A LOOK INTO THE BOOKS OF CORINTHIANS - A Church Divided

We will continue our study in examinnig one the most important twin books in the Holy Bible, the books of 1st and 2nd Corinthians.

Now Corinth was a city-state located on an isthmus (a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas, usually with water on either side) that joined the Peloponnesus Peninsula (The southern most tip of Greece) to the mainland of Greece.

Because of where Corinth was geographically situated it was a city that was a meeting place of many nationalities and cultures. It served as a trade center between Asia and western Europe.. The city boasted of an outdoor theater that could seat 20,000 people, and often hosted athletic games the rivaled the ancient Olympic Games of Greece itself. It also was the home of the Great Temple of Aphrodite (Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love). This pagan temple housed over 1,000 prostitutes. The city was known for its corruption and immorality. Their debauchery was so blatant that the phrase, ":to act the Corinthians" meant to practice fornication. Many of the problems, and divisive issues that flowed throughout this city was a direct result of the sin and wickedness that festered in the hearts of the people that lived there.

To this city, Paul first came to preach, in the year A.D. 50, during his second missionary journey. Paul stayed there for nearly two years, preaching and winning many souls to Christ. After leaving, Paul wrote the Corinthian church a letter, which was lost (5:9), but, learning of disturbing news about some believers from other believers (7:1) prompted the apostle to write 1 Corinthians. All of these issues will be addressed and examined, during this indepth study.

Come with us, as we begin to understand the church established in Corinth... a church divided.