After these things Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth. Acts 18:1
If Athens was the intellectual centre of Greece, Corinth was the country’s centre for sinfulness and fleshly pleasures. One of the measures of the city’s licentiousness was the temple of Venus, which boasted more than a thousand prostitutes, who plied their trade as part of the religion of the temple. All of this sinfulness and immorality was made possible because of the wealth of Corinth. The city was a headquarters for much of the business and industry of Greece. And much of that wealth was poured into the headlong rush into worldly pleasures. This city does not seem to us to be a good candidate for a Gospel campaign. And yet, Paul and his companions experienced some of their greatest successes in Corinth. And his letters to the Assembly that was formed there are a major part of the Bible’s teachings regarding the gatherings of the Lord’s people in our day of grace. The Corinth mission was a great milestone in the history of Christianity.
Corinth was a very large city for its time, almost half a million in population, with two harbours, vast educational and business and religious facilities, and many markets and civic institutions. Paul’s arrival in Corinth was probably unnoticed by most, not a significant event on the city’s calendar. And yet, in terms of eternal issues, probably no greater event had ever occurred there. Until this time, the Gospel was unknown in Corinth. But Paul’s arrival changed all that. Now, the Jews who lived there could learn of the fulfillment of all of the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament. Not many but a few of the Jews believed. The Gentiles could learn of the God Who loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son. Many of them indeed believed and a large Assembly was formed. A testimony for God was established that would outlive Paul and his first converts there, a testimony that would be a great blessing to that great city. The arrival of the Gospel always leaves a person, and a city, in a different condition from before.
Because of Paul’s arrival in Corinth with the Gospel, many souls were saved. Because of the preachers’ arrival in your area, many souls were saved. Try to imagine what things would be like if your Assembly did not exist, if no preachers came to herald the Gospel and to plant a testimony for God. How thankful we should be for the pioneers who served the Lord in what might have appeared to be a small way many years ago. But today, those efforts continue to bear fruit for God and continue to be a blessing to you and many others. Remember those who came. -Jim MacIntosh