(Corinth, Greece) — Corinth, Greece, is the place of judgment where Paul stood trial 2,000 years ago. It’s from this very city that Paul preached the Gospel without shame. He spoke of how Christ was crucified for our sins—and the people were transformed.
Ancient Corinth was a city known for its debauchery, drunkenness, and prostitution. The city was so full of sin that there was a term to “Corinthianize,” which meant to live in drunken stupor. Into this mess walked a tent maker named Paul, who changed everything when he planted the church.
It says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
He was describing Corinth and its culture. Paul loved the people enough to tell them the truth and wasn’t afraid to confront sin using the power of the Gospel in love. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
What was the result? The Corinthian church exploded. Prostitutes became believers, and idolaters became worshippers.
What’s the parallel today? When the church looks like the culture and doesn’t call sin “sin,” culture wins. Corinth was corrupt, and the Gospel conquered.
Today, the world is corrupted by sin, but the Gospel still conquers. Paul was arrested and brought before the Roman proconsul Gallio for persuading men to worship God contrary to Mosaic law. Gallio tossed the case, effectively making Christianity legal throughout the empire.
What the enemy meant for evil, God used for good.
One of the most beloved scriptures in the New Testament is 1 Corinthians 13:4-6: “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth”
Be encouraged that the same Holy Spirit that transformed Corinth can transform you or anyone who needs the love and hope of Jesus today.
