MPV Commentary

Paul arrived in Corinth, a city rebuilt by Julius Caesar on the isthmus between the Aegean and Ionian Seas. It was the capital of the Roman province of Achaia, a large and populous mercantile center, and a hub for commerce between East and West. The city had a significant Jewish population, which had grown due to the banishment of Jews from Rome by Claudius Caesar.

Paul met Aquila, a Jew born in Pontus, and his wife Priscilla, who were tentmakers like himself. They may have been Christians before meeting Paul or he may have led them to faith through their shared occupation. The couple was well-off and had traveled extensively before settling in Ephesus. Their friendship with Paul remained strong throughout his ministry.

Claudius's edict, which expelled Jews from Rome, likely refers to the one mentioned by Suetonius in his biography of Claudius.

Paul worked as a tentmaker, manufacturing hair-cloth tents made from goat hair. This trade was common among Jewish youth, and Paul continued it as a way to support himself while ministering. He also wanted to avoid being a burden on the churches he founded.

In Corinth, Paul initially preached only to Jews, but when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, they brought news of the faith and love of the Thessalonian believers. This encouraged Paul, who had been struggling with feelings of anxiety and depression after his ministry in Athens. He wrote his First Epistle to the Thessalonians during this time.

Paul then began preaching in a house belonging to Justus, which was adjacent to the synagogue. Crispus, the synagogue's leader, and many other Corinthians believed and were baptized. Paul continued to preach in Corinth for a year and six months, writing his Second Epistle to the Thessalonians during this time.

When Gallio was the Roman proconsul of Achaia, he dismissed a case brought against Paul by the Jews, who accused him of inciting riots. Gallio stated that if it were a matter of wrongdoing or immorality, he would have intervened, but since it was a dispute over Jewish law and customs, he refused to get involved.

Paul then left Corinth, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him, as well as Silas and Timothy. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea, the eastern harbor of Corinth, as part of a Nazarite vow or a similar ritual. This was likely a voluntary act, demonstrating Paul's respect for Jewish customs.

Paul sailed to Ephesus, where he left Aquila and Priscilla but continued on to Jerusalem, saluting the church there before returning to Antioch. He had previously visited Jerusalem four times since his conversion.

After spending some time in Ephesus, Paul departed for Galatia and Phrygia, visiting the churches in those regions in succession. This journey was likely his third missionary trip, during which he ordained the weekly collection, a practice that has been adopted by many Christian communities.