Friday, October 25, 2024

ACTS: Paul in Corinth. Conclusion of the 2nd Missionary Journay

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).  

Other themes: Aquila’s name means Eagle. Maybe he can be compared to a great eagle of Ezekiel (17:1-4; 22-24), who provides a spiritual dwelling place for the Gentiles. Aquila first ministers for his Gentile wife (Luke mentions his Jewishness but not hers). Then two of them will minister to Apollos, also being mentioned by Paul in his writings (Rom. 16:3; 1 Cor. 16:19; 2 Tim. 4:19).

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