Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-02-07
The SABBATH SCHOOL
international Lessen Comments For
February s.
Subject: The Church at Corinth Founded. Ac Is
Kill. l-ll-Golden Text, Cor. ill.,, IL
Memory Verses, 9.ll-Commentary
on the Days Lesson.

l.. iaui arrival at Corintn Tvs. i, -. l.
"After these things" The events at
Athens described in our last lesson. DE
parted" Paul's stay in Athens was short,
and he never returned 20 the city. Intel
lectual Greece had scornfully rejected the
gospel message and heneeforth the apostle
visited more fruitful fields. Game to Cor
NTH" About forty-five miles southwest of
Athens. Here he labored alone for some
time before his co-workers arrived. Cor
NTH was the seat of commerce in Southern
Greece, and at this time was the political
capital and the residence of the Roman
pro-consul. 1t was situated on the 18th.
mus which connects the two portions of
Greece. 1t was the wealthiest and wicked
est city in all Greece, and was the seat Of
of every kind OF Righteousness and excess.
Ami yet in this wicked city Paul had a
good revival and established a Christian
church.
piety, ". 26l. They are always mentioned
together. From this we concluded that
they furnish happy example OF harmony
and sympathy in Christian life. Priscilla
was one of those bright earnest women
called into action by the work and teach.
of the pioneers of that devoted band of
women workers who have. for 1870 years
done such splendid worl. for the Lord in
all c,imes and among all peoples "Clau-
dius.' The fourth Roman emperor. This
was the twelfth year OF his reign. Jews
to depart" This took place early in y. d.
- on account of revolt in Judea. The
Jews were very numerous at Rome. and
inhabited separate district of the town,
on the banks of the Tibar. They were OF.
ten very troublesome. and were several
times banished from the city. The decree
did not remain long in force. for we find
Aiuila in Rome not long after from. l6:
81 and many Jews resided there when
Paul came"
ri. Pani's method of work Tvs. 9, A.. 3.
"Same trade" Paul's first concern when
he entered Corinth was to find home for
himself and then to seek for employment.
"Who could dream that this travc.-stained
man. going from one tentmakcrs door tn
another, seeking for work. was carrying
the future of the world beneath his robc:"
Wrought" Paul lahored for his own sup
port in Ephesus (Acts 20: $40 and Thessa-
lonica Il Thess. 2: 81, as well as in Corinth
Il Cor 4: l2).
4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS" From the
Scriptures. and the personal testimonies of
eve witnesses. Paul showed that Jesus
was the Messiah and the gospel true. The
gospel appeals to reason and good sense.
The facts Paul presented showed how rea.
sonabic it would be to become Christians.
lie sought out his kindred and made op.
portunities to tell them OF Christ.
81. 5. "Were come" Silas and Timothy
arrived together from Macedonia; limo.
thy from Thessalonica and Silas from Be-
rea Their arrival encouraged Paul. He
now learned that the churches he had
formed were standing fast in the faith.
This led him to write his first letter to the
Thessalonians. and soon after second let
ter to guard them against sapposing that
Christ's second coming was near at hand.
In his first epist.e he writes OF his distress
-. 10
NTH. Compare Cor. 4: ll-l3. Paul was
faithful in the midst OF the greatest diff
cuties.
". Paul turns to the Centiles Tvs. 6.
IL. 6. Opposed themselves" The word
implies very strong opposition, as force
ganized opposition. The more than usua y
violent opposition OF the Jews was no
doubt stirred up by the intense earnest:
ness of Paul in his work, after the arrival
of S,as and Timothy, when he was
pressed and constrained by the. word.
u will go When argument and appeal
brought no candid thought, but only, opno..
sition and b,asphemy, Paul said, sadly ard
forever, to the Jews in Corinth Il viii
trouble You no more Unto the Gem
tiles" In Corinth lie afterward preached
to the Jews in other places.
Z. "A certain mans house. Used Tor
teaching and worship. For his own lodg.
ing he still remained with Aqui;a and
Priscilla. "Worshiped God" A p:osc.ytc,
not jew by birth. No doubt he became
Christian. Nothing more is known OF
Justus. Joined = the synagogue" "A
standing protest to the uabcief OF the
Jews. 1t would draw in many who would
be coming to the synagogue The owner
was Gentle, and would win the attend.
ance of the Gentiles.'
g. "Crispus.' His first convert was the
ruler OF the synagogue he had lett. His de-
cidcd course made the conduct OF others
equally decided. Chief ruler" 4 man
version took him out OF Office in the jew
ish church. "All his house" The first re-
corded instance of the conversion OF an
entire Jewish family.
Q. Then spake the Lord" 1t is likely
that Paul was at this time much distressed
By the violent opposition of the Jews, and
probably his life was in danger, and he
might have been entertaining serious
thoughts of ceasinC to preach. OK Of leaving
Corinth. To prevent this and comfort him
God was pleased to give. him this vision.
''Be not as.aid." Isolation from his own
people, physical weakness and the slowness
of the people to believe, besides the danger
of sudden persecution or death, made Paul
question the wisdom of further effort in
Corinth, since in other places he had with
drawn when opposition came. Fear OBJ
crates against i, faith s and God forbade de. it,
trial, to give utterance in the Spirit, to
give point and edge to thy words, to pro-
tect thee from hostile enemies, and to
make thee victor in every conflict. Though
men oppose and leave thee, | will not:
Thus the assurance came in the hour of
necessity. mo man-hurt thee" No man
shall oppose or condemn thee, to destroy
thee. He was not to meet death at that
place He should be attacked and brought
to the judgment seat ". l2). but no VIC.
lence should crush him. Much people"
Not many already consecrated to God,
but many in whom he saw preparedness
to receive the gospel"
IL. "He continued" Paul's fear. or de.
spondenoy, was not rebellion. To know
Gods will was to do it. He feared not
trials so much as a failure to follow the
with a promise of help settled all doubts,
and gave courage for the undertaking.
Year and six months" During this time
he wrote the second letter to the Thessa-
Ferret's New Occupation.
4