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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 And after these things, having left Athens, he 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 finding a certain Jew by name Aquila, of Pontus by race, just come from Italy, and Priscilla his wife, (because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome,) came 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 they were of the same trade abode with them, and wrought. For they were tent-makers by 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 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded 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 And when both Silas and Timotheus came down from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in respect of the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the 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 But as they opposed and spoke injuriously, he shook his clothes, and said to them, Your blood be upon your own head: *I* am pure; from henceforth I will go to the nations. |
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 departing thence he came to the house of a certain man, by name Justus, who worshipped God, whose house adjoined 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 But Crispus the ruler of the synagogue believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptised. |
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 And the Lord said by vision in the night to Paul, Fear not, but speak and be not 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 set upon thee to injure thee; because 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 remained there a year and six months, teaching among them the word of 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 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one consent rose against Paul and led him to the judgment-seat, |
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| 13 saying, This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law. |
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| 14 But as Paul was going to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If indeed it was some wrong or wicked criminality, O Jews, of reason I should have borne with you; |
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| 15 but if it be questions about words, and names, and the law that ye have, see to it yourselves; for *I* do not intend to be judge of these things. |
Look – Greek, optomai; attend, recognize. R140:6
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| 16 And he drove them from the judgment-seat. |
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| 17 And having all laid hold on Sosthenes the ruler of the synagogue, they beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio troubled himself about none of these things. |
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| 18 And Paul, having yet stayed there many days, took leave of the brethren and sailed thence to 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 arrived at Ephesus, and left them there. But entering himself into the synagogue he 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 And when they asked him that he would remain for a longer time with them he did not accede, |
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 must by all means keep the coming feast at Jerusalem; I will return to you again, if God will: and he sailed away 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 landing at Caesarea, and having gone up and saluted the assembly, 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 stayed there some time, he went forth, passing in order through the country of Galatia and Phrygia, establishing all the disciples. |
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| 24 But a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, who was mighty in the scriptures, arrived at 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 He was instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in his spirit, he spoke and taught exactly the things concerning Jesus, 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. And Aquila and Priscilla, having heard him, took him to them and unfolded to him the way of God more exactly. |
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 purposed to go into Achaia, the brethren wrote to the disciples engaging them to receive him, who, being come, contributed much to those who 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 with great force convinced the Jews publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was the 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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