Paul’s first visit to Corinth is recorded in Acts 18. It took place on his Second Missionary Journey, just after he had delivered his memorable Mars Hill address in Athens.

In Corinth, Paul worked as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla, and preached the gospel in the synagogue. Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia to join him in this evangelistic work, which lasted at least eighteen months (Acts 18:11).

When most Jews rejected his preaching, Paul turned to the Gentiles. As souls were saved—both Jews and Gentiles—the Jewish leaders brought the apostle before the proconsul, Gallio. But the latter threw the case out of court as one over which he did not have jurisdiction.

After the trial, Paul stayed in Corinth many days, and then left for Cenchrea, Ephesus, and the long trip back to Caesarea and Antioch.

On his Third Missionary Journey, he returned to Ephesus and stayed there for two years. During this stay, a delegation from Corinth visited him, asking Paul’s advice on many matters. It was in answer to these queries that 1 Corinthians was written.

The apostle later became very anxious to find out how the Corinthians had reacted to his Letter, especially to the section concerning the discipline of a sinning member. So he left Ephesus for Troas where he hoped to meet Titus. However, failing to do so, he crossed over into Macedonia. It was here that Titus came with news, both good and bad. The saints had disciplined the sinning saint—and this discipline had resulted in his spiritual recovery. That was the good news. But the Christians had never sent the money to the needy saints at Jerusalem, as they had intended to do. That was not so good. Finally, Titus reported that the false teachers were active at Corinth, undermining the apostle’s work and questioning his authority as a servant of Christ. This was the bad news!

These then are the circumstances that called forth the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, written from Macedonia.

The truly anointed brother, the truly mature sister does not fire back. That is why we will see Paul explaining certain things to the Corinthian congregation, but not brutally firing at them. It is why he is firm with them, but never loses his heart of love for them.