Judgment and Eschatology in 1 Corinthians 3:5-4:5: A Parenetic Adaptation of an Apocal Yptic Tradition

Abstract

This chapter locates Paul's judgment language in 1 Corinthians 3-4 within a functional typology of future judgment in Paul's letters and other early Christian writings. Paul's references to God's future judgment can be divided into two major functional categories. The most frequent purpose for which Paul makes reference to God's future judgment is to bolster his readers' confidence in their ultimate salvation as members of the Body of Christ. The striking fact is that the employment of judgment language in contexts of general or specific moral exhortation is quite infrequent in Paul. In the second category of judgment language Paul focuses on the judgment of the individual Christian. In most of these passages Paul is thinking more in terms of reward or loss of reward within the realm of salvation than of a judgment that will determine salvation or condemnation.Keywords: 1 Corinthians; Christ; Christian writings; individual rights; moral exhortation; Paul's judgment