Chapter 24—Corinth
This chapter is based on
Acts 18:1-18
.
During the first century of the Christian Era, Corinth was one
of the leading cities, not only of Greece, but of the world. Greeks,
Jews, and Romans, with travelers from every land, thronged its streets,
eagerly intent on business and pleasure. A great commercial center,
situated within easy access of all parts of the Roman Empire, it was an
important place in which to establish memorials for God and His truth.
Among the Jews who had taken up their residence in Corinth were
Aquila and Priscilla, who afterward became distinguished as earnest
workers for Christ. Becoming acquainted with the character of these
persons, Paul “abode with them.”
At the very beginning of his labors in this thoroughfare of travel,
Paul saw on every hand serious obstacles to the progress of his work.
The city was almost wholly given up to idolatry. Venus was the
favorite goddess, and with the worship of Venus were connected many
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demoralizing rites and ceremonies. The Corinthians had become
conspicuous, even among the heathen, for their gross immorality.
They seemed to have little thought or care beyond the pleasures and
gaieties of the hour.
In preaching the gospel in Corinth, the apostle followed a course
different from that which had marked his labors at Athens. While
in the latter place, he had sought to adapt his style to the character
of his audience; he had met logic with logic, science with science,
philosophy with philosophy. As he thought of the time thus spent,
and realized that his teaching in Athens had been productive of but
little fruit, he decided to follow another plan of labor in Corinth in his
efforts to arrest the attention of the careless and the indifferent. He
determined to avoid elaborate arguments and discussions, and “not
to know anything” among the Corinthians “save Jesus Christ, and
Him crucified.” He would preach to them “not with enticing words
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