CHAPTER I. THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CORINTH.
Tue establishment of the Church of Corinth was the crowning work of Paul’s second missionary journey, and one of the greatest achieve- ments of his life. By repeated interventions crossing his plans of travel, the hand of God had compelled him to enter Europe, through the gate of Macedonia; thence Jewish persecution drove him on- wards to Achaia, and prevented his returning to the work left unfinished in the northern province (1 Thess. ii. 14 ff., cf. Acts xvii. 5-15). At Athens, where he first touched Greek soil, the Apostle met with scant success; he arrived at Corinth dispirited and out of health (1 Cor. ii. 3, cf. 1 Thess. iii. 7), with little expectation of the harvest awaiting him. Loneliness aggravated the other causes of the “ weakness and fear and trembling” that shook Christ’s bold ambassador. His appearance and bearing conveyed an impression of feebleness which acted long afterwards to his prejudice (1 Cor, iv. 10, 2 Cor. x. 1-11, xii. 5, etc.). The new friendship of Aquila and Priscilla proved, however, a cordial to him (Acts xviii. 2 f., cf. Rom. xvi. 3 f.); and the return of Silas and Timothy with good news from Macedonia revived the confidence and vigour of their leader (Acts αν]. 5, cf. 1 Thess. iii. 6-9). Pree from the anxiety which had distracted him, and rising above his late defeat, “ Paul was constrained by the word [cf. for this verb 2 Cor. v. 14, and see Blass’ Acta Apostol., ad loc.], testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ”. The decision with which he now spoke brought about a speedy rupture. The Jews were affronted by the doctrine of a crucified Messiah, which Paul pressed with unsparing rigour (Acts xviii. 5 f., 1 Cor. i. 17, 23, ii. 2), In this crisis the Apostle showed neither weakness nor fear; shaking off the dust of the synagogue, the established a rival ecclesia hard by at the house of the proselyte