Paul's journey to Corinth - chapter 4

Once again, “what manner of entering in” employed by Paul at Corinth offers both noticeable similarities and marked differences to those encountered thus far in his answer of the Macedonian call. In addition to the hard work of preaching the Gospel, the apostle labors at something else as well.

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. Acts: 18:1-3

Again, one can see the apostle’s burning desire behind his actions, which he made known to the Church at Corinth in the first epistle addressed to them.

What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.1 Cor.9: 18,19

As has been his custom thus far, Paul goes into the synagogue and preaches unto the Jews first. However, it is here in Corinth, that Paul will, “from hence forth,” go unto the Gentiles.

And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. Acts: 18:4-6

Whether he was finally fed up with their unbelief or as I prefer to believe, by the direction and leading of the Holy Spirit, this event marks a noticeable departure in Paul’s preaching to the Jews. In reality, it marks Paul’s entering the fullness of his ministry and commission from the Lord Jesus Christ. Recall, for a moment, an event that took place one day on the road outside Damascus.

And as he [Paul, then known as Saul] journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Acts: 9:3-5

Many years later, Paul tells of this incident to a king named Agrippa.

Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts: 26:12-18

Notice that in his commission from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord tells Paul that “I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee.” Here in Corinth, these words are literally fulfilled, as Paul receives a visitation from the Lord one night.

Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. Acts: 18:9-11

By far this is the most time Paul has spent in one place on this journey that began nearly two years earlier from the city of Troas. Moreover, the words spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ on the Damascus road are not only fulfilled as to His appearing unto Paul, but here in Corinth, Paul is not beaten and jailed, but rather delivered from the people and the Gentiles as the Lord had promised many years before.

And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

And he drave them from the judgment seat. Acts 18:12-16

An exclamation mark is then put on the whole matter.

Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

Some might think that this is a good thing and the way things ought to be, but one needn’t read far into the epistles written to this Church at Corinth to see that these people were a group of many and diverse lusts. Moreover, they were zealous for the things of God. So zealous were they, that in some aspects of Christian service this Church at Corinth became an example to other Churches, provoking them to good works.

For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. 2Cor:9:2:

Written to the Church at Corinth, but applicable to all that believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, is the great truth concerning “His unspeakable gift.”

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Cor: 9:6-15

Of course, this is written in the second epistle to the Church at Corinth. There is a very different tone to the first epistle that bears their name. Remember how Paul worked as a tent maker when he first arrived in Corinth? As in all the things Paul did, his motive was the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ. That he in no way should hinder it.

If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,

Have we not power to eat and to drink?Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 1 Cor: 9:2-12

Also recall, if you will, that Paul said he had made himself “servant unto all, that I might gain the more.”

Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 1 Cor: 9:13-19

And so the manner in which Paul entered Corinth was by design and for the furtherance of the Gospel. There was no wasted effort or “mistakes” in his preaching the Gospel to those that dwelt in Corinth. In fact, this group of Christians located on the narrow strip of land separating the Aegean and Adriatic seas, became an example of how the Church of Jesus Christ is to operate concerning funding and financing the furtherance of the commission it has been given of the Lord.

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me. 1 Cor: 16:1-4

It is unto these brethren that the apostle gives the following exhortations regarding working together for the furtherance of the faith. Indeed, Paul new it was a joint effort and ministry that we have been given.

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Let all your things be done with charity.

I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.

I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such. 1 Cor: 16:13-18

We may now conclude regarding this portion of Paul’s answer to the Macedonian call. As we have seen, it was “by all means” that he presented the Gospel message in the regions of Macedonia and Achaia with one purpose first and foremost in mind.

And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 1 Cor: 9:20 -22

Why did he do and become all these things? Only one reason.

And this I do for the gospel's sake, … 1 Cor: 9:23a

That he “might by all means save some.” Truly, Paul was a wise master builder.

1Cor:3:10: According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

One would do well to imitate him.

And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; Acts 18:18a

And so it is recorded that the apostle left the city of Corinth, taking with him those with whom he first abode and labored while there. Paul left behind an established and thriving Church upon his departure which effectively marked the end to his special commission he had received from the Lord, known simply as, “the Macedonian call.”

© Copyright 2002 Rev. Todd W. Pekel