Why did Paul work as a tentmaker while preaching in Corinth?

Paul worked as a tentmaker in Corinth so he would not be a financial burden on the new believers and so no one could say he preached for money. Even though he was highly educated and called to preach, he was willing to use an ordinary trade. This shows that honest work is good and can go hand in hand with ministry. It also let him share the message of Jesus freely, with a clear conscience, and kept the focus on the message, not on his own support or comfort.

What does it mean when Paul says, “Your blood be upon your own heads”?

When Paul says, “Your blood be upon your own heads,” he is telling the Jews who rejected his message that they are now responsible for their choice. He had clearly explained that Jesus is the Christ. By shaking out his clothes, he was showing that he had done his duty and was innocent if they refused to listen. The picture is like a watchman who has given a warning. If people ignore it, the blame is on them, not on the one who warned them.

Why did Paul turn from the synagogue to the Gentiles in Corinth?

Paul first preached in the synagogue because the good news was offered to the Jews first. When many of them strongly resisted and spoke against the message, he turned his focus to the Gentiles. He did this after patiently reasoning with them and only when it was clear they would not receive it. This shift shows that God’s salvation is not limited to one group. When some refused it, God still had plans to save many others, including non‑Jews in that same city.

What is the meaning of the Lord’s vision to Paul, “Be not afraid… for I have much people in this city”?

The Lord’s vision came to Paul at night to strengthen him while he faced opposition in Corinth. God told him not to be afraid, to keep speaking, and promised that no one would harm him, because there were many people in the city who would become believers. This shows that God knows those who will respond to His word and that He stands by His servants. Paul could stay and teach for a long time, trusting that God’s presence and purpose were behind his work.

Who were Aquila and Priscilla, and how did they serve in this passage?

Aquila and Priscilla were a Jewish couple who had recently been forced to leave Rome. They were tentmakers like Paul, so they worked and lived with him in Corinth. They supported him in his ministry and later traveled with him. In Ephesus they heard Apollos preach and saw that his understanding was not complete. Instead of embarrassing him, they took him aside and explained the way of God more fully. Their example shows humble, practical partnership and quiet but important teaching work.

Who was Apollos, and why did Aquila and Priscilla teach him more accurately?

Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria, eloquent and strong in the Scriptures. He knew the way of the Lord and taught it with zeal, but he only knew about the baptism of John. That means he understood repentance and preparation, but his knowledge about Jesus’ full work and the coming of the Spirit was not complete. Aquila and Priscilla recognized his sincerity and gifts, so they gently filled in what he lacked. After that, Apollos was able to help believers greatly and clearly show from Scripture that Jesus is the Christ.

What does Gallio’s response at the judgment seat tell us about Paul’s situation?

Gallio was the Roman official in Achaia. When the Jews brought Paul before him, accusing him of teaching worship against the law, Gallio saw it as a dispute about religious questions, not as a crime. He refused to judge it and drove them away from the judgment seat. This shows that, at that time, Roman authority did not see Paul’s preaching as a civil offense. God used even an indifferent ruler to protect Paul, so he could stay in Corinth longer and strengthen the new believers.

Why does the passage mention Paul shaving his head because of a vow?

The passage briefly notes that Paul had his head shaved in Cenchrea because of a vow. Scripture does not explain all the details, but it shows Paul was willing to observe certain Jewish practices as a personal matter, not as a way to earn favor with God. He was ready to become “all things to all” in matters that were not sinful, so that his ministry would not be hindered among Jews. The focus is still on his desire to serve God and keep preaching Christ.

How did the church in Corinth begin according to this passage?

The church in Corinth began when Paul came from Athens and started reasoning every Sabbath in the synagogue, speaking to Jews and Greeks. When opposition grew, he began meeting in the house of Justus, right next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the synagogue ruler, believed in the Lord along with his whole household, and many Corinthians heard, believed, and were baptized. With the Lord’s encouragement, Paul stayed a year and a half, teaching the word of God. Out of this mix of people, a new church was formed.

Acts.18.1

Acts 18:1

KJV

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

Chapter:

Paul Ministers in Corinth

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

2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Paul before Gallio

12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.

17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

Paul Returns to Antioch

18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;

21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey Begins

23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Context:

Paul Ministers in Corinth

Cross References

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