Gods faithfull supplying for humble servants!

We must take courage in Gods faithful care! Historical Setting

a. Hardship is par for the course - the historical deportation of Christians our of the city of Rome.

1. According to Suetonius, Claudius expelled all the Jews because of a tumult instigated by “Chrestus.” The later church historian Orosius dated this event during the ninth year of Claudius, i.e., between Jan. 25, 49 and Jan. 24, 50. If Orosius’s date can be trusted, this sets a certain date for Paul’s arrival in Corinth. Since Aquila and Priscilla preceded him there, it is not likely Paul would have arrived in Corinth before the middle of a.d. 49.[1]

[1]Polhill, J. B. (2001). Vol. 26: Acts (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (382–383). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

2. Corinth was a roman occupied but allowed the Christians to dwell there.

B. Introduction of Aquila and Pricilla- The couple is also mentioned in Paul’s letters (Rom 16:3; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19). Paul and Luke always mentioned them together, never separately. Paul referred to the wife as Prisca, which was her formal name. Luke’s “Priscilla” was a diminutive, less formal designation, the form that would be used among acquaintances. Luke often used the more “familiar” form of a name. Compare his “Silas” with Silvanus. “Aquila” is a Latin name and derives from the word for Eagle.

II. Ministering with gods people v2-3

a. God used hardship to expand His Church

b. Paul meet Aquila and his wife Priscilla in Corinth

C. This was a major marine east-west trade commerce city with many opportunities to peddle their trade (leather workers / Tent makers).

The couple welcomed Paul and graciously worked the business along side him instead of jealously competing with him for the profits.

This working arrangement lasted a year and a half v11

It was a city given over to immorality and greek gods and goddesses. The temple of Aphrodite, goddess of love, commanded the city from its perch on the Acrocorinth, the 1,900-foot hill that dominated the city from its perimeter. Inside the city walls, close to the agora, stood the temple of the sun god Apollo, the patron god of the city. Just inside the city wall excavations have uncovered a temple to Asklepius, the Greek god of healing.

the friendship gave strength to each other.

Application- God uses the body of Christ to build and expand his ministry. Will you be used of god to come alongside those called to full-time ministry and help in what ever way you can?

III. moving on/ quitting is not always failing. v4-6

a. Paul followed his pattern of going to the synagogue first.

b. He was not well recieved when he gave the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

c He held them responsible for the rejection of their messiah.

they apposed “to set and Army in formation against an enemey” themselves and blasphemed (to slander, revile, mock) v6

Paul publically rebuked them (no political correctness in his communication).

shook of his gar-met

Symbolizing the total break off of all communication.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 18:6

Paul’s shaking out his clothes parallels Paul’s and Barnabas’ shaking dust from their feet (13:51). When Paul said, Your blood be on your own heads, he was referring to their destruction and their own responsibility for it (cf. Ezek. 33:1–6).

3. Paul's missionary journeys began with the Jews and always ended up working primarily with the Gentiles.

d. Many got saved-

The head of the synagogue Crispus v8 (Luke giving evidence that all was not in vain giving the gospel tot he Jew.)

All his household refers to those of the age of understanding chose to trust also. One man cannot save his family spiritually by getting saved himself.

Many Corinthians believed and were baptized.

Note the order, salvation first followed by believers baptism.

Gods care through revelation- v9

a. God spoken word is the equivalent to his written word today.

b. If you will trust the revelation of God it will guide you into god pleasing living!

c. On account of the encouragement of Gods personal caring revelation to Paul stayed a year and a half. The longest stay of any previous ministries.

d. A biblical Church was established!

e. The mouths of the enemies were stopped!

Jews forced Paul to stand before the deputy Gallio.

Gallio refused to give legitimacy to the case.

God send retribution upon the Jewish synagogue leader.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 18:16–17

The spontaneous outburst of violence against Sosthenes, the synagogue ruler, betrayed the spirit of anti-Semitism that lay just beneath the veneer of society in Corinth. The Gentiles in Corinth wanted nothing of the Jews’ contentions. Sosthenes had evidently become ruler of the synagogue in place of Crispus and had led in the Jews’ charge against Paul. He may well be the same Sosthenes who was later converted to Christianity and was referred to in 1 Corinthians 1:1.