CTC29 Community, Conflict, and Eucharist in Roman Corinth

Since sociological studies have been applied to the study of early Christianity, it has become absolutely essential to take them into account when correctly interpreting the message and theology of the New Testament.

It is not enough to know only the immediate context of the text within the canonical whole, but also its socio-religious environment. Biblical exegesis is enriched when viewed from its social and political background.

In this sense, Dr. Coutsoumpos's work is pioneering in our publishing circles, and we are sure that it will fill an essential gap in the study of an Epistle that is already problematic, due to the condition of the people to whom it is sent and its own thematic content.

1 Corinthians in particular offers an exclusive overview of the social life of an early Christian congregation, whose conflicts and divisions are largely due to the cultural, political, and religious environment of Roman Corinth.

Thanks to this approach, controversial theological issues are clarified to shed light on doctrinal conflicts and divisions, such as the topic of the Lord's Supper or Eucharist (1 Cor. 11:17-34), which are basically due to divisions between social groups, with a well-to-do class accustomed to receiving preferential treatment, and a poor class with no rights to anything, a situation that the Apostle Paul tries to correct.

The author masterfully introduces us to the meaning of social meals in the Greco-Roman world, the social position of the first Christians of Corinth, the social stratification of the community, and the social context of Paul's ministry and mission, so that the Christian concept of community and united participation, rich and poor, in the Last Supper of the Lord can be fully understood, what it means and what hope it points to.