CORINTHIANS by J. RICHARD CHASE
was destroyed by fire in about 146 B.C. The city was so strategically located, however, Julius Caesar re established the city in about 44 B.C. as a commercial center. Corinth was situated on an Isthmus and had two harbors, one serving the West and one serving the East. Through the ports of Corinth passed the wealth and the filth of the known world. Corinth was a blend of Ro man, Creek and Eastern life and thought. It was like many of the larger cities of the world today, a melting pot of peoples and ideas. From Roman culture comes the philosophy that life is satisfied on ly through power and wealth. The resident Greeks contributed the concept that wisdom is supreme. And from the East the corrupting influences of immoral religious
rites made their way. The Corinthi an Christians, like so many of us today, were confronted with pres sures that constantly challenge a commitment to Christ. The influ ence of Rome turned them from the things of the Spirit to material ism. They were bombarded with the idea that power, possessions, position in life was of great impor tance. Chapter five and six both touch on such problems. Paul saw these influences and knew that they were hindering their growth in the Lord Jesus Christ. From the Creeks came the idea that wisdom is most essential. The Greeks were proud of their ability to reason things through. Faith in Christ was assaulted by man's wisdom. Fur ther, those who did not fit their concept of an intelligent speaker Page 5
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