AT CORINTH We have no knowledge of many afflictions or persecutions that St. Paul had undergone while he was in Athens; or that he was expelled from it through bad treatment as was the case in other locations; yet they encountered him with coolness and with no consideration or care on their side for the salvation of their souls. The apostle Paul set forth from Athens, the stronghold of philosophy, to Corinth, the center of commerce; as though he set forth from a scientific academy to a crowded market. He entrusted the care for the believers there to Dionysius, and came to establish a church of importance in Corinth. 1- Paul in Corinth 1 2- Paul working to sustain himself 2 – 3 3- Paul’s ministry in the synagogue 4 – 5 4- Paul’s ministry in Justus’ house 6 – 11 5- Opposition of the Jews 12 – 17 6- Paul’s returning to Antioch 18 – 22 7- Paul beginning his third journey 23 – 28 1- PAUL IN CORINTH “After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth” (Acts 18: 1). Corinth, the main city in Achaia, rich and magnificent, was not open for anyone to visit. (Non cuivis homini contingit adire Corinthum). The apostle departed to Corinth where he waited for the arrival of Timothy and Silas from Macedonia. In Corinth, the apostle wrote his first epistle – the first epistle to the Thessalonians. And as there were not many Jews among its congregation, that epistle came not bearing the nature of defense or contention, but to reveal the Person of the Lord Christ, His second coming, and the redemption by His sufferings. In it, he also revealed his own compassionate fatherhood, and his love for them; as the Thessalonians had a special place in the apostle’s heart. He wrote with such delicacy amid his sufferings from the opposition of the Jews. 2- PAUL WORKING TO SUSTAIN HIMSELF “And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently came from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them” (Acts 18: 2). In other locations, it was referred to Aquila and Priscilla as friends of the apostle (2 Tim 4: 19; 1 Cor 16: 9); he was a Jew by birth, then he accepted the Christian faith. Claudius reigned as an emperor over Rome in 41 AD, and died by poison in 54 AD. We do not know when he expelled the Jews from Rome; Some Jews preferred to depart from all Italy because they did not feel safe under the reign of Claudius. Suetonius the Roman Historian, in his book ‘The life of Claudius’, chapter 25, mentioned the expulsion of the Jews from Rome because of some riots that happened under the leadership of Chrestus, a foreign Jew who cared for the interests of the Jews, and was counted as their leader. 729 Aquila and Priscilla were expelled although they were Christianity; yet Christians were then considered as a Jewish sect. “So because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers” (Acts 18: 3). St. John Chrysostom believes that we should not marvel that the apostle Paul dwelt with the tentmakers Aquila and Priscilla, and worked with them. "He abides, as having a suitable lodging-place, for to him it was much more suitable than any king's palace. And do not smile, beloved, to hear (of his occupation). For (it was good for him) even as to the athlete the palaestra is more useful than delicate carpets; so to the warrior the iron sword (is useful), not that of gold" 1. St. John Chrysostom The apostle dwelt and worked together with them, making tents for shepherds and probably for soldiers, either from canvas, leather, or goats’ hides. Lightfoot says that the Jews used to teach their children a profession by which to live in times of need; whatever their social position or level of education is. According to Rabi Judah, Who does not teach his son a profession is as though he taught him to be a thief. And another says that who has a profession is like a vineyard protected with a fence. The Jews used not to despise any honest profession by which man lives. Saul of Tarsus, although a Pharisee taught at the feet of Gamaliel, learned since his childhood the profession of tent making, which he practiced in times of need. Although several churches and friends provided for him, yet he preferred to work with his own hands to fulfill his needs, and sometimes the needs of those who were with him. He was like his Lord, who would rather serve others than to be served by them. The apostle was bound to those two persons, not only by their common profession, but because of what they bore of zeal in faith, and their work to the account of the kingdom of God (Rom 16: 3). He worked, not only in Corinth, but also in Ephesus (Acts 20: 34), and in Thessalonica (2 Thess 3: 9-10). Here we stand in awe before that huge work that hundreds of priests and preachers could not do. Besides achieving all this, he found the time to work by his hands to spare himself stretching his hand to seek his daily needs. What an amazing portrait of a minister, whose soul is chaste, who does not seek what is his, but what is others’, who does not benefit from his right to be sustained by the gospel, so as not to offend anyone. The apostle