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As We Begin... Acts (Chapter 18:1-16) – Class Notes for 2/1/2021

Video of Today’s Study -

What was Corinth Like? – Here’s a simple introduction to the city of Corinth.

• Occupied: The original city was wiped off the map by the Romans in146 b.c. because is was part of a confederacy aligned against Rome. The city was not rebuilt and was largely unoccupied for a century! Due to its strategic location (the isthmus connecting the Peloponnesus to central Greece) Julius Caesar rebuilt the city as a Roman colony in 44 b.c. The city rapidly grew and acquired a distinctively Roman character.

• Capital: At Paul’s arrival, Corinth was the capital of the Roman province of Achaia, thriving commercially.

• Corinth had two ports: five miles to the east was Cenchrea on the Saronic Gulf with access to the Aegean Sea and two miles to the north was Lechaeum on the Gulf of Corinth leading to the Adriatic Sea.

• Immorality: The immorality in the city was renowned in antiquity and often associated with the cult of Aphrodite. The first-century historian Strabo claims that the temple owned a thousand prostitutes. And the temple of Aphrodite was so rich that it owned more than a thousand temple-slaves. The city was crowded with people and grew rich. An ancient proverb said, “Not for every man is the voyage to Corinth.”

• Population: In Paul’s day 250,000 free persons and 400,000 slaves. Concordia Self Study Bible

• Today: The site of ancient Corinth is unoccupied and there are extensive remains. 

Aquila & Priscilla: Paul quickly meets two of his closest friends and mission partners.

• Corinth: They work with Paul for the duration of his stay at Corinth

• Ephesus: They accompany him to Ephesus. They later return to Rome (Romans 16:3-5) after the death of Emperor Claudius. Their work in Ephesus was later praised by Paul (I Cor. 16:19) (II Timothy 4:19).

• Expulsion: Aquila and Priscilla had to leave Rome. In a.d. 41 Claudius saw Jews with suspicion. The Roman emperor ordered every Jew to leave Rome. A previous expulsion occurred 20 years earlier under Tiberius.

• Cladius: Eight years later (a.d. 49), Claudius was no longer tolerant and decided to rid the city of the Jews.

In his biography of Claudius, Suetonius corroborates Luke’s account: “Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from the city.” The identity of “Chrestus” is most likely “(Jesus) Christ.” This suggests that there were heated debates among the Jews in the synagogues in Rome with the Jewish Christians who contended that Jesus is the Messiah (Christos).

• Tentmakers: Aquila and Priscilla were tentmakers like Paul. Tents were needed for the many travelers staying in the city and for the sailors who lived in tents while their boats were docked. According to Rabbi Gamaliel III, “An excellent thing is the study of Torah combined with some secular occupation, for the labor by them both puts sin out of one’s mind. All study of the Torah which is not combined with work will ultimately be futile and lead to sin.” All Rabbis were required to have a secular occupation in addition to synagogue service.

• Aquila and Priscilla are always mentioned together. In Corinth they welcomed Paul into their home, where he remained for a year and a half. Their willingness to “risk their lives” for him earned the gratitude of all the churches. Apollos and many others were helped by their spiritual insight. Aquila and Priscilla had a “church that [met] at their house.” Priscilla is usually named first.

As We Study... Acts (Chapter 18:1-16) - Mission Trip #2 - Corinth

(v. 1) – After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. – Even though Priscilla and Aquilla had to run from Rome, they probably had no idea that they were running TOWARD the Lord, Paul and a lifetime of faithful service. Their flight from Rome serves as a reminder that the Lord may be moving us “forward” when it doesn’t seem that way.

(v. 3) - Paul went to see them; because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. – According to Jewish teaching, every Rabbi must have a trade. This served Paul well because he was able to provide for himself and didn’t have to depend on others or the churches he served. This practice would also keep the Rabbis in tune with the every-day issues that others were facing. Interestingly, bi-vocational pastoral ministry is on the rise in the world today. Tentmakers not only made tents. They also worked with leather and made clothing, curtains and rugs.

• See I Thessalonians 4:11

(v. 4) - Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. – Paul followed his pattern of Sabbath teaching. Jews and those who were proselytes.

(v. 5) - When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. – Timothy and Silas had remained in Berea. When they didn’t meet Paul in Athens (Acts 17:14-16), they would later reunite in Corinth. Paul is able to spend all of his time in preaching and teaching, likely with their support. Notice the “team” effort.

• Where do we see good/bad examples in comparison with Paul’s growing team work in Acts?

(v. 6) - But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” – He “shook out his clothes.” This serves as a warning for his listeners. As Jesus said to His disciples to “shake the dust off their feet” (Matt. 10:14), Paul offered this symbolic act as a warning, giving the impression that not a speck of their “unholy response” would remain on his clothing. Notice that his actions are in response to the fact that they “opposed Paul and became abusive.”

(v. 7) - Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. – Paul’s warning would have a lingering effect in that the new place of worship for his followers was next door! You can imagine the tension/influence this caused.

