What do you say to people who have accepted the gospel but have failed to apply it well? That is the dilemma Paul is facing as he writes 1 Corinthians. From the various disputes described in this epistle--over rhetorical techniques, eating Idol meat in pagan temples, behavior during the Lord's Supper, and so on--NBBC 1 Corinthians teases out that the epistle, unified by the gospel, is about how to do church. Throughout the commentary, eminent New Testament scholar Alex R. G. Deasley emphasizes that the proper application of the gospel is at stake. Along with the standard discussions about literary genre, structure, and historical context, Dr. Deasley astutely articulates the relevance of 1 Corinthians to the church today. Written by a seasoned and highly regarded professor of biblical studies, this commentary is the ideal capstone to the New Beacon Bible Commentary series. The New Beacon Bible Commentary is an engaging, indispensable reference tool to aid individuals in every walk of life in the study and meditation of God's Word. Written from the Wesleyan theological perspective, it offers insight and perceptive scholarship to help you unlock the deeper truths of Scripture and garner an awareness of the history, culture, and context attributed to each book of study. Readable, relevant, and academically thorough, it offers scholars, pastors, and laity a new standard for understanding and interpreting the Bible in the 21st century. Each Volume Features: CONTEMPORARY NEW SCHOLARSHIP from notable experts in the Wesleyan theological tradition CONVENIENT INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL, for each book of the Bible including information on authorship, date, history, audience, sociological/cultural issues, purpose, literary features, theological themes, hermeneutical issues, and more CLEAR VERSE-BY-VERSE EXPLANATIONS, which offer a contemporary, Wesleyan-based understanding derived from the biblical text in its original language COMPREHENSIVE ANNOTATION divided into three sections, which cover background elements behind the text; verse-by-verse details and meanings found in the text; and significance, relevance, intertextuality, and application from the text HELPFUL SIDEBARS, which provide deeper insight into theological issues, word meanings, archeological connections, historical relevance, and cultural customs AN EXPANDED BIBLIOGRAPHY for further study of historical elements, additional interpretations, and theological themes