I. The Setting-Corinth
A. Economic-Geographic
See Map
Nearing the end of 2nd missionary journey.
Athens known for philosophy, but Corinth known for commerce.
Location was a key-isthmus, between northern and southern Greece.
Corinth was an overland east-west passage from Rome to Asia.
Carried cargo and/or small boats 3 ½ miles between Ionian & Aegean Seas
Avoid the danger of going around the cape, a dangerous 200 mile voyage.
When Rome conquered Greece, Greece divided into two provinces:
Achaia & Macedonia.
Center of political power. Capitol of Achaia.
Seat of learning, art, architecture. Corinthian columns came from there.
B. Spiritual-Social
Hard working, hard playing city. Sports were big in Corinth. Track & field.
Known as city of sexual immorality. Most wicked city in Roman empire.
Corinthians portrayed on the stage were always presented as drunkards.
Corinth- where east & west met: temples to every god known in that day.
The greatest temple was to Venus/Aphrodite. The goddess of sex.
1000 young men and women released into the city each night.
They were temple prostitutes who raised money for the temple.
The Corinthians were known to pray to their gods that the number of prostitutes in the city would be multiplied.
To go out to be immoral, was described as going out to “Corinthianize”.
II. Paul’s Experience
A. Paul’s Support
Vs. 1-5
Aquila & Priscilla Vs. 1-3
1. Aquila & Priscilla were probably believers when they met Paul.
All together b/c of anti-Semitic persecution.
They were also Jews, and fellow tent makers.
Great fellowship, companionship, likeness in life and passion for God.
Silas Vs. 4-5
2. Silas -brings a financial gift from the Philippians, which allows Paul to devote all of his time to ministry
3. Timothy
Timothy had been sent to Thessalonica to strengthen the Christians, who were under great persecution.
Timothy reports that not only are they surviving in the faith, but that they are doing very well regarding their Christian faith.
4. All of this encourages and emboldens Paul in his preaching.
B. Paul’s Success
Vs. 6-8
1. Paul separates from the synagogue V. 6
2. Paul Goes To The Gentiles V. 7
A Gentile who had converted to Judaism became a Christian.
3. Many Corinthians Believe V. 8
This family leader came to believe, and his whole household.
Many people have come to Christ through Paul’s ministry.
Paul has opened up a church next door to the synagogue.
The synagogue ruler has become saved, and his entire family.
C. Paul’s Fear
Vs. 9
Success in Christian service develops opposition.
- Success brings its own fear
- In light of his great success at Corinth, Paul is fearful.
- Fear Of Repeated Physical Attack
Paul’s success brought him notice, and then opposition.
- Lystra– stoning
- Philippi– beaten and imprisoned
- Thessalonica-left town b/c of threats and opposition.
- Berea– he was followed to Berea.
Fear of Self- Possible Self Doubts- Turn to 2 Corinthians 2:1-5
We know about Paul’s state of mind when he came to Corinth.
Whatever Paul appeared to be outwardly, he was trembling on the inside.
Some say that Paul was a failure on Mar’s Hill at Athens.
Paul learned from his experience on Mar’s Hill.
He got back to preaching more of Christ and more of the cross.
Saul may have re-thought his approach.
Servants of God often re-visit how they have ministered.
- Was it done well, or poorly? Second guessing at times.
- Questioning own ability to do a job. We can’t quit when unsure
This fear was possibly going to take him in the wrong direction.
- Verse 9-Maybe Paul was thinking about being quiet.
- Verse 10– Maybe he was thinking about leaving early.
Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
God doesn’t use the fear of man to lead his people.
Fear of man can lead us to make a wrong decision. Huge consequences.
Look what Paul would have left if he gave into this fear.
Silence from preaching.
Ending his time of ministry earlier than what God planned.
Missing 18 months of fruitful ministry.
Not being able to write 1 & 2 Corinthians as we now have them.
That history with the Corinthians would have never been established if he had left early b/c of the fear of man.
Possibly many souls would not have been saved if Paul had left early.
God informs Paul that he has many people in that city.
That was something Paul needed to know.
III. God’s Remedy For Paul’s Fear V. 10
A. God’s Presence
Presence- for I am with you
- Loved ones and friends are so valuable for encouragement.
- Sometimes we need encouragement that only God can give.
- Jesus not only speaks to Paul, but appears to him in a vision.
Col. 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,…
James 3:17 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable…
- God wants to lead us by His peace.
- His presence brings peace. Are you aware of his presence?
B. God’s Promise
Word– how it applies to the situation
No one will attack you to hurt you
C. God’s Perspective
Future success– It’s going to work out well, you’ll see.
For I have many people in this city
God knows things that we don’t know.
Even if it works out badly according to man’s view, it is always good according to God’s view.
In this case, Paul was going to be fine.
Eventually he will be killed for his faith. Even then, he will be fine.
Luke 12: 4, 5 4“ And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
IV. The Results Vs. 11-17
A. Paul’s Situation
V. 11
Paul was familiar with the presence and voice of Jesus
He received the encouragement.
He continued on b/c of the promises from Jesus.
John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, know them, and they follow Me.
A great church was established.
Many souls were saved that would not have been touched through Paul’s ministry, had he left earlier b/c of fear.
God assured Paul that it was going to go well. Vs. 12-17
The beating that the Jewish leaders wanted Paul to receive turned out being delivered to their own leader.
B. The Eternal Results
- Two vitally important epistles about the Church of Jesus Christ.
Letters that addressed personal and corporate holiness, unity, purity, love, proper use of spiritual gifts, the resurrection of Jesus, attitudes for ministers, church discipline, restoration of a repentant church member, spiritual warfare - All of that would have somehow been cut short or made incomplete if Paul would have quit preaching or left Corinth early b/c of fear.
C. Eternal Results In Your Life
SPIRITUAL WARFARE-
Satan– Called “Liar”, “Father of Lies”, “Deceiver”, “Roaring Lion”.
In what way might Satan be bringing fear to your life?
You might be listening to the wrong voice.
A voice that is threatening you, challenging you, disqualifying you.
That is spiritual warfare, and you need to stand in the truth.
Ephesians 6:13-18
PAST ATTACKS-
In what way might you be experiencing fear b/c of past experiences?
SELF-DOUBT-
Sometimes we doubt our ability to do the job.
We become paralyzed.
2 Cor. 2:16; 3:5, 6 And who is sufficient for these things? 5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6who also made us sufficient…