Paul’s Conflicts in Corinth

GOLDEN TEXT: “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.” —I Corinthians 9:12

ACTS 18:1, 4-16

PAUL was appointed by the Lord to be a special apostle to the Gentiles, but this did not mean that he refrained from ministering to the Jews whenever the opportunity offered. Nor does it mean that the other apostles were not permitted to serve among the Gentiles when the way was opened for them to do so. Peter, for example, was used by the Lord to proclaim the Gospel to Cornelius, the first Gentile convert.

When Paul arrived in Corinth “he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.” The thought here seems to be that in addition to his ministry in the synagogues on the Sabbath days, the apostle labored at other times among both Jews and Greeks.

There had been so much opposition by the Jews in Thessalonica where Paul, Silas, and Timotheus were laboring together in the Gospel that “the brethren sent Paul away,” evidently with the thought of pacifying the opposers. Paul then went to Athens, and thence to Corinth. After being in Corinth for some time, Silas and Timotheus joined him there.

It was then that the Jews in and out of the synagogue became violent in their opposition. The record says that they “opposed themselves, and blasphemed.” The Diaglott translation reads simply that they “resisted.” It is very true, of course, that when one opposes the truth of the Gospel he opposes his own best interests. No one can do anything effectively against the truth.

When Paul saw that there was little use in witnessing further to these particular Jews, he confined his attention to the Gentiles. He took up his abode in the home of Justus, which was next door to a synagogue. Crispus, the chief ruler of this synagogue, accepted the Gospel. His household, as well as many other Jews, also believed. The seed which had been sown by Paul found lodgment in the hearts of these, and began to bear fruit even after the apostle had turned to the Gentiles.

But trouble was brewing. Had none of the Jews believed the message which Paul had proclaimed, the anger of the opposing Jews would probably have subsided. But when they learned that many had become believers in Jesus, they began to plot against Paul. The Lord knew this, and strengthened the apostle for the ordeal ahead. He said to Paul in 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.”—vss. 9,10

What a wonderful assurance! Paul was not to be “hurt” in Corinth, and the reason was that the Lord had “much people” there. He had already suffered much in the Lord’s cause, and there was more suffering ahead for him. We know, indeed, that finally he was beheaded in a Roman prison.

The Lord permits his people to suffer because of their faithfulness in proclaiming the truth, but at the same time he does not permit his work to be hindered. He had “much people” in Corinth to be reached, so he held back the winds of hatred and did not permit them to interfere with the labors of the apostle and his associates. The Lord has similarly protected the interests of his work throughout the entire age, and is still doing so today.

If today we are sailing on comparatively “quiet seas” so far as opposition to the truth and persecution are concerned, we should rejoice in the favorable opportunity to proclaim the Gospel of the kingdom. Tomorrow the situation may be vastly different. Then the Lord may permit his people to be “hurt.” But if so, it will be for their testing and final preparation for the kingdom.

When Paul first arrived in Corinth he became acquainted with Aquila and his wife Priscilla. They were Jews who had accepted Christ. Formerly they were residents of Rome, but had been forced to leave as a result of a command by Claudius, expelling all Jews from the city. Aquila was a tentmaker by trade. So was Paul, and they worked together in Corinth. It was in this way that Paul procured his necessary living expenses.

This is the background of thought Paul expresses in our Golden Text. According to the Law it would have been quite proper for him to expect the Corinthian brethren to provide his material needs. But instead he labored faithfully, serving them in spiritual things, and in addition worked with his own hands in order not to be a burden to them along material lines. A noble example indeed!

QUESTIONS

Did Paul’s commission as the apostle to the Gentiles exclude him from the privilege of ministering to Jews?

Explain the circumstances under which Paul went to Corinth.

The Lord assured Paul that he would not be “hurt” in Corinth. Does this mean that the Lord always protects his faithful people from persecution?

Explain the background of the Golden Text as it relates to Paul’s association with the brethren in Corinth.

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