After these things, Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquilla and his wife, Priscilla;{because Claudius commanded the Jews to depart from Rome} And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them;and wrought; for their occupation was tentmaker; And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and presuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
It would be easy to read this passage and overlook a jewel.
Here we find that Paul has just left Athens where he came away discouraged. He left behind people who mocked him, others who decided to put things off until later, and still others who followed him. It is important to notice in Acts 17:34 the two mentioned. There was Dionnysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris followed after him.
Now, the Areopagites were the religious leaders, and we see from this text that a "religious leader" was converted. A significant point. And, the woman is also significant. In that time and place, woman had no place in worship. They stayed at home and were taught by their husbands. But this woman followed after Paul.
But, by the time Paul arrives at Corinth, he is discouraged. It has been a long haul for him and his heart is weary and down-trodden. What the reader should notice here was that Paul, in his discouragement, sought out companionship in other believers. He did not isolate himself. He went to be with Aquilla and Priscilla. Aquilla and his wife were there because Claudius said that the Jewish people had to leave Rome. Now if we can stop a moment and look at what had happened to this couple. We know that they were uprooted from their home, and no doubt they wondered why God would allow such a thing. Certainly they suffered the same doubts and fears that we all deal with when something catatrophic happens and we too wonder why. But we, the reader, can step back and see the broad scope of events and can see that God placed them where they could minister to Paul.
We also see that Paul in his weariness did not wait for someone to come to him. He went out and found them. He put himself in the line of caring and support. He did not sit around, inwardly complaining about how hard he had it and "why don't people care and come to him in his time of need." He did not wallow in that "nobody loves me and why is God doing this," mode. No, he went to them! He took action.
We also see that Paul had the same vocation as this couple. They were tentmakers. There was something about Aquilla and Priscilla that was vital to Paul's comfort at that place and at that time.
So we see that two different life dramas were coming together for a divine purpose..
As believers who often grow weary with life-we too have to take affirmative action. How often do we sit and wallow in self pity? It is during these times that we should run, not walk, to the comfort zone found in other believers. And, when we are uprooted and awakened from our " false comfort slumber" we must dwell on the fact that there is always a divine purpose, even if it strays {and it always will} from the plans we have set down.
life as something that
we have not planned.
Remember there is a
higher calling,
fruit to bear, and
a sovereign place
to stand....
More to Come
A Person Named Paul, To Live Like Stephen,It's Not About Us!,Christian Liberty,When Differences Cause Strife
Daylight In Discouragement
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