Paul’s Preaching in Athens

When they heard about the

resurrection of the dead, some of them

sneered (32)

1 Corinthians 15:12-13

ResponseResponseinin

AthensAthens

• Very little response• Some sneered• Some wanted to hear more• Dionysius (a member of the

Areopagus) and a woman named Damaris responded and others

On to Corinth!

• After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. (Acts 18:1)

On to Corinth!

• In Athens, Paul had been “belittled and disrespected.” (Pollard, p. 122)

On to Corinth!

• Paul arrived in Corinth at the lowest point in his missionary travels.

The City of Corinth

• 50 miles west of Athens

• Gateway between Asia & Europe

• “Master of 2 Harbors”

• Isthmus of Corinth – 3 ½ Miles

IsthmusOf

Corinth3.5 Miles

Aristophanes (450-385 B.C.)

Coined the verb Korinthiadzo

meaning “to fornicate”

The City of Corinth• 146 B.C. – Destroyed by Romans• 44 B.C. – Rebuilt as a Roman Colony

by Julius Caesar• 1,000 sacred prostitutes of Aphrodite

were in pre-Roman Corinth• Population – 145,000 in 1st Century

(McRay, p. 164)

Corinth was the “New York,

Los Angeles, and Las Vegas of

the ancient world.”(Gordon Fee, quoted by

McRay, p. 166)

Isthmian Games

• Every 2 years

• Panhellenic

• Devoted to Poseidon

Aquila & Aquila & PriscillaPriscilla

• Jews

• From Pontus

• Coming from Rome

• Tentmakers

……because Claudius had because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to ordered all the Jews to

leave Rome. leave Rome. (18:2)(18:2)

In A.D. 49, the Roman Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews from

the city of Rome.

……because Claudius had because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to ordered all the Jews to

leave Rome. leave Rome. (18:2)(18:2)

Resulted from a controversy among the Jews regarding

“Chrestus.” (Suetonius)

Corinthian MinistryCorinthian Ministry

• Large Jewish community• Every Sabbath reasoned in the

synagogue…Jews and Greeks.

When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching….

(18:5)

This is the setting for 1 & 2 Thessalonians

Written from Corinth in A.D. 50

Perhaps written in reverse order

1 & 2 Thessalonians1 & 2 Thessalonians

• Paul, Silas, and Timothy – 1:1

• Faith, hope and love (refrain)

• Love of mother/father (2:7, 11-12)

• Occasioned by quick departure (2:17-3:6)

1 & 2 Thessalonians1 & 2 Thessalonians

• …do this more and more (4:1).

• …lead a quiet life…. (4:11-12)

• 2nd Coming Issues (2 Thess. 3)

Ministry in CorinthMinistry in Corinth

• Jesus is Christ!

• Jews/abusive (6)

• Next door to the house of Titius Justus/God-fearer

Ministry in CorinthMinistry in Corinth

• Crispus the synagogue ruler believed in Christ

• (Vision) Do not be afraid…. (9)

Ministry in CorinthMinistry in Corinth

• Ministered for 1 ½ years (11)

GallioGallio• Proconsul of

Achaia

• A.D. 51-52

• Probably early in his rule

GallioGallio• Court (NIV)

is bēma

• Judgment seat in 2 Cor. 5:10

GallioGallio• Gallio saw it as

a Jewish problem.

• Sosthenes the synagogue ruler was beaten.

Headed HomeHeaded Home• Accompanied by

Aquila & Priscilla to Ephesus

• Cuts hair in Cenchrea for a vow – still very much a Jew

Headed HomeHeaded Home• Short time of

preaching in synagogue in Ephesus

• Sailed to Caesarea

When he landed in Caesarea, he went up (to Jerusalem) and greeted the church and then

went down to Antioch.

(18:22)

UpUp

DownDown

Paul’s 3Paul’s 3rdrd Missionary Journey Missionary Journey

Meanwhile…Meanwhile…• Apollos arrived in Ephesus• From Alexandria, Egypt• He was a powerful Jewish

preacher• Knew about Jesus• Knew only baptism of John

Meanwhile…Meanwhile…• Priscilla & Aquila invited him to

their home “and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” (18:26)

• Goes to Corinth (1 Cor. 3:6)

• Jesus was the Christ (18:5)

• Troas

• Philippi

• Thessalonica

• Berea

• Athens

• Corinth

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey