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I. PAUL SET HIMSELF TO WORK UPON THOSE MOST LIKELY TO BE INFLUENCED BY HIS TEACHING. He spake and reasoned every Sabbath in the synagogue to and with those who had some sort of belief in the true and living God, and who were not utterly unacquainted with spiritual things. Probably thought that by this means he might the sooner influence others.

II. PAUL BEING REPULSED DOES NOT ABANDON THE WORK. It was not his nature. Before his conversion his whole energy was bent to accomplish whatsoever he took in hand.

III. PAUL'S HEART IS GREATLY CHEERED IN HIS LABOURS —

1. By the conversion of Titus Justus, Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, and many others.

2. By the sympathy of that gracious and devout couple, Aquila and Priscilla.

3. By the active aid of Silas and Timotheus, who had recently joined him. "Jesus Christ...was preached among you by us, by me, and Silvanus, and Timotheus" (2 Corinthians 1:19). Touches scattered through the Epistles show that St. Paul was no misanthrope, but was cheered by companionship.

4. By the night vision. Not the first time he had been so favoured (cf. 16:9, 10). Here —

(1)  Distinct command to continue preaching.

(2)  Assurance of the Divine presence.

(3)  Promise of the Divine protection.

(4)  Revelation of the Divine interest in that city — wicked, corrupt, abandoned as it was.

IV. PAUL KEPT STEADILY AT THE APPOINTED WORK. "He sat there a year and six months teaching among them the Word of God." 1 Corinthians 2:1-4 gives us the marrow and soul of the apostle's teaching. Result — the Church of Corinth: one of the largest and noblest harvests ever given to ministerial toil. Conclusion:

1. God must surely have "much people" in this place.

2. God will use us to gather in the "people for His name." Believe not only that He can but that He will.

3. God's gospel which would do at Corinth will do anywhere.

(F. Goodall, B. A.)

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KJV: After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

WEB: After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.