Paul Writes 1Corinthians From Ephesus; 1Corinthians 16:1-9, 2Corinthians 9:1-2

Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57

Corinth was a principal city of Greece, in that particular division of it which was called Achaia. It was situated on the isthmus (or neck of land) that joined Peloponnesus to the rest of Greece, on the southern side, and had two ports adjoining, one at the bottom of the Corinthian Gulf, called Lechæum, not far from the city, whence they traded to Italy and the west, the other at the bottom of the Sinus Saronicus, called Cenchrea, at a more remote distance, whence they traded to Asia. From this situation, it is no wonder that Corinth should be a place of great trade and wealth; and, as affluence is apt to produce luxury of all kinds, neither is it to be wondered at if a place so famous for wealth and arts should be infamous for vice. It was in a particular manner noted for fornication, insomuch that a Corinthian woman was a proverbial phrase for a strumpet, and to play the Corinthian, is to play the whore, or indulge whorish inclinations. Yet in this lewd city, Paul, by the blessing of God on his labors, planted and raised a Christian church, chiefly among the Gentiles, as seems very probable from the history of this matter, (Acts 18:1-18), compared with some passages in this epistle, particularly (1Corinthians 12:2), where the apostle tells them, You know that you wee Gentiles, carried away to those dumb idols even as you were led, though it is not improbable that many Jewish converts might be also among them, for we are told that Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord, with all his house, (Acts 18:8). He continued in this city nearly two years, as is plain from (Acts 18:11,18) compared, and labored with great success, being encouraged by a divine vision assuring him God had much people in that city, (Acts 18:9-10). Nor did he use to stay long in a place where his ministry didn’t meet with acceptance and success.

Sometime after he left them he wrote this epistle to them, to water what he had planted and rectify some gross disorders which during his absence had been introduced, partly from the interest some false teacher or teachers had obtained amongst them, and partly from the leaven of their old maxims and manners, that had not been thoroughly purged out by the Christian principles they had entertained. And it is extremely visible how much their wealth had helped to corrupt their manners. The many faults for which the apostle reprehends them, pride, avarice, luxury, lust (the natural offspring of a carnal and corrupt mind), are all fed and prompted by outward affluence. And with all these either the body of this people or some particular persons among them are here charged by the apostle.