KEEP ON SPEAKING; DON'T BE AFRAID

Passage: Acts 18:9-17

Key verse: 9

NIV

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision:(A) “Do not be afraid;(B) keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you,(C) and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.(D)

12 While Gallio was proconsul(E) of Achaia,(F) the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”

14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law(G)—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16 So he drove them off. 17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes(H) the synagogue leader(I) and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.

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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

9 And the Lord said to Paul (A)one night in (B)a vision, (C)“Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 (D)for I am with you, and (E)no one will attack you to harm you, for (F)I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12 But when Gallio was (G)proconsul of Achaia, (H)the Jews[a] made a united attack on Paul and (I)brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to (J)the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious (K)crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 15 But (L)since it is a matter of questions about words and names and (M)your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 18:12 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verses 14 (twice), 28
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. 'I have many people in this city' (9-11)

After Paul boldly left the synagogue and turned the house next door into a Bible House, many Corinthians believed in Jesus and were baptized. The unbelieving Jews aggressively opposed him. Fear came into Paul's heart. Then the Lord visited him and said, 'Don't be afraid... Keep on speaking.' The Lord promised to be with him. So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching the Bible. There were many people with prepared hearts, waiting to hear the gospel.

2. A united attack defused (12-17)

God protected Paul, just as he had promised. The Jews again tried to make trouble. They even had Paul arrested and brought to court. They charged him with being a cult leader. Paul prepared to defend himself, but it was unnecessary, because Gallio, the proconsul, had them all ejected from the court. The Jews were so angry that they beat Sosthenes in order to get the attention of the proconsul.

Prayer: Lord, surely you have many people in this city. Help us to overcome opposition, and teach the Bible until your people come to know Jesus.

One Word: Don't be afraid; preach Christ