“Introduction to First Corinthians”

Friday, March 16, 2018

The city of Corinth was located on the isthmus that bridges mainland Greece to the Peninsula of Peloponnese. Whereas Athens was the educational capital of Greece, Corinth served as its commercial capital. The city was geographically suited for strong defense, being protected by water on 2 sides, and by the Acrochorinth (the monolithic rock overseeing Corinth serving as the city’s citadel) that rose 1800ft above sea level.

Geographically speaking, the city was perfectly suited for vast commerce. Its physical position allowed Corinth to control land traffic and commerce between Greece and the Peloponnesus, and sea traffic between Italy and Asia. Quite often boats were pulled across the isthmus (5-6 miles) rather than sail the 200-300 miles around lower Achaia.

Corinth had been destroyed 146 BC, and in 44 BC Julius Caesar rebuilt it made it a Roman colony. It was heavily populated by freed men and ex-soldiers. In the first century it boasted a population of at least 500,000, and became capital of Achaia and the most important city in country.

Corinth also became notorious for its vice and immorality. To “Corinthianize” was a term that was coined to describe a life dedicated to drunken depravity. Paul penned his epistle to the Romans from the city of Corinth and he may have had the city in mind when he wrote Romans 1:28-32.

“And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”

We will have one more day of introduction for tomorrow Lord willing.

Have a great day!

- Louie Taylor

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