Lesson Thirty-Five: Paul at Corinth

Supplementary Materials

Corinth: A Strategic and Sinful City Aspect Details Location On the narrow isthmus connecting northern Greece with the Peloponnese; about 50 miles west of Athens Two harbors Cenchrea (east, toward Asia) and Lechaeum (west, toward Italy) — controlled east-west trade Political status Capital of the Roman province of Achaia; seat of the proconsul Economy Wealthy commercial center; shipping, trade, manufacturing (including bronze work) Population Large and diverse — Romans, Greeks, Jews, freedmen, slaves, merchants, sailors Reputation Notoriously immoral; "to Corinthianize" meant to practice sexual immorality; temple of Aphrodite on the Acrocorinth

Aquila and Priscilla (18:2-3, 18-19, 26) Aspect Details Origin Aquila was from Pontus (northern Asia Minor); they had been living in Rome Why in Corinth Claudius had expelled Jews from Rome (AD 49) — mentioned by Roman historian Suetonius Occupation Tentmakers (Greek: skenopoios — could include leather workers or makers of awnings/tents) Their ministry Traveled with Paul to Ephesus; taught Apollos; hosted a church in their home (1 Cor. 16:19; Rom. 16:3-5) Paul's description "My helpers in Christ Jesus: who have for my life laid down their own necks" (Rom. 16:3-4) Notable feature Priscilla is often named first (Acts 18:18, 26; Rom. 16:3; 2 Tim. 4:19) — suggests she was prominent, possibly of higher social status or more active in teaching

Paul as Tentmaker (18:3) Why did Paul work with his hands?

• Jewish custom: Rabbis were expected to have a trade; "He who does not teach his son a trade teaches him to be a thief"
• Financial independence: Paul didn't want to burden the churches or be accused of preaching for money (1 Cor. 9:12-18; 2 Cor. 11:7-9)
• Example: "These hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me" (Acts 20:34)
• Evangelistic opportunity: The workshop was a place to meet people and share the gospel

Note: When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia (v. 5), they apparently brought financial support (cf. 2 Cor. 11:9; Phil. 4:15), allowing Paul to devote himself fully to preaching.

"From Henceforth I Will Go unto the Gentiles" (18:5-7) "And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles." This pattern repeated throughout Paul's ministry (cf. Acts 13:46; 28:28):

• "Shook his raiment" — Symbolic act of breaking fellowship; similar to shaking dust off feet (13:51)
• "Your blood be upon your own heads" — They were responsible for their own rejection; Paul had done his duty (cf. Ezek. 33:1-9)
• "I am clean" — Paul was free from guilt; he had faithfully preached to them
• Moved next door: To the house of Justus (a Gentile God-fearer) whose house was "joined hard to the synagogue" — right next door!

Crispus and the Corinthian Converts (18:8) "And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized."

• Crispus: The synagogue ruler himself believed! Paul personally baptized him (1 Cor. 1:14)
• "With all his house": Another household conversion (cf. Lydia, the jailer)
• The pattern: "Hearing believed, and were baptized" — Faith came by hearing; baptism followed immediately
• Other notable converts: Gaius (Rom. 16:23; 1 Cor. 1:14), Stephanas and his household (1 Cor. 1:16; 16:15)

The Lord's Vision to Paul (18:9-10) "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, 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." Why did Paul need this encouragement?

• He had faced fierce opposition in every city
• He had just been rejected by the synagogue in Corinth
• Corinth was a notoriously wicked city — the task seemed daunting
• He may have been tempted to leave quickly, as he had in other cities

The Lord's Promise Meaning "Be not afraid" Fear was natural given his experiences; the Lord addressed his emotions "Speak, and hold not thy Keep preaching! Don't let opposition silence you peace" "I am with thee" The Lord's presence — the same promise given to Moses, Joshua, and others "No man shall set on thee to Divine protection promised for this mission (fulfilled in hurt thee" Gallio's dismissal) "I have much people in this Many would believe; God knew who would respond; Paul's city" labor would not be in vain

Result: Paul stayed 18 months (v. 11) — his longest stay anywhere so far. The vision gave him courage to remain.

The Gallio Incident (18:12-17) Aspect Details Who was Gallio? Proconsul (governor) of Achaia; brother of the philosopher Seneca; known for his mild temperament Historical importance An inscription at Delphi dates his proconsulship to AD 51-52 — crucial for dating Paul's ministry! The accusation "This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law" (v. 13) — probably Roman law, claiming Christianity was an illegal religion Gallio's ruling "If it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters" (v. 15) — dismissed it as an internal Jewish dispute

Sosthenes beaten (v. 17): The new synagogue ruler was beaten by the crowd (Greeks venting anti-Jewish sentiment? frustrated Jews blaming him for the failure?). Gallio "cared for none of those things" — not his concern. Remarkably, a "Sosthenes" is later mentioned as a Christian brother (1 Cor. 1:1) — possibly the same man, converted!

End of the Second Missionary Journey (18:18-22)

promised to return "if God will"; left Aquila and Priscilla there Caesarea (18:22) Landed at the port Jerusalem (18:22) "Gone up, and saluted the church" — visited the mother church Antioch (18:22) "Went down to Antioch" — back to his sending church; second journey ends

Key Cross-References

Lessons from Acts 18:1-22 1. Honest work supports ministry — Paul's tentmaking gave him independence and credibility. 2. Partnership in ministry is valuable — Aquila and Priscilla became lifelong co-workers. 3. Rejection by some means turning to others — opposition opened doors for Gentiles. 4. The Lord knows and encourages His servants — the vision came at just the right time. 5. God has "much people" in unexpected places — even the most wicked city has responsive hearts. 6. God uses secular authorities to protect His people — Gallio's ruling helped the church.