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BIBL 360
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UNLOCKING THE SCRIPTURES PROJECT: INTERPRETATION TEMPLATE
Chapter Eight:
Instructions: In this exercise, you will be going back to your work in chapter 6 to apply the
principles of interpretation (What does it mean?) to some of the observations and questions you
raised about 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Your assignment is come up with interpretive questions that
allow you to explore each category: Who, What, When, Where. Using these questions, you will
study through the steps of content, context, comparison, and consultation to arrive at conclusions
regarding 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Lastly, you will seek to answer the final question: Why? We
must deal with the question of “why” somewhat differently than the questions of “who,” “what,”
“when,” and “where.” When we ask “why” we must draw conclusions about the meaning of the
passage, based on our study up to this point. Answer the following questions about 1 Corinthians
1:18-31 based on your findings and additional research.
Please note three items:
First, in the Comparison sections you will need to demonstrate how other Scriptures support your
interpretive conclusions.
Second, in the Consultation sections you should use other scholarly resources in order to present
support for your interpretive conclusions. The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Holman
Illustrated Bible Handbook, Holman Concise Bible Commentary and the HCSB Study Bible
notes are included in your course textbooks for this very reason.
Third, material that can be found for free on the internet is typically neither scholarly nor
academic and should not be used for support. Thus, websites like Wikipedia, GotQuestions.org,
BlueLetterBible.org, etc. should not be used for supporting your interpretive conclusions.
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A. Who? (The Characters)
Description: Find out all you can about the author and the recipients, including their identities
and situations. If specific people or groups are mentioned, now is the time to learn more about
them. There are two characters central the letter; the author and the audience. There are also
other characters listed in this passage that you will need to identify. You are not composing a
detailed biography of their lives. You simply want to note what 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 says about
them and how that fits with other Scriptural passages. Your “Who” section should have at least
five (5 “Who” questions. The first two questions have been provided for you.
Question 1: Who is the author of 1 Corinthians?
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
Question 2: Who are the recipients of 1 Corinthians?
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
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Question 3:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
Question 4:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
Question 5:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
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Conclusion:
B. What? (The Key Truths or Events)
Description: This is the time to investigate important words and ideas in the passage. What is the
tone of the passage - joy, sorrow, disappointment, delight? If it is an action passage, what do the
main actions represent? What are the key truths, events, or relationships mentioned in 1
Corinthians 1:18-31? Explore these first as they appear in this passage and then throughout
Scripture. You should identify at least five (5) “what” questions. The first two have been
provided for you.
Question 1: What is meant by the word “foolishness” in these verses?
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
Question 2: What is meant by the word “stumbling block” in these verses?
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
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Question 3:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
Question 4:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
Question 5:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
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Conclusion:
C. Where? (The Geography and location)
Description: Where are the author and readers at the time of the writing? Are there places in the
passage that need to be identified in geographic placement? Can anything be learned from the
location of the events? Explore these places as they appear in this passage before considering
their significance outside of 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. You should identify at least two (2) “where”
question.
Question 1:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
Question 2:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
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D. When? (The Time Factors)
Description: Determine if there is anything critical related to the element of time in this passage.
Does the message depend at all on certain aspects of the era in the church’s history in which it
was written? Are there lessons to be learned based on the timing of the events? How is this
presented first in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 and then throughout the Scriptures. You should identify
at least one (1) “when” question.
Question 1:
Initial proposal based on content:
Context:
Comparison:
Consultation:
Conclusion:
E. Why? (The purpose of this passage)
Description: The purpose question is two-sided: there is the need that caused the revelation to be
given, and there is the author’s message that addressed that need. Here you are drawing
conclusion based on all that you have studied. Examine your work in observation and this
interpretation exercise; what do you believe is the need of the Corinthian believers and then what
is Paul’s message and how does it address that need?
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1 Corinthians 15:1–11 – Interpretation
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1. Who? (The Characters)
Description: Find out all you can about the author and the recipients, including their identities and
situations. If specific people or groups are mentioned, now is the time to learn more about them.
There are two characters central to the letter; the author and the audience. There are also other
characters listed in this passage that you will need to identify. You are not composing a detailed
biography of their lives. You simply want to note what 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 says about them and
how that fits with other Scriptural passages.
Question: Who is the mystery author of the church at Corinth?
Initial Proposal Based on Content: Paul the apostle wrote a letter to the church in Corinth.
Context: What this message to t Paul wrote the letter by addressing his readers, greeting them,
and declaring that he is "ordained to be a God's messenger of Lord Jesus through into the purpose
of God." The letter to the church in Corinth was penned by the acts of the apostles.
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Comparison: In chapter 15, Paul recalls a former occasion when he was able to proclaim the
gospel to the Corinthians. Acts 18:5-6 details Paul's ministry in Corinth and the Jews' rejection of
his message there. In contrast, the context of 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 is made clear in verse 8: the
Gentiles responded favorably to the message Paul presented to them.
Consultation: The greetings and farewell Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:21 were written by his
hand, as noted by Holman's Concise Bible Commentary.
