35. Paul in Corinth
Upon his arrival in Corinth, Paul sets to work and befriends two weavers: Prisca (Priscilla) and Aquilas. In Corinth, Paul seeks work with a Jewish couple from Rome: Prisca and Aquilas. They were weavers who ran a carpet bazaar in the city. They could not have suspected that from that moment on, their names would be inscribed in the history of the young Church. With truly oriental hospitality, they agree to accommodate the stranger. The couple considered it an honor to welcome a doctor of the Law into their home as a worker and as a guest. This is how one of the most beautiful and fruitful friendships of the emerging Church began. Prisca and Aquila were already Christians because Paul does not mention their names among those he baptized in Corinth.
Prosperous weavers, Aquila and Prisca provided considerable support to Paul. They will follow him to Ephesus and Rome, making their home a domestic church.
Prisca became one of the most influential female figures in the early Church. Aquilas was from the region of Pontus, near the Black Sea. He settled in Rome and worked there as a canvas weaver and tent maker. In Antiquity when every traveler needed a tent, this profession was practiced on an industrial scale. He probably knew his wife in Rome. Paul names her Prisca, while Luke uses the name Priscilla. Four times out of six, it is named first, which is an indicator of its importance. She became one of the most influential female figures in the early Church. None of the women who supported Paul in his preaching received praise similar to his: “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. To save my life, they risked their heads, and I am not the only one who owes them gratitude: this is the case of all the Churches of the Gentile; greet also the Church which meets among them” (Romans 16, 3-5). In 49 AD., the couple was forced to leave Rome because of a decree - soon annulled - from Emperor Claudius. This decree was pronounced, according to Suetonius, because riots had broken out in the Jewish ghetto of Rome, “at the instigations of a certain Chrestos”. The adventures of this couple are characteristic of the wandering and restless life of Jews scattered throughout the Roman Empire. Later we meet them in Ephesus, then in Rome, and finally again in Ephesus. At a time when manual labor was considered a disgrace, Paul's example was something absolutely innovative. Upon his arrival in Corinth, Paul sets to work to earn his bread. At a time when manual labor was considered a dishonor and good only for the lower social classes and for slaves, Paul's example was something absolutely innovative. It took a long time for this Christian concept of work to prevail. The Greeks and Romans had nothing but contempt for manual labor which was reserved for the poorest and slaves. Among the Jews, on the other hand, the Old Testament had created an atmosphere of social respect around the worker. In Paul, this respect was based on his conception of man, temple of the Holy Spirit, and on the brotherhood of all human beings in Christ. “Whoever despises a brother does not despise man, but God.” Following his usual method of work, Paul begins by presenting his message to the Israelites. He achieved two important conversions: those of Crispus and Sosthenes, two leaders of the synagogue. Many others followed, but the majority of Jews were hostile to him. There is no shortage of ordinary accusations of impiety and sacrilege. “One night, in a vision, the Lord said to Paul: Do not be afraid, continue speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one will lay hands on you to harm you, because I have a large people of my own in this city. He stayed there for a year and six months, teaching the people the word of God.” (Acts 18, 9-11) While Paul was working and preaching in Corinth, Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia. They brought silver from Thessalonica and Philippi. It is easy to assume who the generous donors of this monetary contribution were: Lydia of Philippi and Jason of Thessalonica.
Another exceptional woman, Phoebe, deaconess of the Church of Cenchrea In Corinth, Paul meets another exceptional woman in the port of Cenchrea.
This is Phoebe, a businesswoman full of interpersonal skills and a great traveler. Converted to Christianity, she will patronize Paul's activity, represent him if necessary in court and above all testify to his Roman citizenship. Around Phoebe, a new Christian community will develop. Later, Paul would recommend Phoebe to the Romans as “our sister, deaconess of the Church of Cenchreae.” He will wish that we “offer her in the Lord a welcome worthy of the saints” and that, in case she needs it, we help her “because she has been a protector for many people and for myself” . (Romans 16, 1-2) It is she who will bring Paul's epistle to the Romans to Rome. The community of Corinth is known to us through the two letters that Paul addressed to it a little later. Made up of Greeks, Romans and Jews, rich and poor, slaves and free men, learned and ignorant, men and women, this Church is a fine example of the communities founded by Paul . Diversity will be a source of difficulties but will at the same time promote an admirable model of unity in diversity. It will also give Paul the opportunity to express himself on the nature of the Church compared to the human body where each member has a function in the service of unity, cohesion and mutual aid (1 Corinthians 12). In Corinth, we meet in private houses where we eat meals together. In accordance with the attitude he had advocated in Antioch, Paul did not prevent any of the new Christians from attending the many Jewish or pagan festivals celebrated in the city. To those - especially Jews - who show reluctance, he explains that they should not single themselves out. Attending celebrations allows you to build relationships that are useful for spreading the Christian message. Paul will have to take a position on meat sacrificed to idols in an environment where, because of their social affiliation, Christians are forced to consume these meats offered at public banquets. It will also address questions of sexual morality (1 Corinthians 6, 12-20) because of the importance of prostitution in the city. After a certain time, Paul will again be accused by the Jewish authorities of contravening Roman law which prohibits proselytism and illicit cults. This causes the break with the synagogue as was the case in Antioch of Pisidia and in Thessalonica. Paul shook the dust from his clothes, as if to free himself from all personal responsibility: “Let your blood be on your head. For me, I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” It was a kind of excommunication, the first used by Paul. Titius Justus then offered him his house for meetings of the Christian community. Paul accepted with joy and, in the inner courtyard, he continued to instruct those interested. The Jewish community split into two groups. Some returned to the synagogue, others accompanied Paul to the house of Titius. The separation was made and the first Gentile Church was founded in Corinth.
