CRISPUS AND OTHER CORINTHIANS
12. There weren't many cities in the ancient world as wicked as Corinth. It was the gateway to the east and west for those who traveled by boat. Sailors and merchants from every port in the world brought their wares (their vices and diseases) to and through Corinth. Noted for its immorality and idolatry, even among cities which were idolatrous and immoral, Corinth was wicked!
13. Paul, as usual, went first to the Jews (18:5-6) but, for the most part, they wanted no part of the gospel. He turned then to the Gentile populace. Was it the evil of their evil that made him afraid (18:9)? In any case, he intended to tell these wicked people only one thing—the message of Christ's death, burial and resurrection (1Cor 2:1-5). We're told that "many of the Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptized" (Acts 18:8). Luke wants us to know the power of Christ can work even in such a sin-sick city as Corinth. But whether people say yes to Jesus as Lord or not, he wants us to know Christ was there in Corinth offering himself to sinners!
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IN LESSON EIGHT
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Noble people create in us a healthy discontent. Because of their example we can't be satisfied with less than our best.
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The gospel is for all. Devout Jews, godly women, jailers, rulers of synagogues, sin-sick people who live in huge cities—they all heard the sweet offer of life in Jesus Christ.
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Many people, who've made a mess of things the first time, need someone to defend them and give them another chance.
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Paul and other missionaries met two kinds of Jews: those who gladly took upon them the name of Christ and those who hated that name.