Study Desk

For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.'

For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead."

Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.

For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me."

So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.

But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment.

Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.

Paul said, "John's baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus."

Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God.

This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.

Of course, I'm not just talking about the loss of public respect for our business. I'm also concerned that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will lose its influence and that Artemis—this magnificent goddess worshiped throughout the province of Asia and all around the world—will be robbed of her great prestige!"

The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward and told him to explain the situation. He motioned for silence and tried to speak.

But when the crowd realized he was a Jew, they started shouting again and kept it up for about two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"

I am afraid we are in danger of being charged with rioting by the Roman government, since there is no cause for all this commotion. And if Rome demands an explanation, we won't know what to say."

When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers and encouraged them. Then he said good-bye and left for Macedonia.

where he stayed for three months. He was preparing to sail back to Syria when he discovered a plot by some Jews against his life, so he decided to return through Macedonia.

They went on ahead and waited for us at Troas.

Paul went by land to Assos, where he had arranged for us to join him, while we traveled by ship.

Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus, for he didn't want to spend any more time in the province of Asia. He was hurrying to get to Jerusalem, if possible, in time for the Festival of Pentecost.

I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.