Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 18
4 Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. 5 And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”
4 Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. 5 And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”
Commentary:
18:4 he reasoned … and tried to persuade. See note on 17:17. synagogue. The first-century-a.d. Jewish philosopher Philo emphasized the city of Corinth as a home for Jewish people (Embassy to Gaius 281; cf. neighboring Sicyon in 1 Macc. 15:23). Several funerary epigraphs also confirm a later Jewish presence, as does a rather crude post-Pauline inscription found near the road to Lechaion designating the “Synagogue of the Hebrews.” Greeks in a synagogue context are God-fearers.
18:5 Paul apparently had sent Silas and Timothy from Athens to visit the Macedonian churches (see note on 17:15). When they again joined Paul in Corinth, they probably were the ones who brought a contribution for Paul’s ministry from the Macedonian churches (see 2 Cor. 11:9).
18:6 when they opposed and reviled him. Paul will spend much time with audiences where there is interest and response, even if they don’t immediately believe (see v. 4), but he will not spend time where he simply faces hostile opposition. Shaking garments was a gesture of rejection, much like shaking the dust from one’s feet (cf. 13:51). Your blood be on your own heads reflects Ezekiel’s words about God’s prophetic watchman (Ezek. 33:1–7). “Blood” means “the responsibility for your judgment by God.” Paul had faithfully discharged his responsibility, so that at the final judgment no part of these Jews’ failure to believe could be attributed to his failure to tell them about Christ (but cf. note on Acts 18:7).
18:5 Paul apparently had sent Silas and Timothy from Athens to visit the Macedonian churches (see note on 17:15). When they again joined Paul in Corinth, they probably were the ones who brought a contribution for Paul’s ministry from the Macedonian churches (see 2 Cor. 11:9).
18:6 when they opposed and reviled him. Paul will spend much time with audiences where there is interest and response, even if they don’t immediately believe (see v. 4), but he will not spend time where he simply faces hostile opposition. Shaking garments was a gesture of rejection, much like shaking the dust from one’s feet (cf. 13:51). Your blood be on your own heads reflects Ezekiel’s words about God’s prophetic watchman (Ezek. 33:1–7). “Blood” means “the responsibility for your judgment by God.” Paul had faithfully discharged his responsibility, so that at the final judgment no part of these Jews’ failure to believe could be attributed to his failure to tell them about Christ (but cf. note on Acts 18:7).
Questions:
- In Corinth the Jews and Greeks were less than receptive to Paul's message about the Messiah. They opposed him and insulted him, so Paul moves on. Verse 6 says, "Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, 'Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent.'" In other words, Paul felt he had fulfilled his duty and responsibility to share the Gospel with them. The fact is, a day is coming when Jesus will judge the world and everyone will give an account of what they did with Jesus and how they lived their lives. If you were to live your life today with this end in mind, what would you do differently?
- Paul was saying that when judgement day comes, and these people in verse 6 stand before Jesus, HIS hands will be clean. It wasn't because of him that they didn't believe, it was their own choice. We all have people in our lives that need Jesus, just like the Corinthians did. Can you say the same thing Paul did? Have you done all you can to reach them? Will your hands be clean come judgement day?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would live each day with the end in mind.
- That you would do everything you can to reach those that need Jesus.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time, and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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