The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-08-22
NOTEs ON THE LESSON.


V. I. After Paul found it no longer pro.
ftable to remain in Athens, he departed to
COrintb, the capital of Aohaia, situated on
an Isthmus about forty-fve miles from
Athens.
V. 2. Here he met with piOus Jew, a
native of Pontus, a province of Asia Minor,
who had left Rome because Of the edict Of
the Roman Emperor Claudius, Withdrawing
the protection he had given the Jews in the
earlier part of his reign. Those Christian
Jews who were determined ''to live quiet and
peaceable lives sought refuge under milder
governments. -
V. 8. Paul associated himself with this
Christian family, and as the trade he had
been taught was that of tent-making, he
united with them in this occupation. Among
the Jews, it was usual for persons Of educa'
ton to learn some trade, so that they might
support themselves, without being burden
some to others. In Pauls second Epistle to
the Corinthians he tells them, that he labOrad
with his own hands that he might preach the
gospel freely. Where there we're established
churches, he claimed support, for it was his
doctrine that the laboyer was worthy of his
hire"
". 4. His daily emPlOyments did not pre-
vent the discharge of bis apostOhoal duties,
Every Sabbath he spent in the synagogue,
preaching to tho Jews and the proselytes,
setting forth arguments to convince their IN
derstandings, and motives to interest their
hearts.
v. 5. His friends and fellow-laborers, ST.
las and Timotheus joined him, and animated
by their encouraging presence and eOunselsl
he felt an unusual earnestness for the con-
version of his eountrymen. pressed" is
the same word that is used by the Saviour,
when he said he was straitened" ill his
baptism was accomplished, and also by Paul
when he said ne wac "eonstrained."
V. s. His labors were bestowed upon an
ungrateful people. Their previous bigOtry
broke out in reproaohes and blasphemies,
and the apostle obeyed the SaviOurs COM
mand, and shook off the dust from his feet
as a memorial against them. SymbOliCal &C.
tiOns were so frequent, and so eOngenial to
the manners of the Jews, that they we're
easily understood. And Paul laid the blame
of their ruin on their own heads. TIE Cos
pei had been preached with tenderness and
earnestness, and they had refused to accept
the salvation offered them.
VT. Their opposition did not prevent his
going on with his work Net feeling that it
was safe or prudent TO resort to the syna-
gogue, he held his religious services in the
house of a proselyte.
V. 8. Some converts we're made among
the Jews. Crispus is mentioned, the presi-
dent of the board of elders, and his house.
hold, and many Corinthians
VS.. 9, 10. To encourage and strengthen the
apostle, direct, divine communication was
made to hin, assuring him of divine proteo-
ton. "No man should set on him to hurt
him" In 1 Cor. Il: 3, Paul shows how ne
eessary it was for him to receive this hea'-
emily aid. Ct am with thee, see Jer. !: 8;
John xiv: 1923. This care Of Providence
was exercised toward Paul, so that by his la
bOrs many Of the Corinthians might be saved.
V. II. Encouraged by this promise Of sue
cess and protection, Paul continued bis Ia.
bOrs a year and a half. He probably visited
other parts of Achaia, and established church
es. See 2 Thess. i: 4; Cor. j: L He
wrote also two EPissles to the Thessalonians.
The subscriptions at the close of these
Epistles state that they were written from
Athens, but commentators now very gene
rally agree, from the internal evidence, tba,
it was at Corinth, where the apostle received
from Timotheus an account of this church,
which called forth the letters, and which were
written about the year 50, with an interval
of few months.