18:1 After these things
Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew
named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife
Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and
he came to them. 3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them
and worked; for by occupation they were tent makers. 4 And he reasoned in the
synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
It amazes how the Bible includes so many details with so few
words. Paul goes from Athens to Corinth and stays with a Jewish couple from
Rome who were expelled from there by Claudius along with all the Jews. A
skeptic would ask "Did that really happen?" Turns out it did. We have
record of two Roman historians who wrote about it: Suetonius and Cassius Dio.
Many Jews were rioting at the instigation of Chrestus and Claudius sent them
all packing. Just another reminder that the Bible isn't just a book about the
Judeo/Christian God. It is about His interaction with real people in literal
history. There is so much effort today to dismiss it as a book of fables yet
historically archaeology is confirming it's authenticity more every day.
So Paul ends up in the Greek city of Corinth staying with
tent makers Aquila and Priscilla. He is a tent maker himself and works with
them while preaching weekly in the synagogues. Paul is not just educated
intellectually. He is not just a preacher. He has a practical trade and works
with his hands. God wanted us to know this about him. Jesus worked with His
hands too and He chose disciples who also worked with their hands.

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