Wednesday 20 May 2015

Psalm: Psalm 12

Background

In this passage we find Paul in Corinth. Corinth is a seaportwith all that goes with such places - a transient population andquite a bit of immorality. Like Philippi, Corinth is a Roman colonyand also capital of its region. In some ways it tried to be moreRoman than Rome itself.

Here we see Paul initially back to his former pattern of mission- going to the synagogue and telling people about Jesus. If hefound no welcome there or even rejection, as in the case in thispassage, he moved on to the Gentile God-fearers. In many of theplaces that Paul visited, as related in these chapters of Acts, heonly stayed for a short time. Here we see him staying in Corinthfor one and a half years - a comparatively long time.

There were probably several reasons why Paul stayed longer - hemet up with the God-fearers Aquila and Priscilla, who had the sametrade as him - tentmaking and it looks as if he worked with or forthem. Corinth was also a bigger and more cosmopolitan place inwhich to preach. However the most important reason for Paul to staythere is that he had a vision to stay there - a vision in which Godspoke to him directly and assured him that he would be safe (verses9-10). It was this vision that really kept Paul loyal to his task.Corinth was where God wanted Paul to be at that time even though the Jews attacked him. They took him before the courts butthe Roman proconsul sent them packing for bringing petty things tocourt.

To Ponder

• In the church community of which you are a part, to what extentis the pattern of evangelism and outreach flexible and receptive tochanging situations as Paul's was?

• Faith is always forward looking with a vision both for thecommunity of believers and for those outside. What sort of a visionwhich directs your community's worship and outreach?