What was the city of Corinth like in Paul's day?
Corinth was a bustling commercial city located between two seaports, drawing people from all over the then-known world. It was steeped in paganism, idolatrous worship of Greek gods and goddesses, and gross immorality. Paul wrote to Corinthian believers recently converted out of that kind of lifestyle.
Les teaches that Corinth was a unique situation and a unique congregation of believers, unlike anything else Paul experienced. It was a bustling commercial city located between two seaports, so people came from all over the then-known world, with a tremendous exchange of money, wealth, and culture. The main thing to understand is that Corinth was steeped in paganism, idolatrous worship of the Greek gods and goddesses, and gross immorality. Les compares it to America, saying we have not yet reached Corinth's level but may get there at the rate we are sliding. Paul wrote to Corinthian believers just recently converted out of that lifestyle, and in verse 9 he says the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God, so be not deceived.