117. PAUL AT CORINTH

"Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am- with thee ... for I have much people in this city"

Aim

To show that God can call people to the Gospel from anywhere and we must be prepared to speak the Truth wherever we find ourselves.

After Paul left Athens, he travelled south to the city of Corinth. Corinth was the chief city of southern Greece and was on a narrow neck of land having two seaports, one on either side. Because of this it was a very busy city and to its market places came people and merchandise from all over the world. Like most wealthy cities it was also a city of great wickedness, but we see how God directed Paul there that the light of the Gospel might turn many from their wicked ways to serve Him..

Acts 18:1-18

PAUL STAYS WITH AQUILA AND PRISCILLA (vv. 1-3)

When Paul arrived in this large city, he found two fellow Jews, Aquila and his wife Priscilla. They too had recently come to Corinth, for they had been forced to leave Rome. The Emperor Claudius had made a decree that all Jews should leave the city. Aquila was a tentmaker like Paul. Therefore Paul lived with them and they worked together making a living by their trade in Corinth. We know that Paul would have preached the Gospel to them and it seems that he converted Aquila and Priscilla to the Truth at this time. Paul often refers to these faithful friends and the great work which they did for Christ in his Epistles. He calls them "my helpers in Christ Jesus" and it appears that Aquila and Priscilla even risked their lives for Paul's sake (Rom. 16:3-4).

PAUL PREACHES IN THE SYNAGOGUE (vv. 4-8)

As was Paul's usual custom he visited the synagogue on the Sabbath day, where he preached the Gospel to both the Jews and Gentile proselytes. Later Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia where Paul had left them and brought a good report from the ecclesia there. This encouraged Paul and he seemed to go out to preach with new energy showing the Jews from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ (v. 5).

As so often happened, many of the Jews who could not find an answer to Paul's words became rude and blasphemed. This made Paul angry and he shook his cloak at them and said: "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles" (v. 6).

Now right next door to the synagogue lived a man named Justus. He worshipped God and invited Paul to come to his house and continue preaching. Among those who did listen was Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue and he with all his family believed. Many Corinthians who would not have been allowed to attend the synagogue, heard Paul in Justus' house. In such a wicked city, these people gladly heard the way of salvation. They believed and were baptised.

THE LORD SPEAKS TO PAUL IN A VISION (vv. 9-11)

Knowing how angry the Jews were, Paul may well have feared that once again the brethren would be persecuted for the Truth's sake and that the preaching of the Gospel would be hindered. One night, however, the Lord appeared to him in a vision, saying, "Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city" (vv. 9-10). With these words of encouragement, Paul continued to preach the Word of God without fear. Now he knew that God had a great work for him to do in this city and that He would protect him and bless his labours. So he continued his work in Corinth for another year and six months.

TROUBLE IN CORINTH (vv. 12-18)

Paul taught the Gospel with vigour and the Jews' hatred grew worse. Finally they could contain their bitterness and envy no longer. They captured Paul and took him to the judgment seat of Gallio, the Roman ruler in Corinth. They charged him with speaking against the Law of Moses, but Gallio was not interested in this religious argument and drove them from the judgment seat. The Greek inhabitants of Corinth decided to teach the Jews a lesson. Taking Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, they beat him right in front of Gallio's seat. Gallio took no notice; as far as he was concerned the matter was over. We see that, although Paul was captured, yet God protected him as He had said He would and delivered him safely from the hatred of the Jews.

After this, Paul continued for quite some time in Corinth before he departed with Aquila and Priscilla for Ephesus. Later, Paul wrote letters to the believers in Corinth encouraging them to continue in the ways that he had taught them (1 & 2 Corinthians).

LESSON FOR US

Once again we are impressed with the untiring labours of Paul as he worked, preaching the news of salvation in Corinth. We too must be diligent in serving God and He will watch over us as He did Paul. Notice how Paul seems to have received energy for the work when Silas and Timothy came to help him. We too must realise that we can encourage others and be encouraged by them to do the will of God. Let us always try to develop close friendships with those who love the Word of God.

QUESTIONS

Short Answers

1. When Paul first came to Corinth he stayed with two fellow Jews. Who were they?

2. Why had these two come to Corinth?

3. What trade did Paul follow?

4. Where did Paul go to preach after walking out of the synagogue in Corinth?

5. Who was the important Jew who was converted to the Truth in Corinth?

6. How did God strengthen Paul to continue preaching in Corinth?

7. What did the jealous Jews do to try to stop Paul's preaching when they captured him in Corinth?

8. What did they accuse Paul of?

Detailed Answers

9. God had a great work for Paul to do in Corinth.

1. Tell all you know about his preaching there.

2. How did God encourage Paul to continue in the work?

10. (a) Tell how the Jews stirred up trouble for Paul in Corinth.

(b) How were the Jews taught a lesson for making such a disturbance?