Who was at the bottom of the social order in Corinth, and who were the wealthy?
Slaves and bond slaves occupied the bottom of Corinth's social order. The wealthy included merchant men, probably shipowners whose vessels had Corinth as their home bay. The congregation drew from the whole social cross-section—a few Jews, more Gentiles—so both extremes worshiped together. Within that little congregation, rich and poor met at the Lord's Supper.
Les explains that the Corinthian believers were made up of a few Jews and more than likely more Gentiles, but they came from the whole strata of society. In that day and time, the people at the bottom of the totem pole socially were slaves and bond slaves. Above them were wealthy merchant men who probably had ships out at sea, with Corinth as their home bay. So even within that little congregation there was a whole cross-section of society. Les also notes that before the official Lord's Communion table of the Unleavened Bread and the cup, they would have a potluck supper. People being people, those at the bottom echelon would bring what they could afford—more or less the mundane, cheaper things. This social mix and behavior related to Paul having to upbraid the Corinthians for abusing the Lord's Supper.
More Questions
Who was at the bottom of society in the day of the Corinthians?
In that day and time, slaves and bond slaves were at the bottom of the social totem pole.