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| 1 After and these things having withdrawn the Paul from the Athens, came into Corinth. |
Athens – The intellectual metropolis of the world. R1557:3
Athens was given over to religious philosophy and idol worship. R2191:2
Corinth – About forty miles from Athens. R3143:2; CR278:5
A commercial city, noted for its manufactures, architecture, paintings, Corinthian brass, or bronze, etc. R3143:2, 2191:2, 1557:3; CR278:5
Nicknamed the Vanity Fair of the World, because it was a center of frivolity, pleasure-seeking, etc.; a most licentious and profligate city. R4417:1, 2191:2, 1557:3; CR278:5
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| 2 And having found a certain Jew by name Aquila, Pontus by the race, recently having come from the Italy, and Priscilla wife of him, (because the to have commanded Claudius to withdraw all the Jews from the Rome,) he went to them; |
Aquila...Priscilla – Aquila, A Jew, with his wife, Priscilla, a Gentile, were amongst those driven from Rome, who had received the message. R3143:3
Poor Jews, outcast for their religion. R2191:6
They were unable to preach in a public way. R647:4
Claudius – The Emperor Claudius Caesar was reigning at this time. R3143:2
Depart from Rome – Had been exiled from Rome, the seat of the Empire. R1557:3, 2207:2
The seat of the Empire. R2207:2
Because the Jews were raising dissensions respecting the principles of Christianity, which by this time had reached Rome. R3143:3
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| 3 and because the same trade to be, he remained with them; and worked; they were for tent-makers the trade. |
Of the same craft – Tent-makers. R1557:3, 5935:2, 3143:3, 2191:6, 733:2, 619:1*
Enabling him to provide for his necessities, while preaching the Gospel of Christ. R3143:3, 5935:2, 3157:3, 2221:5, 2191:6, 1021:1, 733:2, 619:2*
Not only for his own support, but for the financial assistance of others in the Gospel work. R5935:2, 2221:5
The Apostle did not belong to a paid ministry. R3157:6
He never let his business run away with him, or interfere with his religious life. R619:2*
Occupation – Every Jewish youth was required to learn a trade. R4416:2, 3143:3, 2191:6, 619:2*
Were tentmakers – If it were necessary, in order to be a minister of the Gospel, to work with the hands, as did Paul, nearly all the ministers of Babylon would cease preaching. R2852:3
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| 4 He reasoned and in the synagogue during every sabbath, persuaded and Jews and Greeks. |
Reasoned – He did not start out to preach Christ boldly to the Jews. R2192:1
But apparently he was under a measure of constraint and did not speak in his usual boldness and vigor, perhaps because of the lack of moral support. R4416:3
In the synagogue – Any person of ability had the privilege of giving an exposition of the law and prophets. R3143:4, 1557:6
Every Sabbath – If the earning of his daily bread hindered his preaching during the week, Paul at least took his Sabbath days for the more important work. R4416:3
The Jewish Sabbath and the privileges of the synagogue afforded special opportunities for the promulgation of the truth. R1557:6
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| 5 When but came down from the Macedonia the both Silas and the Timothy, was confirmed to the word the Paul, earnestly testifying to the Jews the Anointed Jesus. |
Silas and Timotheus – Their coming brought not only physical strength, but an energy of spirit, an increased earnestness and force to his preaching. R3144:1
Paul was refreshed by the arrival of Silas and Timothy. He needed their encouragement. R1557:6
It is still true that the strongest of the Lord's people need the help, encouragement, assistance of others. R3144:1
Pressed in the spirit – Felt a fresh vigor urging him to still more vigorously present his message. R4416:3
Felt a pressure of earnest desire to make known the Lord Jesus. R2192:1
He was mentally energized. E312
And testified – Encouraged, revived in spirit, he was bolder now. R3144:1, 4416:3
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| 6 Resisting but them and blaspheming, having shaken the mantles, he said to them: The blood of you on the head of you, pure I, from the now to the Gentiles I will go. |
They opposed – He was no longer made welcome in the synagogue and the opposition became violent. R3144:1
Shook his raiment – As an indication that he had nothing further to present, and would discontinue the discussion. R3144:1
As though he would not even take from them the dust. R4416:3
Your blood – The statement does not imply that they were already doomed to second death, but toward which such a wilful opposition to the truth surely tends. R1557:6
I am clean – I have done my duty towards you and the responsibility is now with yourselves only. R1557:6, 4416:5, 3144:2
There are times when positiveness is absolutely necessary. R4416:3
I will go – When positive bitterness and hatred are manifested, it is better to withdraw. R4416:4
