Bible Commentaries

Leaving Athens, the center of the intellectual life of Greece, Paul came to Corinth, its commercial center. There he joined Aquila, and gave himself to the work of tent-making, while reasoning on the Sabbath in the synagogue with both Jews and Greeks. When opposition arose, he turned from the synagogue, and found his base of operations in the house of Titus Justus. Unquestionably the opposition was keen, but he was encouraged as the Lord spoke to him in a vision. The result was that he remained in Corinth for a year and six months.

The opposing Jews at last arraigned Paul before Gallio. Gallio treated these Jews with supreme contempt, and by this fact the overruling God delivered His servant.

At last he left the city and passed to Ephesus, from Ephesus to Caesarea, from Caesarea to Jerusalem, where he tarried long enough to salute the Church, and so back to Antioch, completing the second missionary journey.

Then we see him starting on the Third journey, going first over old ground. It was in this period that we have the account of a vow. It is perhaps a little difficult to explain, and expositors have taken different views.

The account of Apollos follows. By birth and training he was especially fitted for work in that area. He was evidently a remarkable man, "eloquent, mighty in the Scriptures, instructed in the way of the Lord, fervent in spirit." Nevertheless, it is equally evident that he was limited in his knowledge of Jesus, which knowledge resulted from the ministry of John. It was on account of this he was more carefully instructed by Aquila and Priscilla.