The beloved physician Luke shared while Paul was in the city of Corinth, the Lord spoke to him, “in the night by a vision”, and said, “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not your peace. For I am with you, and no man shall set on you to hurt you: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twelve of the book of Acts Luke shared, “when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul” where we read:
And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
The verse reads, “And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, ...”: Luke began with the words, “and when Gallio” which means “and at the time and moment Gallio whose name means one who lives on milk and was known as Junius Annaeus Gallio, the Roman proconsul of Achaia when Paul was at Corinth, 53 A.D., under the emperor Claudius. He was brother to Jucius Annaeus Seneca, the philosopher. Jerome in the Chronicle of Eusebius says that he committed suicide in 65 A.D. Winer thinks he was put to death by Nero” “was the deputy of Achaia” or “acted as the proconsul belonging to Achaia which means trouble and was the maritime region of northern Peloponnesus”, “the Jews” which means “the people of the Jewish nation by origin, birth or religion” “made insurrection” or “stood against, rushed upon and assaulted” “with one accord against Paul” which means “having one mind and passion in opposition to Paul whose name means small or little”. Luke shared how the “Jewish people” rose up in opposition to “Paul” at the time “Gallio” was the “proconsul” of the maritime area known as “Achaia”.
The verse continues, “... and brought him to the judgment seat,” Luke added the words, “and brought him” or “and carried, conducted and led Paul” “to the judgment seat” which means “to the raised place, platform and tribune which was mounted by steps and was the official seat of a judge”. Luke shared the “Jewish people” led “Paul” to the place where “judgment” was made against criminals.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” continued to face strong opposition from the Jewish community even while he continued in “Corinth” sharing the gospel and teaching the word of God. For some people, their own faith in something other than Jesus is unwavering, and because God loves them so much, He continues to allow His “gospel” message to be extended to them. God desires to have a personal relationship with everyone who surrenders to His Son Jesus, and when they yield to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Should they continue in their own belief system that is outside of His salvation plan, they will be in opposition to those who know Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father, but by” Him. (See John 14:6)
Next time Luke shares how the Jews say, “this fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or 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 Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" 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. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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