Book excerpt: The World of 1 Corinthians is an exegetical resource, providing annotated citations of ancient literature and visual depictions that illuminate the situations, themes, terminology and arrangement of the letter. The book follows the text of 1 Corinthians in a fresh translation, with annotated citations and pictures throughout the text. The book will be used to complement conventional commentaries. Essential to the task of interpreting an ancient text is recognition of that text's historical origins. This book aims to help those who are separated from Paul and his Corinthian audience by 2,000 years toward an increased appreciation of their world.