Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-02-06
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
international Lesson Comments For
February 8.
Subject: The Church at Corinth Founded, Ac Is
xiii, l.ll-Goden Text, Cor. ILL.,, IL
Memory Verses, 9.Il-Commentary
on the Days Lesson.


Athens described in our last lesson. ''De
parted" Pauls stay in Athens was short
and he never returned to the city. Intel
lectual Greece had scornfuly rejected the
gospel message and henceforth the apostle
visited more fruitful fields. Game to Cor
NTH" About forty-6ve miles southwest oil
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 politica.
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.
And vet in this wicked city Paul had
good revival and established Christian
church.
2. "Aquila-Priscilla." Most devoted
friends Of Paul, persons OF culture. and
piety ". 26). They are always mentioned
together. From this we concluded tina,
they furnish happy example OF harmony
and sympathy in Christian life. Priscilla
was one of those brig ut, earnest women
called into action by the work and teach
ing of Christ and His chosen friends; one
of the pioneers Of that devoted band OF
women workers who have, for 1900 years
done such splendid work for the Lord IN
ali climes 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 "A; ri, y.
50 on account of a revolt in Judea. Inc
Jews were very numerous at Rome, anu
on the banks Of the Tiber. They were Of
ten very troublesome, and were several
times banished from the city. "The decree
did not remain long in force, for we lind
Aouila in Rome not long after (Rom. 10:
81 and many Jews resided there when
Paul came" .,
IT. PauPs method of work Tvs. 8, A.. B.
"Same trade" Pauls frs, concern when
he entered Corinth was to find home Tor
| himself and then to seek for employment;
"Who could dream that this travel-stalned
man. going from one tentmaker's door to
another, seeking for work, was carrying
the future of the world beneath his robe?'
"Wrought." Paul labored for his own sup
port in Ephesus (Acts 20: 34) and Ihessa'
fonica Il Thess. 2: %, as well as in Corinth
"Reasoned-persuaded" From the
Scriptures, and the personal testimonies OF
eve witnesses. Paul showed that Jesus eSl
was the Messiah and the gospel true. The
gospel appeals to reason and go6od sense.
The facts Paul presented showed how rea'
sonable it would be to become Christians.
He sought out his kindred and made OPP
portunities to tell them of Christ.
III. The arrival Of reinforce,ments ".
81. S. "Were come" Silas and TIMOTHY
arrived together from Macedonia; limo
tbv from Thessalonica and Silas from Be
rea. Their arrival encouraged Paul. He
now learned that the churches, he hac
formed were standing fast in the faith.
This led him to write his first letter to the
Thessalonians, and soon after a second Jet.
ter to guard them against supposlng that
Christ's second coming was near at mana.
In his first epistle he writes of his distress
and affection" Il Thess. 8: y while in Cor
NTH. Compare Cor. 4: lib. Paul was
faithful in the midst of the greatest dltl'
". Paul turns to the Gentiles Tvs. 6,
~. 6. Opposed themselves" The word
implies very strong opposition, as force
drawn up in battle array. 1t was an OF.
ganized opposition. The more than usua.
doubt stirred up by the intense earnest,
ness of Paul in his work, after the arrival
of Silas and Timothy, when he was as
oppressed and constrained by the, word.
If will co." When argument and appeal
brought no candid thought, but only, oppo,
sition and blasphemy, Paul said, sadly and and
forever, to the Jews in C4rinth; Il wiz
trouble you no more" Unto the zen,
tiles" In Corinth. He afterward preached
to the Jews in other places. 1ruod Go,
7. "a certain mans house" Used loI
teaching and worship, For his own ioag
Priscilla, "Worshiped God" A proselyte
not a Jew by birth. No doubt he became
a Christian. Nothing more is known O
Justus. Joined - the synagogue. "a
standing protest to the unbelief OF the
Jews. 1t would draw in many who woulc
be coming to the synagogue. Inc oWnci
was Gentle, and would win the attend
ance of the Gentiles." :,
s. "Crispus" His first convert was tn
ruler of the synagogue ne had lett. his de
cided course made the conduct OF other
equally decided. "Chief ruler" A maj
II learning and high character. His con
version took him out of Office in the Jew
ish church. "All his house" The first re
corded instance of the conversion OF al
9. "Then spake the Lord" 1t is likel.
that Paul-w at this time much DISTRESSED
by the violent opposition of the Jews, an'
probably his life was in danger, and h
night have been entertaining serlou
thoughts of ceasing to preach, or OF leayln
Corinth. To prevent this and comfort mn
God was pleased to give. him this, vision
"Be not afraid" Isolation from his owl
people, physical weakness and the slownes
of the people to believe, besides the DANCE
of sudden persecution or death, made Pau
question the wisdom of further effort. \
'Corinth, since in other places he had with
drawn when opposition came. Fear OF
crates against faith, and God forbade it,
10. "With thee" To sustain thee i
trial. to give utterance in the Spirit, t
rive point and edge to thy words, to pre-
fect thee from hostile enemies, and t
make thee victor in every conflict. Thong
men oppose and leave thee, | will moi
Thus the assurance came in the hour c
necessity. "No man-hurt thee" No ma
shall oppose or condemn thee, to destro
thee. He was not to meet death at tina
place. He should be attacked and brough
to the judgment seat ". ~, but no viz
lence should crush him. much people.
"Not many already consecrated to Goo
but many in whom he saw preparedness
to receive the gospel"
IL. "He continued" PauPs fear, or d.
spondency, was not rebellion. 10 kno'
Gods will was to do it. He feared nc
trials SO much as a failure to follow tn
Lords guiding hand. A word of comman
with a promise of help settled all doubt
and gave courage for the undertaking
"Year and six months" During this tin
he wrote the second letter to the Thesis
Recovered Watch Through Dream.
I'll Trt1n