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Document: C. Vanderwaal, Search the Scriptures, Vol. IX: Corinthians to Philemon, trans. by Theodore Plantinga (St. Catharines, ON.: Paideia Press, 1979).
Excerpt: Proud Corinth. A quick look at the map reveals that Corinth was an important center of trade. It was the place where all ships sailing to Greece stopped. The raucous chorus “Eat, drink and be merry” was heard there. The Greeks often spoke of “Corinthian living,” by which they meant that all sorts of things went on in the port city. Both the rich and the workers at the docks did as they pleased. The heathen Greek religion was no more successful than Greek philosophy in erecting a dam against moral collapse. The Lord used Paul to bring the gospel of the offense of the cross to proud Corinth. Paul, who was not strong, worked there for a year and a half, first in the synagogue and then right next to it—literally. He was there long enough to see Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, “come over” to the church. It may even be that Sosthenes, the successor of Crispus, became a Christian as well. In any event, someone named Sosthenes is mentioned by Paul at the beginning of the letter as one of the senders (1:1; see also Acts 18:17).
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Search the Scriptures, Vol. IX: Corinthians to Philemon – C. Vanderwaal.pdf