NOTES for Act 18:23-28

Before us is an example of what the Lord wants from us in our relationships with one another. We see a group of people engaged in a certain work (namely, preaching the Gospel) who find themselves with a “rival” (see Acts 18:24-28). But that is the terminology of today's world. In fact, some people are working, and a person appears who does the same work. He longs for the same thing they do—the glorification of God in the hearts of those around him. Yet even despite this, reactions resembling those of a small child are possible: jealousy and possessiveness. A child has, for example, a flute and plays it, bringing joy to those around him. Suddenly it turns out that another boy has a flute too and also brings joy to others by playing his instrument... But the apostles rise above this. They find one another and other people in the joy of Christ, helping them go to Him by a straight path.