Acts 18:1-17
Many People in This City
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1After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
2There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them,
3and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.
4Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.
5And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
6But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
7So Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titus Justus, a worshiper of God.
8Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his whole household believed in the Lord. And many of the Corinthians who heard the message believed and were baptized.
9One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent.
10For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.”
11So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching the word of God among the Corinthians.
12While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.
13“This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said.
14But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint.
15But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”
16And he drove them away from the judgment seat.
17At this, the crowd seized Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the judgment seat. But none of this was of concern to Gallio.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
In Corinth, Paul finds work and lodging with fellow tentmakers Aquila and Priscilla. He also speaks in the synagogue each Sabbath. When opposition becomes abusive, he moves next door to the house of Titus Justus. Crispus, the synagogue leader, believes with his household, and many other Corinthians believe and are baptized.
The Lord tells Paul to keep speaking:
For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.
God's purpose gives Paul a reason to stay. The people God intends to gather are a reason to preach, not a reason to think preaching is unnecessary. Paul remains for a year and a half, teaching God's word.
An accusation before Gallio follows, but it does not succeed. Gallio refuses to judge what he regards as a dispute about Jewish words, names, and law. He also ignores the beating of Sosthenes. Luke does not portray him as a model of justice simply because he dismisses the case against Paul.
The Lord's promise to protect Paul in this city holds amid real hostility. We can see his faithfulness here without turning this particular assurance into a promise that every Christian will escape physical harm.
Questions
1 With whom did Paul work?
AnswerHe worked with Aquila and Priscilla because they shared the trade of tentmaking, supporting the ministry while Paul reasoned in the synagogue each Sabbath.
2 What did Paul testify?
AnswerHe testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ, facing opposition but continuing to teach those who would listen.
3 What did the Lord tell Paul?
AnswerHe told Paul not to be afraid but to keep speaking because the Lord was with him and had many people in the city.
4 How long did Paul stay in Corinth?
AnswerHe stayed a year and six months, teaching God’s word among the Corinthians before the legal challenge was dismissed.
What This Means for Us
Fear can persuade us to stop a conversation before it begins. Paul's encouragement in Corinth reminds us that God is at work beyond what we can see. We can ask for courage to speak truthfully about Jesus and for patience to keep caring for the people who hear us. Their response need not be immediate for that care to be worthwhile.
Prayer
Lord, steady us when we are afraid. Give us faithful work, faithful friends, and the courage to keep speaking and serving where you have placed us. Amen.