Why is it important to know that Corinth was steeped in paganism when reading Corinthians?
Knowing Corinth was steeped in paganism and gross immorality explains the unique situation of the Corinthian believers. They were recently converted out of that lifestyle, so Paul's corrections and warnings in Corinthians address a congregation surrounded by idolatry, Greek gods, commercial wealth, and cultural influences from across the known world.
Les teaches that the background of the letter to the Corinthians cannot be emphasized too much or too often, because this was a unique situation and a unique congregation of believers unlike anything else Paul experienced. Corinth was a bustling commercial city located between two seaports, so people came in from all over the then-known world, with a tremendous exchange of money, wealth, and culture. The main thing to understand while reading Corinthians is that Corinth was steeped in paganism, in pagan idolatrous worship of the Greek gods and goddesses, and in gross immorality. Paul writes to these Corinthian believers as people just recently converted out of that kind of lifestyle, which helps explain his strong warnings, such as that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God and be not deceived.
More Questions
What was the main religious background of Corinth that Paul's readers needed to understand?
The main thing to understand about Corinth is that the city was steeped in paganism, including idolatrous worship of Greek gods and goddesses.