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These small group Bible studies of Acts 18 contain commentary, discussion questions, and practical application.  Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.

Acts 18 Bible Study Guide – Paul the Tentmaker in Corinth

Outline

I. Paul the tentmaker (1-4)
II. Paul’s ministry in Corinth (5-11)
III. Opposition to the message (12-17)

I. Paul the tentmaker (1-4)

Discussion Questions

• Where is Corinth? What do you know about the church that was established there?
• What do you know about Aquila and Priscilla?
• What was Paul’s trade?
• Why was he working instead of spending all his time sharing the gospel?
• What does the term “tentmaker refer to today?
• Should missionaries support themselves or be donor-supported? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
• What principles can we learn from Paul’s example of tentmaking?

Cross-References

Acts 18:24-26 – Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Acts 20:33-34 – I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.

1 Thessalonians 2:9 – For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

1 Corinthians 9:11-12 – If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?
Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

1 Timothy 5:18 – For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. Corinth history and background –

Corinth was an important economic and cultural city in the ancient world. It had prospered due to nearby overland trade routes, which were used by ship merchants to haul their ships by land instead of sailing the long way around. But the city was so corrupt that an idiom was coined, “like a Corinthian,” which meant someone who was extremely immoral. A famous temple of Aphrodite was built in honor of the goddess. The temple employed over 1000 sex slaves.

It was in this toxic atmosphere that Paul helped to plant a church. However, he then left to do ministry elsewhere. More than perhaps any other New Testament church, the church at Corinth struggled mightily. Sinful culture was creeping in and influencing church members. Immorality and division were taking over. False apostles were also infiltrating the church, attacking Paul’s character. If they could get the people of the church to rebel against Paul, then they had a hope of misleading them with their false doctrines.

So Paul went to visit them (2:1) and it didn’t go well. He was publicly insulted (2:5-10) and the church at large did not rise up to his defense. So he left and sent them a “severe letter” (2:4)

Eventually, they repented and Paul was very comforted in their reconciliation with him (7:7)

History

• A major city at that time on the isthmus connecting the two parts of Greece.
• Major in trade as land and sea travel passed through.
• Entertainment center and host of the Isthmus games.
• Capital of a Roman province.
• A center of pagan worship and the temple to Aphrodite, 1000 or more temple prostitutes.
• A city with gross immorality, such that behaving like a Corinthian became an idiom for gross immorality.

Founding of the church

• The first leader of the Corinthian church, Paul.
• Traveled there on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:11)
• Met Aquila and Priscilla.
• Worked in Corinth preaching and tent-making one and a half years.
• He was joined by Timothy and Silas.
• Met much resistance and was charged by the Jews before the court. The case was thrown out.
• After Paul left, Apollos became the next pastor (Acts 18:24-19:1)
• Paul wrote another letter before 1st Corinthians to correct them in some areas (1 Corinthians 5:9, but it was lost).

2. Paul, the tentmaker –

While Paul did ministry in Corinth, he supported himself. He did this by making and selling tents.

In his letters to the Corinthians, Paul explained his decision to be self-supported instead of relying on them.

• I did not burden you – 2 Corinthians 12:13
• He didn’t hold on to his right to be supported by them – 1 Corinthians 9:6-7.
• Paul was willing to face any personal difficulties rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel – 1 Corinthians 9:12

1 Corinthians 9:12-15 – If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.

Paul knew the weaknesses in the Corinthian church so he was careful to make sure they had no cause for any accusation against him. Therefore, he did not get personal support for them, instead choosing to be a tent-maker to provide for himself (Acts 18:1-4).

Application – Christian workers would be wise to learn from Paul here. We should be all things for the sake of the gospel. Although Scripture is clear that the “worker is worthy of his wages” (1 Timothy 5:18), there are times when it is advisable to forego that “right” when it might prove a stumbling block.

I seek not what is yours, but you (2 Corinthians 12:14) – Here, Paul makes his motivations clear. He didn’t want their money! He wanted their souls for the Lord! Paul’s ministry was not motivated out of a desire for personal gain. He did not enrich himself to a life of luxury by exploiting his relationship with the churches. Rather, he sacrificed for them, willingly giving up his claim to the right of support.

One of the biggest problems in the church, historically and today, is that many leaders have failed to follow Paul’s example. In much of church history, the leaders exploited the common people. They exacted heavy taxes for building great buildings, clothing themselves in fine clothes, and living in mansions. At one time, they even charged for absolution from sin (as if this is even possible!)

And this problem still exists today. Some pastors of mega-churches have a fleet of luxury cars and multiple private jets. That is a far cry from Paul’s choice not to be a burden. It is far from the principle “I seek not what is yours, but you.” Such behaviour turns many people off from the gospel.

