First of Corinthians

The second volume of the series "Papyrologische Kommentare zum Neuen Testament" (Papyrological Commentaries on the New Testament; edited by Peter Arzt-Grabner, Amphilochios Papathomas and Mauro Pesce: publisher: Vandenhoeck und Ruprecht, Göttingen) is dedicated to "1. Korinther" (First Corinthians), one of the most important letters of Paul. The four authors of this volume (Peter Arzt-Grabner, Ruth Elisbeth Kritzer, Amphilochios Papathomas and Franz Winter) have all worked for several years on research projects sponsered by the FWF. This commentary ist the first one, which is aimed at investigating the use of papyri and ostraca to illumine the text, language, society, and thought of this New Testament text. From their aim as well from the results it is clear that "Papyrological Commentaries on the New Testament" are not intended to serve as alternatives to traditional biblical commentaries, but as important supplements. In general, the comparison of Pauls letter with the documentary material preserved on papyri and ostraca shows clearly Pauls familarity with the language of ancient everyday life. Specifically, it can be shwon, e.g. which epistolary formulars Paul is using in the same way as common writers of ancient Greek letters, and where he is creating his individual forms, but also how familiar he was with juridical, social and political circumstances and situations (e.g. concerning marriage and divorce, invitations to cult meals, structures of ancient guilds and associations, or slavery). The most important results of this commentary are concerning specific formulars (e.g. the thanksgiving as opening part of the letter body), the situation of the Christian community in Corinth as well as the occasion of the letter (e.g. weg et evidence that the messages from the people of Chloe were official written notices by some members of the community; when invited to cult meals some members of the Christian community still went there because of their social relationship etc.), and finally many terms, clauses and phrases, the sense of which is getting clearer in context of documentary papyri and ostraca. In this way also the instructions and advices of Paul can be seen in the context of his time.