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"He that teacheth not his son a trade, doth the same as if he taught him to be a thief."
And Gamaliel, at whose feet Paul had sat, said that he that had a trade in his hand was
"like a fenced vineyard". "St. Paul, after working miracles, stood in his workshop at
Corinth, and stitched hides of leather together with his hands, and the angels regarded
him with love, and the devils with fear" (Chrysostom).
The fact that there was a "Chief Ruler" of the synagogue at Corinth indicates its
importance and numerical strength. A stone has been discovered in Corinth, dating from
between B.C.100 and A.D.200, bearing the inscription (Suna) goge hebr (aion),
"Synagogue of the Hebrews", and there is every probability that this stone was actually in
position during the Apostle's stay.
Continuing with the narrative in chapter 18:, we read:
"He reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
And when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed by the word
(Texts read logos) and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ" (Acts 18: 4, 5).
Here we have the same enthusiasm, the same methods, the same object. And here,
alas, also the same result, the opposition and blasphemy of the Jews. Once more there
were branches broken out of the olive tree, and once more the Apostle turns to the
Gentiles (Acts 18: 6).
Before we go further, it may be as well to give the structure of the whole passage,
which is as follows:
Paul at Corinth (Acts 18: 1-17).
A | 1-7. CLAUDIUS. (Roman Emperor). |
a | Jews expelled from Rome.
b | Synagogue. The Word. Jews oppose and blaspheme.
B | 8. CRISPUS. (Chief Ruler of Synagogue). |
Believed. Baptized.
C | 9, 10. VISION. Much people in this city.
A | 11-16. GALLIO. (Roman Deputy). |
b | Hard by synagogue. The Word. Jews made insurrection.
a | Jews driven from judgment-seat.
B | 17. SOSTHENES. (Chief Ruler of Synagogue). |
Beaten (Believed later, I Cor. 1: 1).
We find, therefore, that the theme of Acts 18: 1-17 revolves around five focal
points--the action of two Roman rulers, the action of two synagogue rulers, and the
vision granted to Paul by the great Ruler over all, the Lord Himself.
On two occasions the Apostle announced in a synagogue that he would turn to the
Gentiles, once in Antioch (Acts 13: 46), and once again in Corinth (Acts 18: 6). In
both cases we read in the immediate context that the Jews not only opposed but