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Acts-Paul Comes to Corinth
January 23, 2021

Most recently, Paul was in Philippi, where Silas and he were imprisoned. Paul made it very clear to the officials his rights as a Roman citizen had been violated and he was soon let go. From Philippi, Paul traveled westward into Greece along an established road and first came to Amphipolis. It was from Amphipolis that Alexander the Great prepared for his battles in Asia and where several high ranking naval officers of Alexander lived. After his death, it was where Alexander’s wife and son were exiled before their murder. Amphipolis was where the heart of the battles between the Athenians and Spartans happened.

During Roman times, it was a capital of one of the Roman mini-republics established in the area, and legend has it Paul and Silas traveled through the area in the early AD 50s, continued on through Apollonia, which was still slightly further west.

Thessalonica was even further west, and was founded approximately 365 years prior to the time of Paul’s visit by Cassander of Macedon and was named after his wife Thessalonike, with the final few letters written the same as the shoe brand. Nike is the Greek goddess of victory. Thessalonike, the wife was the half-sister of Alexander the Great and was the daughter of her father Philip II of Macedon and her mother, Nicesipolis, Philip’s concubine, who was from Thessalia, a region of what today would be part of Greece. Her name and by extension the name of the city means Thessalian Victory.

Thessalonica became a free city under Mark Antony nearly 100 years prior to the time of Paul’s visit, and had been the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. It was an important city because it was at the southern end of the north-south route through the Balkans. As was his custom, Paul went to the synagogues to reason with them, because at the time it was part of the tradition to allow guests to share information and ideas with the worshippers as part of the worship service. Paul went to the synagogue and was there for three Sabbaths reasoning with them from the scriptures. At the time, he would have only had access to what today we think of as Old Testament scriptures.

It didn’t take long for non-believing Jews to cause problems creating a riot with an intent to bring harm to Paul and his group. By this time, Paul and the others were nowhere to be found, so they brought the homeowner, Jason, and other brethren to the mob and city authorities. The claim was that Jason and the brethren had received Paul and his group who taught of the King Jesus, which was contrary to the decrees of Caesar. This claim bothered everyone who heard it, and instead of imprisoning the people, they released Jason and the others on what would be today called a surety bond.

Paul and Silas were sent away by night to Berea where they first came to the local synagogue. Berea was a small town that was situated in the Vermio Mountains north of Mount Olympus, in what today would be Macedonia in northern Greece. The Bereans proved what they were taught. They did not blindly accept what was preached to them. They searched the scriptures to verify what they had been taught which fit nicely with its historical roots. It had been a center of Greek culture and learning and today is known as Veria. Beyond searching the scriptures for truth, they found truth because many of them believed. Word got back to the angry mob at Thessalonica that Paul and his group were causing problems in Berea. Paul was quickly sent off to Athens and Timothy and Silas would soon follow.

While waiting for Timothy and Silas in Athens, Paul could not help but see that the city worshipped idols and this caused Paul to debate with the Jews and philosophers about Jesus Christ. They thought of Paul who was preaching a strange God who they did not know. In a city worshipping many gods, the one God they did not know was God the Father. The people of Athens were curious and liked to hear anything new or different.

Paul used their curiosity and their idolatry to introduce God the Father to them. He observed an altar to the Unknown God and told them that it was about this God who he was there to share information. He explained that God was the creator of all things, and that unlike a god made of silver or stone, that God was a living God who commanded all men to repent. When Paul taught the resurrection of the dead, some mocked him, and others expressed an interest in learning more. Dionysius and Damaris believed and wanted to learn more.

Acts 17:1-34
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

To the Thessalonians, Paul would later write that he together with Silvanus, another name for Silas, and Timothy expressed their thanks for the church, and prayed for the Brethren and remembered them for their faith, love, and patience that they had. Reminding the brethren of their calling from God, and how they were introduced to the faith not only by words, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Thessalonians became followers of the faith and were happy in their calling becoming examples for Macedonia and Achaia, both regions of what is today Greece. He told them that knowledge of their faith resounded throughout the region and that through their faith, the faith was spread to places nearby and far away. Paul reminded them that when they accepted their calling they turned from the religious idols they had known to serve God and to wait for the return of Jesus Christ from heaven who will deliver us from the time of wrath, the Great Tribulation, to come.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

After leaving Athens, Paul came to Corinth where he connected with Aquila, also a tentmaker originally from Pontus but who had recently been living in Italy. Pontus was a region along the southeastern shore of the Black Sea along today what would be northeastern Turkey. Aquila was married to Priscilla, and the couple had departed from Rome because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave. Every Sabbath, Paul went to the synagogue to reason with the people, both Jews and Greeks.

Timothy and Silas caught up to Paul in Corinth and once they arrived he began to preach that Jesus was the Messiah. The Jews could not come to consensus on agreement and dived into a heated debate with the language that comes with a heated debate. Paul told the Jews he was done with them and from now on would focus on the gentiles. Not all was lost in Corinth. Justus whose house abutted the synagogue believed as did Crispus the ruler of the synagogue. Many in Corinth believed and were baptized. After this, Paul saw a vision to speak boldly to the people and not hold anything back and was told that no harm would come to him in Corinth. Paul stayed there for eighteen months.

The Jews eventually plotted against Paul and because they had no power within the city of Corinth, they went to Gallio, deputy of Achaia, bringing Paul with them and saying that he was teaching people to worship God which was contrary to the law of Moses. Gallio would have no part of their concerns telling them this was their concern, not his. This caused such an uproar that the Greeks beat up the new chief ruler of the synagogue, Sosthenes, and again, Gallio saw this as not his problem.

From there, Paul went to Syria and was accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. By this time, Aquila had shaved his head in the village of Cenchrea, near Corinth, to fulfil a vow. They ended up in Ephesus and even though they wanted to continue their journey with Paul to keep the feast, Paul had them stay in Ephesus, explaining that if God was willing, he would return to visit them. Paul arrived in Antioch.

From Antioch, Paul traveled to Galatia and then to Phrygia, both in today what would be Turkey to teach the brethren. At this time, Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria came to Ephesus who knew many parts of the scriptures and yet only new of the baptism of John. It was Aquila and Priscilla who explained in more precise detail what they knew. He quickly learned of Jesus Christ and the baptism that brings the Holy Spirit and when he travelled to Achaia, came with letters from the brethren at Ephesus encouraging the brethren in Achaia to receive him. Apollo was able to reason with the Jews about Jesus Christ.

Acts 18:1-28
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 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. And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 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. 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. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: But 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. And he drave them from the judgment seat. Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things. And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

It would not take long for Paul to come to Ephesus which we will look at next time.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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