Topical Bible: Corinth: Visited by Paul

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Corinth, an ancient city located in the region of Achaia in southern Greece, holds significant importance in the New Testament as a key location visited by the Apostle Paul during his missionary journeys. Known for its strategic position on the narrow isthmus connecting mainland Greece with the Peloponnese, Corinth was a bustling hub of commerce and culture, characterized by its diverse population and reputation for immorality.

Paul's First Visit to Corinth

Paul's first visit to Corinth is recorded in the Book of Acts. During his second missionary journey, Paul arrived in Corinth after leaving Athens. Acts 18:1-3 states, "After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them, and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade."

In Corinth, Paul initially preached in the synagogue every Sabbath, attempting to persuade both Jews and Greeks (Acts 18:4). However, facing opposition from some of the Jewish community, Paul declared his intention to focus on the Gentiles, saying, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles" (Acts 18:6).

Establishment of the Corinthian Church

Despite the challenges, Paul's ministry in Corinth was fruitful. He stayed in the city for eighteen months, teaching the word of God and establishing a strong Christian community (Acts 18:11). The Lord encouraged Paul in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city" (Acts 18:9-10).

During his time in Corinth, Paul was brought before Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, by the Jews who accused him of persuading people to worship God contrary to the law. Gallio dismissed the case, refusing to judge matters related to Jewish law, which allowed Paul to continue his ministry without interference (Acts 18:12-17).

Paul's Correspondence with the Corinthians

Paul's relationship with the Corinthian church extended beyond his initial visit. He wrote at least two epistles to the Corinthians, addressing various issues within the church, including divisions, immorality, and questions about spiritual gifts and the resurrection. These letters, known as 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians, provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by the early church and Paul's pastoral care.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the divisions among the believers, urging them to be united in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). He also provides guidance on moral and ethical issues, emphasizing the importance of love and spiritual maturity (1 Corinthians 13). In 2 Corinthians, Paul defends his apostleship and expresses his deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the Corinthian believers (2 Corinthians 11:1-15).

Significance of Corinth in Early Christianity

Corinth's significance in early Christianity is underscored by its role as a major center for the spread of the Gospel in the Greco-Roman world. The city's diverse population and strategic location made it an ideal place for the dissemination of Christian teachings. The challenges faced by the Corinthian church, as addressed in Paul's letters, reflect the broader struggles of the early Christian communities in navigating cultural and moral complexities while remaining faithful to the teachings of Christ.

Paul's ministry in Corinth and his subsequent correspondence with the church highlight the transformative power of the Gospel and the enduring impact of his apostolic mission. The lessons learned from the Corinthian church continue to resonate with believers today, offering timeless guidance on issues of faith, unity, and holiness.

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Acts 18:1
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
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2 Corinthians 12:14
Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
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2 Corinthians 13:1
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
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1 Corinthians 16:5-7
Now I will come to you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.
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Library

Paul in Corinth.
... Corinth was a city of Greece, which enjoyed, from its situation, uncommon advantages
for ... soon rose from its ashes, and, at the time when Paul visited it, was ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxi paul in corinth.htm

From Antioch to the Destruction of Jerusalem.
... After this tumult at Ephesus Paul departed into Macedonia and seems to have visited
the principal cities and finally arrived at Corinth where a plot to kill ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xx from antioch to.htm

The Epistles of Paul
... of a year and a half at Corinth together with ... that we must identify the visit of
Paul to Jerusalem ... at the end of which period he again visited Jerusalem, Acts 9 ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the epistles of paul.htm

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
... where lived most vigorously the glorious memories of bygone Greece, the government
of the province was directed from Corinth. When St. Paul visited it, it was ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter x the first epistle.htm

The Ministry of Paul in Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth.
... We may thus understand why he remained in Corinth so much longer than in any other
place he had yet visited since his ... "The Lord spake to Paul in the ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter vii the ministry of.htm

The Epistle to Titus
... from where, in that case, he must have made a trip to Crete; others think it was
composed at Ephesus, after Paul left Corinth and had on the way visited Crete. ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the epistle to titus.htm

The Conversion of Apollos, his Character, and the Ministry of Paul ...
... Some time after Paul reached Ephesus, on his return from Jerusalem, he ... are good grounds
for believing that he now visited Crete, as well as Corinth; and it ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter viii the conversion of.htm

Paul's Second Imprisonment, and Martyrdom; Peter, his Epistles ...
... It is probable that Paul, after his release, accomplished his ... In all likelihood he
now once more visited Jerusalem, travelling by Corinth, [155:1 ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter x pauls second imprisonment.htm

The Persecution under Nero in which Paul and Peter were Honored at ...
... fact in the two epistles of Paul renders it almost absolutely impossible. It is
barely possible, though by no means probable, that Peter visited Corinth on his ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxv the persecution under nero.htm

The Epistles to the Thessalonians.
... and inhabited by many Jews, was visited by Paul ... To this church Paul, as its spiritual
father, full of ... conversational style two letters from Corinth, during his ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 89 the epistles to.htm