Acquila and Priscilla were in Rome but were kicked out by Claudius along with the rest of the Jews. Paul met them in Corinth where he had come next in his journey and stayed with them because they also were tentmakers.
v4 He “reasoned” in the synagogue every Sabbath.
v5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
Why did this happen when Silas and Timothy showed up on the scene?
This event led to the Jews opposing him and Paul deciding that he would preach to the Gentiles from that point forward. This is a pivotal moment in his ministry, and it waited for Silas and Timothy before it went down.
v7 Paul goes and hangs out with Justus, whose house was right next door to the synagogue.
v8 THEN, Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
Paul takes residence next door to the synagogue, and the ruler comes to Christ. Interesting, indeed.
v9 Paul has a vision where Jesus speaks to him during the night.
“Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;
for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”
These are the same words spoken to Joshua. “Do not be afraid for I am with you.”
v11 Paul was there 18 months.
v12 The Jews rose up against Paul for preaching God contrary to the law. They take him to the judgment seat. Gallio (proconsul of Achaia) told the Jews that this was a Jewish law thing, and he wanted nothing to do with it.
v16 And he drove them from the judgment seat.
v17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gagllio took no notice of these things.
There is only mercy at the judgment seat for the believer, but the non-believer is sent away. For those that attack God on the judgment seat, judgment comes quickly.
v18 Paul leaves and cuts off his hair at Cenchrea because of the vow he took. (vow = promise to God). What was the vow?
v19 He shows up at Ephesus and goes to the synagogue. Paul always goes first to the synagogue to “reason” with the Jews. Even though he is sent to preach to the Gentiles, Paul always goes to the Jews at the synagogue.
v21 “I will return to you, God willing.”
God willing, indeed. We will do this and that, Lord willing. Why cant we get in a habit of confessing that?
v24 – 28
Apollos was a gifted preacher and teacher. However, his theology was only along the lines of John the Baptist. So, Aquila and Priscilla took him “aside and explained the way of God more accurately.”
The result was that he confronted the Jews publicly which greatly helped those who had believed through grace. Naturally, they kept pushing the law.