This commentary illuminates the historical background of the church at Corinth and clarifies the meaning of Paul's passionate letter both for those first-century Christians and for today. Barnett assumes and offers argument for the unity of the letter and takes the view that Paul is addressing the issue of triumphalism in Corinth expressed by the newly arrived missioners who portray Paul as inferior to themselves. It is also endemic among the Corinthians and according to Barnett, the recurring theme of the letter is power-in-weakness, based on the motif of the Resurrection of the Crucified, which lies at the heart of the gospel of Christ.