made this philosophy and wisdom of his clear in his first epistle to the Corinthians. St. John Cassian presents a living portrait of how the Egyptian monks looked at work, even for monks, as Abbot Abraham says: "We have chosen to procure our daily bodily sustenance by our own exertions rather than rely on the sure provision made by our relations, having less inclination for idle meditation on holy Scripture of which you have spoken, and that fruitless attendance to reading than to this laborious poverty. And certainly we should most gladly pursue the former, if the authority of the apostles had taught us by their examples that it was better for us, or the rules of the Elders had laid it down for our good. But you must know that you are affected by this no less than by that harm of which I spoke above, because though your body may be sound and lusty, yet you are supported by another's contributions, a thing which properly belongs only to the feeble. 1Hom. On Acts. Hom. 39. 730 This at any rate is embraced in the definition of our predecessors, who have laid down that anything that is taken for the requirements of daily food which has not been procured and prepared by the labor of our own hands, ought to be referred to charity, as the Apostle teaches, who altogether forbids the help of another's bounty to the idle and says: “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall eat” (2 Thess 3: 10). These words the blessed Antony used against some one, and instructed us also by the example of his teaching" 1. Because of this offense, the apostle Paul committed himself to manual work, to sustain himself and those who were with him. Yet, according to St. Augustine, Paul confirms the fact that his fellow apostles did not do wrong in any way, when they did not sustain their need, necessary for life, by manual work, but lived according to the commandment of the Lord, that the minister of the gospel should live by the gospel. They received their physical needs from those whom they provided with free spiritual services2. He also says that Paul says so in (2 Tim 2: 3-6), to let his disciple Timothy realize that what he takes from those for whose sake he fights, plants their vines, and shepherd their flocks, is not alms on their part, but his own right3. Yet St. John Chrysostom confirmed that the spiritual minister only seeks the necessaries not luxury, saying that You, as a spiritual soldier, should not sleep on an ivory bed, but on the ground, not anoint yourself with fragrant oils, like the corrupt persons who flirt with wicked women, and lead a loose life4. 3- PAUL’S MINISTRY IN THE SYNAGOGUE “And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 18: 4). He worked during the whole week, except probably on Saturday and Sunday, dedicating Saturdays to worship with the Jews, to preach the gospel, and Sundays to worship together with Aquila and Priscilla, and some few Christian individuals. He managed to convince some Jews and proselytes he met in the synagogue and during some individual encounters during the week, with the Christian faith. "When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 18: 5). The apostle Paul asked Silas and Timothy to come from Macedonia and rejoin him, as he could not go to Macedonia, having been constrained by the Spirit, and preoccupied with preaching Jesus Christ, as the Messiah promised by God to the fathers who were anticipating His coming. Silas and Timothy worked together with the apostle Paul for a whole year and six months, to establish the church, amid the troubles created by the Jews. In a report of his ministry in Corinth, Paul said: “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor 2: 3-4). Committed to 1 St. John Cassian. Conferences, 24.12. 2 The Work of Monks, 7. 3 The Work of Monks, 15. 4 St. Chrysostom. On Lazarus and the Rich Man, 1. 731 working with his hands, not caring for physical exhaustion, he kept on testifying to the Lord Christ, not by words of philosophy, but by the power of the Spirit. If our holy books drew people to faith, on account of their being written with eloquence and philosophical skill; it would have undoubtedly been claimed that our faith is built upon the art of writing, and upon human wisdom, not upon the power of God1. The scholar Origen He also wrote to them in his epistle: “or indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcasts, comforted us” (2 Cor 7: 5-6). Amid the bitterness the apostle endured in Corinth, God’s comforts supported him by the work of the divine grace in them, as he says, “not only by his coming (Titus), but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more” (2 Cor 7: 6-7). In his epistle to the Romans, he referred to many in Corinth (the province of Achaia), giving each a special title of endearment. He was also happy to have baptized Crispus the chief of the synagogue (1 Cor 1: 14). Not after many months, he sent from Corinth his second epistle to the Thessalonians, in which he wrote about the ultimate coming of the Lord Christ. 