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Corinthian Church Begins
Corinthian Church Begins
Leaving Athens, Paul travels to Corinth. This was a town known throughout the Roman Empire for its immorality. The Greeks had coined the term corinthiazesthai (literally, “to live a Corinthian life”) to describe the city’s immorality*. It was what we would call 'a sailor town' as they would transfer boats and/or cargo across the narrow land that connected the two waters ways on either side of Corinth. As difficult as this was, it was considered a better option than trying to sail the treacherous waters around the southern end of Achaia and its many islands. This left the sailors a lot of free time. In the first century Strabo wrote that there were 1000 temple prostitutes in the city, although that may refer to an earlier period of Corinth's history. The city was simply known for its wanton sexuality.
As sinful as this city was, Paul didn't change his message! Jesus came to save sinners and this town needed that message. The result: "many of the Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptized" (Acts 18:8). What kind of people were these who were baptized into Christ? Paul lists such: "unrighteous,… the sexually immoral, …idolaters, …adulterers, …men who practice homosexuality, …thieves, … the greedy, …drunkards, …revilers, …swindlers" (1Cor. 6:9-10). Paul says that 'such will not inherit the kingdom of God'. The city was full of 'such' and YET Paul preached forgiveness of God through Jesus.
"Hearing, they believed and were baptized" said Luke. "And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" said Paul (1 Corinthians 6:11). People CAN change. People CAN be forgiven. Without such faith in Jesus, repentance, and being baptized into Christ they would die in their sins (John 8:24, etc.). In Christ they are new creations - old things are passed away, all things are new (2Cor. 5:17).
We also deal with 'such' people. Paul's example is to hold forth to them the word of life. He didn't convert the whole city but those that did obey the word were forgiven. The church in Corinth was made up of 'such' people. They, as God's people, were warned and instructed that they could not continue to BE 'such' people. They were now 'sanctified' and were expected to continue to grow in holiness and righteousness. Paul often exhorts them to flee sexual immorality (see 1Cor. 5:1; 6:9, 15-20; 10:8). Corinth in not unique, all churches are made up of 'such' people. Give thanks to God that we are not the people we use to be. Hugh DeLong
* Kistemaker, Baker NT Commentary: 1Corinthians, Logos Edition
