Unless you’re from the country of Greece (or
vacationed somewhere in that beautiful place), there’s a good chance that your
only familiarity with the Grecian city of Corinth comes from the Apostle Paul,
the author of the first and second Corinthian epistles in the New Testament.
The word “Corinth” means ornament. This cosmopolitan city was located between
the Isthmus of Corinth and was a part of the northeastern Peloponnesus. It was a
seaport, a major trade city, and was the capital of the province of Achaia.
It was about forty miles west of Athens. The
original city was destroyed in 146 BC because of a Grecian revolt against the
Romans. The city was rebuilt in 46 BC under the reign of Julius Ceaser.
Modern-day Corinth was also reconstructed twice after earthquakes in both 1858
and 1928.
Copper cables, petroleum products,
leather, medical equipment, marble, gypsum, ceramic tiles, salt, mineral water (and
beverages), meat products, and gums are produced near to the city of Corinth.
Its current population is 58,192 people.
In Corinth, Paul seemed always be attempting
to fix the people of this city to right thinking and practices (or putting out
some relational fire). Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was practical in
nature. He focused on the character of the Corinthian church by dealing with
questions on marriage, personal freedom, spiritual gifts, and the correct
hierarchy in the church.
Instruction is provided in matters concerning
the church’s spiritual health as well as how pagan influences could be combated
in this wicked city that funneled in people (and cultural influences) from all
areas of the Mediterranean.
Paul’s second epistle has a more personal
tone. He tells of his deep love for the Corinthian church, deals with the
problem of false teachers, and gives his testimony to help the church deal with
the havoc caused by incorrect instruction.
Saul of Tarsus (later transformed to Saint
Paul) provides us all with solid, vital relationship instruction in I
Corinthians 1:10 (MSG). Could this verse cause a complete personality transformation
with you if it were put into practice in your life today?
“I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the
authority of Jesus, our Master. I’ll put it as urgently as I can: you must get
along with each other. You must be considerate of one another, cultivating a
life in common.” (Who do you need a character
adjustment with soon?)
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| Modern day Corinth |
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| Biblical Corinth |
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