1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Many commentators have designated the Corinthian letters as the harshest of Pauline exhortation.  The only other letter that comes close is Galatians.  This designation is hardly a misnomer for the Apostle clearly reprimands their worldly behavior, addresses them derogatorily as “babes in Christ” (see 1 Cor 3:1-3), and tells them to “examine” themselves to see if they are “in the faith” (see 2 Cor 13:5).  Despite the theological and pastoral problems that these letters raise for modern scholarship, it offers a fascinating window not only on a tiny corner of the social world of the first century, but on practical Christian principles of Grace at work in a very real setting within the early church.