Paul’s Struggling in Corinth. Acts 18:1–17
Acts 18:1–17
The Struggle is real; reality is simply this, We all struggle. Struggling is a part of life.
Sometimes our struggles can become so overwhelming that they feel like they are our entire reality. Even Paul struggled. In Corinth, he faced very real and relatable struggles—but God met him in the middle of his struggles.
Paul Struggled with Money
Acts 18:1–3
Paul supported himself through tent-making while continuing his ministry. God provided for Paul by bringing Aquila and Priscilla into his life. They were fellow believers and fellow tent-makers. Paul was working as he continued to preach.
Paul had the good fortune of running into this Christian couple from Rome; that is the providence of God. These two had been kicked out of Rome because Emmperor Claudia commanded all Jews to leave. (We know this because of a Roman historian named Suetonius. Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome because of the teachings of a Jew named Christus. This was 52 AD. How is this possible? Simply put - trade across the Mediterranean. Coastal cities and trade routes were the reason; the gospel was ahead of Paul; it was traveling faster than Paul could keep up!)
And it never ceases to amaze me how God provides people to the church to help ease those things. We have seen it repeatedly throughout the book of Acts:
Right after Pentecost, the heart of the church was to see their needs and to use the proceeds to make sure no one was in need.
In Acts 11, the church in Jerusalem sends a relief gift to the persecuted Christians in Antioch.
In Philippi, the first person Paul encounters to help start and host this new church is a ridiculously wealthy woman named Lydia.
Money is one of those things that God often uses to humble us and remind us of our need for ONE ANOTHER and especially of our need FOR HIM.
We can learn more about Paul in Corinth by looking into his letter to the Corinthians. Dive deeper: read 1 Corinthians 9.
Questions to think about
What financial struggles have you experienced?
How have you seen God provide for you?
Why do you think God often provides through other people?
How can financial difficulties remind us of our need for God and for one another?
God will provide what we need, often through people He places in our lives. God continues to provide for His people both in the Old and New Testament.
Paul Struggled with Preaching
Acts 18:4–8
Paul regularly preached in the synagogue, and in habit he went to the Jews first with the gospel. They were his kinsmen, and he loved them; he thought surely they would be able to recognize who the Messiah really is. These were people who were raised on the Torah. But he faced opposition from his own people (the Jews) and eventually got frustrated and turned his attention toward the Gentiles.
Dive Deeper: Read Isaiah 65 & Matthew 21:43
Yet, almost immediately, Crispus, the leader of the synagogue (and a Jew), believed in Christ along with his household.
Read Romans 9:2. Paul's frustration was real, and it was deep. But God was still working—even when Paul was frustrated.
Questions to think about
Have you ever felt like your efforts were not making a difference?
Why is it easy for us to measure success by numbers or visible results?
What does Paul’s experience teach us about trusting God with the results of our work?
How can God use us even when we feel frustrated or discouraged?
God can use us even when we are frustrated and cannot see the results of our work.
Paul Struggled with Fear
Sometimes the biggest, strongest, and bravest of us get afraid.
Acts 18:9–11
Jesus appeared to Paul in a vision and said: “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent.”
Paul was afraid of speaking? This seems like a wild statement. The most famous preacher in Athens is afraid to speak?!?
Paul probably felt like his preaching had been failing lately. In Athens, only a few people believed. And now in Corinth, his frustration was rising with a group of people he loves.
Jesus also gave Paul this promise: “For I am with you.”
Is there anything more comforting that God could say than those words? These are the words spoken to Moses, to Abraham, to Gideon, to MARY - “The Lord is WITH YOU.”
This comfort is precisely the comfort that Jesus gives to Paul … “For I am WITH YOU.”
Our friends and family say that to us when we’re going through things: “I’m with you.” It’s a comfort. It’s always a comfort to know we’re not alone. But to know the Lord is with us is something different.
Obviously, the Lord’s presence with us is DIFFERENT. He isn’t physically with us. We cannot see him, like we see our friend. But he is INSIDE us. Our friends can speak words of encouragement in hopes that it will affect our spirit on the inside. But God’s indwelling Holy Spirit can actually CHANGE you. He can bring a peace that goes beyond understanding that guards your heart and mind from any challenge. He can produce joy.
"I have many in this city who are my people.” … in effect, Jesus was telling Paul, “You are going to stay here and preach until every elect person in this city believes.” And Paul would take heed of that. He would stay in Corinth for a full year and a half. Longer than any other place he stayed.
Questions to think about
Why do you think Paul may have been afraid?
Have you ever wondered, “Am I really making a difference?”
What does it mean to you that Jesus says, “I am with you”?
How is God’s presence different from simply having another person with us?
What might God be asking you to continue doing even when you feel weak or ineffective?
Our effectiveness does not depend on our strength. The Lord is with us.
God’s Strength Is Made Perfect in Weakness
Read 2 Corinthians 12:9–10
Paul learned that weakness does not mean God is absent.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Questions to think about
Why is it difficult to admit that we are weak?
How can our weaknesses become opportunities for God’s strength to be displayed?
What would it look like for you to let God be “enough” in your current struggle?
Are you more focused on your ability, your results, or God’s faithfulness?
God may allow us to feel weak so that His power—not ours—will receive the glory.
The Lord Was With Paul
Acts 18:12–17
Paul was brought before Gallio, but Gallio refused to judge the matter.
God protected Paul just as Jesus had promised.
Questions to think about
How does this final scene demonstrate God’s faithfulness to Paul?
What does this teach us about God's control over circumstances and people?
How can remembering God's sovereignty change the way we face our struggles?
The struggle may be real, but God is bigger than the struggle—and the Lord is with you.
When we face:
Financial struggles → God provides.
Frustration in our work → God is still working.
Fear and insecurity → God is with us.
Weakness → God’s strength is sufficient.