the acts of the apostles-第66章
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night and day； because we would not be chargeable unto any of you； we
preached unto you the gospel of God。〃
1 Thessalonians 2：6； 9。 And again； in his second epistle to
them； he declared that he and his fellow laborer while with them had not
eaten 〃any man's bread for nought。〃 Night and day we worked； he wrote； 〃that
we might not be chargeable to any of you： not because we have not power； but
to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us。〃 2 Thessalonians 3：8；
9。
At Thessalonica Paul had met those who refused to work with their hands。 It
was of this class that he afterward wrote： 〃There are some which walk among
you disorderly； working not at all； but are busybodies。 Now them that are
such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ； that
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with quietness they work； and eat their own bread。〃 While laboring in
Thessalonica； Paul had been careful to set before such ones a right example。
〃Even when we were with you；〃 he wrote； 〃this we commanded you； that if any
would not work； neither should he eat。〃 Verses 11； 12； 10。
In every age Satan has sought to impair the efforts of God's servants by
introducing into the church a spirit of fanaticism。 Thus it was in Paul's
day； and thus it was in later centuries during the time of the Reformation。
Wycliffe； Luther； and many others who blessed the world by their influence
and their faith； encountered the wiles by which the enemy seeks to lead into
fanaticism overzealous； unbalanced； and unsanctified minds。 Misguided souls
have taught that the attainment of true holiness carries the mind above all
earthly thoughts and leads men to refrain wholly from labor。 Others； taking
extreme views of certain texts of Scripture； have taught that it is a sin to
workthat Christians should take no thought concerning the temporal welfare
of themselves or their families； but should devote their lives wholly to
spiritual things。 The teaching and example of the apostle Paul are a rebuke
to such extreme views。
Paul was not wholly dependent upon the labor of his hands for support while
at Thessalonica。 Referring later to his experiences in that city； he wrote
to the Philippian believers in acknowledgment of the gifts he had received
from them while there； saying； 〃Even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again
unto my necessity。〃 Philippians 4：16。 Notwithstanding the fact that he
received this help he was
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careful to set before the Thessalonians an example of diligence； so that
none could rightfully accuse him of covetousness； and also that those who
held fanatical views regarding manual labor might be given a practical
rebuke。
When Paul first visited Corinth； he found himself among a people who were
suspicious of the motives of strangers。 The Greeks on the seacoast were keen
traders。 So long had they trained themselves in sharp business practices；
that they had come to believe that gain was godliness； and that to make
money； whether by fair means or foul； was commendable。 Paul was acquainted
with their characteristics； and he would give them no occasion for saying
that he preached the gospel in order to enrich himself。 He might justly have
claimed support from his Corinthian hearers； but this right he was willing
to forgo； lest his usefulness and success as a minister should be injured by
the unjust suspicion that he was preaching the gospel for gain。 He would
seek to remove all occasion for misrepresentation； that the force of his
message might not be lost。
Soon after his arrival at Corinth； Paul found 〃a certain Jew named Aquila；
born in Pontus； lately come from Italy； with his wife Priscilla。〃 These were
〃of the same craft〃 with himself。 Banished by the decree of Claudius； which
commanded all Jews to leave Rome； Aquila and Priscilla had come to Corinth；
where they established a business as manufacturers of tents。 Paul made
inquiry concerning them； and learning that they feared God and were seeking
to avoid the contaminating influences with which they were
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surrounded； 〃he abode with them； and wrought。 。 。 。 And he reasoned in the
synagogue every Sabbath； and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks。〃 Acts
18：2…4。
Later； Silas and Timothy joined Paul at Corinth。 These brethren brought with
them funds from the churches in Macedonia； for the support of the work。
In his second letter to the believers in Corinth； written after he had
raised up a strong church there； Paul reviewed his manner of life among
them。 〃Have I committed an offense；〃 he asked； 〃in abasing myself that ye
might be exalted； because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely？ I
robbed other churches； taking wages of them； to do you service。 And when I
was present with you； and wanted； I was chargeable to no man： for that which
was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied： and in
all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you； and so will I
keep myself。 As the truth of Christ is in me； no man shall stop me of this
boasting in the regions of Achaia。〃 2 Corinthians 11：7…10。
Paul tells why he had followed this course in Corinth。 It was that he might
give no cause for reproach to 〃them which desire occasion。〃 2 Corinthians
11：12。 While he had worked at tentmaking he had also labored faithfully in
the proclamation of the gospel。 He himself declares of his labors； 〃Truly
the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience； in signs；
and wonders； and mighty deeds。〃 And he adds； 〃For what is it wherein ye were
inferior to other churches； except it be that I myself was not burdensome to
you？ Forgive me this wrong。 Behold；
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the third time I am ready to come to you； and I will not be burdensome to
you： for I seek not yours； but you。 。 。 。 And I will very gladly spend and
be spent for you。〃 2 Corinthians 12：12…15。
During the long period of his ministry in Ephesus； where for three years he
carried forward an aggressive evangelistic effort throughout that region；
Paul again worked at his trade。 In Ephesus； as in Corinth； the apostle was
cheered by the presence of Aquila and Priscilla； who had accompanied him on
his return to Asia at the close of his second missionary journey。
There were some who objected to Paul's toiling with his hands； declaring
that it was inconsistent with the work of a gospel minister。 Why should
Paul； a minister of the highest rank； thus connect mechanical work with the
preaching of the word？ Was not the laborer worthy of his hire？ Why should he
spend in making tents time that to all appearance could be put to better
account？
But Paul did not regard as lost the time thus spent。 As he worked with
Aquila he kept in touch with the Great Teacher； losing no opportunity of
witnessing for the Saviour； and of helping those who needed help。 His mind
was ever reaching out for spiritual knowledge。 He gave his fellow workers
instruction in spiritual things； and he also set an example of industry and
thoroughness。 He was a quick； skillful worker； diligent in business；
〃fervent in spirit； serving the Lord。〃 Romans 12：11。 As he worked at his
trade； the apostle had access to a class of people that he could not
otherwise have reached。 He showed his associates
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that skill in the common arts is a gift from God； who provides both the gift
and the wisdom to use it aright。 He taught that even in everyday toil God is
to be honored。 His toil…hardened hands detracted nothing from the force of
his pathetic appeals as a Christian minister。
Paul sometimes worked night and day； not only for his own support； but that
he might assist his fellow laborers。 He shared his earnings with Luke； and
he helped Timothy。 He even suffered hunger at times； that he might relieve
the necessities of others。 His was an unselfish life。 Toward the close of
his ministry； on the occasion of his farewell talk to the elders of Ephesus；
at Miletus； he could lift up before them his toilworn hands； and say； 〃I
have coveted no man's silver； or gold； or apparel。 Yea； ye yourselves know；
that these hands have ministered unto my necessities； a
