Greece

We left promptly at 8 am on another cool and overcast day. There was a light shower or two, but it didn’t stop us exploring this amazing area.

We drove down the mountains south to Corinth passing cotton fields and vineyards, charming oldworld little towns and stopping on route at the famous Corinthian canal for a photo opportunity.

The Corinthian Canal is a canal in Greece that connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. Completed in 1893, it cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese peninsula from the Greek mainland. It is used as a tourist route these days. We watched a chap bravely Bungee jump off the bridge!

Back on the bus we read Acts 18 which records Paul’s visit to Corinth and the meeting of Aquila and Priscilla.

Priscilla and Aquila’s names always appear together. Acts 18:1-2 is the first of six mentions: “After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla.” (See also Acts 18:18, 26; Rom 16:3; 1 Cor 16:19; and 2 Tim 4:19.)

The reason they left Rome to come to Corinth was “because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome” (18:2).

They were tentmakers by trade” (18:3)

They became life-long friends and ministry partners of Paul. When Paul came to Corinth, he met Priscilla and Aquila and joined them in their tentmaking business (18:3). Perhaps 15 or 16 years later, when Paul is near death and writing his final letter to Timothy in Ephesus, he urges Timothy, “Greet Prisca and Aquila” (2 Tim 4:19).

Once Paul’s ministry was complete the first time he went to Corinth, he “set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila… And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there” (Acts 18:19).

They taught Apollos “the way of God more accurately” (18:26). After Paul left them in Ephesus, they heard Apollos speaking in the synagogue, but his knowledge of the truth was deficient. Priscilla and Aquila took him aside in a private setting and shared vital insights. Apollos received their words, traveled to Achaia, and flourished in ministry there.

The year and a half they had with Paul in Corinth must have been full of learning—especially since he lived with them!

They “risked their necks” for Paul (Rom 16:3-4). In other words, they put themselves in a situation where they could have died for Paul. We don’t know when this occurred (perhaps during the riot in Ephesus—Acts 19:23-41?), but Paul was extremely thankful.

They used their homes for church meetings. A church met in their house in Ephesus (1st Cor 16:19, Paul’s greeting from Ephesus), and a church also met in their home in Rome once they came back (Rom 16:5).

Paul sailed from Athens to Corinth as it was easier than using the land route. It took one day to sail there.

The Apostle Paul spent about 18 months in ancient Corinth, establishing a church and working as a tent-maker with Priscilla and Aquila. During his ministry, he faced opposition from the Jewish community, leading him to focus on the Gentile population. He was brought before the Roman proconsul Gallio, but the case was dismissed as a religious matter.

While in Corinth, Paul wrote parts of the New Testament, including his letters to the Corinthians.

The Archeological site of ancient Corinth is thrilling. To think that the Apostle Paul once walked these streets and preached the Gospel was surreal. Of note was the Temple with seven of its original 38 columns, the agora (marketplace) The heart of the city, this area includes the Bema where the Apostle Paul was brought before officials. The Peirene fountain is a significant ancient spring and water system.

Towering above the ruins is the
Acrocorinth a fortified acropolis (upper city) built on a high, imposing rock overlooking the ancient city of Corinth, Greece, and the Isthmus of Corinth. It was known its "crazy worship" and association with prostitution.
Getting up there was an effort in itself.
Paul spoke and warned the believers of this temple and the eating of meats and participation of temple worship in 1 Cor 10. 

We enjoyed another scrumptious Greek lunch at the town adjacent to the ruins and then headed to the Amalia Hotel Nafplio for the evening.

After our evening meal we sat in the lounge and was serenaded by a fabulous piano player. Andrea and I enjoyed a limoncello and a good chinwag.Leggi altro