Includes bibliographical references and indexes

Paul's Corinthian epistles have fascinated, encouraged, and challenged Christians throughout the centuries. First Corinthians engages matters as diverse as marriage and singleness, sexual conduct and immorality, idolatry, use of spiritual gifts, the last things, the wisdom of the world, pride, and church unity. It is also replete with episodes of great theological depth, from Paul's longest exposition on the nature of love, to his treatment of the resurrection. In this commentary, Paul Gardner shows that the underlying issue concerns the possession of wisdom and knowledge. Gardner argues that the Corinthians regarded these as spiritual gifts and gave them a significance and importance that caused spiritual arrogance among some. Paul's response is to return to the humbling centrality of the gospel message in which Christ is preached as the crucified and resurrected Lord.--Publisher's description