Growing Together

Acts 18:1-18:28

Acts Chapter 18 begins with Paul leaving Athens and going to Corinth. Corinth was conquered by Rome about 200 BC. Around 150 BC, the Corinthians rebelled, and the Romans made an example out of Corinth and utterly destroyed them. The town lay mostly uninhabited and in ruins for one hundred years, until around 50 BC, it was rebuilt by Julius Caesar. About 25 years later (and about 75 years before Paul visits), it had grown sufficiently so as to become the capital of the province of Achaia. Compared to the ancient city of Athens, the rebuilt Corinth seemed all-new.

If you look at the map, you can see that Corinth actually had two seaports, one on the east and one on the west. Corinth sat on a narrow land bridge between these two bodies of water. Bringing goods from one port to the other through Corinth was a much shorter and cheaper prospect than going all the way around the south. Small ships and the cargo from large ships would actually be taken over land on large rolling carts from port to port. A special paved road was made for this purpose. Called the dialkos (which means “to carry across”) the road goes back before 600 BC.

The isthmus is only about 4 miles wide at the narrowest point. Within twenty years after Paul’s visit, the emperor Nero announced that he was going to cut a channel. Using a golden pick, he cut the first chunk of earth out himself, and carried the first basket of earth on his back. But Nero soon died, and nothing more happened. In modern times (around 1900), a canal was actually cut through the Corinthian isthmus. Today ships can pass through this canal.

Because of its important location, Corinth became a center of trade, and many Corinthians became incredibly wealthy. Perhaps because of this wealth, Corinth became known as a center of sinful activity and corruption. The fact that Corinth was a recreation place for large numbers of sailors only added to the problem. To call someone a “Corinthian” was to imply he was sexually immoral and a drunk. You might say that Corinth was the Las Vegas of its time.

Towering 2000 ft over Corinth was the acrocorinth, or Corinth marketplace, which included the giant temple of Athena, goddess of love. In this temple there lived about 1000 temple prostitutes who each evening would come down into the city to offer their services. This sin-indulging behavior was done under the auspices of a religious service to the “fine people of Corinth” – for the proper fee, of course.

Into this challenging environment came Paul. There he met a Jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla. It is easy to forget that when Paul went on his missionary journeys, he often had to work full time to make money. Paul was a tentmaker, and he must have carried the tools of his profession around with him as he went from city to city. Aquila and Priscilla were also tentmakers, and having so much in common, Paul stayed with them. They were from Rome, and we know two things: they became believers and they eventually got back to Rome, because in Romans 16:3 Paul writes, “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.”

In this greeting note that Paul treats them as equals to himself – fellow workers – and this is one of the reasons for my message title, Growing Together. Paul was not the “boss” in Corinth, simply a fellow laborer – a laborer making tents and a laborer of the gospel. On the Sabbaths, Paul would go and share the gospel in the synagogue to the Jews there. Priscilla and Aquila are also mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:19 and I Corinthians 16:19. I’ll come back to the I Corinthians reference.

When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." – Acts 18:5-6

So now Silas and Timothy came. They may have made money themselves at some labor, sufficiently enough so that Paul could do full-time preaching. Or, they may have had a gift of money from the Macedonian churches that enabled them (at least Paul) to do this. Paul talks about this in II Cor. 11:

I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. – II Cor. 11:8-9

As had happened many times before, the Jews opposed Paul, and it says they became abusive – another translation for his word is blasphemed – Paul said, “Enough! I have told you the gospel. You know it. What you do with it is your own responsibility.” And Paul went to the Gentiles – the “Corinthians.”

Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. – Acts 18:7-8

We see some interesting fruit here – the guy who lived next door to the syngagogue – a Gentile “God-fearer”, someone who had been attending the synagogue and adopting Jewish customs, and his household, and also the leader of the synagogue! Often when Paul left a synagogue, many of the Jews – those who believed – left with him, and this made the leaders angry and jealous. This time, the main leader also left. And there was much fruit among the Gentiles. The depraved, corrupt, sinful Corinthian Gentiles. As I have said in earlier messages, never write someone off. The gospel is for all people, especially those who, as Jesus said, “are sick and know they need a doctor.”

