Without question, Corinth was the most
important city of Greece. It was noted for its commerce,
culture, and corruption. It was the headquarters for the
worship of Venus, as well as for some of the impure
mystery cults from Egypt and Asia. Paul visited Corinth
on his second missionary journey, after he had met with
seeming failure in cultured Athens. He made friends with
two Jewish tentmakers, Aquila and Priscilla, and stayed
in Corinth for a year-and-a-half. He reasoned in the
synagogue week after week. Silas and Timothy joined him
after they had completed their ministry in Berea. The
ruler of the synagogue was converted and baptized by
Paul (Acts 18:8 with I Corinthians 1:14-16). Christ gave
Paul special encouragement to stay in Corinth (Acts
18:9); then after a year-and-a-half, he departed for
Ephesus. He left behind a church richly gifted in
spiritual things (I Corinthians 1:4-7) but sorely
tempted by the world, wisdom, and the awful wickedness
of the city itself.
Paul remained at Ephesus for three years. It is
likely that he made a second visit to Corinth (see II
Corinthians 13:2) to correct some of the problems there.
Once he was back in Ephesus, he wrote them a pointed
letter about fornication, but this letter has been lost
to us. The church at Corinth then wrote a letter to
Paul, possibly sending it with Stephanas, Fortunatus,
and Achaicus, who were members of the church. This
letter asked several important questions about church
doctrine and practice, and Paul answered them (as well
as rebuked them for their sins) in I Corinthians.
Paul had two basic purposes for writing I
Corinthians: (1) To reprove the people for the flagrant
sins that were being permitted in the church; and (2) to
answer their questions about the Christian life and
doctrine. No letter in the New Testament deals so
forcibly with local church problems, and perhaps no
letter is more neglected today. Paul opens chapter 1 by
reminding the believers of the wonderful blessings they
have in Christ. He does this very tactfully, before he
reproves them for their sins; for they were living
beneath their privileges as Christians. They were not
walking worthy of their calling in Christ.