4- PAUL’S MINISTRY IN JUSTUS' HOUSE “But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles” (Acts 18: 6). As was there custom in many places, the Jews opposing the apostle, yet not able to enter into a debate with him, resorted to blasphemy, and to abusing the apostle. Reaching a conviction that he was no more able to speak freely in the synagogue, because of their persistence on opposition, he shook the dust from his garment, proclaiming his innocence from them, and announcing God’s judgment because of their stubbornness. He exerted every effort possible, and consummated what is fitting for him to do; So that they would have no right to blame him, if he forsook them and went to preach among the Gentiles. Thus, “The failure is riches for the Gentiles” (Rom 11: 12); and the ministry among the Gentiles served to “provoke them to jealousy” (Rom 11: 14). Shaking the dust off his garments before them probably refers to the fact that God would shake them as dust from His garments; that they have no more place in His church, which is His holy garment. “And he departed from there and entered into the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshipped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue” (Acts 18: 7). Justus was, like Cornelius, a devout Gentile who accepted the Christian faith, and probably knew God through the Jews, although it is not certain if he ever became a Jew proselyte. He probably gave hospitality to some Jews as they went out from the synagogue, as an act of love and probably listened to those who began to respond to the preaching of the apostle Paul. 1De Principiis 4.1.7. 732 “Then Crispus the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized” (Acts 18.8). Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in our Lord Jesus together with all his household, probably receiving the word of the gospel through his study of the Holy Book (prophecies and symbols of the Old Testament) and his zeal for the salvation of his soul. The apostle Paul probably baptized them (1 Cor 1: 14) and that certainly caused murmur among the Jewish circles and encouraged many Corinthians to believe in the Lord Christ. The amazing thing is that Corinth, although famous for its corruption, embraced souls thirsty for the truth and the enjoyment of salvation. Having heard that Crispus the ruler of the synagogue accepted the faith, the Corinthians hastened to encounter with the apostle Paul, and to hear his teachings. They probably came first out of curiosity; then their encounter with the apostle transformed them to seriousness. “Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent’” (Acts 18: 9). The more the apostle Paul saw of horrible corruption in Corinth and of the violent opposition by the Jews, the more generous the grace of God worked with him, by which he gained many of the Gentiles to faith and even the ruler of the synagogue. Now the Lord Himself encourages him in a vision by night to realize the work of God through him in that city. He heard the Divine voice confirming to him: “Do not be afraid” from the opposition and blasphemy of the Jews especially after the conversion of Crispus the ruler of the synagogue had aroused them. He also should not fear the gentiles, who were known for their riches and prosperous trade, together with not caring for leading a proper life. Hence he refers, in his first epistle, that “he was with them in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling” (1 Cor 2: 3). The Lord intended to confirm to him His Divine presence; therefore, he should not fear the rich, the learned, and the great. He commanded him not to keep silent, as He Himself would talk on his tongue; and His Holy Spirit would work in the hearing and hearts of his listeners. "For He did not always permit them to suffer evil (pains), that they might not become too weak. For nothing so grieved Paul, as men's unbelief and setting themselves (against the Truth): this was worse than the dangers. Therefore it is that (Christ) appears to him now. "And he continued a year and six months" 1. St. John Chrysostom “For I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city” (Acts 18: 10). As the Lord Christ confirmed His Divine company with him, it was not fitting for him to fear or be disturbed, or to despair. He did not promise him that no one would confront him, but that no one would hurt him. Let the wicked opponents do what they wish to do; the apostle would not be hurt, or his ministry would stop, as it is the ministry of the Lord Christ, who seeks for Himself a people of His own. “And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them” (Acts 18: 11). 1Hom. On Acts. Hom. 39. 733 The Lord Himself cared for Corinth, where three main centers, at that time, met: Rome, Alexandria, and Ephesus. Spreading the preaching there would certainly have its effect on people coming from those countries, especially that a great number of Jews came to Corinth after being expelled from Rome by the order of Claudius (Acts 8: 2-3). 