10 Interesting Facts About Corinth in the Bible

Corinth was one of the most powerful and influential cities in the ancient world. In the Bible, it plays a major role in the early church and in the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul. Let’s look at 10 interesting facts about Corinth, with full Bible verse references.

1. Corinth Was a Major Trade Center

Corinth was located between two harbors—Cenchreae and Lechaeum—making it a wealthy hub of trade and travel.

1 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV)
"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints..."

Acts 18:18 (KJV)
"And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow."

2. Paul Spent a Year and a Half There

Paul remained in Corinth longer than in most other cities, building a strong church there.

Acts 18:11 (KJV)
"And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them."

Acts 18:1 (KJV)
"After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth."

3. Corinth Was Known for Its Immorality

The city's pagan temples and sinful culture made it spiritually dark.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (KJV)
"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters... nor drunkards... shall inherit the kingdom of God."

1 Corinthians 6:18 (KJV)
"Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body."

4. Aquila and Priscilla Were Paul's Co-workers in Corinth

Paul met these two believers in Corinth. They were fellow tentmakers and strong in the faith.

Acts 18:2-3 (KJV)
"And found a certain Jew named Aquila... with his wife Priscilla... and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought..."

Romans 16:3-4 (KJV)
"Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: who have for my life laid down their own necks..."

5. Paul Wrote Two Letters to the Corinthians

Paul wrote two major epistles—1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians—addressing problems and teaching doctrine.

1 Corinthians 1:1-2 (KJV)
"Paul, called to be an apostle... unto the church of God which is at Corinth..."

2 Corinthians 1:1 (KJV)
"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God... unto the church of God which is at Corinth..."

6. Corinth Had a Diverse Population

Corinth was home to Greeks, Romans, and Jews. Paul reached all of them.

Acts 18:4 (KJV)
"And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks."

1 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV)
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles..."

7. Crispus, a Synagogue Leader, Was Saved

One of the earliest converts in Corinth was a respected synagogue ruler.

Acts 18:8 (KJV)
"And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized."

1 Corinthians 1:14 (KJV)
"I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius."

8. Paul Received a Vision from God in Corinth

While in Corinth, Paul was told not to fear but to keep preaching boldly.

Acts 18:9-10 (KJV)
"Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee..."

9. Corinth Had a Christian Church Despite Its Challenges

The church in Corinth had many struggles, but God still worked through them.

1 Corinthians 3:3 (KJV)
"For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions..."

2 Corinthians 12:20 (KJV)
"For I fear... debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings..."

10. Corinth Was a Picture of God's Grace

The believers in Corinth had come from all types of sinful pasts.

1 Corinthians 6:11 (KJV)
"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus..."

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

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