history :
corinth, originally destroyed in 146 bc due to wars between rome and the achaean league [of which
corinth was the leader], was refounded by julius caesar in 44 bc with freedmen, military veterans, and urban
traders/laborers. it is theorized that the city was thus founded to provide rome with a loyal base
from which to base eastern operations, as the population was sure to be a loyal roman stronghold. this
also meant that the culture of the city was, from the start, not entirely greek but had a rather
roman foundation.
roman culture :
thiselton points out that this roman culture plays a very large part in 1 cor., and provides examples
in paul's discussion of head covering (for a "married woman in roman society to appear in public
without a hood sent out signals of sexual availability or at very least a lack of concern for
respectabililty" and in the roman practice of 'patronage' (a
brief on the practice).
large :
estimates of ~ 250,000 at about the time of paul
wealthy :
strabo says concerning corinth
corinth is called 'wealthy' because of its commerce, since it is situated on the isthmus
and is master of two harbors, of which the one leads straight to asia, and the other to
italy; and it makes easy the exchange of merchandise from both countries that are so far
distant from each other.
corinth was near two harbors, and a paved road called the diolkos linked the two harbors which was
was used to drag cargo and light ships the 6 km from one side to the other (the trip around the penninsula
was dangerous).
character :
trade based : corinth a trade based economy, and seems to have had a lot of 'new money' as well as a
lot of people pursuing wealth.
varying social statuses : there were wealthy business men, roman veterans, freed slaves, and foreigners
in abundance.
anecdote potentially illustrating the insecure character of the "succesful freedman"...there is a monument
with the inscription "gnaeus babbius philinus, aedile and pontifex, had this monument erected at his
own expense, and he approved it in his official capacity of duovir". this is an example of the insecure
nature of the wealthy freedman, apparently a theme recognized in the ancient world.
thiselton argues that the church at corinth is especially similar/relevant to the modern church because of :
status inconsistency
religious pluralism
cosmopolitan immigration and trade
priority of market forces not only in business but also in rhetoric
the emphasis upon recognition and perception of honor or shame within a socially constructed world