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I. THE SERVANT LABOURING. He began by doing a double work — tent making during the week and reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath — thus showing the possibility of working for one's self, and yet finding time to work for the Master. Note —

1. His friends. Several things drew the apostle and Aquila and Priscilla together.

(1) They were of the same nationality — no weak bond in a foreign country.

(2) They had both experienced expulsion.

(3) They were of the same trade. The result of their coming together was of priceless value to each. Aquila and Priscilla became Christians, made Apollos a Christian, and proved an infinite boon to Paul. For his life they "laid down their own necks" and established a Church in their own houses (Romans 16:3-5).

2. His work. Why did Paul labour with his hands (2 Corinthians 11:9)? He was sensitive about being a burden, although he believed in the duty of Churches supporting their own ministers (1 Corinthians 9:7-14; 1 Timothy 5:18).

II. THE SERVANT PREACHING. When Silas and Timothy came they relieved him of the necessity of manual labour (2 Corinthians 2:9). Then he was "constrained by the Word" (1 Corinthians 9:16). He felt forced to speak the Word —

1. To the Jews.

(1)  The testimony given — that Jesus was the Christ.

(2)  The testimony rejected.

(a)  The action of the Jews, "opposed themselves and blasphemed."

(b)  Paul's action (ver. 6; Ezekiel 33:8, 9).

2. To the Gentiles. Note —

(1) When he laboured (ver. 7).

(2) The results of his labour (ver. 8; 1 Corinthians 1:14; 1 Corinthians 16:5; Romans 16:12).

III. THE SERVANT PROTECTED.

1. The promise of protection (vers. 9, 10; 1 Corinthians 2:3). God knows our discouragements and when to comfort us. Paul was encouraged to go on because of the assurance —

(1) That God was with him. With the Lord upon his side, Paul was stronger than the whole city of Corinth. One with God is a majority.

(2) That no man should set on him to harm him.

(3) That there was yet a large harvest to be gathered in. And this was the most encouraging of all. He could work anywhere where there was hope of a large harvest of souls. So strengthened was he that he stayed a year and six months, gathering in the "much people" that had been promised him. The result — a Church.

2. The promise fulfilled.

(1) The danger. "The Jews with one accord rose up against Paul." The accusers apparently hoped to repeat the incident at Philippi.

(2) The deliverance. Concerning this, note —

(a)  That Paul did not even have to defend himself.

(b)  That it was based on justice.

(c)  That the charge resulted disastrously to the accusers. "Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him."

(M. C. Hazard.)

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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.