Acts 18:1-11 (NRSV)
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Chapter 18After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. Verse 2There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, Verse 3and, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together-by trade they were tentmakers. Verse 4Every sabbath he would argue in the synagogue and would try to convince Jews and Greeks. Verse 5When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with proclaiming the word, testifying to the Jews that the Messiah was Jesus. Verse 6When they opposed and reviled him, in protest he shook the dust from his clothes and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."
Verse 7Then he left the synagogue and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God; his house was next door to the synagogue. Verse 8Crispus, the official of the synagogue, became a believer in the Lord, together with all his household; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul became believers and were baptized. Verse 9One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; Verse 10for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, for there are many in this city who are my people." Verse 11He stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Devotion
Vignettes like this tell us quite a bit about Paul. He was a tentmaker by trade. He proclaimed the word even in the face of much opposition. Bold as he was, he needed to hear a comforting word that told him not to be afraid. Hearing that God would be with him, Paul was empowered to go on and teach the word of God. Whatever our trade, whatever opposition or indifference we may encounter, listen to God's word of comfort. Then go boldly on to teach that word, and care for all.
Prayer
O Christ, our light, shine forth on those estranged from you. Give us tongues to speak so that others may hear that saving word which both comforts and challenges. Amen.