The Acts of the Apostles Acts 18 – Fightings, Within And Without Sunday – August 5, 2018

Peloponnese Peninsula

Temple of Apollo with Temple of Aphrodite

Map of Ancient Corinth

Paul In Corinth Eighteen Months 8/5/2018 am Paul In Corinth Eighteen Months Encouraged By The Lord. Acts 18:9-11 Told not to be afraid, nor remain silent, “… for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this city.” Acts 18:10; cf. Romans 15:31 The Lord knew there were many souls (people, laos) who would obey the gospel. Acts 18:9-11 – “9 And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace: 10 for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this city. 11 And he dwelt (there) a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” Romans 15:31 – “that I may be delivered from them that are disobedient in Judaea, and (that) my ministration which (I have) for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints” Richard Lidh

Paul In Corinth Eighteen Months 8/5/2018 am Paul In Corinth Eighteen Months Encouraged By The Lord. Acts 18:9-11 May refer to why (cf. “for”) none would hurt him; i.e., because of men like Gallio. During which he wrote Second Thessalonians (ca. 51-52 AD). cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:1 cf. Romans 15:31ff; Chief captain, Claudius Lysias Acts 21:11, 31-32; 22:22-29; 23:10, 22ff II Thessalonians 1:1 – “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” “Silas (short form of Silvanus)” – The Book of 2 Corinthians (Truth Commentary), Melvin Curry, page 82. “Silvanus” used four times in NT – II Corinthians 1:19; I Thessalonians 1:1; II Thessalonians 1:1; I Peter 5:12 Clinton Hamilton in 1 Peter (Truth Commentary), page 342 says, “No doubt, he is to be identified with Silas whom the book of Acts features prominently … Silas is the Greek form of his name. ” “Silas” used 13 times in NT but only in Acts 15 through 18. Romans 15:31-32 – “31 that I may be delivered from them that are disobedient in Judaea, and (that) my ministration which (I have) for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints; 32 that I may come unto you in joy through the will of God, and together with you find rest.” Acts 21, 22, 23, 24 have numerous references to “Claudius Lysias” and/or the “chief captain.” Richard Lidh

Paul In Corinth Eighteen Months 8/5/2018 am Paul In Corinth Eighteen Months Enabled By The Proconsul. Acts 18:12-18 The Jews brought Paul up on charges before Gallio, proconsul of Achaia. Gallio refused to heed them, not willing to be a judge in religious matters. The Greeks beat Sosthenes, ruler of the synagogue, which Gallio ignored. See Acts 18:17 in ESV – “But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.” Acts 18:12-18 – “12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment-seat, 13 saying, This man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villany, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15 but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; I am not minded to be a judge of these matters. 16 And he drove them from the judgment-seat. 17 And they all laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things. 18 And Paul, having tarried after this yet many days, took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila: having shorn his head in Cenchreae; for he had a vow.” “Sosthenes” mentioned in I Corinthians 1:1 but there is no indication that these were the same person. Apparently, Sosthenes was a relatively common name. Richard Lidh