Happy Thursday,
Read Acts 18:1-22
Today’s passage takes us to Corinth, where Paul spends almost 2 years proclaiming the good news and working.
Corinth was a major trade city in the ancient world, located on a narrow isthmus and saw lots of people and goods pass through its ports. Paul teams up with some recently evicted Jews from Rome, Priscilla and Aquilla and they set up shop as tentmakers in the marketplace. Paul continues his pattern of meeting with the Jews first, before turning to the Gentiles when the Jews refuse to believe.
In the face of this Jewish opposition, there are still leading Jews who are turning toward Jesus as the Messiah (18.8). Paul also receives a vision from God one night to not be afraid and to trust that God was with him and would protect him (18.9-10).
Like Jesus, Paul now faces a situation where Jews try and place him on trial before the Roman rulers. This time, Gallio the proconsul, actually washes his hands of the situation and says this is a matter about your religion, and not a serious crime. Gallio seems a bit obtuse to things as he also ignores a retaliatory beating right in front of the tribunal.
Eventually Paul sets sail to return to Jerusalem and Antioch. He leaves Priscilla and Aquilla in Ephesus and promises to return, which is what we’ll read about tomorrow.
Paul’s pattern seems to shift a bit in Corinth. He puts down deeper roots and stays for a considerable time. I think some of this has to do with the fact he could speak to people who would take his message back to their homes and out on the trade routes and so the message continued to spread even while he remained in Corinth. But I think we also see Paul valuing community. Much like he stays in Antioch for extended periods, here Paul has found companions in Priscilla and Aquilla who are co-laborers both in the gospel and in the marketplace. Paul is not necessarily a lone wolf, he needs support and relationships too.
Who are the people who support you in your faith journey? Who do you support? In what ways is your faith strengthened, challenged, and encouraged by others? How might we see and live into Lockport being a ministry hub, equipping and sending out people for ministry?
Grace and Peace,
Matt