First Corinthians is one of the four letters of Paul known as the Hauptbriefe, which are universally accepted to be authentic. The letter is usually dated c. 54/55 CE. Werner Georg Kummel states (Introduction to the New Testament, p. 275): “The genuineness of I Cor is not disputed: the letter is already clearly known in I Clem 37:5; 47:1-3; 49:5; Ign., Eph 16:1; 18:1; Rom 5:1; Phila 3:3.”

Paul wrote more letters such as the one mentioned in 1 Cor 5.9, but it got destroyed.

1 Cor 7.19 exegesis

The paper contributes to the discussion regarding the Corinthian opponents of the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor 15:12). In particular, it attempts to re-examine the thesis of the Epicurean framework of this controversy. The first part focuses on the main lines of interpretation of 1 Cor 15:12 and the presentation of the Epicurean thesis. It is followed by an analysis of Paul’s polemical statements against the thesis of his Corinthian opponents, “there is no resurrection of the dead” (1 Cor 15:12; cf. vv. 19, 29-34, 35). It is assumed that Paul clearly says that his opponents deny a bodily resurrection and future life – there is nothing after death. The third part of the paper reconsiders some hermeneutic factors concerning the identity of the Corinthian opponents of the resurrection. 1 Cor 15 contains terminological and ideological parallels to Epicureanism, especially, by way of opposition. Yet, the valuation of these data remains an open question.