5- OPPOSITION OF THE JEWS TO ST. PAUL “Now when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat” (Acts 18: 12). After the Romans took over Greece, they divided it into two sections: Macedonia and Achaia, each governed by a proconsul. Gallio was originally called Marcus Annaeus Novatus, then when adopted by the orator Gallio's family, he was called by their name. He was described by old writers as being very gentle, and compassionate; His brother Cinika said of him that He was very amiable to anybody and everybody. He embraced a natural power for goodness, with no deception or pretence in his appearance. When Gallio, a brother of the philosopher Cinika, came as a proconsul of Achais, whose capital was Corinth, probably in July 52 AD, the Jews intended to apply a kind of pressure on the new proconsul to have St. Paul tried. “Saying, ‘this fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law” (Acts 18: 13). They probably meant the Roman law, for they, as Jews, worshipped according to a lawful religion recognized by the law; whereas, Paul, according to them, diverted from the Jewish religion; at the same time, he did not practice neither the Roman nor the Greek worships, recognized by the law. He was calling for a new unlawful religion, which makes him a breaker of the Roman law. “And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, ‘If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you” (Acts 18: 14). The Jews came with one accord to present Paul as one who corrupted their law, without giving the new proconsul a chance to study the situation, to present Paul to judgment. They could not present a single evidence that he hindered anyone from worshipping God or other gods. According to them, he was seeking worship in a way against the Roman law. The Romans provided the Jews with complete freedom to worship God according to their law; yet they counted it as a crime if someone worshipped God in another way. They wished to commit people by force to worship God according to their rites and customs. That, the proconsul could not accept or even discuss. It was not possible for the Jews to accept the speeches of the apostle Paul concerning the worship of God in Jesus Christ, and in Spirit and truth. Gallio the proconsul did not accept the case from the beginning and considered the formalities taken by the Jews, as many in number as they might have been, beside the subject of the case, vain. He realized that the apostle Paul has not committed any crime against the law. In his mind, what the apostle was preaching was no more than a new way of interpreting the Jewish law I.E., representing inner religious controversies between the Jews, something he did not wish to preoccupy his mind with. “But if it is a question of words and names of your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters” (Acts 18: 15). 734 In the proconsul’s mind, the problem was no more than some different interpretation by each sect, of the prophecies, and also some difference of opinion concerning certain nomenclatures. The Jews did not accept calling Jesus the Messiah, as claimed by the apostle Paul, beside certain statutes of the law, like the rites of purifications, of circumcision, etc. He refused to be a judge of such issues, which did not concern him as a Roman proconsul of the state. “And he drove them from the judgment seat” (Acts 18: 16). He refused to hear or decide anything concerning that controversy. The word “drove” in Greek does not imply the use of force, but just a dismissal of the case. “Then the Greeks took Sothsenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of such thing” (Acts 18: 17). Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, who probably came leading the people rebelling against St. Paul, was beaten by the Greek proselytes, because, once he heard what the proconsul said, he withdrew, an action they considered as an insult to their position. Some believe that, because he believed in Christianity, and became an assistant to Paul in his preaching (1 Cor 1: 1-2), the rebels intended by beating him before the proconsul, to express their anger; Whereas, others believe that the Gentiles did that to express their anger toward the meaningless rebellion of the Jews, against whom they embraced feelings of hatred. The proconsul, probably seeing Sothsenes’ peaceful reaction, preferred not to intervene to let the people get calm after expressing their anger by beating him, yet within certain limits. "To them that beat us, let us return blow for blow, by meekness, by silence, by longsuffering. More grievous these wounds, greater this blow, and more heavy. For to show that it is not the receiving a blow in the body that is grievous, but the receiving it in the mind, we often smite people, but since it is in the way of friendship, So let us smite their heart. But that meekness inflicts a greater blow than fierceness" 1. St. John Chrysostom 6- PAUL’ S RETURN TO ANTIOCH “So Paul still remained a good while; then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow” (Acts 18: 18). Having decided to depart from Corinth and head to Jerusalem, he took with him his close friends, Aquila and Priscilla, who decided to leave Corinth, and asked to go with him. In the port of Cenchrea, Paul (or Aquila) had his hair cut; the Greek text did not say clearly who of the two did that. Fulfilling a vow for the inhabitants of Judea had to be done in Jerusalem; whereas those who lived outside it could do it anywhere else. This vow was presented by the Jews, as a kind of thanksgiving to God for some grace He did to them, like healing from a sickness or rescuing from a danger. It would not be strange for the apostle Paul, who strived to set the Gentiles free from practicing those rites in a literal sense, to submit personally to them, so as to spare the Jews being offended by him as a breaker of the law. 1Hom. On Acts. Hom. 39. 