At Ephesus Until Pentecost 1 Corinthians 16:8

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “I will not see you now by the way”, but he “trusted to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit”. In chapter sixteen and verse eight of First Corinthians, Paul tells the church members, “I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost”, where we read:

But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost

The verse begins, “But I will tarry at Ephesus...” Paul began with the word, but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “I will tarry” which means “Paul would stay, continue or remain” “at Ephesus” which means “permitted” and was “a maritime city of Asia Minor which was the capital of Ionia, under the Romans, of proconsular Asia and situated on the Icarian Sea between Smyrna and Miletus”. Paul was to “remain and continue in Ephesus” at the present time.

The verse continues, “... until Pentecost.” Paul continued with the word, “until” which means “till the time of” “Pentecost” which means “the fiftieth day” and was “the second of the three great Jewish feasts which was celebrated at Jerusalem yearly, and the seventh week after the Passover in grateful recognition of the completed harvest”. Paul was to stay at Ephesus until the “feast of Pentecost”.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we understand his desire to inform the church members concerning his agenda. Though this seems like a practical function, it nonetheless became a provision for Paul in his missionary journey. The spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ often incurs practical activities, and they become part of the means for sharing. Food, housing and clothing are needed to sustain those who share God's message, and as we consider Paul's stay in “Ephesus”, perhaps we shall remember those who travel to spread the gospel.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “a great door and effectual is opened unto me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.