Chapter Nineteen –
Third Journey of Paul
ACTS 19:21-22:
We actually began the third journey in
Chapter 18:23. Paul returned from the second journey to Antioch
of Syria and then went out again to the region of
Galatia
and
Phrygia
strengthening the brethren in these locations; Luke tells us.
Please use this map:
http://www.plvcc.org/index.html/page_charts_and_maps/CNM21Pauls3rdJourney.gif
Paul has
come to
Ephesus
and has met and worked with disciples of the coming Messiah by the work of
John the Baptist. He would now more accurately explain the way of God
through Jesus Christ to them (see:
Acts
18:26). Paul would continue to work in the synagogues of the Jews
for 3 months; however, when some were hardened, he went to the school of
Tyrannus and continued to teach from this singular location for two years,
successfully bringing the Gospel’s truth to all of Asia. At the conclusion
of the events that transpired in the first two years at Ephesus (special
miracles, false exorcists, and the word of the Lord growing mightily and
prevailing). We will now look into events that would make up the remainder
of the time he will stay in Ephesus.
Text #1:
Acts 19:21-22
“When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in
the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to
Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
22 So
he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and
Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.”
Purpose in
the Spirit:
Since we
know that the Spirit of God would have a different purpose for Paul; we can
naturally see that Paul was purposing these hopeful thoughts for the Holy
Spirit’s approval (see:
2 Corinthians 1:15-24;
Acts 20:3).
Thus, we can see this in light of the way all Christians are instructed to
plan for the future; “If the Lord
wills, we shall live and do this or that” –
James 4:15.
Erastus:
A Greek name meaning, “Beloved”. He is described by Luke as someone who
serves Paul (ministered), and traveling with Timothy, we can see that the
service was in the Gospel’s work. He is additionally mentioned in
Romans 16:23,
as saluting the brethren in Rome, and defined by Paul as the treasurer of
Corinth.
Stayed in
Asia for a Time:
Here Luke
records that Paul is going to stay for an additional
amount of time above the two years already mentioned (Paul himself reminds
the elders of Ephesus on the return back to Jerusalem at the end of this
journey, that the total time in Ephesus would be three years –
Acts 20:31).
It is
during this time that messengers from Corinth will come to him, and inform
him of events transpiring there (1
Corinthians 1:11).
Sometime after the messengers from Corinth would come to Paul, he would
additionally receive a letter from the brethren in Corinth (1
Corinthians 7:1).
Based on the information he will receive from these two sources, he will
respond to these brethren in the order of the material he has received
and he writes
1 Corinthians.
Please make
a note next to
Vs. 22
of your text.
We will
find out that the letter, when completed, will be delivered by Titus –
2 Corinthians 2:12-13;
7:6-7.
Please go
back and refresh your memory concerning Corinth – use this link:
http://www.plvcc.org/index.html?/articles_live_by_faith/acts_18_1.html
Exegesis of
1 Corinthians:
·
Where:
It is written here from Ephesus – confirmed by Paul in
1 Corinthians 16:8.
·
When:
Late in Paul’s stay in Ephesus on the third journey.
·
To Whom:
The Christians in Corinth (1
Corinthians 1:1-3).
·
Sent By:
Titus (2
Corinthians 2:12-12;
7:6-7).
Content:
The
letter is written to address problems in this
Body of Christ made known first
by messengers (1:11);
which encompasses the first
six chapters.
The second by the letter he will receive from these brethren (7:1);
which will be covered in chapters
7-15.
We do
not have a record of the report he will receive from the messengers, nor a
copy of the letter he would receive; however, Paul so concisely deals with
the details in order, that we have no trouble knowing exactly what was in
the verbal report and in the letter (we call this the mirror effect – by
looking at what is dealt with, it in turn reveals what was reported).
The
demeanor of the letter is harsh; as Paul writes as a disciplinarian. He will
often say, “I write these things to
your shame” –
1 Corinthians 4:14;
6:5;
“Do you not know” –
1 Corinthians 3:16;
5:6;
6:2-3,
9,
15-16,
9;
9:13,
24;
“You are carnal”, or
“Immature” –
1 Corinthians 3:1,
3;
14:20;
“I warn you” –
1 Corinthians 4:14;
“Beware” –
1 Corinthians 8:9;
“I do not want you to be unaware”
–
1 Corinthians 10:1;
12:1;
“I do not praise you” –
1 Corinthians 11:17,
22;
and finally concluding the letter with a terrible warning –
1 Corinthians 16:22.
This is
due to the state of degradation that the reports have revealed concerning
the Corinthians fall from grace.
The
problems of the church at Corinth:
·
The
elevation of men versus service to Christ Jesus.
·
Divisiveness due to the following of men, instead of Christ Jesus and the
truth already delivered to them (elevating the King only!).
·
Immorality
in the Body of Christ.
·
Brethren
taking each other to courts of law.
·
Immorality
from the outside.
·
Abuses in
the areas of liberties.
·
Paul’s
Apostolic authority challenged.
·
Problems
with God’s order in the Body of Christ and separation from worldliness.
·
Defilement
of the Lord’s Supper from spiritual to common.
·
Disorderly
conduct in the worship services by the misuse of spiritual gifts.
·
Some among
them denying the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
More
details could be offered within the frame work of each of these problems,
but the deprivation can clearly be seen; and all of this inside of a couple
of years since Paul was physically present with them for 18 months.
Outline:
Chapters 1-4
– The preacher and evangelist, and the congregation relationship.
Chapter 5
– Sexual immorality in the church and sin unchecked destroys all.
Chapter 6
– Brining internal controversy before men of the world instead of God.
These
first
six chapters
are the information made known to Paul by the messengers of the household of
Chloe (1:11).
Chapter 7
– What God has provided in order to protect the Body of Christ due to the
sexual immorality surrounding them.
Chapters 8-10
– Issues and universal rules in the realms of expediency.
Chapter 11
– Issues of authority, avoiding worldliness, and problems with the Lord’s
Supper.
Chapters 12-14
– Issues, misunderstandings, and misuse in the use of spiritual gifts.
Chapter 15
– Issues with those who doubt the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the
resurrection in general.
These
are the issues that Paul was made aware of, by the letter he received from
the brethren (7:1).
Chapter 16
– Commands concerning benevolence and the process for giving, his personal
plans, and final exhortations.
Next: “A
Great Commotion in Ephesus!”