A TENTMAKER IN CORINTH

Passage: Acts 18:1-8

Key verse: 3

NIV

In Corinth

18 After this, Paul left Athens(A) and went to Corinth.(B) 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,(C) because Claudius(D) had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.(E) 4 Every Sabbath(F) he reasoned in the synagogue,(G) trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

5 When Silas(H) and Timothy(I) came from Macedonia,(J) Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.(K) 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive,(L) he shook out his clothes in protest(M) and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads!(N) I am innocent of it.(O) From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”(P)

7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.(Q) 8 Crispus,(R) the synagogue leader,(S) and his entire household(T) believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Paul in Corinth

18 After this Paul[a] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named (A)Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife (B)Priscilla, because (C)Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and (D)because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And (E)he reasoned in the synagogue (F)every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

5 (G)When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul (H)was occupied with the word, (I)testifying to the Jews that the Christ was (J)Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, (K)he shook out his garments and said to them, (L)“Your blood be on your own heads! (M)I am innocent. (N)From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius (O)Justus, (P)a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 (Q)Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together (R)with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 18:1 Greek he
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. A tentmaker missionary (1-3)

Paul was a missionary who supported himself with his tent-making skill. In Corinth he met Aquila and Priscilla, immigrant Jewish refugees from Rome. They were also tentmakers by trade. They accepted Jesus and became Paul's co-workers. Paul made tents with them and pioneered the church in Corinth.

2. First to the Jews (4-8)

Timothy and Silas came from Berea to join Paul, and he devoted himself to preaching to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ. When God worked in people's hearts and the numbers of believers grew, the unbelieving Jews opposed him and even became abusive. Paul did not back down, or try to compromise with them. He announced, 'Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. ...I will go to the Gentiles.' He left the synagogue and began meeting in the house next door. Many went with him, believed and were baptized.

Prayer: Lord, help me to depend on you and not be discouraged by so-called Christians who have no sense of mission.

One Word: Preach the gospel to everyone