735 "And he came to Ephesus, and left them there, but he himself entered the Synagogue and reasoned with the Jews” (Acts 18: 19). He went to Ephesus, the capital of Asia Minor, a marine port, and there, he left Aquila and Priscilla to practice certain spiritual work and a ministry to the gospel in Ephesus. The apostle used to use the energies of his friends and brethren to the account of Jesus Christ. Although the apostle was in a hurry to depart to Jerusalem, and refused to delay in Ephesus; yet he did not waste the chance to reason and debate in the synagogue to the account of the Lord Christ. Nobody can say why he was in such a hurry. "When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, but took leave of them, saying, ‘I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing. And he sailed from Ephesus” (Acts 18: 20- 21). The apostle insisted on departing to keep the feast in Jerusalem, to have the chance to encounter with many of his compatriots and beloved brethren who come to Jerusalem for the feast. Yet he promised to return to them, God willing; and so he did (Acts 19: 1) and even stayed with them three years (Acts 20: 31). "And when he had landed in Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch” (Acts 18: 22). Once he landed in Caesarea, he went up to greet the church in Jerusalem then went down to Antioch. It was a short visit to the mother church in Jerusalem. he landed in Caesarea, a close-by port renewed by Herod, and not in the port of Jaffa, which was dangerous. The apostle Paul was keen on keeping his contact with his friends in every city, especially in Jerusalem, the site of the mother church. He went down to Antioch, where he spent some time with his old friends, since the time he was sent from there together with Barnabas to minister to the Gentiles (Acts 13: 1). He probably considered Antioch as his center, where he could renew his energy, revise his accounts, find comfort with the old ministers, and present thanksgiving for God’s grace helping him on every preaching journey he started from Antioch and returned back to it. Galatia: In the old history, there is no mention of a city by this name. It was but a province; That is why some believe that he probably means here, the most important cities in that province, especially Ankara, the Turkish capital of Asia Minor, the site of worship of the wise Cybele, called ‘the great mother of gods’; where there was a famous temple. That was a legendary goddess of fertility, whose worship goes back to the third century BC. The second important city was Pasinos, which was the center of gathering of the Galatian tribes, also called Tolestobi, or the Galatians of the West. 7- THE START OF HIS THIRD JOURNEY As St. Luke was not in the Apostle Paul's company, the talk about that journey came very concise. It is clear that it was a journey to visit, strengthen, and hold fast the disciples, which consisted of the following stages: 1- From Antioch Syria to Galatia and Phrygia (Acts 18: 22-23), to strengthen the disciples. 736 2- Three years in Ephesus (Acts 18: 24-19: 41): Burning of the book of magic (Acts 19: 19); There is the temple of the goddess Diana (Acts 19: 35). 3- Three months in Macedonia (Acts 20: 15): A plot by the Jews against St. Paul (Acts 20.30). 4- In Troas (Acts 20: 3-6): Fall of Eutychus from a window (Acts 20: 6-12). 5- To Miletus across the sea (Acts 20: 13-15). There, the apostle bid farewell to the elders of Ephesus (Acts 20: 18-38). 6- To Tyre, via Rhodes and Patara (Acts 21: 1- 3)" there, the apostle took leave of the disciples in Tyre, despite their persistence to let him not go up to Jerusalem (acts 21: 3- 6). 7- To Jerusalem via Caesarea (Acts 21: 7- 15). In Caesarea, Agabus took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and prophesied about him being bound in Jerusalem (Acts 21: 10- 11). “After he had spent sometime there, he departed and went over all the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples” (Acts 18: 23). Some count that time as 18 months, during which he watered what he planted in those churches, holding them fast in faith and giving them advices. “Now a certain Jew named Apollos born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures…” (Acts 18: 24). St. Luke put aside his talk about the travels of St. Paul, to talk about St. Apollos, whom he encountered in Ephesus. He presented a short account of him, to enable us to comprehend certain phrases which came in the epistles of St. Paul, in particular, his first epistle to the Corinthians. Who is Apollos? 