Corinth (continued)
Paul's initial visit to Corinth was on his Second Missionary Journey, when he arrived from Athens about 50-51 CE. He spent one year and six months there while working as a tentmaker and lodged with Aquila and Priscilla who moved to Corinth after the expulsion of Jews from Rome by Emperor Claudius (49 or 50 CE). Paul told Timothy and Silas to remain behind to strengthen churches when Paul was forced to leave Berea and they rejoined Paul in Corinth from Macedonia. When they arrived, Paul was busy with forming the new congregation of followers as he " reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks." He began preaching in the Jewish community and when the leadership opposed him he departed from the synagogue and taught the disciples in the house of Justus located next to the synagogue. Among those who believed was the chief synagogue ruler, Crispus.

Paul was assured by a vision that Jesus would protect him if he remained in Corinth at the ministry task. Shortly after the vision the message was tested. He was brought to the judgment (bema) seat before Gallio (the newly appointed deputy of Achaia) by some local Jewish leaders who accused him of persuading people to worship God contrary to the law (Acts 18: 12-16). Gallio chose not to involve himself in the matter and drove them away. This judgment seat that Paul was brought before has been uncovered in the center of the market place or agora. There were two lower steps that surrounded a high platform (five feet or so), covered with marble. The platform was more than thirty feet long, and had been restored by archaeologists.

The friends Paul met at Corinth (Aquila and Priscilla) became true partners in ministry. No doubt their encouragement helped to revive the Apostle after the terrible experiences associated with his second journey as he came into Macedonia and Achaia. In addition to their encouragement, we have record of their continued ministry after they departed Corinth and went to Ephesus. A Messianic teacher named Apollos taught about Jesus to the local believers, but taught about the baptism of John. Aquila and Priscilla knew from listening to Paul the message had progressed further and took Apollos aside and explained to him the more complete information. Perhaps during those conversations Apollos gained the desire to move on to Corinth, for he continued the work that Paul had started there and was mightily used to further the ministry. (see Acts 18:23,24,26-28;19:1)

Paul's Epistle to the Romans was written in Corinth. (Romans 16:23) Paul was evidently staying with a man named Gaius, Paul's host, and aided by the amanuensis Tertius who was scribed the letter. The first and second epistles to the Thessalonians were also written from Corinth (I Thessalonians 3: 6-7). Timothy returned from Thessalonica with reports on how the ministry progressed after Paul's forced departure.

Paul wrote the first Epistle to the Corinthians from Ephesus some time later. Timothy may have been the bearer of this letter to the Corinthians (I Corinthians 4:17). In the second Epistle to them (see 2 Corinthians 7) it appears that Paul may have sent Titus with a 'painful letter' that Paul had written to the Corinthians, rebuking them for tolerating immorality in their midst. That letter is widely believed to be "lost" and not part of the record of the New Testament. It appears that Titus may have gone to Corinth with this letter or he may have gone after the letter got to the Corinthians and was able to receive from them, their earnestness to be right before God and deal with the sin issues. The second Epistle to the Corinthians, which may be actually a third letter, was written from Macedonia by Paul, which amongst other commended the Corinthians for their good response to the 'painful letter'.