Paul in Corinth. Conclusion of the Second Mission Journey
The
Passage: Acts 18:1-23
Structure:
a. 18:1a, Paul travels alone
b. 18:1b-4,
Aquila and Priscilla, discussion in the synagogue
c. 18:5-6, they opposed and reviled him
d. 18:7-8, many of the Corinthians who heard
believed and were baptized
e. 18:9-10, vision of the Lord
d’. 18:11, for a year and a half he taught
them
c’. 18:12-17, the Jews rose up against Paul
b’. 18:18-21a,
discussion with the Jews, Aquila and Priscilla
a’. 18:21b-22,
Paul travels alone
Historical
and geographical context: Claudius commanded for Jews to leave Rome. Claudius dies on October 13,
54 AD. This means that from the Pentecost to the end of second missionary
journey of Paul is about 20-25 years.
At first,
Paul acts alone (staying at the Aquila and Priscilla’s place). Then Silas and
Timothy arrived. When they come to Corinth they saw for the first time when St.
Paul openly states that he is changing the focal point of his mission – from
Jew to Gentiles (cp. Rom 1:16). The final claim along the same lines will be
made by the end of the Book (28:25-28).
Note that
Aquila and Priscilla were left in Ephesus, where Paul returns during his third
missionary journey.
Overall,
this part of the journey looked like this: Corinth – Cenchreae – Ephesus –
Caesarea – Antioch (this concludes the second missionary journey).
Theology:
The central
point of theology – Christ crucified (1 Cor. 1:23). To understand Acts 18:5 we
need to take into account the difference of our context. We know about Jesus,
and the evangelism is to “prove” that He is the Savior/Christ. For Paul and his
listeners, the theology of Christ/Messiah was an integral part of their
upbringing. The question was who would fit this “job description”? Paul
presented his arguments that it was Jesus.
We see a
mentioning of two symbolic acts: shaking out the garments and spilling of the
blood. The first one is a symbolic act of disassociation of oneself from the
environment (cp. Gen 3:17, Matt. 10:14-15). Mentioning of blood should be taken
in the context of a sacrifice – either your blood is represented on the altar
in a substitutionary manner (cp. Lev. 17:11 and Heb. 9:22), or “Your blood is
on your heads” (you represent yourself to the Judge).
Turn toward
Gentiles. As noted before, Paul’s strategy was always to go to the Jewish
community first (Acts 17:1; 16:13). Even after this claim he didn’t change his
“behavioral pattern” (18:19). On the other hand, having a severe resistance
from the Jewish leadership, he shifts the focus of his attention – technically,
the mission among the Gentiles should’ve been started long before Paul (Is.
2:2-3). And Luke immediately picks up the fact that Corithian community of Jesus
begin gathering at a house of a God worshiping Gentile Titius Justus – next
door to the synagogue. This place attracted both Jews and Gentiles alike.
Paul as a
new Jeremaih. Reading what Lord tells Paul in the night vision and comparing it
to the call and persecution of the prophet, we can see some similarities. (cp.
Jer. 1:4-10; 32).
Rulers of
the synagogue – Crispus vs. Sosthenes. Acts 13:15 tells us that there could be
more than one ruler of a synagogue. Therefore, I believe these are two
different people. Crispus accepted Jesus immediately, while it took some time
for Sosthenes. Yet, Paul finds it important to mention his name as a co-author
writing to the congregation in Corith (1 Cor. 1:1).
What was
Paul’s vow. The vow that involves the shaving of the hair is a Nazarene vow
(Num. 6:1-22). He will perform a similar rite in Jerusalem (toward the end of
the third missionary journey, Acts 21:20-24). Yet, this raises the question why
he would do a rite of completion of his Nazarene vow prior to arrival to
Ephesus (let alone Antioch).
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