Lectionary Year A
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 20, 2002
1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Step II: Disposition
A. Genre

(JFC) This pericope is a classical opening paragraph or two of an Epistle of New Testament times. Furthermore, since it is from Paul's pen/mouth dictating, it is a classical grammar lesson, full of dependent clauses, independent clauses, phrases and illuminations/examples/explanations/amplifications. Any self-respecting grammarian could teach a classroom full of students all they would ever need to know, re: how to diagram a complex sentence. It certainly appears as if Paul is streaming-of-consciousness from the first word through the last in this lection. He gets almost personal and certainly quite complimentary, re: the faithfulness of God, especially at choosing, inspiring and even enabling the recipients of this letter to be faithful as God's chosen.

B. Personal Interaction

(JFC) My first question wants to ask, who is Sosthenes? Is he important to the message of the Epistle or even for the opening paragraphs of it? Then, I have to wonder about the enriching gifts. How broadly throughout Corinth are they evident? Next, the waiting for the revealing of Christ, is it not already done by the time this letter is crafted and/or, does it have more to be revealed of/by it? Finally, whoever doubts God's faithfulness in Corinth or elsewhere, ever, then and/or now?

C. Organization

(JFC) Sosthenes is named in the first verse. The enriching gifts are mentioned in verse 5. The waiting for Christ's (further?) revealing comes in the seventh verse.

| Return to Gospel text listings | Return to Epistle text listings |
| Return to Old Testament listings | Return to Psalm listings |
| User response form |