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Note in connection with the preaching of the gospel —

I. A PROPITIOUS CONCURRENCE OF CIRCUMSTANCES. Paul enters Corinth a poor stranger, but see what arrangement has been made for his accommodation (ver. 2).

1. The emperor had expelled all the Jews from Rome.

2. Aquila and Priscilla, thus expelled from Rome, came to Corinth.

3. Aquila "was of the same craft as Paul" — another event of interest.

4. Paul found them out. And that he should find them out in such a large city is also noteworthy. They were Jews, strangers; they were of the same social grade, all of which circumstances would tend to mutual sympathy. Is not Divine superintendence to be seen in this propitious concurrence of circumstances?

II. THE VALUE OF HANDICRAFT (ver. 3) agrees with many passages in the apostle's letters (1 Corinthians 4:12; 2 Corinthians 11:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8), and shows —

1. That there is no disgrace in manual labour. A greater man than Paul never lived, and here we see him working at his trade.

2. The necessity of independency in a minister. No man urged with greater force the duty of the Church to support its ministers (1 Corinthians 9:14). But notwithstanding this, he was determined by the labour of his own hands to maintain an honourable independency (2 Corinthians 11:9). The pulpit which is felt to be the means of bread to the minister is often terribly degraded, and no wonder.

III. THE STIMULATING INFLUENCE OF COOPERATION (ver. 5). He had encountered all the difficulties of his mission in Athens alone. The sight of his fellow labourers fanned his earnestness into a stronger flame. Timothy had just visited Thessalonica, and the news he brought prompted Paul to address a letter to that Church. It sometimes happens that an increase in our coadjutors lessens our own diligence; it was not so with Paul.

IV. THE LAW OF RESPONSIBILITY (ver. 6). Renewed zeal stirred up fiercer opposition. Paul felt two things, now, in relation to the law of responsibility.

1. That, having been faithful to his conscience, his duty was discharged.

2. That, having rejected the gospel, they had increased their own responsibility. They rejected the spiritual life offered to them, and were guilty of self-murder. "Your blood be upon your own heads" (Ezekiel 33:8, 9).

V. A CHANGE OF SPHERE (vers. 6, 7). Paul was not particular where he preached. At Rome it was in his "own hired lodging" (Acts 28:30). At Ephesus it was the school of Tyrannus (chap. Acts 16). At Philippi, by the riverside (chap. 16). Here, at Corinth, it was a house close to the synagogue. This fact shows —

1. That Paul was not afraid of the Jews, notwithstanding their intolerance and persecution.

2. His belief that the gospel is equally adapted for all, the Gentile as well as the Jew.

3. A conviction that his ministry was too precious to be wasted upon incorrigible souls. When a minister finds he is amongst a people he cannot benefit, it is his duty to select another sphere.

VI. MORAL TRIUMPHS (ver. 8). Crispus, being a man of distinction, his conversion would be a signal demonstration of the power of the gospel, and afford a mighty impulse to its advancement in the city. The class of converts here, it would seem, were not generally of the philosophers or nobles, but the most profligate and degraded (1 Corinthians 6:11). This fact is a demonstration that Christianity is equal to the conquest of the world.

VII. DIVINE ENCOURAGEMENT (vers. 9, 10). Observe —

1. The kind of service Christ requires of His ministers — bold speech.

2. The encouragement He vouchsafes to His ministers —

(1)  Protection — "I am with thee," etc.

(2)  Success — "I have much people in this city."

(D. Thomas, D. D.)

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KJV: After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

WEB: After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.