Application – Let us be motivated by loving people. The desire to see their soul in heaven with eternal life is the supreme goal that should drive our ministry. Spend some time in prayer and ask God to give you this supreme love for others. When we love others in that way, we will be filled with compassion for them. We will see them as God’s creation, sheep that need to be led to the Savior, not as stepping stools to be used for our personal gain.

What do you need to give up for the sake of the gospel? Paul gave up his right to be supported by them. He also gave up marriage and career. Are you willing to give up any rights for the sake of the gospel and serving God’s people?

3. A worker is worthy of his wages –

Though Paul voluntarily gave up his right to be supported by the Corinthians, that does not mean that pastors or missionaries should never be supported. Paul later wrote a letter to the Corinthian church and made it clear to them that Christian workers should generally be supported.

See 1 Corinthians 9:8-14 for the argument he lays out.

Reason 1: The Old Testament gives the principle in Deuteronomy about muzzling an ox. Imagine an employee works and works and gets no wages. Imagine that an ox is worked to death without being given food. These are wrong. The obvious point is that the one who works is worthy of wages. The Bible says if you don’t work, you can’t eat. (2 Thess 3:10). By implication, if a person does work, he can eat. Sharing the gospel and teaching is also work.

Reason 2: They sowed spiritual things and should be able to receive material things. You reap what you sow. They worked and worked and worked for the Corinthian church, teaching them, encouraging them, comforting them, reproving them. They built the church. The spiritual benefit the church received far outweighed any physical benefit they could have received.

Reason 3: Others were apparently being supported by the Corinthian church. If others were supported, then certainly Paul had as much and more right than they. Paul had contributed more to the church than anyone else.

Reason 4: Priests were to eat some of the food of the altar. That was their wages. If priests received that as their wages, then so should Christian workers.

Reason 5: The reason Paul didn’t take it, although he could have, was for the sake of the gospel. He didn’t want to hinder it. Taking support from the Corinthians may have caused resentment in them or opened himself up to accusations. False teachers were big on asking for money.

II. Paul’s ministry in Corinth (5-11)

Discussion Questions

• How did Paul respond to their opposition?
• Was he too harsh when he said, “Your blood be on your own heads?”
• What did Paul mean when he said, “From now on I will go to the Gentiles?” Was he never going to share with Jews again?
• Was this an annoyed response or a tactical decision?
• What should you do if you share with people who are uninterested or hostile toward the gospel?
• How did the Corinthians respond to the gospel?
• What vision did Paul have?
• How would this vision encourage him?
• Why did Paul stay so much longer in this place than most of the others he had been to? What principle can we learn from this?
• Why do we learn about providence and God’s sovereignty?
• Does God’s command to Paul, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,” apply to us today? In what area do you need to “go on speaking and not be silent?”

Cross-References

Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Ezekiel 2:6-7 – And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. Paul was occupied with the word –

When Timothy and Silas came to Corinth, they found him busy sharing and preaching the word. That is a great testimony. Paul was a very productive person. There wasn’t much wasted time in his schedule. He practiced what he preached to the Ephesians to “redeem the time.”

Reflect – If your friends showed up suddenly, what would they find you doing?

May we live our lives productively obeying and spreading the word as Paul did.

Life is short. In James 4:14, our lives are compared to a vapor, which appears for a little while and then vanishes. One need only turn on the news to see how many people’s lives are snuffed out unexpectedly. You may have even been surprised one morning to wake up to unexpected news, such as when Kobe Bryant and several others had passed away in a sudden helicopter crash. They were going to his basketball center to play hoops, never imagining that their lives here on earth were almost at the end.

A person once compared people to candles. Two candles represented two people’s lives. One candle was tall, almost new, having only burned for a short time. The other candle is short, almost spent. The tall candle represents a young person who likely has most of their life in front of them, while the short candle represents an older person. Both candles have something in common. Each day they keep burning. And each day, they are one day closer to finally burning out.

Our lives are the same. God has put us on this earth for a reason. He has prepared certain good deeds, missions if you will, which He wants us to accomplish for Him (Ephesians 2:10). Every day is an opportunity to fulfill the missions God has for us that day. But if we do not do them, they are gone and will never come back again.

Application – Do you make a habit of redeeming the time? When you have completely free time, what will you normally do? Is there anything in your life that you feel wastes your time or distracts you from using your time well?

