Paul Arrives at Corinth

Following his experience at Athens, Paul journeyed westward alone to Corinth (Acts 18:1). There he came in contact with Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, Jews who had recently come from Italy subsequent to a decree by the emperor Claudius banning Jews from Rome (v 2). Since these people, like Paul, were tentmakers, he stayed with them and plied his trade (v 3). Paul most probably arrived in Corinth early in A.D. 51 he remained there more than a year and 6 months (Acts 18:11, 18). At first he labored with the Jews in the synagogue (v 4), as was his usual practice when entering a new city. However, when once again the majority of the Jews opposed and reviled him, he turned from them and began to work more directly for the Gentiles (v 6). No longer able to preach in the synagogue, he held his services in a house owned by a worshiper of God, next door to the synagogue (v 7). The gospel bore much fruit in that city, and among the converts was the ruler of the synagogue (v 8).

Meanwhile Silas and Timothy had arrived with cheering news of the faithfulness of the Thessalonians (Acts 18:5 1 Th 3:6). These tidings inspired Paul, probably in A.D. 51, to write 1 Thessalonians, his first epistle that has been preserved. This was followed—possibly during late 51 or early 52—by 2 Thessalonians. At last, active persecution, that had usually come so quickly in other cities, began to threaten Paul at Corinth also. His Jewish enemies accused him before Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, of teaching a religion not legally recognized by Rome. However, Gallio drove the accusers away, refusing to become involved in a case that he regarded as a dispute over Jewish, rather than Roman, law. At this the crowd seized the ruler of the synagogue at that time and beat him in the sight of Gallio (Acts 18:12—17).