The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Corinthians

For the past 40 years or so, I've read through 1 and 2 Corinthians once or twice a year in my NT quiet times. I cannot specifically say why, but the early chapters of the two books seem different in the phrasing of the text than with the other Pauline epistles.

Is their a reason why, or am I just 'out to lunch' on this? Are their any epistles that you find somethat different than the others?

Just curious why the question? Is Pauline authorship being questioned...?

No, not at all. It's just that with the other Paul's epistles, I find the teaching easy to understand, but with the two Corinthians books, I have to do a double-take in what is he teaching here. Mostly in the early chapters of the two books.

Someone mention to me that the reason may be that Paul is defending himself in the two books unlike the others.

Certainly, Paul, by the guidance of the Spirit wrote that which was necessary to be known to the saints and others... AND not in some abstract way, but that which was real and historical to the writers and people of that day. There are a few other places where Paul defended his ministry and authority both to those being challenged by his detractors and even before authorities.

Lastly, "2 Peter 3:16 (ASV) 16 as also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."

One thing is sure, God only reveals to our frail understanding what He desires us to comprehend at any particular time. In my own experience, I have found that it is only after many readings of a difficult passage (to me) and sometimes only after a year or more does the 'light' come on and the former cloudiness or darkness suddenly becomes clear. And admittedly, there are still some (many?) things to which I cannot grasp and perhaps never will in this life. Why? Because God knows that they are not necessary for me know.