NOTES for Act 18:1-23

The word “missionary” has now acquired an ambiguous connotation. It is associated either with treacherous European Christians who helped colonize and enslave less developed peoples, although many of them truly served God rather than men, or with intrusive street campaigners inviting you to join yet another sect, although street preaching is in itself no worse than other methods. Today's passage, however, gives us a glimpse into the spiritual experience of a true missionary and servant of the Gospel, the apostle Paul. He is not an enthusiast, and his preaching is not an amateur undertaking. He is moved to serve by the Spirit whom he received through faith in Christ; service is his inward necessity—“Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16), he says. Most importantly, his ministry rests neither on his own desire nor on his own strength. Paul acts and lives through the presence of Christ, who strengthens him, invisibly or visibly.