Along Lechaeum Road, which was protected by double walls, were sidewalks, state buildings, temples, and colonnades with shops. Here Paul must have encountered busy shoppers, idle talkers, shopkeepers, slaves, businessmen, and others​—a suitable audience for his preaching activity.

Commercial shipping activities in the port may have played a role in the apostle Paul’s working as a tentmaker in Corinth. (Acts 18:1-3) The book In the Steps of St. Paul notes: “As winter drew near, the tent-makers of Corinth, who were also sail-makers, would have almost more work than they could execute. With both harbours full of ships laid up for the winter and anxious to refit while the seas were shut, the ships’ chandlers of Lechæum and Cenchreæ must have had work for almost any man who could stitch a length of sail-cloth.”

After staying in Corinth for more than 18 months, Paul sailed from Cenchreae to Ephesus about 52 C.E. (Acts 18:18, 19)

Yet, Corinth’s cosmopolitanism had its advantages. The city was subject to a constant flow of ideas. Its residents were more broad-minded than people in other cities visited by Paul. “East met west in this ancient seaport town,” says a Bible commentator, “exposing its residents to every conceivable new idea, philosophy, and religion the world had to offer.” As a result, different religions were tolerated, and this evidently facilitated Paul’s preaching work there.