Author
Paul is the author of this letter (see ; ).
It is stamped with his style and contains more autobiographical material than any of his other writings.
Date
The available evidence indicates that the year a.d. 55 is a reasonable estimate for the writing of this letter. From link it may be concluded
that 1 Corinthians was written from Ephesus before Pentecost (in the late spring) and that 2 Corinthians may have been written later that same year before the
onset of winter. indicate that it was probably written from Macedonia.
Purposes
Because of the occasion that prompted this letter, Paul had a number of purposes in mind:
1.To express the comfort and joy Paul felt because the Corinthians had responded favorably to his painful letter ().
2.To let them know about the trouble he went through in the province of Asia ().
3.To explain why he had changed his travel plans ().
4.To ask them to forgive the offending party ().
5. To warn them not to be "yoked together with unbelievers" ().
6. To explain to them the true nature (its joys, sufferings and rewards) and high calling of Christian ministry. This is the so-called great digression, but it turns out
to be in some ways the most important section of the letter ( -- ; ).
7.To teach the Corinthians about the grace of giving and to make sure that they complete the collection for the poor Christians at Jerusalem (chs.).
8.To deal with the minority opposition in the church ().
9.To prepare the Corinthians for his upcoming visit ().