Chapter 33—Paul at Corinth
Paul did not wait at Athens for his brethren, Silas and Timothy, but
leaving word for them to follow him, went at once to Corinth. Here
he entered upon a different field of labor from that which he had left.
Instead of the curious and critical disciples of schools of philosophy,
he came in contact with the busy, changing population of a great center
of commerce. Greeks, Jews, and Romans, with travelers from every
land, mingled in its crowded streets, eagerly intent on business and
pleasure, and having little thought or care beyond the affairs of the
present life.
Corinth was one of the leading cities, not only of Greece, but of
the world. Situated upon a narrow neck of land between two seas,
it commanded the trade of both the east and the west. Its position
was almost impregnable. A vast citadel of rock, rising abruptly and
perpendicularly from the plain to the height of two thousand feet above
the level of the sea, was a strong natural defense to the city and its two
sea-ports. Corinth was now more prosperous than Athens, which had
once taken the lead. Both had experienced severe vicissitudes; but the
former had risen from her ruins, and was far in advance of her former
prosperity, while the latter had not reached to her past magnificence.
Athens was the acknowledged center of art and learning; Corinth, the
seat of government and trade.
This large mercantile city was in direct communication with Rome,
while Thessalonica, Ephesus, Alexandria, and Antioch were all easy
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of access, either by land or water. An opportunity was thus presented
for the spread of the gospel Once established at Corinth, it would be
readily communicated to all parts of the world.
Yet the apostle 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 a great number or dissolute women were
employed in connection with the worship of this reigning deity, for the
purpose of attracting the devotees of popular vice. The Corinthians
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