1st Corinthians
1st Corinthians Introduction to 1st Corinthians: A Window into the Church in a Corrupt City 1. Understanding the City of Corinth: The World the Church Lived In To understand the book of 1st Corinthians, we must first understand Corinth , the city where the believers lived. Corinth was not just any city—it was one of the most important and influential cities in the Roman Empire during the time of the Apostle Paul. Location and Importance Corinth was located on a narrow strip of land called the Isthmus of Corinth , between the Aegean Sea and the Ionian Sea in present-day Greece. This location made it a major trade hub . All ships traveling from east to west passed through Corinth. Goods from across the empire—Italy, Asia Minor, Egypt, and beyond—flowed in and out of its ports. Economic Life Corinth was a wealthy city , full of traders, business people, craftsmen, and sailors. Because of trade, the city became rich, and many people came seeking fortune. However, with wealth came...