1- A Jew born to Jewish parents at Alexandria, where there was a huge congregation of Jews that occupied two of its five sections. 2- He was named Apollos after a pagan god; some believe that it is the same name Apelles that came in (Rom 16 :10). 3- He had a strong personality, mighty in the Scriptures of the Old Testament, and in the Jewish culture. 4- He was Eloquent and on a high level of learning, famous for attractive discussions of any subject. 5- He came to Ephesus, where he demonstrated his talent in interpreting the holy books, and reasoning in the Jewish synagogues. 6- His knowledge was confined to the baptism of St. John the Baptist, who came to prepare the way for the Lord, being the voice of the one crying in the wilderness. But it seems that he did not hear yet about the crucifixion of Christ, His resurrection and ascension to heaven, or about the dwelling of the Holy Spirit on the church. He himself got the baptism of John, but did not enjoy the baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus, or gained the Holy Spirit. 7- He knew what concerns the Lord in the Old Testament; yet his knowledge about the salvation work of the Lord Christ, and the enjoyment of Baptism in His name, was lacking. 8- As a successful preacher, he taught with diligence and persistence, about the coming of the Messiah, boldly and with great courage. 737 “This man had been instructed in the way; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John” (Acts 18: 25). When Aquila and Priscilla heard him speaking in the synagogue, and realized his lack of knowledge concerning our Lord Jesus, they explained to him the way of God more accurately. Through them, he recognized the Person of the Lord, His works, and teachings, expressed by St. Luke as “the way of the Lord”. They explained to him that the Messiah he speaks about has already come and realized His mission. “So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace” (Acts 18: 26- 27). That great eloquent and mighty in knowledge listened to Aquila and Priscilla; and his heart was flared with love for preaching Jesus Christ. That is why, having desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote to those in Ephesus to receive him. And there, he worked hard by the Divine grace granted to him to the account of the Kingdom of God. “For he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly; showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 18: 28). Apollos' knowledge of the Holy Book supported him in preaching Jesus as the long-anticipated Messiah; and hence he had an active role in the life of the church. 738 AN INSPIRATION FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS 18 THE DEFEAT OF SATAN IN CORINTH Your apostle entered into Corinth, the city of corruption; He entered as though into the den of Satan; Where the worship of the goddess Aphrodite with all its abominations drew many. But, can the devil stand before You? Your apostle entered into the city as a needy person, Who works with his hands to sustain himself; When You, with Your grace sustain all creation. He clothed himself with the garment of need, Following Your example, You who, by Your poverty, enrich many. You were not ashamed of working, So that we would not stop doing the work which is sanctified. In awe, I stand before Your amazing apostle, Stretching his hands to work together with Aquila and Priscilla at night, So as not to become in need for anyone. He strived in the spiritual battle as a good soldier, Planted in Your vineyard diligently, Shepherded Your flock with his whole heart, Yet rejected the necessities so as not to cause offense to anyone. For Your sake, he forsook his natural right according to the gospel; The salvation of every soul in his sight surpassed anything, even his own life. Working in material things did not draw his mind or his heart to them, But, by Your Holy Spirit, he was constrained, To work by the Spirit, to bring all to You. Grant me to minister to You with my whole being. Let every breath of my life be to Your account. Let my heart, mind, talents, and all my energies, be dedicated to the account of Your gospel. The apostle used to work with his hands all the days of the week, Except on Saturdays and Sundays, that he dedicated to worshipping and preaching, But his heart and tongue kept on testifying to You with everyone he encountered. He was constrained by the Spirit, even while working with his hands. He was surrounded by temptations; yet he never lost Your comforting. He was expelled from the synagogue, and the Jews persisted on opposing him, But You proclaimed Your company with him. While the Gentile ruler showed him compassion; The people that refer themselves to You intended to rid themselves of him and of You.
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