John Calvin Commentary Acts 18:1

"After these things he departed from Athens, and came to Corinth." — Acts 18:1 (ASV)

This history is worthy of remembrance for this reason alone: it contains the first beginning of the Church of Corinth. This church was famous for good reasons, both because of its large number of believers and the excellent gifts bestowed on them; yet, it also had serious and shameful vices.

Furthermore, Luke shows in this passage with what great labor, and with what great difficulty, Paul won that city to Christ. It is well known what a rich city Corinth was because of its prominent market, how populated it was, and how deeply devoted it was to pleasure. The old proverb also testifies that it was luxurious and full of excess: "All men cannot go to Corinth."

When Paul enters it, what hope, I ask you, can he have? He is a simple man, unknown, possessing no eloquence or grandeur, displaying no wealth or power.

The fact that this huge gulf did not swallow up his desire to spread the gospel leads us to conclude that he was equipped with the wonderful power of the Spirit of God. We also conclude that God worked through him in a heavenly way, not in any human way.

Therefore, he rightly boasts that the Corinthians are the seal of his apostleship (1 Corinthians 9:2). For those are twice blind who do not acknowledge that the glory of God was more clearly revealed in such a simple and humble approach. He himself also showed no small sign of invincible steadfastness when, being troubled by the mockery of everyone (as the proud despised him), he nevertheless relied on God’s help alone.

But it is worthwhile to note all the circumstances, as Luke records them in order.