The Grecian city of Corinth, located on a narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnesus to the mainland of Greece, is about 48 miles west of Athens. Its history goes back at least as far as 900 B.C. Myth stated that the city was founded by Corinthos, a descendant of the Sun god Helios. Starting in the 5th century B.C. Corinth, because of its location on an Isthmus, became a wealthy city. Its riches rivaled those of Athens. After fighting a few wars over the years the city-state was controlled by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C. The city was destroyed by the Romans in the battle of Corinth in 146 B.C. and was rebuilt about a century later. Under the Romans it became the seat of government for Southern Greece or Achaia. Anciently, Corinth was noted for its commerce, wealth and immorality. Sexual sins were widespread, in part, due to a temple located in the city dedicated to Venus (i.e. to lust). The temple employed the services of more than one thousand "priestesses" who were nothing more than common prostitutes. During his second missionary journey, in the summer of 50 A.D., the apostle Paul leaves the city of Athens and travels to Corinth. In the city he meets a couple named Priscilla and Aquila. When they discover Paul is a tentmaker like themselves they let him stay in their home. Paul's friends and fellow evangelists Silas and Timothy join him in Corinth. He preaches the gospel every Sabbath until he leaves the city around Autumn of 52 A.D. Paul revisits the city in 58 A.D. during his third missionary journey. He writes at least two letters to the Corinthian church - the first in the late winter of 56 A.D. and the second in late Summer of 57. | 