After these things Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth; (2) And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; because that (Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. (3) And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. (4) And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
It is truly delightful to observe, with what zeal the great Apostle to the Gentiles flew on the wings of Love and faith, to spread the adorable name of his Almighty Lord. Lately we found him at Athens. Now at Corinth, where he labored personally in the word, and doctrine, for nearly two whole years. And, from the blessed events which followed his ministry, we find cause to praise the Loan for, sending him there. Yea, the whole Church of Christ, through all the intermediate ages, to the present hour, have cause so to do, and will to the remotest period of time; since we owe those two divine Epistles written by Paul, under the Holy Ghost's dictating, to this source.
Corinth was a large populous city, situated on an isthmus of the sea, and the chief town of Achaia. It was remarkable for trade and commerce, which its vicinity to the sea highly favored. And, as it abounded with wealth and opulence, every species of luxury was known in it. Indeed, it was so remarkable for sin and uncleanness, that a Corinthian woman became proverbial, and meant the same thing, as a woman on the town. Here the Lord directed his servant Paul. And who shall calculate the extensiveness of his usefulness, in gathering sinners to Christ?
I beg the Reader not to overlook the beautiful portrait here drawn, of Paul the Apostle, in Paul the Tent-maker. He gives a faithful account of this in his tender and affectionate farewell, when he took leave of the Church at Ephesus. Ye know, (said he), from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me, Act_20:18-19; Act_20:33-34. The imagination can hardly picture to itself anything more lovely, than to behold the Apostle filling up the intervals of his public ministry with private labors. No love of gain, no work of constraint, not for filthy lucre, did this great Apostle labor, in the word and doctrine. As he told the Church of the Thessalonians, so every Church of Christ was equally dear to him. Being affectionately (said he) desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted to you, not the Gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travel, for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the Gospel of God, 1 Thessalonians 2:8-11. Blessed servant of the Lord! How highly suited to so humble a Master?
Who those persons, Aquila and Priscilla, were, hath been the subject of much conjecture. But, it is not an object of moment further to know, than that they were believers in the Lord, well spoken of by Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans. (Romans 16:3-4). Their names written in the book of life. And now, and for ages past in spirit. Among the spirits of just men made perfect. Reader! how illustrious are those tent-makers, when beheld with an eye to Christ? How will they all look, when at the last day they shall appear, encircling Him, who in the days of his flesh was contemptuously, though falsely called, the Carpenter's Son? Matthew 8:34.