Gr. Hellēnai, probably not Greek-speaking Jews, or proselytes in the technical sense of the word, but, as elsewhere (see on ch. 11:20), those who were pagans. Paul may have met some of these, if they were “God fearers” (see on ch. 10:2), in the synagogue, but many of them he doubtless contacted in his business and elsewhere.

 Paul was at Corinth at least a year and six months (see v. 11).

 Paul always went first to the Jews (see on ch. 13:5, 14). But at Corinth, as later at Ephesus (ch. 19:8, 9), he was not allowed to continue in the synagogue the full period of his stay in the city (cf. ch. 18:7).

Or, “tried to persuade.”