The city of Corinth

Here are some facts about the city of Corinth (modern day Greece). We took some time and studied this briefly last night in youth group. As you’ll see, the Corinthian Christians faced a lot of sexual immorality in their day and age. And we think America is bad. Corinth makes Las-Vegas look like Disneyland.

- Located on a large isthmus about 50 miles from the city of Athens.

- The city was destroyed by the Romans in 146 B.C. but re-built in 44 B.C.

- It became one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire. It was considered one of the richest cities in the world by the end of the 2nd century. It was a thriving place commercially and politically.

- The Isthmian Games were played in Corinth (like the Olympics). Paul was even in town during the games. Many believe his imagery in 1 Cor. 9:24-27 came from his time in Corinth when the games were being played.

- Official language of Corinth was Latin.

- Corinth had several pagan temples one could go and worship at. The most famous was the temple of Aphrodite (goddess of love). Several centuries before Paul, one could go to the temple of Aphrodite and hook up with one of the thousands of temple prostitutes.

- Prostitution was legal and acceptable in Corinth. Visiting a prostitute did not constitute adultery.

- Corinth was so well known for sexual immorality that the Greek verb “to Corinthainize” came to mean, “to practice sexual immorality.” Maybe this sheds some light on some of the immorality problems in the Corinthian church.

- Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian church that was lost (1 Cor. 5:9).

- The Christian church at Corinth was established on Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-11, 1 Cor. 2:1-2). The church consisted of wealthy individuals and slaves. Paul wrote the Corinthian church (1 Cor.) while in Ephesus on his third missionary journey (1 Cor. 16:8).

Well, some facts about the city of Corinth. What do you think it would have been like for a Christian growing up in Corinth?