[Acts 18:1-17] Paul moved on to Corinth, finding Aquila and Priscilla there, remnants of the Roman cohort, having been booted from Italy by Claudius. All tent-makers by trade, they worked together until Silas and Timothy joined them. Undoubtedly bolstered by this reunion, and the stability brought about by the presence Aquila and Priscilla, with this solid team now assembled, Paul again focused on the synagogue as was his modus operandi.
Again, the Jews recoiled and Paul shook off his clothes in disgust, moving on to the Gentiles. But he did not move too far away, but to the house of Titius Justus next door, for he was a “worshiper of God” and we assume now a believer. From there he continued to evangelize the administrator of the synagogue Crispus, who was won to Christ (and baptized) along with all of his household. As a result, “many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.”
Then, after achieving somewhat of a critical mass in the city, with Aquila and Priscilla, Silas, Timothy, Titius Justus, and now Crispus, along with the many others, the Lord felt it necessary to call “time out” in Paul’s missionary quest, which had him harassed, chased, beaten and jailed since he left Antioch, telling him,
“Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city. And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” Acts 18:9-10
Are there principles in here somewhere? Perhaps the need for an occasional strategic creative pause in ministry? Perhaps to take time to skin what you catch? Certainly God knew ahead of time that in the budding church in Corinth were assembled many gifted people, as Paul would write this about them later,
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:4-8
So, for now he would have him sit tight in Corinth and teach the word, even validating this pause with an intervention by Gallio proconsul of Achaia when Jews again dragged Paul before the authorities for teaching Jesus. Gallio stopped them short, refusing to hear it. But interestingly, Sosthenes, perhaps Crispus’ replacement, was beaten by the officers of the court. This same man may turn up later as a follower of Christ and Paul’s ministry partner in Asia. (1 Corinthians 1:1)
And God causes all things, and so on…
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