And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.” Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.
Acts 18:5-8
Finally, we have the moment when Silas and Timothy arrive. Paul had told them to join him in Athens but this is the moment Luke records they caught up with him, not in Athens but in Corinth. Some of you have asked about this along the way? You have asked various questions over this matter and I have been silent waiting for the moment to address them. Some of you have commented on the fact that Silas and Timothy had probably arrived by now during our time in Athens. I had made the comment about joining us in Athens and some commented on the moment of your arrival with Silas and Tim. But can you see now it was premature. There is actually no indication of them going to Athens. It appears most likely that they did not make it. Which indicates also that Paul did not spend overly long in Athens. Some commentators suggest it was only a month at the most. When Paul received the response from the Areopagus, he decided to move on and as I said at the time there is no record of Paul planting a church in Athens at all.
Two of you asked a question that I would like answered too. However, I am sorry but we will not get an answer until we can ask either Paul, Silas or Tim face to face. How did they know that Paul had gone on to Corinth? Did Paul get word to them that he had moved on or were they forced to go to Athens looking for him, only to find that he had moved on? Any communication between them would have had to have been through messengers not FB Messenger. So that leaves us with the question as to ‘how Silas and Timothy got the news that Paul was now in Corinth?’ If they had gone to Athens after all you would think Luke would have told us that fact. If they went straight to Corinth, how did they know Paul had moved on to that city? If they went to Athens and then to Corinth how long did it take them to find out the news that Paul had moved on? Those are some of the questions which some have sent to me. They are good questions but I don’t have any answers for you beyond my own conjecture. I suspect if they went to Athens they would have gone first to the synagogues and asked for news of Paul there. I also believe God would have steered them to the right people to pass on the news that Paul had gone on already. Several times I have been in a strange city where I have been aware friends or acquaintances were living but had no idea of how to contact them – only to run into them by chance in a public place. However it happened Silas and Timothy end up back with Paul again, only not in Athens as Paul had indicated but rather in Corinth.
Several of you have asked the following questions:
- Why did Paul just give up on the Jews and go to the Gentiles?
- Was he afraid of taking the gospel to the Jews?
- Ross asked if Paul was not as effective as Apollos in evangelizing the Jews. It seems Apollos had more success.
- Why did Paul shake the dust off his feet and leave his own people behind and go to the Gentile
- Why does he give up on the Jews?
- Why does he say the words, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”?
- Is that an Old Testament quote Ian – I can’t find it if it is?
- Ian, who is the person referred to here as Titius Justus?
His name seems to vary across the different translations. The alternatives are: Titius Justus, Titus – the son of Justus, Titus Justus, Titus the Just, Justus. Just who is this guy and why is there so much variation on his name?
One person commented, there seem to be so many names for him perhaps he had a number of aliases. Another asked is this the same Titus who becomes a companion of Paul later or is this another person? I guess Titus must have been a popular name so there were a lot of men named Titus. Is this Titus, Paul’s companion, or someone different?
You can guess what I am going to do now. Leave you to ponder these questions before the next Gem of course.
If you hear a voice within you say you cannot find the answer, then it is time for that voice to be silenced.
Ian Vail
It’s easy. Just simply click on the verse in E-Sword that is puzzling you and behold you have the input from all of the resources you have already downloaded on E-Sword to refer to. Go to <File> <Resources> <Download> in order to download them. There are many free resources before you get to the ones you have to pay for. Hint once you have chosen all the resources you want category by category, you will have to click the second <download button> to install them.
Persevere until you get it solved. Don’t give up. Never ever ever never give up.
Winston Churchill
Once you have cracked it you will have a wealth of resources at hand without have to pay a cent.
Ian Vail
Now you are set to answer the questions above. You don’t need any help from me.
Ian Vail