Conclusion: Paul's objective in life was to defend the truth of the gospel, which hinged on the
bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Question: Who was Christ Jesus?
Initial Proposal Based on Content: There is only one person who can atone for the sins of the
world, and that is Jesus Christ. After three days in the grave, he was raised from the dead. As
predicted in the Bible, all of this came to pass.
Context: According to 1 Corinthians 5:3-8, Jesus died, was buried, and rose again from the dead.
In addition, it says that James, Paul, and James's brother Cephas, along with over five hundred
other believers, saw the risen Jesus.
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1 Corinthians 1:1 (NKJV)
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Comparison: Paul may be alluding to the Old Testament passages that are fulfilled in Christ, like
Isaiah 53, in which the Suffering Servant is described.
Consultation: "Paul understood that at Corinth there were questions about the resurrection,"
writes the Phillips Concise Bible Commentary. This is why he stressed that the gospel cannot be
complete without the resurrection of Jesus. The church's unwavering message has been that Jesus
Christ died for human sins, was resurrected from the dead, and made countless appearances to
eyewitnesses.
Conclusion: The author communicates with his readers to emphasize the gospel's role in
establishing their credibility. That gospel message is only credible because it is based on the risen
Christ, as witnessed by a small number of people.
Question: Who are these brothers that Paul keeps mentioning?
Initial Proposal Based on Content: Those who have heard Paul's gospel message in the past are
the brethren.
Context: Paul writes, "to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified
in the Good Lord, called to be saints, along with all who in every place call on the praises of Jesus
our Savior, all theirs ours and" (1 Corinthians 1:2). (NKJV).
Comparison: In his passionate speeches to his followers, Paul frequently addressed them as
"brethren." This is seen in the overwhelming bulk of Paul's writings (Rom. 1:13; 1 Cor. 3:1; 2 Cor
8:1; Gal 1:2; Eph. 6:10; Phil. 3:1; Col. 4:15; 1 Thess. 1:4; 2 Thess. 1:3; 1 Tim. 6:2; Heb. 2:11; Jas.
1:2).
Consultation: "The church was an image of converts who'd already come from this background,"
writes Holman's Concise Bible Commentary (see 1 Cor. 6:11). There were several issues plaguing
the church, but one of the most divisive was a lack of unity among the membership due to poor
leadership (1:10-17). No action was taken against unethical behavior (5:1-6:20). At church, a
group of believers showed off their charismatic abilities (12:1-14:40). Legalists voiced concern
over dietary regulations (8:1-10:32). some taught false doctrines about the resurrection, and some
misused the Lord's Supper (11:17-34). (15:1-58). The congregation was also diverse in terms of
race and socioeconomic status, with Greeks, Romans, and Jews present alongside the wealthy, the
destitute, and the enslaved.
Conclusion: Once again, Paul's goal is to guide the church toward the truth by way of his teaching.
2. What? (The Key Truths or Events)
Description: This is the time to investigate important words and ideas in the passage. What is the
tone of the passage - joy, sorrow, disappointment, delight? If it is an action passage, what do the
main actions represent? What are the key truths, events, or relationships mentioned in 1
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Corinthians 1:18-31? Explore these first as they appear in this passage and then throughout
Scripture.
Question: In what ways are the Christians in Corinth being encouraged?
Initial Proposal Based on Content: Paul appears to be restating information previously
communicated to the Corinthian congregation. But he doubts the sincerity of their gospel stance.
Context: Corinthians 15:1 (NKJV), Furthermore, brothers, I make known to you the gospel I
preached to you, which you also received, in which you also stand, and through which you also
were saved. You are saved unless your faith was in vain.
Comparison: Paul warns the church at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV), "But I dread, lest
somehow, as the serpent misled Eve by his craftiness, so her mind may be perverted from of the
innocence that is in Christ."
Consultation: The word resurrection, typically indicates forth our presence beyond death," writes
Matthew Henry in his Concise Commentary. There is nothing in the philosophies that even
remotely resembles the teaching of the apostle.
Conclusion: Paul's desire is for the church to have a stable foundation in the gospel. He hopes to
assuage their concerns by providing them with concrete information.
Question: Why is it crucial that we remember 1 Corinthians 15:3?
Initial Proposal Based on Content: Paul emphasized that he gave up what he had gotten.
Context: First and foremost, I imparted to you the faith that I had received myself, namely, the
good news that Jesus died for our sins under the Scriptures.
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Comparison: Again, it appears that Paul is alluding to Isaiah 53.
Consultation: The church's "continuous testimony" has been that Jesus died for our sins, was
resurrected from the dead, and made several appearances to eyewitnesses, as stated inside the
Holman Concise Bible Commentary. According to the Illustrated Bible Handbook, an early written
exposition of the Gospel's concept of redemption may be found in 1 Corinthians, where Paul
writes, "For I handed on to you as very necessary what I got: that the cross was sacrificed for your
sins in line with the Scriptures."
