The Corinthians were immature in their conformity to Christ. Much had changed but much more remained to be changed. That is the goal of Paul's ministry to them, the intent of his several letters, to teach them what it meant to be in Christ, to exhort and encourage them to conform their behavior to biblical standards.

The Book of First Corinthians was written ca. AD 57, from Ephesus, in the third year of Paul's third missionary journey (AD 54–58). The book is partly a response to a prior letter to Paul from the Corinthians, 5:9; 7:1, partly to address troubling issues reported to Paul by those of Chloe (i.e., of her household), 1:11, and to address issues Paul had heard from others, 5:1. Many doctrinal issues and things of the practical Christian life are addressed in this letter.