the hearers’ honor or receptivity, speakers and writers sometimes delayed bringing up the greatest issue of conflict. Paul deals mostly with lesser issues (such as his delay in visiting them, 1:12–2:11) first. Third, most elements that predominate earlier in the letter appear at least sometimes later, and vice versa. While the possibility that chs. 10–13 are a separate letter is at least defensible, other insertions proposed by some scholars are highly problematic; letters written on papyrus scrolls were not susceptible to modern cutting-and-pasting errors; inserting one letter into the midst of another (with sentences breaking cleanly between them!) was at best infrequent (and only possible in paged books, probably not used for Paul’s letters before the second century).
Paul challenges opponents most clearly in chs. 10–13, but probably provides hints about them earlier (cf. 2:17; 3:1; 4:2; 5:12; 6:14–17). These opponents are fellow Jews (11:22), though not necessarily with the same agendas in mind as Paul’s opponents in Galatia. They are more rhetorically adept than Paul (11:5–6); although they claim to be apostles (vv. 5, 13), they are thus not the Jerusalem apostles. They probably entered the picture after 1 Corinthians was written, playing on existing dissatisfaction with some of Paul’s behavior.
Whereas Paul came as a servant and refused to accept pay, they are more willing to accept the patronage of the church’s more well-to-do members (cf. 11:7–12; 12:11, 13). Peers who shared their status would be more impressed with a teacher who had the self-respect to let them support him (although this might domesticate what he could say); they would despise a mere artisan, as Paul is (1Co 4:12). Yet Paul needs money for something different—for the poor in Jerusalem (chs. 8–9). So now his critics want to accuse him of exploiting them (12:16–18)!
Letters of recommendation for others were common (see note on Ac 9:2), but sometimes one had to defend one’s own reputation. Self-defense was one of the limited reasons that ancient hearers accepted for a speaker boasting. In chs. 10–13 Paul offers a mock defense, inverting the usual ancient criteria for boasting in view of the cross.
Although scholars have debated the letter’s unity, as noted above, they are agreed that Paul is its author. For information on Corinth, see the Introduction to 1 Corinthians and especially the article “Corinth.” ◆
Quick Glance
Author:
The apostle Paul
Audience:
The church in Corinth
Date:
AD 55
Theme:
Paul encourages the Corinthian believers to be reconciled with him and to reject false apostles who are challenging his authority and creating dissension in the church.