In this third installment of A Life in Letters, Rev. Dr. Johannes W. H. van der Bijl opens up Paul's letters in this narrative commentary on 1 Corinthians. With scholarly care and pastoral concern, he invites readers to accompany Paul as he addresses the church in Corinth while they wrestle with the challenging and timeless issues of division, identity, and faithfulness. Resonant with urgency, Paul engages with much-debated concerns in relation to sexual behaviour, the right conduct of men and women in public worship, the use of spiritual gifts and navigating socio-economic tensions in community life – all in the context of how to follow a crucified Messiah in a world obsessed by power and knowledge.

With meticulous study of Scripture, historical sources, and archaeological findings, van der Bijl reveals a tangible and personal window into the reality of life in Corinth and how it shaped the experiences of believers. Readers will not find perfect people, but instead find real ones, those struggling, failing, learning, and growing under the guidance of the Spirit of God. This careful work invites us to slow down, listen carefully, and rediscover the pastoral heart of Paul's message to a church very much like our own.