Acts 18:1-17 Ministering at Corinth
“After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation, they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.”
“Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.” And he drove them from the judgment seat. Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.”
The Romans have never quite known what to do about the Jews, that troublesome race that insists on monotheism and refuses to worship either Greek or Roman deities. Some time around AD 49-50, Emperor Claudius bans all Jews from Rome, perhaps partially because traditional Jews are organizing meetings against Christians, worrying authorities in the process. One tent-making couple, Priscilla and Aquila, have settled in Corinth and are plying their trade there. After the confrontations at the Areopagus, Paul leaves Athens for Corinth and soon connects with Priscilla and Aquila. Even though Paul is a scholar, he has also learned tent-making as a means of supporting himself. Tent-making also gives Paul yet another means of preaching the Gospel, for some people will chat with a tent maker who will never enter any place of worship. Paul is content; during the week he’s witnessing to customers at the tent making business and on the Sabbath, he’s speaking in synagogues, convincing many people to follow Jesus.
“When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” It seems that until Silas and Timothy arrive, Paul has been doing foundational teaching. With the advent of Paul’s colleagues, the Holy Spirit compels Paul to testify clearly that Jesus is the Christ. This news thrills some Jews and incenses others, who immediately begin hurling all kinds of insults. This blasphemous opposition convinces Paul that he must focus his efforts on Gentiles rather than on Jews, painful as this decision is.
Paul stalks out of the synagogue and goes next door to the house of a believer named Justus. But even Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, and his entire family believe in Jesus. Many other Corinthians also believe and are baptized.
Shocked and hurt by the vicious attacks leveled by some members of the synagogue, Paul might be wondering if coming to Corinth has really been a good idea or not. But one night, God sends Paul a vision. “Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”
But the Corinthian Jews aren’t through with Paul yet. “When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” Paul is facing yet another trumped-up charge, but these men hope that the Roman rulers will be easily manipulated. Too bad, because proconsul Gallio is far sharper than Paul’s accusers. When these men try to haul Paul before Gallio, Gallio refuses to get involved, discerning that this is a purely religious argument with no bearing on his rule as proconsul. Even when Paul’s accusers become so desperate that they beat the ruler of the synagogue before the judgement seat, Gallio remains unmoved.
Few things are more painful than being denounced publicly, particularly when the lies simply balloon and become wilder and wilder. God assures Paul of His watch care before the Jews haul Paul off to face Gallio so that Paul will be able to remain calm. As a polished public speaker and a seasoned teacher, Paul undoubtedly preserves a cheerful demeanor, appearing as relaxed as possible under the circumstances. “Never let them see you sweat” is likely Paul’s motto. Paul may even go so far as to smile encouragingly at those hurling insults.
Paul’s behavior under criticism serves as an example for all of us. We have no control over people’s response to our actions as Christians. Our goal must remain to be light and salt, to behave as lovingly and as winsomely as possible. If we can control ourselves and our language while our accusers are becoming enraged, we will definitely gain the upper hand.
God’s message to Paul also applies to us. God always has a people who are following Him. When we continue to speak faithfully and graciously, God will bless our efforts and bring us assistance when we need it. May all of us remember these things, so that we can remain calm and unruffled in the face of adversity.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to remember that when we behave graciously and calmly under criticism, You will come to our aid as You did to Paul. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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