1 Corinthians 1.10-17

Although Corinth was an ancient Greek city, many of its inhabitants during Paul's time were new immigrants.

1 Corinthians menitions a Gaius. Acts 18 names a Titius Justus. R. F. Collins suggests that they are the same person, a wealthy Roman colonist, a former soldier, Gauis Titius Justus. As the Roman Empire ran out of money, they began to pay former soldiers in land.

Corinth was a port city, standing along the Isthmus of Corinth. The southern section of Greece, the Peloponesus, is a penninsula. Today, a bridge connects Corinth to the mainland of Greece and a canal cuts across the isthmus.

The Romans destroyed the city in 146 BC under L. Mummius. Jews, Romans, Greeks and others from around the world resettled Corinth.

As context for the epistle, Corinth hustles and bustles with the activity of a busy seaport. Converted the Gentiles still struggle with their relationship to their former idols; Jewish Christians still seek to hold firmly to their traditions; the new Christians, like Paul, struggle to proclaim the gospel of Christ amidst the confusion.

Corinth's conflict is implied by Paul's answer to it. In this week's section (1.10-17), the Corinthians are voting for their favorite apostle instead of Jesus and attempting to establish their own authority based on who performed their baptisms.

Paul's letter intends to focus Corinth on the cross, the love of Christ, and the power of the resurrection. And so should we.