Paul continues on his journey and in the way, when coming to Corinth, meets with Aquila and Priscilla whose lives will be seen to be a real blessing to the people of God. He also meets again with Silas and Timothy and thus begins a long work of blessing in the city of Corinth.
As with any work of God, blessing is not unopposed. The Jews raise a tremendous opposition to Paul even to the point of blaspheming against God. The Lord appears to Paul at night, encouraging him with the words: “I have much people in this city.”
The godly Jew Apollos is introduced and Aquila and Priscilla begin to instruct him in the gospel because he only knew of the repentance of John the Baptist. Apollos becomes an effective servant for Christ.
In the city of Ephesus (to which Paul later wrote the wonderful Epistle to the Ephesians), the apostles meet with the awful spectacle of Jews given up to witchcraft and demon worship and the violence of heathen idolatry. Yet against this sad backdrop is formed the assembly who received the very highest spiritual communications from God through the Apostle Paul.
1. The Apostle Paul, though sent by the Spirit of God on this missionary journey, did not expect others to provide for his needs. He worked with Aquila and Priscilla as tent-makers while preaching the gospel in Corinth. What command did Paul give the Thessalonian Christians regarding those who would not labor to earn a living? 2 Thessalonians 3:___
2. The time came when Paul could no longer contend with the Jews who continually opposed and blasphemed his message. After delivering a stern rebuke to them, he began to meet with Gentiles in a private home. What danger did Paul see for those who were listening to men argue about Scripture? 2 Timothy 2:___
3. The message that Paul was preaching often caused great turmoil in those cities where it was given. But God had encouraged Paul to go forward and preach in spite of the pressure to be silent. What was the message of Peter to the religious leaders in Jerusalem at an earlier time when they had commanded the apostles to stop preaching Christ? Acts 5:___
4. Sosthenes was the chief ruler of the Jewish synagogue in Corinth and no doubt a leader in the movement to have Paul beaten and punished for preaching the gospel. But it was Sosthenes himself who received the rebuke and beating. What does the Word of God say about “sowing” and “reaping”?
Galatians 6:___
5. Even though Apollos was an eloquent man and learned in the Scriptures, he needed further instruction. What did Paul recommend that Timothy do in order that he might be a better workman of the things of God revealed in Scripture? 2 Timothy 2:___