Corinth – No Place For A Code of Silence

(Acts 18:9-11)

Warren E. Berkley

Corinth would have been, based on human perception, a good place to adopt a code of silence. There was the powerful presence of Judaism, and they sometimes had the cooperation of Greeks in advancing their cause. Why not just stop by Corinth and quietly preach the gospel to a few, and let them carry on the work?

Paul came to Corinth from Athens. He connected with Aquila and Priscilla before Silas and Timothy arrived. They testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ, and “many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and be baptized,” (Acts 18:8). Now there was a local church in Corinth. Why not go ahead and put out to sea for Syria?

These thoughts could have occurred to Paul. If so, his thoughts were quickly adjusted when at night God spoke to him: “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” Paul stayed for “a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them,” (Acts 18:9-11).

“I am with you” is what Paul needed to hear and that divine promise was completely sufficient to motivate his further activity in Corinth. No code of silence could be considered by a man of faith, who was assured of God’s presence and protection. He trusted in God and continued to preach the Word without fear.

Though not conveyed through an evening vision, we have the promise of God’s approval, presence and protection to keep us from any code of silence.

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me’?” (Heb. 13:5,6).

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).

We are weak, dependent creatures. God has answered that need in Christ. In Him, there is a boldness we can assume in repeating the work Paul did in Corinth, “teaching the Word of God.” Any humanly perceived code of silence is removed by our faith in the presence and providence of God. Trust in the Lord. Preach The Word. Do not fear.