Premature Triumphalism in Corinth *

Abstract

Challenges to the hypothesis of over realised eschatology behind 1 Corinthians must be taken into account. However, the broad idea that the Corinthians were behaving as though they could lay claim to eschatological arrival is worthy of renewed consideration. This article argues for a modified version of the hypothesis, using the phrase “premature triumphalism”. This conception emphasises the problem as chiefly behavioural rather than doctrinal. Further, the problem is seen to be largely unwitting, being implicit, rather than explicit, in its eschatological claims. It is an issue perceived by Paul, rather than fully by the Corinthians.