Topical Bible: Vision of Paul in Corinth

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The Vision of Paul in Corinth is a significant event recorded in the New Testament, specifically in the Acts of the Apostles. This vision is a divine encounter that provided the Apostle Paul with encouragement and direction during his missionary journey in Corinth, a major city in ancient Greece known for its commercial prosperity and diverse population.

Biblical Context

The account of Paul's vision in Corinth is found in Acts 18:9-10. At this point in his ministry, Paul had already embarked on his second missionary journey, having traveled through regions such as Macedonia and Achaia. Corinth, a city notorious for its immorality and idolatry, presented both opportunities and challenges for the spread of the Gospel.

The Vision

While in Corinth, Paul faced opposition from some of the Jewish community, which was a common occurrence in his ministry. Despite the challenges, Paul received a vision from the Lord, which is described in Acts 18:9-10 : "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: 'Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.'"

Significance of the Vision

1. Divine Encouragement: The vision served as a source of divine encouragement for Paul. The Lord's command to "keep on speaking" reassured Paul that his efforts in Corinth were not in vain. This encouragement was crucial, as Paul often faced hostility and persecution in his mission to spread the Gospel.

2. Assurance of Protection: The promise that "no one will lay a hand on you" provided Paul with the assurance of divine protection. This assurance was vital in a city where opposition could easily escalate into violence against him.

3. Recognition of God's Sovereignty: The statement "I have many people in this city" highlights God's sovereignty and foreknowledge. It indicates that God had already prepared hearts in Corinth to receive the Gospel, affirming that Paul's labor would bear fruit.

4. Motivation for Continued Ministry: The vision motivated Paul to remain in Corinth for an extended period, approximately eighteen months, teaching the word of God among the people (Acts 18:11). This period was marked by the establishment of a strong Christian community in Corinth, which later became the recipient of Paul's epistles, 1 and 2 Corinthians.

Theological Implications

The Vision of Paul in Corinth underscores several theological themes central to the Christian faith:

· Divine Presence: The assurance "I am with you" echoes the biblical theme of God's abiding presence with His people, reminiscent of promises given to figures like Moses (Exodus 3:12) and Joshua (Joshua 1:9).

· Courage in Proclamation: The vision emphasizes the importance of boldness in proclaiming the Gospel, even in the face of opposition. It serves as a reminder that the success of the mission is not dependent solely on human effort but on divine empowerment and guidance.

· God's Elect: The reference to "many people in this city" suggests the doctrine of election, where God has chosen individuals who will respond to the Gospel message. This highlights the mystery of God's redemptive plan and His active role in the salvation of souls.

In summary, the Vision of Paul in Corinth is a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, providing Paul with the divine encouragement and assurance needed to persevere in his mission. It reflects the broader narrative of God's faithfulness and the unstoppable advance of the Gospel, even in the most challenging environments.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 18:9,10
Then spoke the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not your peace:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Paul at Corinth
... III. The next stage is the vision to Paul and his consequent protracted
residence in Corinth. God does not waste visions, nor bid ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/paul at corinth.htm

Paul in Corinth.
... spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not ... by this promise not only
of protection but of success, Paul, "continued in Corinth a year and ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxi paul in corinth.htm

Paul's Work at Corinth
... One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do
not stop, for ... Paul, after staying some time longer in Corinth, said good ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/pauls work at corinth.htm

The Ministry of Paul in Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth.
... We may thus understand why he remained in Corinth so much longer than in any other
place he had ... "The Lord spake to Paul in the night by a vision"Be not ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter vii the ministry of.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts
... THE MAN WHO IS JUDGE. PAUL AT CORINTH. 'CONSTRAINED BY THE WORD'. ... FELIX BEFORE PAUL.
CHRIST'S REMONSTRANCES. FAITH IN CHRIST. ... 'THE HEAVENLY VISION'. 'ME A CHRISTIAN ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/

Acts XVIII
... to the credit of Crispus, therefore, that he was among the first in Corinth to take ...
Under the assurance given by the Lord in the vision, Paul was encouraged to ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xviii.htm

Paul's Missionary Labors.
... on this visit that Paul received in a vision in the ... assign them to any known period
in Paul's life before ... 57), or his eighteen months' sojourn in Corinth (52-53 ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 33 pauls missionary labors.htm

Contents
... THE MAN WHO IS JUDGE (Acts 17:31). PAUL AT CORINTH (Acts 18:1-11). ... FELIX BEFORE
PAUL (Acts 24:25). ... 'THE HEAVENLY VISION' (Acts 26:19). ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/contents 2.htm

Corinth
... duty, the Lord appeared to him in a vision and said ... for I have much people in this
city." Paul understood this to be a command to remain in Corinth and a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 24 corinth.htm

The First Epistle to the Corinthians
... To that worldly-wise profligate Corinth Paul wended his way with a sad heart in
AD52. ... believed and were baptized, Acts 18:1-8. Encouraged by a vision, he now ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the first epistle to the.htm