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| 7 And having removed thence, he went into a house of one by name Justus, worshipping the God, of whom the house was adjoining to the synagogue. |
A certain man's house – The new meetings were held in the home of Justus. R4416:5
Justus – A reverent man. R4416:5
A Greek convert first to Judaism, and now to Christianity. R2192:2
A Jewish proselyte. R1557:6
As a believer entertained Paul at Corinth. R2071:5
Worshipped God – The Gospel sought first those who seemed to be earnest worshipers. R2071:5
"The Father seeketh such to worship him as worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23) R2071:5
On this account was esteemed worthy of the truth and its spirit and its privileges. R2071:5
Joined hard – Living next door to the synagogue. R1557:6
Resided near the synagogue. R4416:5
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| 8 Crispus but the synagogue-ruler believed in the Lord with whole the house of himself; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were dipped; |
Crispus...believed – Crispus decided for the Lord Jesus and took his stand with the Apostle and a few others. R4416:5
And were baptized – The true baptism of consecration, also the outward symbolic water baptism. R3144:2, 4416:5
Baptism was the custom of all the apostles--not merely with the Jews, but also with the Gentiles. F448; R1539:3
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| 9 said and the Lord through a vision by night to the Paul: Not fear, but speak and no be silent;
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Spake the Lord – The Lord himself has supervision of his own work, and guides those who are truly his servants. R3144:3
Evidently the Lord saw that his servant Paul needed some special encouragement at this time, and hence another vision was granted. R4416:5, 3190:1
The Lord constantly witnessed with him. R1558:5
By a vision – Greek, horama; not reality, correctly translated "vision." R4142:4*
Reassured of the Lord's personal care and supervision. R1557:6, 3190:1
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| 10 because I am with thee, and no one shall attack thee of the to hurt thee; because people is for me much in the city this.
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I am with thee – What an insight this gives us to the divine supervision of the Gospel message and its servants! R4416:5
No man – The Lord will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able, but will, with every temptation provide also a way of escape. (1 Cor. 10:13) R4416:6
To hurt thee – God is able to shield and to deliver all of his servants. R4416:6
Much people – To be reached by the truth. R2192:4, 2
"The Lord knoweth them that are his." (2 Tim. 2:19) R2191:3
The Lord knows the hearts of all and has a care, not only for his saints, but also for those who have not heard of and received his grace, whose hearts are in a favorable attitude of honesty, sincerity. R4416:6, 3144:3
It gives us the thought that the objective point of this missionary tour in the divine program was Corinth. R2191:3
That vision and its message, we may be sure, was not for the Apostle merely, but for us also. R4416:6
Truth usually makes better progress today in places where irreligion has the upper hand, as in Corinth. R3143:2
Where sin stands out glaringly it has a repulsive effect upon the pure in heart, and this repulsion seems to prepare such hearts for a genuine consecration. R4417:1
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| 11 He continued and a year and months six, teaching among them the word of the God. |
A year and six months – Providentially detained there. R4417:1
Teaching the Word – Intention, plan or purpose. R338:1, 421:2
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| 12 Gallio and being proconsul of the Achaia, rushed with one mind the Jews to the Paul, and led him to the tribunal, |
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| 13 saying: That from the law this persuades the men to worship the God. |
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| 14 being about but the Paul to open the mouth, said the Gallio to the Jews: If indeed therefore it was injustice any, or reckless evil, O Jews, according to reason I would hear with you; |
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| 15 if but a question it is about a word and names and of a law of that with you, you will see yourselves; a judge for I of these not choose to be. |
Look – Greek, optomai; attend, recognize. R140:6
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| 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. |
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| 17 Having taken hold and all the Greeks of Sosthenes the synagogue-ruler, they struck before the tribunal; and nothing of these the Gallio cared. |
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| 18 The and Paul yet having remained days many, to the brethren having bid farewell, sailed out into the Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila, having shaved the head in Cenchrea; he had for a vow. |
