Acts 18:5-11
5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.
6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
7 Then he left the synagogue and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.
8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his entire household; and many of the Corinthians, as they listened to Paul, were believing and being baptized.
9 And the Lord said to Paul by a vision at night, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”
11 And he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Corinthian Evangelism (4)
Joined by Silas and Timothy (v 5)
Paul is now in Corinth, engaged in evangelism. His encounter with Aquila and Priscilla greatly encouraged him. Meanwhile, his co-laborers arrived in Corinth. “But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.” The arrival of Silas and Timothy was a significant encouragement to Paul. Here we see, (a) God’s providence at work in times of weakness, and (b) God’s providence at work in diligence. Even in times of weakness, let us serve God diligently. He sees our attitude. Silas arrived in Corinth from Philippi, bringing missionary support offerings from the Philippian church. Philippians 4:15 states, “You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone.” Paul must have been deeply comforted by the generosity of the believers in Philippi. Timothy arrived from Thessalonica. (1) Timothy brought good news: “But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love… in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith…” (1 Thess. 3:6–8). (b) Additionally, Timothy returned with questions from the Thessalonian believers regarding the Rapture and the Second Coming (1 Thess. 4:13–5:11). In response to these questions, Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians and later, during his stay in Corinth, wrote 2 Thessalonians. With Silas and Timothy now joined, Paul was able to devote himself fully to evangelism. As 2 Corinthians 11:9 states, “And when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brothers came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.” At this stage, Paul’s evangelism was centered on the synagogue and focused on the Jews. The message was that “Jesus is the Messiah prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures.” Let us remember that God’s eyes are always on His faithful servants.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, I have learned to follow diligently even in weakness. Please keep Your eyes upon Your servant. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.