A Grecian city, Corinth lies about 48 miles west of Athens. Under Rome, it became the seat of government for southern Greece. Since Roman legions had destroyed the old city of Corinth in 148 B.C.., the city Paul knew was of recent construction and was known for its opulence and wealth.
A city boasting three good harbors, Corinth commanded trade routes from both the east and the west. This made it a wealthy trading center that attracted people from all over the Empire. Different cultures and traditions flowed together in this cosmopolitan environment. In addition to over-the-top luxury, The city was also known for its licentious lifestyle
The church Paul founded in this city consisted primarily of gentile believers. From the beginning,
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He speaks of his suffering as evidence of his authority. Though Paul recognized that comparing credentials is really a foolish exercise, he took up the challenge in order to refute the foolishness of the false teachers. In part, this is what he says of himself in the passage:
...five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
This was Paul’s testimony of his own Christian experience, credentials of his identity and authority as a Christian minister. Please note, Paul fails to mention how God made things go easily and comfortably for him. Quite the opposite. His identify and authority as a Christian minister come from his suffering on behalf of the Gospel. This is his proof of