Conclusion: Christianity has its roots in the teaching that Christ died and rose again. If this is
taken away, it will dash all our eternal expectations at once. And by standing firm on this truth,
Christians can endure the testing of the times and remain faithful to God. If we don't stay true to
the gospel, everything we believe will be for nothing.
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1 Corinthians 15:3 (NKJV)
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Matthew’s Concise Commentary
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Question: Paul's remark in 1 Corinthians 15:11: what are we to make of it?
Initial Proposal Based on Content: Paul wants it to be crystal apparent that the gospel he and the
other twelve are preaching is the same.
Context: This is why I and they (whoever they may be) proclaim it and why you (whoever you
may be) believe it (1 Corinthians 15:11 NKJV).
Comparison: Paul's apostleship and work are affirmed by Peter's confession that the letters Paul
wrote to the churches are inspired by God (2 Peter 3:15-16).
Consultation: This apostle was greatly favored, although he always thought little of himself and
said so, as recorded in Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary. God uses the recollection of sins
committed in the past to produce characteristics of humility, diligence, and faithfulness in those
who are transformed from sinners by his favor. All of his good qualities, he says, were gifts from
God.
Conclusion: Although Paul is modest, counting himself as the "least of the apostles" (v. 9), he and
the other Twelve were all sent by God and preach the same gospel of Jesus Christ.
3. Where? (The Geography and Location)
Description: Where are the author and readers at the time of the writing? Are there places in the
passage that need to be identified in geographic placement? Can anything be learned from the
location of the events? Explore these places as they appear in this passage before considering
their significance outside of 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Question: When and where did Paul first come into contact with the people he was writing to?
Initial Proposal Based on Content: Paul had previously visited Corinth and preached the message
to the local congregation.
Context: “Furthermore, brothers, I make known to you the message that I taught to you..." 15:1 1
Corinthians (NKJV)
Comparison: The first time Paul traveled to Corinth and began his work there is detailed in Acts
18:5-6.
Consultation: according to Holman's Concise Bible Commentary, one of the most significant
Roman commercial hubs. Because of its convenient location, it serves as a focal point for trade
and transportation. Cenchrea, six miles to the southeast of Corinth, just on the Seas of Corinth, and
Lechaeum, on the Corinthian Gulf, led westward to the Adriatic Sea (see Romans 16:1). Back
then, sailing was extremely risky, and going around the southern edge of Greece was a particularly
difficult journey. Shipping going for Asia from Rome would have to take an unnecessary detour
if it didn't use the causeway at Corinth as a bridge, discharging its cargoes and transporting them
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overland to be loaded at the other port. The city of Corinth became known as the "bridge of the
seas" for this reason. It also served as an entry point for roads leading north and south between the
Peninsula and the rest of Greece. Commercially, it thrived on the reputation of its arts and crafts.
Conclusion: The city where Paul planted a church was a booming metropolis, ripe with
opportunities to stray from the straight and narrow. That's why Paul's letter is so crucial.
4. When? (The time factor)
Description: Determine if there is anything critical related to the element of time in this passage.
Does the message depend at all on certain aspects of the era in the church’s history in which it
was written? Are there lessons to be learned based on the timing of the events? How is this
presented first in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 and then throughout the Scriptures?
Question: After how long had Paul been preaching in Corinth before he mentioned Christ's
resurrection?
Initial Proposal Based on Content: At some point following Paul's first trip to Corinth, he seems
to be reiterating the message of Christ's resurrection.
Context: And I tell you, brothers, the gospel that I proclaimed to you is true. 15:1 1 Corinthians
(NKJV)
Comparison: The first time Paul traveled to Corinth and began his work there is detailed in Acts
18:5-6.
Consultation: According to the same Holman Illustrated Scripture Handbook, "the apostle wrote
this letter somewhere around ad 55, possibly towards the end of his protracted ministry in Ephesus
during his third missionary tour" (Ac 19).
Conclusion: At this point in his third missionary tour, when Paul was getting ready to return to
Corinth, he wrote to the church there.
5. why? (The purpose of this passage)
Description: The purpose question is two-sided: there is the need that caused the revelation to be
given, and there is the author's message that addressed that need. Here you are drawing
a conclusion based on all that you have studied. Examine your work in observation and this
interpretation exercise; what do you believe is the need of the Corinthian believers and then what
is Paul’s message and how does it address that need?
The Need: Paul wrote to the church in Corinth to refresh their memory of the gospel and also to
emphasize the centrality of Christ's resurrection to that message. As a result, Paul felt compelled
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to inform the believers that Jesus Christ bore our sins in his body on the cross, was buried, and
rose again three days later, just as the Scriptures predicted. He stressed that the apostles Cephas
and the Twelve, as well as more than five hundred other believers (including James and Paul), saw
the risen Christ. The message that Paul and the other twelve proclaim is the same because it is the
truth itself.
The Message: Only by accepting that Jesus is Lord after being raised from the dead can we truly
believe the gospel.
Bibliography
B&H Editorial Staff. Holman's Illustrated Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible
Publishers, 2012.
Dockery, David S. Holman’s Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing
Group, 2016.
Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible. Grand Rapids, MI:
Thomas Nelson, 2003.
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