Acts 18:1-3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 18:2

Verse 2− 2.A Jew called Aquila. This was no small trial, in that Paul findeth none at Corinthus to lodge him save Aquila, who had been twice exiled. For being born in Pontus, he forsook his country, and sailed over the sea, that he might dwell at Rome. He was compelled to depart thence again by the commandment of Claudius Caesar. Though the commodiousness of the city was such, the plenty so great, the situation so pleasant, and there were also so many Jews there, yet Paul found no more fit... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 18:3

Verse 3− 3.They were of the same trade. This place teacheth that Paul, before he came to Corinth, was wont to work with his hands; and that not upon pleasure, but that he might get his living with his handiwork. It is not known where he first learned his occupation; notwithstanding it appeareth by his own testimony that he wrought principally at Corinth. And he showeth a reason, because the false apostles taught freely without taking any thing, that they might craftily creep in, therefore the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:1

He for Paul, A.V. and T.R. After these things , etc. No hint is given by St. Luke as to the length of Paul's sojourn at Athens. But as the double journey of the Beroeans, who accompanied him to Athens, back to Beraea, and of Timothy from Beraea to Athens, amounted to above five hundred miles, we cannot suppose it to have been less than a month; and it may have been a good deal more. His reasonings in the synagogue with the Jews and devout Greeks, apparently on successive sabbaths,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:1

Corinth as a model sphere of missionary labor. The service of the apostle no city or district is more fully detailed than his service at Corinth, and there is so much of interest connected with that city, that we may consider somewhat fully the work that had to be done, and the work that was done there. A general sketch of the place, its character, and its history will suggest the directions in which, further study and research may be hopefully pursued. The most complete and careful note... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:1-3

Christian friendship. Unselfish friendship, the union of human souls in the bands of a close, unworldly, self-sacrificing love, has always been a spectacle that has fascinated men, one on which they have dwelt with peculiar fondness. Among the Greeks, Pylades and Orestes, Damon and Pythias; in the Old Testament David and Jonathan, and in the New Testament Peter and John, are examples of such friendships, and of the admiration which men cannot help having for them. But there is not any more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:1-4

A glimpse into apostolic life. Corinth. Change of method. In Athens a public challenge offered both to the philosophers and to the citizens generally in the market-place, as well as reasonings with the Jews in the synagogue. In Corinth, a more mercantile and less intellectual city, the preaching was more private and more decidedly on the foundation of the Old Testament, until Paul's separation from the synagogue, Notice— I. The apostolic SIMPLICITY AND SINGLENESS OF MOTIVE .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:1-11

Truth before the citadel. When the apostle of Jesus Christ confronted the heathenism of Corinth, we may say that, in his person, Divine truth was opening its attack on the very citadel of sin; such was its "abysmal profligacy," its intemperance, its dishonesty, its superstition. In the brief account we have of Paul's work in this city we are reminded— I. THAT CHRISTIAN BLAMELESSNESS SHOULD ANSWER TO THE DEPRAVITY IT ENCOUNTERS . ( Acts 18:3 .) At such a city as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:1-17

Paul at Corinth. I. HIS WORK AT CORINTH . 1. Its humble and self-denying beginning . ( Acts 18:1-4 .). 2. Courageous progress. ( Acts 18:5-8 .) When Timothy and Silas came, Paul, instead of throwing the work upon their shoulders, only redoubles his activity. How useful and how happy "the tie that binds" men's hearts in Christian love and work ( Philippians 2:22 )! tie continues to witness to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. The previous work in the synagogue... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:3

Trade for craft, A.V.; they wrought for (he) wrought, A.V. and T.R.; trade for occupation, A.V. ( τέχνῃ ). Of the same trade ; ὁμότεχνον . This word occurs here only in the New Testament, but is of frequent use in Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and Galen (Hobart, as before). Tent-makers ; σκηνοποιοί , which is paraphrased by σκηοῤῥάφοι , tent-stitchers or tailors, by Chrysostom and Theodoret. Hug and others erroneously interpret it "makers of tent-cloth," from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:3-4

Tent-making a sermon. Paul has left the mockers, the procrastinators, and the believers, each to reap the fruits he has sown, and, departing from Athens, has reached Corinth. And here we find him the center of so natural a touch of history, that it speaks its own fidelity. No "cunningly devised" history would have interpolated such an incident as this before us. Nothing but the truth of history could find its niche here. So distinctly as it is recorded, it must be charged with some useful... read more

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