Upon his arrival in Corinth, Paul sets to work and befriends two weavers: Prisca (Priscilla) and Aquilas. In Corinth, Paul seeks work with a Jewish couple from Rome: Prisca and Aquilas. They were weavers who ran a carpet bazaar in the city. They could not have suspected that from that moment on, their names would be inscribed in the history of the young Church. With truly oriental hospitality, they agree to accommodate the stranger. The couple considered it an honor to welcome a doctor of the Law into their home as a worker and as a guest. This is how one of the most beautiful and fruitful friendships of the emerging Church began. Prisca and Aquila were already Christians because Paul does not mention their names among those he baptized in Corinth.
Prosperous weavers, Aquila and Prisca provided considerable support to Paul. They will follow him to Ephesus and Rome, making their home a domestic church.
Prisca became one of the most influential female figures in the early Church. Aquilas was from the region of Pontus, near the Black Sea. He settled in Rome and worked there as a canvas weaver and tent maker. In Antiquity when every traveler needed a tent, this profession was practiced on an industrial scale. He probably knew his wife in Rome. Paul names her Prisca, while Luke uses the name Priscilla. Four times out of six, it is named first, which is an indicator of its importance. She became one of the most influential female figures in the early Church. None of the women who supported Paul in his preaching received praise similar to his: “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. To save my life, they risked their heads, and I am not the only one who owes them gratitude: this is the case of all the Churches of the Gentile; greet also the Church which meets among them” (Romans 16, 3-5). In 49 AD., the couple was forced to leave Rome because of a decree - soon annulled - from Emperor Claudius. This decree was pronounced, according to Suetonius, because riots had broken out in the Jewish ghetto of Rome, “at the instigations of a certain Chrestos”. The adventures of this couple are characteristic of the wandering and restless life of Jews scattered throughout the Roman Empire. Later we meet them in Ephesus, then in Rome, and finally again in Ephesus. At a time when manual labor was considered a disgrace, Paul's example was something absolutely innovative. Upon his arrival in Corinth, Paul sets to work to earn his bread. At a time when manual labor was considered a dishonor and good only for the lower social classes and for slaves, Paul's example was something absolutely innovative. It took a long time for this Christian concept of work to prevail. The Greeks and Romans had nothing but contempt for manual labor which was reserved for the poorest and slaves. Among the Jews, on the other hand, the Old Testament had created an atmosphere of social respect around the worker. In Paul, this respect was based on his conception of man, temple of the Holy Spirit, and on the brotherhood of all human beings in Christ. “Whoever despises a brother does not despise man, but God.” Following his usual method of work, Paul begins by presenting his message to the Israelites. He achieved two important conversions: those of Crispus and Sosthenes, two leaders of the synagogue. Many others followed, but the majority of Jews were hostile to him. There is no shortage of ordinary accusations of impiety and sacrilege. “One night, in a vision, the Lord said to Paul: Do not be afraid, continue speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one will lay hands on you to harm you, because I have a large people of my own in this city. He stayed there for a year and six months, teaching the people the word of God.” (Acts 18, 9-11) While Paul was working and preaching in Corinth, Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia. They brought silver from Thessalonica and Philippi. It is easy to assume who the generous donors of this monetary contribution were: Lydia of Philippi and Jason of Thessalonica.
Another exceptional woman, Phoebe, deaconess of the Church of Cenchrea In Corinth, Paul meets another exceptional woman in the port of Cenchrea.
This is Phoebe, a businesswoman full of interpersonal skills and a great traveler. Converted to Christianity, she will patronize Paul's activity, represent him if necessary in court and above all testify to his Roman citizenship. Around Phoebe, a new Christian community will develop. Later, Paul would recommend Phoebe to the Romans as “our sister, deaconess of the Church of Cenchreae.” He will wish that we “offer her in the Lord a welcome worthy of the saints” and that, in case she needs it, we help her “because she has been a protector for many people and for myself” . (Romans 16, 1-2) It is she who will bring Paul's epistle to the Romans to Rome. The community of Corinth is known to us through the two letters that Paul addressed to it a little later. Made up of Greeks, Romans and Jews, rich and poor, slaves and free men, learned and ignorant, men and women, this Church is a fine example of the communities founded by Paul . Diversity will be a source of difficulties but will at the same time promote an admirable model of unity in diversity. It will also give Paul the opportunity to express himself on the nature of the Church compared to the human body where each member has a function in the service of unity, cohesion and mutual aid (1 Corinthians 12). In Corinth, we meet in private houses where we eat meals together. In accordance with the attitude he had advocated in Antioch, Paul did not prevent any of the new Christians from attending the many Jewish or pagan festivals celebrated in the city. To those - especially Jews - who show reluctance, he explains that they should not single themselves out. Attending celebrations allows you to build relationships that are useful for spreading the Christian message. Paul will have to take a position on meat sacrificed to idols in an environment where, because of their social affiliation, Christians are forced to consume these meats offered at public banquets. It will also address questions of sexual morality (1 Corinthians 6, 12-20) because of the importance of prostitution in the city. After a certain time, Paul will again be accused by the Jewish authorities of contravening Roman law which prohibits proselytism and illicit cults. This causes the break with the synagogue as was the case in Antioch of Pisidia and in Thessalonica. Paul shook the dust from his clothes, as if to free himself from all personal responsibility: “Let your blood be on your head. For me, I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” It was a kind of excommunication, the first used by Paul. Titius Justus then offered him his house for meetings of the Christian community. Paul accepted with joy and, in the inner courtyard, he continued to instruct those interested. The Jewish community split into two groups. Some returned to the synagogue, others accompanied Paul to the house of Titius. The separation was made and the first Gentile Church was founded in Corinth.
