Page 51 - acts_study_book3

Act 18:2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come
from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from
Rome); and he came to them.

Pontus was a city on the southernmost end of the Black Sea. Both Aquila and Priscilla are
believers and have a very successful marriage. They are a monument to God’s call on a married
couple. They are involved in business, but are also instructors in the Word (verse 26). The
church meets in their home (Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19). Paul enters Corinth at the
perfect time. He will meet Aquila and Priscilla (believers) and Gallio (an unbeliever) in the
Corinthian court. All of these greatly impact the history of the church.

Many factors are critical in God’s timing for a nation. When a person obeys God’s command to
go, God knows the state of the government leaders, the attitude of the people toward the
gospel, the laws of the land, and the hearts of the believers in the area.

Act 18:3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by
occupation they were tentmakers.
And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: (ergozomai: worked)
for by their occupation they were tent makers.

Paul had been a tent maker at one time and so helps in the business. First, he works because
he is low on money. He has left his team in Macedonia, and Paul is now alone. He spent what
money he had to live on and is now forced to work for an income; he preaches whenever he
has the opportunity.

He does not send word back to Antioch to ask for more money and does not itinerate to
request offerings. He goes to work. In the natural, this looks like a setback, and Paul becomes
discouraged (verses 9-10). Discouragement is the great offender in the ministry (Hebrews 12:
1, 3). Paul works during the day and teaches each Sabbath. He continues to do this until a large
amount of money arrives from Macedonia (verse 5).

Not only does Paul work because he needs money to live, he also works because he is led to do
so. At the moment, he does not understand, but the reason becomes apparent to him. The
people at Corinth will accuse Paul of being in the ministry for the money. His willingness to
work completely stops the argument (1 Corinthians 9:18-19; 2 Corinthians 8:20-23; 11:7-8).

Act 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and
Greeks.

And he reasoned (dialegomai: say thoroughly) in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded
(peitho: influenced over) the Jews and Greeks.

Paul’s only free day to minister is Saturday, and he goes to the synagogue. Since Aquila and
Priscilla are also Jews, it makes it possible for Paul to minister. He wins many of the Jews and