Despite his special pastoral relationship with the church in Corinth, Paul confronted numerous local and cultural problems needing to be addressed. Utilizing a range of ancient sources, Craig Keener explains these problems and how Paul's arguments would have been communicated to a first-century audience. This commentary analyzes 1 and 2 Corinthians passage by passage, in accordance with Paul's argument, and draws from ancient letter-writing, speaking and social conventions to demonstrate how meaningful to first-century readers it would have been. The commentary will interest pastors, teachers, and scholars because of its exploration of ancient sources, often not previously cited in commentaries. "I welcome this admirably concise and clear commentary. A wide range of readers will value Dr. Keener's ability to focus on the key theological and ethical points Paul makes in his letters to the Corinthians. Dr. Keener is well-acquainted with recent scholarly discussion of these fascinating and complex letters. He includes helpful summaries and quides to further reading, and from time to time he draws out judiciously ways in which Paul's comments relate to today's world." -Graham Stanton, Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge A passage by passage explanation of Paul's letters to the Corinthians. Craig Keener is a professor of New Testament at Eastern Seminary, a division of Eastern University. His previous twelve books include three commentaries that have won Christianity Today book awards in biblical studies for their respective years: The Gospel of John: A Commentary, A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew and The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament.