NO CHURCH FOUNDED IN ATHENS
After all that had happened to Paul in Athens he departed
from there and went to Corinth.
Paul was not able to start a church in Athens, only to
convert a relatively few to accepting Jesus as Savior and Messiah
and to walk in the way of the Lord.
What was it about Athens that netted only a few converts
(putting aside the foundation that it is God's doing and calling
in the first place, to bring anyone to repentance and
conversion). Athens was quite the city for massive heathen
worship of false gods, and for human philosophy. The city was
named after the patron goddess Athena, and the capital of the
important Greek state of Attica, which became the cultural
center of the ancient pre-Christian world. It grew up around the
512-foot-high Acro-polis and was connected with its seaport
Piraeus by long walls in the days of its glory. The city
was captured by the Romans in 146 B.C. and was under Roman rule
when Paul came to it. They were well known for going about in the
marketplace asking "What news?" They were a "religious" lot of
people as we have seen from Paul's remarks. It is recorded by
some historians that the people of Athens surpassed all other
states in the attention that they paid to the worship of gods. So
the city was crowded in every direction with temples, altars, and
other sacred buildings. Mars' Hill or the Areopagus was at the
west approach to the Acropolis. As we have seen Paul preached
there to the devotees of three current at the time, philosophies
- Platonism, Stoicism, and Epicureanism (see your
Encyclopedias for information on those philosophies).
Paul made use of his Hellenistic culture by quoting from a
familiar verse taken from an invocation to Zeus, written by a
minor Cilician poet, Aratus (312-245 B.C.). Paul may have visited
the great music hall or Odeion of Pericles (cf.1 Cor.13:1) and
the great Tower and Waterclock of Andronicus (cf.5:16). He may
also have visited the "keramikos" or pottery-making section of
the city, which was famous (cf.Rom.9:21).
The aforementioned facts of history were taken from the "New
Unger's Bible Dictionary " - Moody Press.
Now we can see from a human point of view why it may have
been so difficult for Paul to convert people to the Gospel of
Christ, for the city was deeply entrenched in much pagan god
worship and humanistic philosophies.
Paul moved on to Corinth. Now Corinth itself was quite the
city. Corinth was Greece's most splendid commercial city. Its
strategic situation made it the mecca of trade between the East
and the West. The city derived rich income from transport of
cargo across the narrow isthmus, about five miles in width. The
Romans completely destroyed the city in 146 B.C. But Julias
Caesar restored it in 46 B.C. It grew so rapidly that it was
made Achia's capital (from "the New Unger's Bible Dictionary" -
Moody Press).
From "Barnes' Notes on the New Testament" we learn this:
"...the city of Corinth was built at the foot of a high
hill, on the top of which stood a citadel....The
circumference of the city proper was about forty stadia, or
five miles....The city of Corinth, thus became the mart of
Asia, and Europe, covered the sea with its ships, and formed
a navy to protect its commerce.....Its population and wealth
was thus increased by the influx of foreigners.....It was
the mart of the world. Wealth flowed into it from all
quarters. Luxury, amusements, and dissipation, were the
natural consequences, until it became the most gay and
dissolute city of its time....There was another cause
which contributed to its character of dissoluteness and
corruption. I refer to its religion.
The principal deity worshipped in the city was Venus....Her
shrine appeared above those of other gods; and it was
enjoined by law, that one thousand beautiful females should
officiate as courtesans, or public prostitutes, before the
altar of the goddess of love....the effect of this on the
morals of the city can be easily understood. It became the
most gay, dissipated, corrupt, and ultimately the most
effeminate and feeble portion of Greece....Though Corinth
was thus dissipated and licentious in its character, yet it
was also distinguished for its refinement and learning.
Every part of literature was cultivated there.....By the
Romans, the whole of Greece was divided into two provinces,
Nacedonia and Achaia. Of the latter, Corinth was the
capital; and this was its condition when it was visited by
Paul...."
Paul had quite the task ahead of him, if he wanted to
establish a church in this city of Corinth, but as we shall see,
he succeeded, and succeeded in a mighty way, and those who came
after him added to the increase of the membership of the
congregation. But we shall also find that they had many serious
problems which Paul had to correct later in his epistles to them.
But we are getting ahead of our story. Back to when Paul first
went there and Acts chapter 18.
Just about immediately Paul found a Jew in the city by the
name of Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently moved there with
his wife Prescilla. They had left Rome when Claudius the Roman
king of the time, commanded all Jews to leave Rome. Paul was
naturally drawn to Aquila and Prescilla because they and him were
of the same secular trade, they were all tentmakers. He then
abode or lodged with them.
As usual Paul was in the synagogue teaching and preaching
about Jesus as the Christ. When Silas and Timothy arrived from
Macedonia, Paul was stirred even more to forcefully testify to
the Jews that Jesus was the Christ or Messiah. We are often
lifted up when our closest friends of the same mind are with us,
the encouragement to do God's work is contagious, and so it
seemed to be for Paul when his Gospel companions and fellow
ministers arrived to be with him once more.
Yes, as before, there were those Jews who were against
Paul's teaching, and got so angry they started to blaspheme, and
argue among themselves. Paul then shook his clothes (a common
practice to tell people you were out of patience and through with
them) and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I
know what is correct, and I an clean from sin. I will from now on
put by efforts into going to the Gentiles."
This is the mark in time that established Paul as MAINLY a
teacher and preacher to none Jews. We are not told in so many
words but we can safely assume from the context of the chapter,
that Aquila and Priscilla were converted to the Christian Gospel
in some way before Paul came to Corinth, or that Paul himself was
the instrument to bring them to the saving knowledge of Jesus
Christ.
Paul left the synagogue after turning his back on the
unbelieving Jews and entered the house of one called Justus, a
man that worshipped God, whose house was actually joined to the
synagogue. We are told also that Crispus, the chief ruler of the
synagogue, believed on the Lord and so did all his household, as
well as many of the Corinthians, who heard the Gospel message.
They believed and were baptized. So it was that the Corinthian
Church of God was formed.
One night the Lord came to Paul in a vision saying, "Paul,
be not afraid, but speak, and do not hold your tongue, for I am
with you, and this time no man is going to hurt you in any
physical way; for I have decided to call many people to accepting
me in this city."
Was Paul ever overjoyed at this revelation. He was like a
child with a brand new toy that he'd desired for ages and now had
obtained. He continued in Corinth for about one year and six
months, teaching the word of God among the people.
The time came that a new governor by the name of Gallio was
over the region of Achaia. Some of the unbelieving Jews thought
that they perhaps had a "political religious" governor who would
side with them, or it may have been they had been told by the
leader of the synagogue that Gallio would side with them against
Paul. Which ever way it was those Jews brought Paul before the
judgment court of this new governor of Achaia. They accused Paul
of "persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to
the law."
Paul was about to make his defence. But Gallio turned to his
accuses and said, "Listen, you Jews, if this were a case of
someone involved with genuine wrongdoing or a serious crime, I
would be obliged to have to hear what you say. But since this is
merely a question of words and names and things that concern your
Jewish laws, then you look after it, I refuse to get involved in
this kind of judgement. So get out of here!"
The Jewish mob on leaving, grabbed hold of Sosthenes, the
leader of the synagogue and beat him up, right in the courtroom,
but Gallio just pretended he saw nothing, and paid no attention
to their actions.
We can again assume two reasons for the mob beating up this
Jewish synagogue leader. Either he was initially on their side
and had persuaded them that Gallio would listen to them and even
judge in favor of condemning Paul, or he was on Paul's side and
they thought he had some "influence" with Gallio to throw them
all out on their ear. Which ever way it was, the Jewish mob beat
him up right in front of Gallio, who simply paid no attention.
Paul continued to stay in Corinth for some time after that
event in his life. We are not told for how long he remained in
Corinth, but he finally said goodbye to the Christians there, and
sailed for the coast of Syria, taking Prescilla and Aquila with
him (Acts 18:1-18).
THE TWO LETTERS TO THE
CHRISTIANS AT THESSALONICA
While living in Corinth, it is thought by most scholars,
that Paul wrote his two letters to the Christian brethren in
Thessalonica. We shall then look in an over all way, with a
basic commentary, the contents of Paul's letters of First and
Second Thessalonians.
Here is an introduction to 1 Thessalonians from the "New
King James Bible - Personal Study Edition" published by Nelson,
1990 and 1995.
AUTHOR AND DATE
On his second missionary journey, as related in Acts 17:1-9, Paul
and his companions came to Thessalonica. There they went into the
synagogue and, three Sabbaths, "reasoned with them from the
Scriptures, ... saying, 'This Jesus whom I preach to you is
the Christ'" (Acts 17:2,3). Paul's stay at Thessalonica was
brief, at most only a few months. From there he went to Berea
(Acts 17:10), on to Athens (Acts 17:15), and then to Corinth
(Acts 18:1).
From Athens Paul sent Timothy to encourage the Thessalonians.
When Timothy returned to him at Corinth, the apostle was
overjoyed at the news of the strong faith of the Thessalonians.
From Corinth he wrote the first Thessalonian letter in late A.D.
50 or early 51. The second letter was written several months
later.
First Thessalonians is one of the earliest of Paul's letters and
thus also of the New Testament books.... Paul was joined in
writing 1 Thessalonians by his missionary companions, Silvanus
(the Silas of Acts 15:22) and Timothy.
BACKGROUND
Thessalonica, now called Salonika, was an ancient Greek city, the
capital of the Roman province of Macedonia.
Paul began his ministry there in the Jewish synagogue. However,
the church that resulted included not only Jews, but also a
number of devout Greeks and many leading women.
These Greeks had been attracted previously to the Jewish
monotheistic faith but had not submitted completely to its
ritual - particularly circumcision. Many Jews of Thessalonica
did not become believers, and the synagogue rulers eventually
rejected Paul and drove him from the town (Acts 17:1-10).
PURPOSE
The majority of the people in the Thessalonian church had been
converted from idolatry (1:9) and lives of gross immorality. From
this past they had turned to Christ. Paul had not had time in
Thessalonica to instruct his converts as thoroughly as he would
have liked.
Thus, in this letter he wanted to express his joy at their
steadfastness, encourage them in the midst of suffering, instruct
them in the way of holiness, and correct misconceptions about the
Lord's return.
CONTENTS
In this letter Paul emphasizes the "Second Coming" of the Lord
Jesus and the "second blessing" of full sanctification in the
life of the believer. Mention is made of the "Second Coming" at
the end of each chapter. Paul prays for their sanctification and
tells them now to five holy lives.
The apostle begins by describing the thorough conversion of the
Thessalonians (1:1-10).
The change in their lives was well known throughout the churches
(1:7-10). Then he reminds them of his conduct: he had preached to
them from pure motives and demonstrated his love for them
(2:1-12). They had suffered for their faith (2:13-16). How
he desired to see them (2:17-20)!
Because of his anxiety for the church, he had sent to then
Timothy (3:1-6), who later returned bringing good news of their
steadfastness (3:6-10). Paul begins his instruction by praying
for their sanctification (3:11-13). Next comes admonition on two
aspects of the life of holiness - sexual purity and brotherly
love (4:12). The apostle then turns to the subject of Christ's
return. They need net fear. At the Lord's return Christians who
have died will be united with those still alive (4:13-18).
The Christian's task is to watch and be always ready for that great
event (5:1-11). Next are important instructions for daily life
(5:12-22). Paul concludes with a prayer for their sanctification
(5:23,21), followed by greetings and a benediction (5:25-28).
OUTLINE OF 1 THESSALONIANS
1. Salutation 1:1
2. Paul's concern for the Thessalonians 1:2-3:13
A.
Paul's visit 1:2-2:16
The conversion of the Thessalonians 1:2-10
The integrity of the missionary Paul 2:1-12
The suffering of the Thessalonians 2:13-16
B.
Timothy's visit 2:17-3:10
Paul's anxiety for his converts 2:17-20
Timothy sent to Thessalonica 3:1-5
Good news from the Thessalonians 3:6-10
C.
A prayer for holiness 3:11-13
3. Paul's instructions for the Thessalonians 4:1-5:22
A.
A life that pleases God 4:1-12
Sexual purity 4:1-8
Brotherly love 4:9-12
B.
The coming of the Lord 4:13-5:11
Christians who have died will rise first 4:13-18
Christians who are alive must be ready 5:1-11
C.
Daily Christian living 5:12-22
Living with the brethren 5:12-15
Your own spiritual life 5:16-18
Discerning good and evil 5:19-22
4. A prayer for entire sanctification 5:23,24
5. Greetings and benediction 5:25-28
End of quotes
PERTINENT COMMENTS -
Chapter one is Paul's praise to them for their turn from
idols to serve the true God, their steadfastness and for their
efforts to spread the truth through example and word .
Chapter two Paul reminds them of how he and others taught
them, with simple plain words, and with kind gentleness, and how
they worked at secular jobs so they would "not be chargeable unto
any of you." He reminds them how they were like blameless
loving fathers caring for their children, so they could walk
worthy of God. Example is often the very best teacher. They
received the Gospel not as if from men but as it was the
word of God.
Chapter three Paul reminds them that trials and afflictions
may come upon Christians, we are to expect it, but he tells them
how pleased he was to hear from Timothy of their steadfast faith,
and what joy they had before God for them. He prayed for their
increase in love.
Chapter four Paul talks about them being sanctified and pure
in sexual matters (verse 2 and 3). The Greek word for
"fornication" is "pornaia" and means any sexual misconduct of any
kind. Verse 4 gives some problems for many to understand what
Paul is talking about. Albert Barnes in his commentary on this
section gives some insightful comments:
Quote:
"The word 'vessel' here probably refers to the body....the
word 'vessel' also....was used by later Hebrews to denote a
wife...1 Peter 3:7.....as the apostle was giving directions
to the whole church, embracing both sexes, it is hardly
probable that he confined his direction to those who had
wives. It was the duty of females, and of the unmarried
among the males, as well as of married men, to observe this
command. The injunction then is, that we should preserve the
body as pure....5. Not in the lust of concupiscence. In
gross gratifications. Even as the Gentiles. This was, and
is, a common vice among the heathen....6. That no man go
beyond. This word means, to make to go over, as e.g. a
wall or mountain; then, to overpass, to wit, certain limits,
to transgress....And defraud. Margin - oppress or overreach.
This word properly means, to have more than another; then to
have an advantage, then to take advantage of any one.....It
is the word commonly used to denote covetousness....In any
matter. Margin or "the." According to the reading in the
margin, this would refer to the particular matter under
discussion (v.3-5)...."
End of quote
The context of Paul here is sexual immorality of any kind.
Barnes noted well that Paul was speaking to the whole church,
men, women, married or unmarried. If Paul wanted to speak only to
the married, he most likely would have used the specific language
that he used when talking to the Corinthians, and being exact as
to whom he was addressing for special advice given from himself,
see 1 Cor.7:8,10,12,25.
Paul is telling the mainly Gentile membership of the church
at Thessalonica that God's desire and command is that our bodies
be kept pure and clean from sexual misconduct. This is not to say
the Jews did not have any trouble in this regards, they did.
So indeed it is a directive to everyone who has accepted God's
calling. Verse 7 shows God has called us to holiness and not
uncleanness as we govern our body in sexual matters.
If we are married and we are not sexually faithful to our
mate then we have overreached the bounds of God's command, and
not only gone beyond what God would have for us in the marriage
union, but we have overreached what is good for our mate,
and gone beyond what our mate would want. Intimate sexuality
between married people is most precious. Even in our modern,
often immoral world of sexuality, there is still a moral
agreement with most married couples that sexual practices will
stay within the marriage and not go outside of the married
partners. Many a marriage has suffered greatly, if it held
together at all, because of sexual infidelity.
If we are single God desires and commands that we keep our
bodies sexually pure for marriage. God does not want single
people having sex before marriage, or one-night-stands, or
sleeping around with whoever and whenever we desire. If we do
live this way we have defrauded and overreached and taken
advantage of our fellow human being.
Having sex before marriage means our marriage partner is
defrauded if they have remained pure and a virgin, for marriage,
and we have not.
It is God's desire that every person should know how to
possess their body in honor and purity and not in sexual lust and
immorality. For as Paul told the Thessalonians, God has called us
not to uncleanness, but unto holiness. And in verse 8, Paul
finished this context with "And therefore he that rejects this,
rejects not the ideas of man, but the will of God, who has also
given to us His Holy Spirit."
Paul remind them of the love they have, and that love should continue more and more (verses 9, 10). He goes on to say their goal should be to live a quiet life, minding their own business, and working with their hands (their secular jobs). As a result of living this way, people who are not Christians, will respect the way they live. and you will not need others to support you in financial needs. PROMISE OF THE RESURRECTION Paul tells the Thessalonians the great hope and promise of the resurrection at the coming of the Lord back to earth (verses 13-18). He did not
want them to be ignorant of the truth of this absolute promise of
the resurrection.
Sometimes this passage is used, as quoting verse 14, to say
that Christians are already in heaven and Jesus brings them with
Him back to earth. Paul does say Jesus will bring them with Him,
but then connects his words with the explanation as to HOW Jesus
will be able to bring them with Him. He uses the connecting word
"for" (verse 15).
This is a good lesson in correct Bible reading. The lesson
is, do not take words or thoughts OUT of CONTEXT. Paul goes on to
explain his words of verse 14 with the words of verses 15-18.
Those which are alive at the coming of Christ will not
precede those who are dead, or asleep. Notice Paul uses the word
"sleep" - death is a sleep. We saw in the Gospels that Jesus also
likened death to sleep (see John 11) and how Christ is the
resurrection from the dead. The whole of John chapter eleven
makes it very clear that Lazarus was dead, not just his body, but
the man himself.
Jesus will come Paul said, shall descend from heaven with a
SHOUT, with the voice of the arch-angel, and with the TRUMPET of
God, then the dead shall rise up, be resurrected. Then those
which are alive shall be caught up together with them in the
CLOUDS, to meet the Lord in the AIR, and so shall they ever be
with the Lord.
All this is further explained in 1 Corinthians 15 and
Revelation 8:6-13; 9:15-19. Jesus also explained more in Matthew
24:29-29-31. We need to take note that the resurrection of dead
saints and instant change for the mortal Christians alive, takes
place when the last trumpet is blown, the angels go forth and
guide the resurrected saints to Jesus into the clouds of the
earth's air. This is not some "secret rapture" by an invisible
Jesus. This is the time of the visible coming of the Lord to
gather and meet with the saints in the clouds of heaven. The
teaching by Evangelic Christians of North America about a
mysterious invisible coming of Christ to snatch away Christians
is a very false theology. The resurrection of the saints takes
place when the glorious visible Jesus takes place. Then Paul says
they will ever be with the Lord. But does the Bible teach that
the Lord and the saints go back to heaven for seven years or
three and a half years (as various Evangelicals teach) or one
thousand years as Seventh Day Adventists teach? NO! It teaches no
such idea.
Paul does not continue to tell us where the Lord well be
with the saints, but Paul knew his Old Testament prophetic
writings, he was well aware of Zechariah 14. And there
all along in the Old Testament is the answer to what happens
after the saints meet the Lord in the clouds of earth. The Lord
goes forth to fight the nations of the earth (verse 3)
centered around Jerusalem, just as Revelation also teaches (see
16:16-19; 19:11-21). In THAT DAY of this battle of Armageddon
(Rev.16:16) the FEET of the Lord will touch the Mount of Olives
(Zech.14:4). Yes, the Lord God shall come in the form of Jesus
Christ and He will bring the saints with Him (verse 5), because,
as we have seen, the RESURRECTION and instant change (1 Cor.15:
50-52) of saints takes place and they meet Jesus in the clouds,
He brings them with Him to the Mount of Olives.
This is the very day, a literal 24 hour day, when all this
takes place, it is ONE day, that is known to God (Jesus said that
only God the Father knows when this day will be, see Matthew
24:36) as we are told in Zechariah 14:7.
