After these things he departed Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, and his wife Priscilla, who recently came from Italy because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them, 3 and because he was of the same trade, he was staying with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. 4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks.
5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly bearing witness to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a God-fearer, whose house was next to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will lay a hand on you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you; 15 but if there are questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I am not willing to be a judge of these matters.” 16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat. 17 And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things. Acts 18: 1-17 LSB
Acts 18: 1-17
V. 1 He departed Athens and went to Corinth - After his talks with the Epicureans and Stoics from the college town of Athens, Paul proceeds to Corinth, from the seat of the intellectuals to the Vegas strip. Corinth was a place known for it's vice, and a church which unfortunately garnered itself in the most extremes of this, stuff that even made pagans blush. My dad always referred to himself as a Corinthian Christian, or a Carnal Christian, as though God had such a bracket. Paul deals with it differently and has them throw out the people committing such heinous acts, and spends much of Corinthians addressing their bad doctrine, pride and immorality.
After these things - This is a time phrase and should always provoke the question "What time?" or in this case "After what things?" While this genre of question is not "rocket science," it will force you to review the context and thus helps solidify the passages in your mind (never a bad thing!) Here the time is after Paul's ministry in Athens, including his message (Acts 17:16-30) and the response in Athens (Acts 17:31-34). And just to convince you how important observation of time phrases can be this same phrase, after these things, occurs some 19 times in the NT, and most are in the Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:19; Rev. 4:1; Rev. 7:9; Rev. 9:12; Rev. 15:5; Rev. 18:1; Rev. 19:1; Rev. 20:3) where this phrase serves as an important "key" which helps unlock John's great prophecy of the end-times (assuming you approach the text literally). - PA
Herschel Ford wrote, “Corinth was a wonderful commercial center and it was also the sports center of the ancient world. Boxing, foot races, discus throwing and many other games were indulged in by hundreds of people and watched by thousands of others. Of course, all forms of gambling flourished. Venus, the goddess of love, was worshiped by the Corinthians. In her name they engaged in the vilest religious rites. Sodom and Gomorrah at their worst were no worse than Corinth. Sailors coming from the West brought to Corinth the vilest Roman customs; travelers from the East brought the vilest Oriental customs. The Roman Empire was rotten, yet all Rome looked down upon Corinth as a place of the greatest evil."
So corrupt was Corinth that it was actually made into a verb so that to be "Corinthianized" meant to be morally corrupt in the extreme. Lenski adds that Corinth was an every more wicked city than "larger cities of the empire went at this period. The very term "Corinthian" came to mean a profligate. Korinthiazomai, "to Corinthianize," meant to practice whoredom; Korinthiastēs = a whoremonger; Korinthia korē (girl) = a courtesan."(The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles). - PA
1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. 2And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this? 3Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.… 1 Corinthians 5: 1-3
Vs. 2-4 Aquilla, a native of Pontus, and his wife Priscilla - Some speculate, and probably pretty reasonably that the Jews were kicked out of Rome for rioting over the teachings about Jesus. Paul has chosen to be a tent maker as his trade, to allow him more freedom in teaching about that vocation and so no one can lay any accusation that he sought handouts. I have unfortunately seen pastors do that in my time, having an expectation even beyond their salary, while others have worked a side job because the church they were called to was not able to afford a full salary, or sometimes any salary.
Because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. When Paul met Aquila and his wife Priscilla, presumably they were already Christians. They had recently come from Italy because Claudius (the 5th Roman Emperor between 41-54 reigning 13 years as a weak minded man who, the laughing stock of the court) had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. This formal outbreak of anti-Semitism occurred in about AD 49, (other expulsions of Jews from Rome occurred in 139 BC and 19 AD) when there were approximately 20,000 Jews in Rome. They were unpopular; Tiberius (reigned 14-37 AD) had exiled 4,000 from Rome to Sardinia (see note). Some 50 years later the Roman historian Suetonius (was born in AD 69 lived to 122 AD wrote after the event) maintained that Claudius' decree against the Jews came because the "Jews were in a state of constant tumult (i.e., they are indulging in constant riots ) at the instigation of one `Christus.'" (or "Chrestus" - see note) The Jews probably pronounced the name "Christ" this way. (See Suetonius on Christians) - PA
V. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia - They seem to have lightened some of his load, allowing him to dedicate more time to his teaching ministry. It's always nice to have backup, and trusted friends are few and far between. They probably arrived with a financial gift from one of the other churches. Food is thoughtful, money is always helpful, but there is another type of encouragement mentioned in Paul's letters, that is seeing fruit, knowing that where he labored the Spirit had also worked and brought growth.