(v. 8) - Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. – Titius Justus wasn’t the only one who came to faith. Crispus also did, and he was the synagogue leader! Paul’s message at Corinth had an impact, especially regarding WHO who came to faith. Do you recall other households that came to faith like that of Crispus: Cornelius (Acts 10:24), Lydia (Acts 16:15) and the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:33-34)

(v. 9) - One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. – Heavenly presence and assurance was given to Paul on several occasions to sustain him: Initial appearance (Acts 9; I Cor. 15:8), This example, In the temple in Jerusalem (Acts 22:17-18), and after his trial before the Sanhedrin (Acts 23:11). God is willing to provide support in our hour of need.

• Consider Elijah (I Kings 19:1-8) and Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46)

(v. 10) - For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” – This could mean the many people that would come to know Christ or those who already did or even others that God would assign to assist Paul. It would be true that the Lord had “many people” who knew and supported Paul in Corinth. These are the living fruit examples of Paul’s ministry in Corinth.

• Phoebe (Romans 16:1)

• Tertius (Romans 16:22)

• Erastus (Romans 16:23)

• Quartus (Romans 16:23)

• Chloe (I Cor. 1:11)

• Gaius (I Cor. 1:14)

• Stephanas (I Cor. 16:15)

• Fortunatus (I Cor. 16:17)

• Achaicus (I Cor. 16:17)

(v. 11) - Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. – This is one of the longest missionary stops for Paul, and it demonstrates why he had such great influence in this city. It’s interesting that the city with a bad reputation becomes the place with great growth for Paul.

(v. 12-13) - While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.” – The Jewish religion was an officially sanctioned religion in Rome. Seeing Christianity as a different religion, the Jewish leaders could claim that Paul was breaking the moral laws of Judaism and the civil laws of Rome.

(v. 14-16) - Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” So he drove them off. – Gallio was famous for his kindness and consideration of others. He wasn’t going to allow the Jews to use him as a pawn to do their dirty work for them.

(v. 17) - When the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever. – This may have been the secular crowd who saw this mock trial as an insult and further enraged those who already had an unpleasant opinion of Jews.

(v. 18) - Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. – We’re not certain about the nature of this oath, but we do know the Priscilla and Aquilla are gaining influence on the ministry team of Paul.

As We Go... The Acts of the Apostles - (Acts 18)

The Mission Keeps Increasing – The great apostolic mission of Paul keeps growing despite persecution of all kinds. Corinth offers us another example of the growing missionary endeavors of Paul.

• Growth Despite Roman Resistance – The rejection of Jews from Rome leads to the encounter between Paul and Priscilla and Aquilla. This trio of believers would become life-long friends and co-workers. Rome’s resistance was the Gospel’s gain.

• Growth Despite Corinthian Ungodliness – Athens was known for its highfalutin philosophies and philosophers, but the Gospel prevailed despite the pride of the intelligentsia. Corinth was known for its decadence, but the Gospel prevailed despite the worldliness of Corinth. Resistance came in many forms, from the religious zeal of those in Philippi and Thessalonica, to the antireligious lifestyles of the Corinthians, the Gospel just kept moving along! This is a lesson to be learned when we begin to think, “The Gospel won’t flourish in these parts, the obstacles of “this” and “that” are just too great!

• Growth from Jews and Gentiles – The case in Corinth was similar to many other locations. Faithful Jewish believers like Aquilla and Priscilla and Crispus, joined hands with those who became faithful like Lydia in Philippi and Titius Justus in Corinth.

• Growth Despite False Claims of Lawlessness – As was the case in Philippi, Paul would soon find himself standing before the authorities. In Corinth this man was Gallio. He was too wise to be utilized by the Jews against Paul and the ministry. We might say that the Lord used Gallio as one of the “many people in this town” who would defend Paul.

• Growth Through Persistence – Paul was willing to work as a tentmaker and preach in the synagogue week after week. His commitment to Corinth lasted a year and a half. The persistent teaching of Paul gained influence everywhere he went.

• Growth Through Divine Assistance – Paul was especially encouraged by the Lord in Corinth. Through the vision that God offered Paul and divine words of encouragement, Paul was able to be assured that the Lord was by his side in everything.

• Growth Through an Ever-growing Ministry Team – Paul was gradually enlisting an army of evangelists. He added Silas, then Timothy, and now Aquilla and Priscilla. Soon Apollos would join their ranks. The influence of this ever-growing ministry team was leading to an amazing response far, far away from Jerusalem.

• “Kingdom Forward” Lessons from Paul – When the Lord demonstrates HIS commitment to us, we should respond. There are as many ways to respond as there are people.

o DON’t join with those who repel the Gospel. The clothes are “shaken out” against this crowd.

o Do support those who are sharing the Gospel like Lydia, Aquilla and Priscilla.

o Do prepare to serve as a “tentmaker” working twice to offer the Gospel freely.

o Do prepare for transitions: moving next door to the synagogue for worship with Crispus and his family, the synagogue leader!

o Do trust the Lord in trying challenges. He can send people like Gallio to help you.

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Acts – Chapter 18:1-16

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