At the very beginning of his labors in this thoroughfare of travel, Paul saw on every hand serious obstacles to the progress of his work. The city was almost wholly given up to idolatry. Venus was the favorite goddess, and with the 244 worship of Venus were connected many demoralizing rites and ceremonies. The Corinthians had become conspicuous, even among the heathen, for their gross immorality. They seemed to have little thought or care beyond the pleasures and gaieties of the hour.

Lige fra begyndelsen af sin virksomhed i denne færdselsåre for rejselivet mødte Paulus alvorlige hindringer for gennemførelsen af sit arbejde. Byen var næsten fuldstændig henfalden til afgudsdyrkelse. Afrodite var deres yndlingsgudinde, og mange demoraliserende skikke og ceremonier stod i forbindelse med Afrodite-dyrkelsen. Selv blandt hedningerne havde korinterne gjort sig bemærket ved deres grove umoralskhed. Tilsyneladende interesserede de sig ikke for meget andet end øjeblikkets glæder og forlystelser.