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| 1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to 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 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. |
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 he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
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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 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the 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 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was earnestly occupied with the Word, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. |
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 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. |
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 he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard 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 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...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 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
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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 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
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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 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. |
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 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, |
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| 13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. |
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| 14 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: |
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| 15 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. |
Look – Greek, optomai; attend, recognize. R140:6
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| 16 And he drave them from the judgment seat. |
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| 17 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. |
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| 18 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. |
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 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and 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 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; |
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 bade them farewell, saying, I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from 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 when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, 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 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. |
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| 24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. |
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 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. |
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 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. |
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 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: |
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 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. |
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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