Priscilla and Aquila – Who were about to make Ephesus their home. R4420:2
Priscilla is mentioned first, as if she were the more prominent and active of the two. R1549:3
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| 19 He came and to Ephesus, and them he left there; he but having entered into the synagogue, reasoned with the Jews. |
Into the synagogue – According to his custom. R4420:2
A part of the twelve tribes scattered abroad and living in the various cities of the Gentiles. R2069:2
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| 20 Asking and them for longer a time to remain with them, not he consented; |
He consented not – He was urged to remain, but he hastened onward, promising, if possible, to return. R4420:2
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| 21 but he bade farewell to them, saying: It behooves me by all means the feast that coming to keep into Jerusalem; again but I will return to you, the God will. And he sailed from the Ephesus; |
This feast – Feast of the Passover. R2206:1, 4420:2
Not the Jewish feast, but the substitute. "Christ our passover." (1 Cor. 5:7) R4420:2
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| 22 and having gone down to Caesarea, having gone up, and having saluted the congregation, he went down to Antioch. |
Caesarea – Philip made it his headquarters. R2222:3
And gone up – To Jerusalem. R2206:1
It was eight years since Paul had visited the brethren at Jerusalem. R1559:2
Saluted the Church – Apparently the reception accorded the great Apostle was a rather cool one. R2206:1
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| 23 And having spent time some, he went out, passing through in order, the Galatia country and Phrygia, establishing all the disciples. |
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| 24 A Jew and certain Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by the birth, a man eloquent, came to Ephesus powerful being in the writings. |
Apollos – A convert to Christianity. R4420:3, 3152:1, 1558:1
Born at Alexandria – One of the chief cities of that time, noted for its libraries. R3152:2
An eloquent man – The Greek indicates that he was both eloquent and learned. R3152:2
Paul, though a great reasoner and possessed of the eye and ear qualities, was inferior to Apollos and some others in oratory. R365:2
Mighty in the Scriptures – Gave evidence of ability in presenting the truth to the minds of others. R2741:5
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| 25 This was having been instructed the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning the Lord, being acquainted with only the dipping of John. |
Fervent in the spirit – Greek, pneuma; of ardent mind. E312
Baptism of John – The baptism of repentance, which was for the Jews only. R4420:3, 1558:1; PD56/69
This was a mistake for Gentile converts; they needed to be baptized directly into Christ's death. ( Acts 19:3-5) PD56/69
Apollos apparently had not learned respecting the new dispensation, and the gifts of the spirit by which it was introduced. R2206:4
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| 26 This and began to speak boldly in the synagogue. Having heard and of him Aquila and Priscilla, took him, and more accurately to him explained the of the God way. |
Aquila and Priscilla – Though not qualified to speak publicly in the synagogue. R3152:2, 2206:4, 647:4
They took him – They recognized him as a Christian brother. R3152:2
Took him home and instructed him, so that he went away better equipped for the work. R1558:1, 4420:3, 3152:2, 2206:4
Aquila and Priscilla were able to instruct a public preacher. R3682:3
Expounded unto him – Had Aquila and Priscilla not been students of the truth, what an opportunity they would have lost. R647:4
More perfectly – More fully explaining to him, doubtless, respecting the Pentecostal blessing and the unction of the holy Spirit. R4420:3
Let us, too, be ready to accept further instructions as from the Lord, however humble may be the channels. R3152:4
Each doing with his might what his hand finds to do, using whatever talents he possesses, helping to understand the word of God more perfectly. R537:1
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| 27 Wishing and of him to pass through into the Achaia, having exhorted the brethren they wrote to the disciples to receive him; who having arrived, he helped much those having believed through the grace. |
The brethren wrote – Introduction by letter, as a safeguard against "false brethren" was the custom of the primitive Church. R1707:1, 3152:3, 1822:2, 1720:2
A letter of commendation. R1822:2
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| 28 Strenuously for with the Jews he was discussing publicly, proving by the writings, to be the Anointed Jesus. |
Mightily convinced – Because of his thorough acquaintance with the Scriptures and his ability in expounding them. (18:24) R3152:3, 2206:4
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