Collins, Raymond F. First Corinthians. Sacra Pagina. Ed. Daniel J. Harrington. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1999.
Collins provides a good explanation of Paul’s use of “first fruits” as an eschatological metaphor signifying a “later harvest.” The apostle’s use of scriptural midrash (Psalms) in the closing verses of the pericope is also explained. These explanations are enormously helpful in one’s quest for proper interpretation and understanding. The verse by verse notes are also very enlightening.
Oropeza, B. J. Paul and Apostasy: Eschatology, Perseverance, and Falling Away in the Corinthian Congregation. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2000.
Oropeza complied his work during academic visits at the University of Durham and George Fox University. It is especially insightful as concerns the foci of the pericope. I focused heavily upon section and subsections: 8.3 Paul in the Age of Now and Not Yet; 8.3.1 Paul and the Apocalyptic Centre; 8.3.2 The Tension of Now and Not Yet; 8.3.3. Paul’s Existential and Salvific Dualism; and 8.4 The Eschatological Journey of the Corinthians. Much information regarding the Corinthian ‘over-realized’ eschatology was provided in this work. Read More