Hey fam, if we're honest, reading the Bible consistently can be a challenge.

But it's never too late to start, and we're in this together.

Thanks for journeying with us, and here's your host, Emma Daughter.

Thanks for joining.

We're about to start reading Second Corinthians, but it's importantly understand the context

of the book.

Coming out of First Corinthians, there are lots of mistakes we

can make. First, let's talk about the city of Corinth. The city was geographically Greek, but

culturally, it was pretty Roman. And during Paul's Day, one third of the population consisted of

slaves as the city was actually a main depot for the slave trade. Additionally, the city was pretty aristocratic or posh.

One commentator pointed out that the city's position in relation to the sea

made it comparable to an advantageously located island.

Many buildings were built, and some would say

it was one of the most splendid and modern of the Greek cities.

But to give you a better sense of the culture in Corinth, here's what came to mind as I read about it.

When I was growing up in school, we had to read this book called The Lightning Thief, maybe in the sixth grade.

And the whole premise of that book was playing off of Greek mythology existing in a modern day

setting. And the main character, Percy, his dad, and this fictional book, was Poseidon, the Greek

sea god. And if I had to guess, a lot of our younger audience is super familiar with this series

of books. And while in Corinth, the city in which the Corinthian church was located, a major festival was held to honor the Greek see God with a liturgy, Poseidon.

Every spring, people would travel from all over to attend a festival centered around this pagan God.

That was the cultural climate within the Corinthian Church.

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