Acts 18:1-4
Gospel mission advances through faithful proclamation, ordinary labor, and strategic partnership.
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.
2 He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, who had recently come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them,
3 and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers.
4 He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
Gospel mission advances through faithful proclamation, ordinary labor, and strategic partnership.
To transition Paul’s ministry to Corinth, highlighting vocational partnership and continued synagogue reasoning.
This passage begins Paul's Corinthian ministry during the second missionary journey. Luke transitions from philosophical engagement in Athens to a major commercial city marked by moral and cultural complexity. The narrative highlights the integration of ordinary labor and gospel mission.
Paul arrives in Corinth, a major commercial center in Achaia known for trade and moral reputation. Aquila and Priscilla had been expelled from Rome due to Claudius's decree affecting Jews, likely related to disturbances concerning 'Chrestus.' Sharing the trade of tentmaking, Paul works alongside them while continuing synagogue ministry each Sabbath.
The Lord Strengthens the Mission in Corinth and Beyond
Acts 18 shows that the Lord sustains gospel ministry through providential partnerships, bold testimony, divine encouragement, legal protection, disciple-strengthening, and the careful equipping of gifted teachers.