The question of how many letters the Corinthians wrote to the Apostle Paul is rooted in the context of the New Testament, specifically in the relationship between Paul and the church in Corinth. We don’t have direct evidence of the exact number of letters exchanged, but we can piece together some information from the writings in the Bible and other early Christian texts.
Background of Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians
Paul’s interaction with the Corinthians is primarily documented through two letters found in the New Testament:
- 1 Corinthians – This letter was written by Paul in response to reports he had received about issues in the Corinthian church.
- 2 Corinthians – This letter was written as a follow-up to the first letter and also in response to more developments in the Corinthian church.
However, Paul’s letters to the Corinthians don’t paint a complete picture of the full exchange. Let’s delve into the details:
What Do We Know About Letters from the Corinthians to Paul?
- 1 Corinthians (Paul’s Response to an Inquiry):
- 1 Corinthians is often understood to be Paul’s response to a letter he received from the Corinthians, asking for advice on various matters. In 1 Corinthians 7:1, Paul mentions, “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote…” This implies that the Corinthians had written to him, asking specific questions.
- Therefore, one letter from the Corinthians to Paul is confirmed — this was likely a letter where they raised several concerns, such as matters of church discipline, relationships, and doctrinal questions.
- The “Previous Letter” (Paul’s Unpublished Letter):
- Paul makes mention of a previous letter he wrote to the Corinthians that is not extant in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 5:9, Paul writes, “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people.” This refers to an earlier letter that is lost to history. Scholars typically refer to it as the “lost letter” or the “previous letter”.
- This letter was likely written before 1 Corinthians, and it may have dealt with a matter related to church discipline, possibly addressing the issue of immorality in the Corinthian church. We don’t know the full content of this letter, as it has not survived.
- 2 Corinthians (A Follow-Up):
- 2 Corinthians was written by Paul as a follow-up letter, but not necessarily in response to a direct letter from the Corinthians. Instead, Paul was responding to reports he received regarding both the issues raised in his previous letters and new developments in the Corinthian church.
- In 2 Corinthians 7:8-9, Paul refers to a letter he had written (likely a part of the correspondence after 1 Corinthians) that caused the Corinthians to feel sorrow. This is sometimes referred to as the “tearful letter” or the “severe letter”, but the exact contents are not known. Paul expresses that this letter brought about repentance among the Corinthians.
Are There More Letters Between Paul and the Corinthians?
Scholars generally believe there were at least four letters exchanged between Paul and the Corinthians based on the internal evidence in the New Testament:
- The Lost Letter (1 Corinthians 5:9)
- 1 Corinthians – Paul’s response to their letter with various doctrinal and practical questions.
- The Severe Letter – The letter referenced in 2 Corinthians 7:8-9, sometimes understood as a letter that Paul wrote after 1 Corinthians to address serious issues (e.g., rebellion or division).
- 2 Corinthians – Paul’s response to the positive change in the Corinthian church after the severe letter and continued pastoral care.
Conclusion:
While we don’t have the full correspondence, we can infer that the Corinthians wrote at least one letter to Paul, which prompted his 1 Corinthians letter. Additionally, it’s likely that the Corinthians sent other letters or messages to Paul, as he was responding to their needs and challenges. In total, we know that the Corinthians wrote at least one letter to Paul directly, but it’s possible that multiple letters were exchanged, especially considering the complex relationship and the ongoing pastoral care Paul provided to the church.