After hearing an abbreviated history of Greece and the life of Paul, we arrived in modern day Corinth. A town bordering the Aegean Sea, Corinth played a pivotal role in Greek/Roman commerce as Nero built a dry canal through the isthmus joining the Aegean and Ionian Seas, which is still used today. (baptism bridge)
Paul was primarily an urban missionary, living in and adapting to the cultures of various cities of money and influence. Corinth was like the Los Angeles or New York City of Paul’s day: The “Crossroads of the World”. (Sound familiar? #panama)
When Paul came to Corinth, he had recently been flogged in Philippi, put in prison (rescued with an earthquake), not to mention, he was being followed around by Jewish rabble-rousers who kept stirring up dissension everywhere Paul and Silas tried to preach.
Paul arrives in Corinth and, in typical Paul fashion, goes directly to the synagogue. But when he shares with the Jews (his people) the Good News, they violently oppose Him. What a blow to Paul’s spirit!
Here he was, so burdened by the fact that his own people didn’t know about salvation through Jesus and freedom from the Law that he went into their place of worship first to share boldly with them. And instead of accepting Jesus as their Messiah, the Corinthian Jews threw it back in Paul’s face—almost like spitting at God. How heartbroken and distressed Paul must have felt.
Nevertheless, God still had a purpose for Paul and would not abandon him even in the trials and persecution ahead. (Acts 18:9-10)
9 “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.’ 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.”
**How has God encouraged you in your lowest moments? Who do you know in ministry that needs that encouragement right now?
Later, Paul writes the Corinthians letters as his “deeply loved ones,” knowing they are still a little shaky in their newfound belief and uncertain how to live Christian lives in such a pluralistic Roman society. Paul clarifies the Message again and instructs them on hot-topic issues like sexual immorality and eating food that is offered to idols. Above all, Paul stresses the importance of unity in the Church.
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Because we are all one in Christ, we can share in something extra special—the communion of believers through the Holy Spirit and the celebration of a Gospel based on love that costs everything but has no greater reward. We are not alone in this journey.
The Peace of Christ be with you.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 1:2
**Corinth tidbit: Who is Sosthenes?
In Acts 18, a group of angry Corinthian Jews accuse Paul of teaching things that contradict God’s law. They drag him to stand in front of the Bema, or judgment seat, where Gallio the proconsul will make a decision. Gallio, fed up with petty arguments about people’s religious beliefs, dismisses the case. The mob then turns on Sosthenes, the synagogue leader at the time, and beats him violently for not doing anything about Paul. Gallio looks on and does nothing. It seems that Sosthenes then disappears from the picture for awhile, and you wonder what ever happened to him.
Then, in the intro to Paul’s first letter to the Church in Corinth, you see his name mentioned again:
“Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 1:1-3).
Notice, Paul called Sosthenes “their brother”. What happened in Sosthenes’ life following his beating in front of the proconsul? Could it be that the Corinthian Church reached out to Sosthenes and the love of Christ transformed his life? One would think that Paul and Sosthenes would have a lot in common: Jewish leaders, former persecutors of the Christian church, both wrapped up in the law with a blind spot to God’s grace. Acting in love, the Church can be powerfully used by God to reach out and be living testimonies of His grace and truth.
**Who is someone who God wants you to reach out to and love without judgment? It could be someone you share common interests or life experience with or someone completely on the other side of the fence from you. Pray that God will reveal this person and that you do not miss out on a powerful opportunity to welcome another brother/sister into God’s family.
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