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JULY 14

18:1 Corinth. The leading political and com- 18:13 contrary to the law.While Judaism was
mercial center in Greece. It was located at a not an official religion, it was officially tolerat-
strategic point on the isthmus of Corinth, ed in the Roman world, and Christianity was
which connected the Peloponnesian peninsula viewed as a sect of Judaism. The Jews in
with the rest of Greece. Virtually all traffic Corinth claimed that Paul’s teaching was
between northern and southern Greece had external to Judaism and therefore should be
to pass through the city. Because Corinth was banned. Had Gallio ruled in the Jews’ favor,
a trade center and host to all sorts of travelers, Christianity could have been outlawed
it had an unsettled population that was throughout the empire.
extremely debauched.It also housed the tem-
ple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. One
thousand temple priestesses, who were ritual 12 When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the
prostitutes,came each evening into the city to Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and
practice their trade.
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brought him to the judgment seat, saying,
“This fellow persuades men to worship God
with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had contrary to the law.”
commanded all the Jews to depart from 14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth,
Rome); and he came to them. So, because he Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of
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was of the same trade, he stayed with them wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there
and worked; for by occupation they were tent- would be reason why I should bear with you.
makers. And he reasoned in the synagogue 15 But if it is a question of words and names and
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every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not
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Greeks. want to be a judge of such matters.” And he
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5 When Silas and Timothy had come from drove them from the judgment seat. Then all
Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the syn-
and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the agogue, and beat him before the judgment seat.
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Christ. But when they opposed him and blas- But Gallio took no notice of these things.
phemed, he shook his garments and said to 18 So Paul still remained a good while. Then he
them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria,
am clean. From now on I will go to the and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had
Gentiles.” And he departed from there and his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a
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entered the house of a certain man named vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left them
Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house there; but he himself entered the synagogue
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was next door to the synagogue. Then and reasoned with the Jews. When they
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Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed asked him to stay a longer time with them, he
on the Lord with all his household. And many did not consent, but took leave of them, say-
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of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were ing, “I must by all means keep this coming feast
baptized. in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God
willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.
22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and
gone up and greeted the church, he went down to
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Antioch. After he had spent some time there, he
18:8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue. departed and went over the region of Galatia and
The conversion of this respected leader must Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
have sent shock waves throughout the Jewish 24
community. Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at
Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in
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the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man
had been instructed in the way of the Lord;
9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and
a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do taught accurately the things of the Lord,
not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one though he knew only the baptism of John. So
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will attack you to hurt you; for I have many he began to speak boldly in the synagogue.
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people in this city.” And he continued there a When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they
year and six months, teaching the word of took him aside and explained to him the way
God among them. of God more accurately. And when he
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