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. – Acts 18:9-11

Luke doesn’t tell us much of what happened before this vision, but it is easy to imagine. Look at Paul’s life. City after city after city, he has been accused, arrested, attacked, beaten, and forced to flee. Here he is in Corinth, probably the most sinful and least godly city he has yet visited, and perhaps he is simply thinking ahead. “When will it happen again?” he wonders. “Should I leave now, while I can?” Other passages hint that Paul was going through an extreme period of stress in Corinth. Listen to this in I Corinthians 2:

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. – I Cor. 2:1-3

Paul? Bold-as-a-lion Paul? Bull-in-a-china-shop Paul? In weakness and fear, with much trembling? Yes. Everyone has a limit. There is only so much anyone can take. And Paul has taken a lot. I wonder if somehow his experiences in Athens, the previous city, had been the “last straw.” He was mocked and ridiculed there among the “intelligentsia”, called a “seed-picker,” a derogatory term for someone who is an intellectual lightweight, like a little bird, or today we would say a “bird brain.” Corinth was an imposing city. An evil city. People who do missions work full time talk about how certain locations are demonic strongholds. There is no question that Athens was such a place. And even more so Corinth must have been a demonic stronghold.

But listen again to the message Paul was given in his vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." First: Paul, do not fear. Literally in the Greek, it is, “You are being fearful. Stop it!” Second: what to do. Keep on speaking, do not be silent. Third: a reason. I am with you and no one is going to attack and harm you. Why? Because God has His own people here. Are these actually people? Or angels? I think it might mean angels.

How many other times in the Bible do we see God give a similar message? Here are just some of them: Gen. 15:1: “After this the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.’” Deut. 31:6, to Joshua: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified of them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Jeremiah 1:17-19, to Jeremiah: “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them or I will terrify you before them. (Ouch!) Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land – against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you.”

So what did Paul do after receiving this vision? He stayed. He spoke. He obeyed.

While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law." – Acts 18:12-13

What is this? I thought God was going to protect him. Here we go again. How will it turn out this time? Will Paul be beaten again? Worse? Will he be killed? No.

Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." So he had them ejected from the court. Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever. – Acts 18:14-17

Did you notice that Paul didn’t even get a chance to speak? I know we shouldn’t gloat in the failings of our enemies, but it is hard not to here. Who was Sosthenes? He wasn’t Crispus. He was the new synagogue leader. This is almost a scene from the Three Stooges.

Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. – Acts 18:18-21

Paul, led by the Spirit, was ready to end this missionary journey and begin the journey home. He spent relatively little time in Ephesus, but seeds were planted. It may be that his vow was connected with his reason he could not stay longer. I will talk more about Ephesus in a moment.

When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. – Acts 18:22-23

There and back again. But Paul didn’t stay put. He went throughout the region, strengthening the disciples. Now, it’s been a while since we have done this, but I would like to do this today. Let’s break into two groups – you can move the chairs to do this.

We then spent some extended time discussing the following question: How do you “strengthen” a believer? We discussed the following verses in particular:

But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see. – Deut. 3:28 (Moses to Joshua)

Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don't go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. – 2 Samuel 19:7 (Joab to David)

He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles." – 2 Chron. 32:6-8a (Hezekiah to his people)

When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. – Acts 11:23 (Barnabas to the church at Antioch)

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. – Romans 1:11-12 (Paul to the church at Rome)

But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. – I Cor. 14:3

I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. – II Cor. 7:4

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ. – Col. 2:2

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. – Hebr. 3:13

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. – Eph. 6:22 (Paul sending Tychicus to the church in Ephesus)

I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. – Col. 4:8 (Paul sending Tychicus to the Colossian church)

We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith – I Thess. 3:2

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. – Phil. 1:7

Strengthening is not just for leaders to do, but for all of us. We need to strengthen one another. The Greek word is episterizo, and it is used several times in Acts 14-18 to describe strengthening believers. A related word is stereoo which is used in Acts 3:6-7 when Peter lifted the man who couldn’t walk at the gate called Beautiful and told him to walk. Stereoo means to impart strength. The e in front means “again” so episterizo is to re-strengthen. This is what we are to do for one another. But just like in Acts 3, it’s not really us who does this. We are to be conduits for God’s Spirit to strengthen one another.

Finally we discussed the obvious application: We need to be “strengtheners” (ones who impart strength to others) and “strengthenable” (ones who will be humble and readily accept help, spiritually and otherwise).