LESSON IV.—SUNDAY, JULY 23, 1893.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.] - After these things he departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.
- And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome;
- And he came unto them; and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them, and they wrought; for by their trade they were tentmakers.
- And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
- But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.
- And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
- And he departed thence, and went into the house of a certain man named Titus Justus, one that worshiped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
- And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
- And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by 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 harm thee; for I have much people in this city.
- And he dwelt there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Golden Text.—"The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1 Cor. 1:18. - Give a synopsis of the events between this lesson and the last. Note 1.
- Where did Paul go from Athens? Verse 1.
- Whom did he seek out? Verse 2.
- Why did he join with them? Verse 3.
- What day did the Jews observe? Note 2.
- How did Paul observe the Sabbath? Verse 4.
- For how long time did he stay at Corinth? Verse 11.
- To whom did he especially feel burdened to preach when Silas and Timothy came? Verse 5.
- What did he preach? Same verse. Note 3.
- What did he say when they opposed and blasphemed? Verse 6. Note 4.
- What change did he make in his location to facilitate his work? Verse 7.
- What was the result of his labors? Verse 8.
- What encouragement was given him of God? Verses 9, 10. Note 5.
- What Scripture truth was exemplified here? Golden text.
1. PAUL's sermon on Mars' Hill in Athens caused those who were wise in the wisdom of the world to mock; the indifferent said, We will hear thee again; but some believed, among whom were Dionysius, the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris. From there the apostle went to the magnificent and celebrated city of Corinth, at that time the political capital of Greece, and the chief city of commerce. "It was situate on the isthmus which connected the two portions of Greece." Here the apostle, in physical weakness (1 Cor. 2:3), founded a large church, to which at least three epistles were written, two of which we have. The time of his preaching at Corinth was about A.D. 52. 1 Corinthians was written about four years after, it is supposed, and 2 Corinthians one or two years later. While at Corinth he wrote two letters to the Thessalonians. The city had great need of the gospel. It was one of the most licentious, drunken, wicked cities of that day. The most abominable licentiousness formed a part of the worship. 2. PAUL sought out a Jew, an observer of the seventh-day Sabbath. He evidently worked the other six days at his trade, to provide himself the necessities of life, and his preaching was evidently hindered by it. When Silas and Timothy came, they brought aid from Philippi. Compare 2 Cor. 11:9 with Phil. 4:15, 16. But Paul's work was honorable. He was a tentmaker; Jesus was a carpenter. Both worked six days and rested the Sabbath, according to the commandment. Ex. 20:8-11. As Paul stayed at Corinth one year and six months, he observed seventy-eight Sabbaths in that city alone, but there is not an intimation that he kept Sunday, nor did his converts, Jew or Gentile. He preached to the Gentiles, but kept the sacred Sabbath. 3. Jesus was the Christ.—So he says in 1 Cor. 2:2 that he knew naught among them, he made known nothing, but Jesus Christ as a crucified and risen Saviour. Why should he preach politics, or current topics; all the world's need and the fullness of God were found in Jesus? 4. Your blood be upon your own heads.—As long as there is hope, God works for man. He did not turn from the Jews till the Jews turned from him. He will not turn from us till we turn from him. 5. I am with thee.—Precious encouragement to worn, persecuted, desolated man. He had endured much at Philippi, at Thessalonica, at Berea. At Athens he met unbelief among the heathens, at Corinth among the Jews. But the Lord says, "Be not afraid," "I am with thee." Precious assurance, Jesus is with his own even unto the end of the age. Matt. 28:20.