p. 13 | The Sunday School

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 15, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 27.

The Sunday School

International Series.

LESSON V.—SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 1897.

PAUL'S MINISTRY IN CORINTH.

NOTE.—It is suggested that the first three chapters of 1 Corinthians be read in connection with the study of this lesson. The lesson section includes Acts 18:1-22. Verses 8-11 should be memorized. Review, by aid of the map, Paul's second missionary journey from Antioch to Corinth. In the three first chapters of 1 Corinthians considerable light will be thrown upon Paul's life and work while among them. It is also suggested that the scholars be drilled upon the principal events of Paul's stay in Corinth. "Events at Corinth: Paul preaches to Jews and Gentiles; finds some congenial friends; works at his trade for his own support; his helpers, Silas and Timothy, come to him from Macedonia; the Philippians send him, by them, a loving contribution for his support; he writes two letters to the Thessalonians; he has a comforting vision and message from Jesus; in A.D. 57 they receive two letters from Paul; later still, A.D. 58, according to Farrar, Paul wrote from Corinth the epistles to the Galatians and to the Romans."—Peloubet.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 18:1-11, R. V.

"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 tent-makers. And he reasoned in the synagog 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 synagog. And Crispus, the ruler of the synagog, 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.—"Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 3:11.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) After the events of our previous lesson, where did Paul go? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) Whom did he find at Corinth? (3) Why were they at that place? Verse 2. (4) What influenced Paul to take up his abode with them? Verse 3. (5) How did Paul busy himself when he was not preaching? (6) What was their occupation? Note 2. (7) On what days did Paul preach and where? Verse 4. (8) To whom did he preach? (9) Who joined Paul at this place? Verse 5. (10) What change took place in Paul's work at this time? Note 3. (11) How was his testimony received? Verse 6. (12) In view of this what did he do? (13) Where did he place the responsibility for the loss of their souls? (14) What did he say of himself? (15) Where would he prosecute his work while he remained in Corinth? (16) On leaving the synagog, where did Paul go? Verse 7. (17) What is said of this man? (18) What of the location of his house? Note 4. (19) What prominent Jew believed on Christ as the result of Paul's teaching? Verse 8. (20) What position did he hold? (21) Who else at this place accepted of the Gospel message? (22) What visitation did Paul have at this time? Verse 9. (23) What was the message to him? (24) Why need Paul have no fear? (25) What reason does the Lord give for specially protecting Paul at this place? Verses 9 and 10. Note 5. (26) How long did Paul continue in this place? Verse 11. Note 6.

NOTES.

1. Came to Corinth.—From the long stay which Paul made at this place and the experiences which he had in going to, and attempting to go to, other places, it would seem that this was the destination which the Lord had in view for him. In starting on this journey he was forbidden to preach in Asia, and was prevented from going into Bithynia, but was directed to go over into Macedonia. His stay here was not long, after accomplishing a certain work; and for one reason or another he did not stop long in any of the places he visited until he reached Corinth. This city was said to contain 400,000 inhabitants, and was very cosmopolitan. It was thus a strategic center for the spread of the Gospel. It was also a very wicked city.

2. They were tent-makers.—This was not a highly esteemed trade, but rather the opposite. The tents which they made were used by shepherds, travelers, and by Roman soldiers. This occupation is carried on quite extensively in eastern countries at the present day. A portion of the business part of Constantinople is now devoted to this industry. The rabbinical laws required the Jewish parent to teach his son a useful trade, and whoever did not so do was considered as bringing his child up for a robber. Jesus was a carpenter. How appropriate for him who was to perfect "God's building" (1 Cor. 3:9), who was to build "his stories [mansions] in the heaven" (Amos 9:6), the Architect of that city "whose builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:10), in short, for the great Master Builder who is preparing mansions for his people—how appropriate, how full of meaning, is the labor which he performed as a man!

3. Constrained by the word.—Completely held by it, impelled, urged on. Even with the knowledge that he was doing the work of God, and that God was with him, the reinforcements from Macedonia, with the cheering news which they brought, were a source of great encouragement to Paul. Being relieved from anxiety in regard to them and the work which he had left behind, a new impetus was given to his preaching.

4. Titus Justus.—Paul's departure was not from the city but from the synagog, and the close proximity of the house into which he entered to continue his work made it a standing invitation to the Jews to come and hear. The Gentiles would also go to this place of meeting, for Titus Justus was not a Jew, but a Gentile proselyte.

5. For I am with thee.—A reiteration of his promise in the great commission, "Lo, I am with you allway, even unto the end of the world." Paul had no doubt been weighed down by the opposition which he met at this place, and the mutterings of the Jews against him.

6. A year and six months.—It will be noted that this lesson incidentally gives a good idea of Paul's regard for the Sabbath. In the first place he found Jews—those who observed the Sabbath, the seventh day, with whom to associate in his work. He labored six days, preaching "every Sabbath" to both "Jews and Greeks." As long as he could he did this in the synagog, afterward in the house of Justus, and he kept this up for one year and six months. Here were then seventy-eight Sabbaths observed by the apostle, who labored, as intimated by the record, on all first days. And his course in this respect was not even questioned.