Interpretation of the 1st Epistle to the Corinthians by St. Paul the Apostle

Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria gained experience in explaining the Holy Scriptures when, as a rhetorician of the Great Church, he instructed the people. Most of his written interpretations arose at the request of the Greek Empress Maria, whom he calls his pious patron. These works became an outstanding synthesis and transposition of the established patristic traditions, primarily the heritage of the Antiochian theological school and St. John Chrysostom. As a rule, the author presents abbreviated versions of extensive interpretations of the ancient Church Fathers, borrowing only what is necessary for understanding the text. The commentary also includes his own explanations, which often concern disputes with heretics, especially later ones, and issues of dialogue with the Latins. Thanks to his clear, concise presentation and clear semantic emphasis, his commentaries were accessible to a wide range of readers, became widespread and had a significant influence on both Byzantine and Western European theology. In the preface to the “Commentary on the 1st Epistle to the Corinthians of the Holy Apostle Paul” (16 chapters), the author reveals the historical and spiritual context of the writing of this important apostolic letter. The Corinthian community, despite its wealth and outward wisdom, faced a number of serious problems after accepting Christianity. Blessed Theophylact points out that the reasons for these disorders are divisions into parties among the rich and wise, the censure of the Apostle Paul, flagrant cases of immorality (such as cohabitation with a stepmother), the use of things sacrificed to idols, litigation among pagans, disorder in church life (long hair in men, inappropriate behavior at meals, lack of mercy), exaltation of spiritual gifts and doubts in the doctrine of the resurrection. The author calls the key root of all these evils “external wisdom” and the arrogance associated with it. It was with the goal of correcting these errors and overcoming arrogance, which became the source of church divisions, that the Apostle Paul wrote his epistle. The main themes of the message: appeal to the teachings of Christ and His commandments, observance of moral standards, respect for each other, overcoming differences. Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Preface to First Corinthians Corinth, famous for its great wealth and wisdom, although it believed in Christ, but having believed, it was in danger of falling away from Christ. For the rich formed their own parties, and the wise men theirs, and, having chosen teachers for themselves, they reproached Paul as a poor and uneducated man. In addition, one of them was mixed with his stepmother; some, out of gluttony, ate things sacrificed to idols; others in monetary litigation were tried before Hellenic judges; further, men grew their hair long, ate in churches and did not give to the needy; exalted themselves with spiritual gifts; they hesitated regarding the doctrine of the resurrection. The cause of all these disorders was external wisdom; for she is the mother of all evils for those who believe her in everything. Therefore Paul writes a letter to Corinth with the purpose of correcting all this. Since, most importantly, there were divisions in the Church, and this came from arrogance; then he first of all tries to destroy arrogance. Those infected with arrogance thought that they were teaching something higher. That's why Paul begins as follows. You might be interested in: