Wednesdays are for the New Testament
6/19/24
Bruce, F.F. (1988). "Corinth (18:1-17)." In The Book of Acts (Revised). (345-354). William B. Eerdmans Publishing,
Bruce briefly describes the geographical relationship of Athens and of Corinth, to the southwest (Bruce 1988, p. 345). The location of Corinth, with eastern and western ports, and roads running north and south, was ideal for trade. This is where Paul and his companions arrived after his time in Athens. In Acts 18:1-4, upon arrival in Corinth, Paul saw the city as a good location for evangelism. He met a couple, Aquila and Priscilla, who, though normally called "tentmakers" may also have worked in leather (Bruce 1988, p. 346). Bruce notes that the Jews had been expelled from Rome. These expulsions of people groups were an occasional part of Roman life. Bruce considers it plausible that Priscilla was of a more noble family than Aquila, as she is normally mentioned first (Bruce 1988, p. 347).
As normal, in Acts 18:4, Paul goes to the synagogue on the sabbath, to teach about Jesus (Bruce 1988, p. 348). In Corinth he is able to do this for multiple Sabbaths.
Acts 18:5-11 describes the Jews' eventual rejection of Paul and his move to a building next door where he was able to preach freely (Bruce 1988, p. 348). Bruce notes in verse five that Paul was joined by Silas and Timothy, and that the time coincides with a monetary gift sent from Philippi, allowing Paul to concentrate more fully on his preaching. Bruce notes that the house next to the synagogue may well have been owned by Gaius Titius Justus, a Roman citizen (Bruce 1988, p. 350). This person may be referenced in 1 Corinthians 1:14, as well as Romans 16:23. In verse eight we are further introduced to Crispus, noted in 1 Corinthians 1:14, who was the ruler of the synagogue. The newly founded church continued to grow. Acts 18:9-10 describes a vision which Paul saw, saying he would be safe. In verse 11, we see that Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half (Bruce 1988, p. 351). Bruce notes this probably started in the fall of A.D. 50.
Acts 18:12-17 describes an attack upon Paul, but one in which he suffered no harm (Bruce 1988, p. 351). The Jewish opponents charged Paul before the proconsul Gallio, the son of Seneca the elder and brother of Seneca the younger. Gallio became the proconsul of Achaia in A.D. 51, for a one year post, which allows for accurate dating of Paul's time in Corinth (Bruce 1988, p. 352). Gallio did not consider the charge against Paul to be valid, so he dismissed the case out of hand. In his opinion, Christianity was simply a sect of Judaism and the complaint was focused on an internal dispute. Bruce notes that this action of Gallio may have had an effect on imperial policy, as his brother, the younger Seneca, was influential in Rome (Bruce 1988, p. 354). While rioting was not tolerated, the Christians seemed to be among the Jews and would be permitted by law.
6/19/24
Bruce, F.F. (1988). "Corinth (18:1-17)." In The Book of Acts (Revised). (345-354). William B. Eerdmans Publishing,
Bruce briefly describes the geographical relationship of Athens and of Corinth, to the southwest (Bruce 1988, p. 345). The location of Corinth, with eastern and western ports, and roads running north and south, was ideal for trade. This is where Paul and his companions arrived after his time in Athens. In Acts 18:1-4, upon arrival in Corinth, Paul saw the city as a good location for evangelism. He met a couple, Aquila and Priscilla, who, though normally called "tentmakers" may also have worked in leather (Bruce 1988, p. 346). Bruce notes that the Jews had been expelled from Rome. These expulsions of people groups were an occasional part of Roman life. Bruce considers it plausible that Priscilla was of a more noble family than Aquila, as she is normally mentioned first (Bruce 1988, p. 347).
As normal, in Acts 18:4, Paul goes to the synagogue on the sabbath, to teach about Jesus (Bruce 1988, p. 348). In Corinth he is able to do this for multiple Sabbaths.
Acts 18:5-11 describes the Jews' eventual rejection of Paul and his move to a building next door where he was able to preach freely (Bruce 1988, p. 348). Bruce notes in verse five that Paul was joined by Silas and Timothy, and that the time coincides with a monetary gift sent from Philippi, allowing Paul to concentrate more fully on his preaching. Bruce notes that the house next to the synagogue may well have been owned by Gaius Titius Justus, a Roman citizen (Bruce 1988, p. 350). This person may be referenced in 1 Corinthians 1:14, as well as Romans 16:23. In verse eight we are further introduced to Crispus, noted in 1 Corinthians 1:14, who was the ruler of the synagogue. The newly founded church continued to grow. Acts 18:9-10 describes a vision which Paul saw, saying he would be safe. In verse 11, we see that Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half (Bruce 1988, p. 351). Bruce notes this probably started in the fall of A.D. 50.
Acts 18:12-17 describes an attack upon Paul, but one in which he suffered no harm (Bruce 1988, p. 351). The Jewish opponents charged Paul before the proconsul Gallio, the son of Seneca the elder and brother of Seneca the younger. Gallio became the proconsul of Achaia in A.D. 51, for a one year post, which allows for accurate dating of Paul's time in Corinth (Bruce 1988, p. 352). Gallio did not consider the charge against Paul to be valid, so he dismissed the case out of hand. In his opinion, Christianity was simply a sect of Judaism and the complaint was focused on an internal dispute. Bruce notes that this action of Gallio may have had an effect on imperial policy, as his brother, the younger Seneca, was influential in Rome (Bruce 1988, p. 354). While rioting was not tolerated, the Christians seemed to be among the Jews and would be permitted by law.
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