…11I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. 12I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation— to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. 13I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.… Philippians 4: 11-13
5For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and caused our labor to be in vain. 6But just now, Timothy has returned from his visit with the good news about your faith, your love, and the fond memories you have preserved, longing to see us just as we long to see you. 7For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith.… 1 Thessalonians 3: 5-7
…8I robbed other churches by accepting their support in order to serve you. 9And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so. 10As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.… 2 Corinthians 11: 8-10
V. 6 Your blood be on your own heads - That's the thing I want at the end of every blogpost, at work, at home, to be innocent of the blood of those I am around, to not be a stumbling block because of my bad behavior or bad doctrine. I want to be sound in what I say and what I do, so that no accusation can stand the test of truth. I want you to not follow me, but Christ, He is the only One Who can save, the gospel is the thing that you most need to hear. Paul has called them to repentance through the substitutionary blood of Christ, and has reasoned it with them from the law and their own prophets. He has left them without excuse.
…8And you shall keep My statutes and practice them. I am the LORD who sanctifies you. 9If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or mother; his blood shall be upon him.
10If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife— with the wife of his neighbor— both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death. 11If a man lies with his father’s wife, he has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Both must surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.… Leviticus 20: 8-11
…18If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood. 19But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself. 20Now if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. And I will hold you responsible for his blood.… Ezekiel 3: 18-20
21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality. 22Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 23Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.… 1 Timothy 5: 21-23
Vs. 7-8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue - This would make a lot of people angry among the non believing Jews.
Were...being baptized (907)(baptizo from bapto = cover wholly with a fluid; stain or dip as with dye; used of the smith tempering the red-hot steel, used of dyeing the hair; of a ship that "dipped" = sank) has a literal and a figurative meaning in the NT. In this context it refers to literal water baptism which was the outward confession of those who had genuinely been born again by grace through faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household - This is now the third time that we see when the respected leader believes in Jesus, many in the household follow. This was true in my experience when I came to the Lord 39 years ago, for 2 of my 4 children believed and were baptized with myself and my wife. My other two children waited about 20 years, and one of the two is still not 100%, but I am convinced she too will come into the family of God. Here are the passages that described others in the household believing
Acts 10:2 (Cornelius a God fearer) a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually.
Acts 16:14 A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Acts 16:34 And he (Philippian jailor) brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household. - PA
Vs. 9-11 Do not be afraid, but go on speaking - When people leave a former belief system that includes family, friends, titles, whatever, it isn't popular. I have seen people roll their eyes on the low end, but then escalate it when they realize it is not a phase. The corrupt will always try to corrupt every other apple in the barrel, so often things get divided, separated. A synagogue leader believing in Christ would cause the hair to stand up on some necks. They also had a way of wanting to go after Paul by using the gentile government as well, placing the blame on him for any civil unrest. It is encouraging to see a man of Paul's stature needing to hear something like this, that he, Timothy, Peter, so many felt discouraged sometimes even after great victories, but it helps put the focus back where it belongs, on the power of God to save, on the power of God to keep you while you traverse the valley of the shadow.
1“Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins. 2For day after day they seek Me and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not forsake the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God.” 3“Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers.… Isaiah 58: 1-3
…16I will pronounce My judgments against them for all their wickedness, because they have forsaken Me to burn incense to other gods and to worship the works of their own hands. 17Get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land.… Jeremiah 1: 16-18
Vs. 12-17 I am not willing to be a judge on these matters - He didn't see it as his business.
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia - Gallio's full name is Lucius Junius Gallio Annaeanus (see below). Gallio's name, as proconsul of Achaia, has actually been found on an inscription at Delphi in Central Greece. Beloved, archaeology does not confirm the historicity of the Bible, the Bible confirms archaeology, for it is God's Word of Truth about this world from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21. You can stake your life on it!
Longenecker points out that the specific detail "while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia" underscores the accuracy of his record - That Luke distinguishes correctly between senatorial and imperial provinces and has the former governed by a proconsul on behalf of the senate and the latter governed by a propraetor representing the emperor says much for his accuracy, for the status of provinces changed with the times. Achaia was a senatorial province from 27 B.C. to A.D. 15 and then again from A.D. 44 onwards (as were Cyprus from 22 B.C. and Asia from 84 B.C.; cf. comments on Acts 13:4+ and on Acts 19:1+). It was therefore governed by a proconsul (as were also Cyprus and Asia during this time; cf. comments on 13:7 and on 19:38). Macedonia, however, was an imperial province, and therefore Luke rightly called the magistrates at Philippi praetors (praetores or strategoi; cf. Acts 16:12+, and on Acts 16:22-24+) while he called those at Thessalonica by the special designation of politarchs (cf. Acts 17:6+). (See The Expositor's Bible Commentary - Volume 10) - Precept Austin
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