2. Your blood be on your own heads –

Paul was sharing with the Jews at the synagogue (18:4), but they did not believe the gospel message. Instead, they opposed and reviled him. Thus, Paul made it clear that they bore full responsibility for their unbelief. He did all within his power to convince them, but their willful rejection was of their own volition.

The ironic thing is that the crowds of Jews pushing Pilate to crucify Jesus willingly took that responsibility on themselves.

Matthew 27:25 – And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

Paul likely was referencing this statement, pointing out that Jews who were not present at the crucifixion but deliberately rejected Jesus were culpable as well.

Application – We must take responsibility for our own actions. But we do not need to take responsibility for others’ actions. For example, if you diligently share the gospel with a person (even your child) and live out a godly Christian testimony in front of them, it is not your fault if they don’t accept it. You will face God for your decisions and actions and they will face God for theirs. So don’t beat yourself up about things you have no control over.

3. I will go to the Gentiles – Paul stated that “from now on I will go to the Gentiles.” This did not indicate that Paul would never share with a Jew again, but rather that in Corinth his focus would shift to sharing with Gentiles.

Application – If one person or group is not interested in or is hostile to the gospel, go to another. Jesus told His disciples not to throw pearls before swine. Invest in people who are receptive and teachable.

4. Crispus believed with his household –

Even though the majority of the Jews rejected the gospel, one influential Jew believed. Crispus and his family became followers of Jesus.

It is a reminder that God’s Word does not return void.

Application – Do not be discouraged if your efforts for the gospel are not as immediately fruitful as you hope. If you are faithful to God’s calling, it will accomplish exactly what He intends. Even one seed landing on the right soil can bear fruit. Keep sowing the seed of the gospel!

5. Keep speaking and don’t be silent –

Acts 18:9 – Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

The Lord gave Paul a vision to encourage him to keep sharing. We are not given the reason, but perhaps God knew that Paul was becoming discouraged with the hostile response to the gospel. The Lord encouraged Him to press on and continue, for He had many people in the city. He also assured Paul that no attack in this city would harm him.

Many times, Paul gave similar types of encouragement to believers (Galatians 6:9, Philippians 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 1 Corinthians 15:58). Even though he often encouraged others, he was a man too, and not immune to times of discouragement.

Application – Understand that your Christian leaders are not robots. They may be discouraged and face burnout. Pray for, support, and encourage them to keep going.

At the same time, let us also apply God’s command to Paul to keep speaking the Word boldly.

1 Corinthians 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Reflect – What situations may discourage you from serving God and speaking up for Him? When have you needed encouragement? How did God encourage and strengthen you during those times?

6. He stayed a year and six months –

Paul stayed longer in Corinth than he had in many other cities he visited. The reason was simple. He had the opportunity. He was not in physical danger to stay, so he stayed. Later in this passage, we will see that the proconsul was not favorable to the Jews’ trouble-mongering. God sovereignly ordained that Paul could stay longer. This was also a personal blessing to Paul, who had been traveling almost non-stop with little rest.

III. Opposition to the message (12-17)

Discussion Questions

• What accusation did the Jews bring against Paul?
• Whose “law” were they referring to in verse 13?
• Were the Jews very good citizens, concerned for Roman law and order?
• How did Gallio respond to their accusation?
• What did the Jews do when their case was rejected?
• Wasn’t Crispus the ruler of the synagogue? Why was Sosthenes the ruler of the synagogue?

Cross-References

John 15:18 – If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.

2 Corinthians 12:10 – For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Luke 6:22 – Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. The Jews attack Paul and bring him before the tribunal –

This did not invalidate God’s prophecy. The prophecy specifically said that no one would attack him to harm him. In other words, he would not be harmed by any attack. Just as God predicted, this attack did not harm him.

God’s words are clear and precise. His promises will never be broken.

2. The Jews accused Paul before Gallio –

Their accusation was that Paul’s teaching was external to Judaism. Judaism was tolerated by the Roman Empire. The Jews were essentially declaring Paul not to be one of them and asked that the Romans step in to ban what he was preaching since it did not fit into Judaism or the Roman beliefs.

3. Gallio dismissed their case –

Paul was just about to give his defense when Gallio summarily dismissed the case. He had no interest in arbitrating this religious dispute. Therefore, he drove them away, likely by enlisting the help of Roman soldiers stationed there.

4. The Jews divert their anger to Sosthenes –

It appears that during these eighteen months, Crispus had been replaced as leader of the synagogue with Sosthenes. They were angry at their unsuccessful attempt to deal with Paul and so beat Sosthenes. It is unclear how he incurred their wrath. Perhaps they viewed him as partially responsible since he was the leader of the synagogue. Sosthenes would become a believer (1 Corinthians 1:1).