The Acts of the Apostles - Part 3

From Athens, Paul travels to Corinth, a large trading city, where at the time probably a few hundred thousand people lived.

The inhabitants of Corinth came from all over the Roman Empire. Many gods were worshipped there. In this large port city, there was a lot of immorality and debauchery.

First read chapter 18 and then answer the questions.

Around the year 50, the Roman Emperor Claudius issued an edict requiring all Jews to leave Rome.

Who therefore relocated their craft business from Rome to Corinth?

What profession did they practice?

Paul, as was customary among the Rabbis, had also learned a profession, and even the same one as this couple.

So when Paul now comes to Corinth, he works with them to provide for his support. Normally, those who proclaim the Gospel can live from the Gospel.

“So also the Lord has ordained to those that announce the glad tidings to live of the glad tidings” (1 Corinthians 9:14).

This means that they are supported by the assemblies, not by those who hear the Gospel - for them it is free. This also still applies to us today.

Paul has a special reason why he does not make use of his right to support in Corinth. He doesn't want to give false prophets an opportunity to accuse him.

You can read this in 2 Corinthians 11:

“Have I committed sin, abasing myself in order that you might be exalted, because I gratuitously announced to you the glad tidings of God? I spoiled other assemblies, receiving hire for ministry towards you. And being present with you and lacking, I did not lazily burden any one, (for the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied what I lacked,) and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will keep myself. The truth of Christ is in me that this boasting will not be stopped as to me in the regions of Achaia. Why? because I do not love you? God knows. But what I do, I will also do, that I may cut off the opportunity of those wishing for an opportunity, that in which they boast they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And it is not wonderful, for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:7-15).