Acts 18:6-10

 

Acts 18:6 (KJB)

And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

 

Anytime someone opposes the true Gospel or blasphemes it, they are opposing themselves because they are setting themselves up for eternal damnation. Paul had now been reasoning with them and ran into serious opposition again to the point where these Jews had blasphemed. They refused to believe that the Messiah was the Lord Jesus Christ whom they were looking for and what the Scriptures taught. Paul’s patience finally ran out as he probably encountered the same arguments in Corinth that he did in the other synagogues. Now Paul saw that his path was clear and he was now going to bring the true Gospel to the Gentiles. There were many where Paul was who were hungry for the true word of God and he finally saw that he was wasting his valuable time on them instead of bringing the Gospel to those who wanted to hear it. (Mat 7:6 KJV) Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Even the Lord stated that you should not give the holy Gospel to those who will just reject it and blaspheme it. Paul is being obedient to what the Lord taught about spreading the Gospel. If there will be any Jews who want to know the truth, they will seek out Paul like Nicodemus sought out the Lord Jesus.

 

Acts 18:7 (KJB)

And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

 

Just as the Lord had prepared the home of Priscilla and Aquila for the ministry of Paul, once again the Lord provides a place for Paul to stay and this time it was a man named Justus whose home was connected to the synagogue. Paul did not have to walk a long distance. The man Justus must have been a Roman citizen. Sir William Ramsay believed that his name was Gaius Justus and is the Gaius found in 1 Corinthians 1:14 and Romans 16:23. (1 Cor 1:14 KJV) I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; (Rom 16:23 KJV) Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

 

Acts 18:8 (KJB)

And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

 

No matter how much opposition Paul faced in the synagogues, he would always bear fruit. Here the chief ruler of the Synagogue had become a Christian and left the synagogue. (1 Cor 1:14 KJV) I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Here we read the Crispus was baptized so we know that he had become a follower of Christ. As Paul continued his preaching campaign in Corinth, many of the Greeks who heard him had come to know Christ and those who believed were baptized. There seemed to have been a steady stream of those who believed and then were baptized. Paul showed much wisdom in leaving the debate ministry to the Jews and going to the Gentiles where he yielded much eternal fruit.

 

Acts 18:9 (KJB)

Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

 

Then the Lord came to Paul in a vision by night and had assured him that he did the right thing by leaving off the ministry to the rebellious, blaspheming Jews and going to the Gentiles where masses of people were becoming saved. Apparently there was some kind of situation happening that may have caused some fear in the Apostle Paul that he might have to leave Corinth just as he did the other cities. Maybe since the chief ruler of the synagogue had left it, there might have been some stirring about taking Paul’s life and he may have caught wind of it and thought he would have to leave in the middle of such a great fruit bearing campaign. The Lord assured him in a vision that he should have no fear but to continue speaking the Gospel as he had been doing. Paul probably thought that there are so many other fields to harvest that maybe he should leave while the Gospel preaching was yielding fruit and maybe leave Timothy or Silas behind to continue. Whatever had Paul concerned at that time, the Lord assured him to keep on preaching in Corinth.

 

Acts 18:10 (KJB)

For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

 

Jesus had assured Paul in the vision that He was with him in this crusade in Corinth and that no one was going to hurt him, even if there was evil planning against Paul on the part of anyone. The Lord reassured Paul that he was not alone in this city in that there were many Christians. In fact, the Lord was adding more to the church everyday under the ministry of Paul. As Paul would continue to preach, more would be added in the future. We are looking at predestination at work. Those who are predestined to be saved, will become saved and no one will stop that. (John 6:37 KJV) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

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