Luke writes about Paul’s second mission trip in the book of Acts. He doesn’t include many details, though. We can find more details about the mission trip in the letters that Paul writes to the churches. By putting the details from the letters with the story from Acts we can come up with a more complete story that would go something like this:
Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.[1] When Paul arrived, he didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell God’s mystery. He had decided that while he was with there, he would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. Paul came in weakness—timid and trembling. His message and preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, he relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. He did this so they would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.[2]
There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born near the Black Sea, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.
Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike.And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia (northern Greece), Paul spent all his time preaching the word.[3]
For Paul had humbled himself and respected the Corinthians by preaching God’s Good News to them without expecting anything in return. He accepted contributions from other churches so he could serve the Corinthians at no cost. When he didn’t have enough to live on, he did not become a financial burden to anyone. When Silas and Timothy came from Philippi and Thessalonica (Macedonia) they brought him all that he needed.[4]
Timothy also brought good news about the Thessalonian church. He reported that they remembered their visit with joy and longed to see Paul again. This encouraged Paul amid his trouble and suffering. When he heard they were standing firm in the Lord, it gave Paul new life to continue preaching.[5]
The narrative in Acts give us context for the details in Paul’s letters and the details in Paul’s letters fill out the narrative of Luke as he writes Acts. What does the context of your life tell about you? How does the fuller story of Paul in Corinth give you insight?
To hear more about Paul in Corinth, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/mission-trip-two-radio-show/the-power-of-the-holy-spirit
[1] Acts 18:1
[2] 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
[3] Acts 18:2-5a
[4] 2 Corinthians 11:7-9
[5] 1 Thess. 3:6-8