“After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 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. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tent makers” (vs1-3).
It is good and proper for preachers of the gospel to work when they have to, to work a regular job while advancing the cause of Christ, preaching for little or no money because the gospel is that important (vs1-4). Scripture says, “because [Paul] was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tent makers”. He wrote elsewhere, “If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things... Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ (1 Cor 9:11-12).” We preach for free when others cannot pay, and we even take small wages when those who should be able are not mature enough to give. But, we are ALSO worthy of our labor, and worthy to receive financial reward for our spiritual service, so that we may give ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:3-4). Never let one truth (Paul worked) keep us from another truth (Paul is worthy to be paid). Let our preachers preach freely, and let people beg the preachers to take the abundance they are willing to give (2 Cor 8:3-5).
Secondly, we can't know how many the Lord has in a city, but we can know if WE are saved, and if the city has a faithful church that we're attending (vs5-11). “Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, 'Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent (He doesn't speak to us the same way); for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.'”
We know we're saved by BELIEF and practice. It is NOT all by faith, without works, but it is by faith, without works, and unto good works. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them“ (Eph 2:8-10). Saving faith always TRUSTS Christ apart from anything we do, and it always produces deeds that prove its reality. Faith without works is dead, and our faith is in Christ to save us completely by grace, apart from anything we do, justifying us FREELY by His grace (Rom 3:21-26).
Lastly, you're either for or against Christ (vs12-17). Gallio thought he could wash his hands of the matter. We read, “When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, saying, 'This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.' And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, 'If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.' And he drove them from the judgment seat. Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.” There is no middle ground. He that believes has life, and whoever doesn’t believe shall not see life, but God's wrath is on you. Jesus said, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters” (Luke 11:23). You can't say, “I'm not against Christ or for Him”. You are against or for Him based upon your response to His word and your love for His people, your willingness to suffer for His Name.
Paul worked to preach the gospel, had assurance from God, and we must choose Christ, following Him at all costs, or we lose our souls forever.
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