Paul’s Preaching in Athens

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered

(32) 1 Corinthians 15:12-13

Response

in

Athens

• Very little response • Some sneered • Some wanted to hear more • Dionysius (a member of the Areopagus) and a woman named Damaris responded and others

On to Corinth!

•

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

(Acts 18:1)

On to Corinth!

• In Athens, Paul had been “belittled and disrespected.” (Pollard, p. 122)

On to Corinth!

• Paul arrived in Corinth at the lowest point in his missionary travels.

The City of Corinth

• 50 miles west of Athens • Gateway between Asia & Europe • “Master of 2 Harbors” • Isthmus of Corinth – 3 ½ Miles

Isthmus Of Corinth 3.5 Miles

Aristophanes

(450-385 B.C.) Coined the verb

Korinthiadzo

meaning “to fornicate”

The City of Corinth

• 146 B.C. – Destroyed by Romans • 44 B.C. – Rebuilt as a Roman Colony by Julius Caesar • 1,000 sacred prostitutes of Aphrodite were in pre-Roman Corinth • Population – 145,000 in 1 st Century (McRay, p. 164)

Corinth was the “New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas of the ancient world.” (Gordon Fee, quoted by McRay, p. 166)

Isthmian Games

• Every 2 years • Panhellenic • Devoted to Poseidon

Aquila & Priscilla

• Jews • From Pontus • Coming from Rome • Tentmakers

…because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to

leave Rome. (18:2)

In A.D. 49, the Roman Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews from the city of Rome.

…because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to

leave Rome. (18:2)

Resulted from a controversy among the Jews regarding “Chrestus.” (Suetonius)

Corinthian Ministry

• • Large Jewish community

Every Sabbath reasoned in the synagogue…Jews and Greeks.

When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching….

(18:5)

This is the setting for 1 & 2 Thessalonians Written from Corinth in A.D. 50 Perhaps written in reverse order

1 & 2 Thessalonians

•

Paul, Silas, and Timothy

– 1:1 •

Faith, hope and love

(refrain) • Love of mother/father (2:7, 11-12) • Occasioned by quick departure (2:17-3:6)

1 & 2 Thessalonians

•

…do this more and more

(4:1).

•

…lead a quiet life….

(4:11-12) • 2 nd Coming Issues (2 Thess. 3)

Ministry in Corinth

•

Jesus is Christ!

• Jews/abusive (6) •

Next door to the house of Titius Justus

/God-fearer

Ministry in Corinth

• Crispus the synagogue ruler believed in Christ • (Vision)

Do not be afraid….

(9)

Ministry in Corinth

• Ministered for 1 ½ years (11)

Gallio

• Proconsul of Achaia • A.D. 51-52 • Probably early in his rule

Gallio

•

Court

(NIV) is bēma •

Judgment seat

in 2 Cor. 5:10

Gallio

• Gallio saw it as a Jewish problem.

• Sosthenes the synagogue ruler was beaten.

Headed Home

• Accompanied by Aquila & Priscilla to Ephesus • Cuts hair in Cenchrea for a vow – still very much a Jew

Headed Home

• Short time of preaching in synagogue in Ephesus • Sailed to Caesarea

When he landed in Caesarea, he went up

(to Jerusalem)

and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.

(18:22)

Up Down

Paul’s 3 rd Missionary Journey

Meanwhile…

• Apollos arrived in Ephesus • From Alexandria, Egypt • He was a powerful Jewish preacher • Knew about Jesus • Knew only baptism of John

Meanwhile…

• Priscilla & Aquila invited him to their home “and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” (18:26) • Goes to Corinth (1 Cor. 3:6) •

Jesus was the Christ

(18:5)

• Troas • Philippi • Thessalonica • Berea • Athens • Corinth

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey