The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 101

Vers. 1-4.-.A gUmpse 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 syDagogue. 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- L The apostolic BIKPLICITY AND SINGLENESS OF MOTIVE. The Jew who had learned Christ at Rome was at once associated with Paul. There was no attempt to isolate himselr from those who may have learned the truth in a somewhat different manner. IL THE SELF-SACRIFICE of the apostle's daily life. The tent-making supplied temporal wants. Jewish education on the right principle. The cultivation of inde- pcndenr.e. If not possible in exact repetition, the spirit of such a method should be ours. III. BnoTHERLY LOVE the support of zealous service. The messenger of Christ should he full of sympathy. Fellowship with congenial minds is absolutely necessary to refresh and enlarge the feelings. IV. GUIDANCE OF CIB0UllBT.ANCES in Christian labour. Corinth did not require the same method as Athens. A longer stay seemed advisable. Worldly indifference is more hard to meet and overcome than intellectual opposition, Corinth was pleasure- loving and sensual. The synagogue was made the centre of work, that time might be given to lay hold of popular interest. Patience and prudence necessary.-R, Vera. 5-11 (or vers. 9, 10).-Faithful ministry. L THE SPIRIT 01' GoD Ill THI MESSENGER. 1. Testify by a special access of zeal in preaching the Word. Times when we should make unusual efforts to persuade men. We need to guard against monotony, 'l'he presence of sympathetic fellow-workers is a great encouragement and incitement, 2. Called out by the blaspheming opposition of unbelievers. If Christians knew what is said against Christ, they would not be so quiet as they are. 8. By Divine intima- tions encouraging and stimulating. Many of the greatest preachers, Luther, Wesley, Savonarola have had such visions. In our intercourse with God in prayer we receive such gifls ~f preparation for our work. Every public _man sh?ul~ _have hie seasons of approach to the throne, that his strength may be fed with the 1nvl8lblo stream of grace, JI. THE MINISTRY OF PAUL .AT CoRDlTB IN ITS BELATION TO TJIE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND THE WORLD. (Compare the Epistles,) The commercial infl~encc of Corinth would help the diffusion of the truth. While the people were luxurious they were highly cultured. Greek thought was there, and the close intercourse with Athens would give OJI. :U,llI. 1-28.] THE AOTS OF THE APOSTLES. 10::J