Ep. 284. Acts 17-18 | Athens and Corinth

EPISODE 284

ATHENS AND CORINTH: ACTS 17-18

Paul made it his custom to enter the synagogues of the cities he passed through. It makes sense; the Jews should know the Scriptures (Old Testament) and be primed to hear the good news of the Messiah. But of course, God had prepared Paul to be a minister to the Gentiles like Peter was to the Jews.

I do love Paul's interaction with the idol worshippers in Athens. He starts, as he always did, in the synagogue, but also speaks in the marketplace every day with whoever happens to be there. He just wanted people to know Jesus. The crowds were so intrigued by his teaching about a "foreign divinity" that they brought him to the Areopagus to speak to those gathered there. The locals spent all of "their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new." I think what I love about Paul here is threefold:

First, he was always willing to talk about Jesus in any venue presented to him.

Second, he was fully equipped to talk about Jesus.

Third, he was well-studied and was able even to quote the poets of the Athenians. (see verse 28)

As to point one; I have been that guy since I was fifteen. I am always willing to talk about Jesus. More so now in the second half of my life.

On point two, I am still in the process of being fully equipped, though I do find myself more capable than when I was a child. I recognize I have a lot of room for improvement.

Third, I am poorly educated in both the formal and informal sense, though I have been working hard to counter that in the last few years.

Now, I don't think everyone is a Paul, called to take the message of Christ to the nations, but I do think every believer should be bold enough to speak of the things of Jesus, capable enough to do so, and educated in ways that help facilitate those conversations.

I can't read chapter 17 of Acts without being challenged every single time.

In Acts 18, we meet Priscilla and Aquila, a married couple and good friends of Paul. They also hosted a church in Rome and likely in Ephesus and Corinth. We can't overlook the introduction to the Apostle Apollos, also introduced in this chapter. He is featured prominently in the opening four chapters of First Corinthians.

ADDITIONAL READING: Acts 20:26-27