Will this truth Paul wrote, we are to comfort each other (1
Thes.4:18).
1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 is also often not understood
correctly. First, Paul is talking about the "day of the Lord"
which is NOT the same as saying "the day on which Jesus
returns." The "day of the Lord" or "the day of God's wrath" is a
prophetic time covered by may Old Testament prophets and by the
book of Revelation. It is a time of many months when God takes a
direct hand in the intervention of world events. It is the time
as Revelation puts it "For the great day of His wrath is come and
who shall be able stand" (Rev.6:17). Most of the book of
Revelation takes place during this prophetic "day of God's
wrath." But for a while BEFORE that time comes there will be
relative "peace" - they will say "peace, and safety" (1
Thes.5:3). The Great Tribulation and persecution of saints will
have taken place, the signs in the heavens with the sun and moon
will have taken place (see the Bible Story as I covered Matthew
24), and for a time the Babylon Beast power of Revelation will
claim "peace and safety." But as Paul said in 1 Thes. 5:3 there
will come "sudden destruction."
But the saints of God are not left in darkness Paul said.
God's true children can know the signs of the times. And so be
prepared for this prophetic time. Yet we are to be awake, not to
sleep, we are to watch and be mentally and spiritually sober
(verses 4-8) and Jesus also said that His disciples are to
"watch" (Matthew 24:42).
The last verses of this 1 Thessalonians letter are packed
with many thoughts and teachings. Paul says God's children are to
KNOW them who labor among them and are spiritually elders and who
lead and give admonition. They are to even esteem them very
highly in love for the work of God that they do.
This would mean there are true ministers of God on this
earth, and the Lord's disciples must find who they are, which
also means some who claim to be minsters of God are not at all.
Paul also told the brethren to "warn" those among them who
were disorderly. Their attitude of mind, actions, words, would
soon tell who such people were. They were to comfort those who
were spiritually weak minded, we could say "babes in Christ" as
Paul put it in his other epistles, support the weak that were
weak in economical ways, and be patient with all people. They
were to not render evil to ANY person, for evil done to them.
The Christian is not one who plans ways to "get even" with others
or kicks dirt in the face of those who kicked dirt on them. They
were to follow "good" or "be good" to all individuals and among
themselves.
They were to be a rejoicing people. They were to "pray
without ceasing" - a way of saying be in constant communion with
the Father, be thinking of His way of life under all situations,
as well as being a person who regularly prays.
They were to not put out the working of the Holy Spirit in
their lives and minds. We are to ever let God's Spirit lead us,
guide us into the truth of His word, teach us, correct us, and
fill us with His love.
They were to never despise inspirational speaking and those
inspired at certain times, in certain situations, to speak the
word and truth of God.
They were to "prove all things and hold fast to that which
is good" - just as the noble Bereans had done when Paul taught
and preached among them the word of God (Acts 17:10-12).
And they were to abstain from "all appearances of evil."
Those who were doing the first admonitions that Paul just listed,
would be spiritually in tune with "appearances of evil" (1
Thes.5:12-22).
Verse 23 and man being "spirit, soul, and body" (which Paul
desired would be kept in holiness until the coming of the Lord
Jesus Christ), does indeed show that man is made of three basic
parts, that have exposure to all that is good or all that is
evil. Man has a "spirit" that is in the mind that truly does make
us different than animals. No animal can write the volumes of the
Encyclopedia Britannica. We humans have a soul or life we
live as a whole, and we have a physical body that can do physical
acts of either good or evil. Paul wanted all three parts of what
makes US, what makes YOU and ME, much more than an animal, to be
going in the way of God, hence under His grace, which means
forgiven and blameless before Him. And God is faithful who will
give us the ability to be within His grace and so blameless
(verse 24).
They were to pray for Paul and all the other servants of God
who were with him. They were to greet each other with a holy
kiss. That was the custom in those days and among those people,
as it is with people of various nations today. In the Anglo-Saxon
nations we use a hand shake. But be it a kiss or a hand-shake, it
was to be "holy" - that is it was to be truly done as if by God
Himself.
To finish he blessed them with and desired them to have, the
grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (verses 25-28). ............................................
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