Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Paul moves into the bustling city of Corinth where another early church will be established. This church body will receive letters from Paul that we now know as the books of 1 and 2 Corinthians. He lovingly disciples this church and teaches them how to live for Christ in the midst of a morally corrupt culture. The first portion of 1 Corinthians chapter 2 gives us insight into how Paul felt as he came into this city. Paul writes that he was weak and afraid and trembling. We think of Paul as a spiritual superhero and rightfully so; however, we can’t miss that the trials and travels he was enduring and the sinfulness of the culture around him had to be taking an emotional toll on him. Even in this state, he continues the work, leaning on the Holy Spirit and the power of Christ.

Paul joins with Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, Christian Jews transplanted from Rome to Corinth. As they shared commonalities in both faith and trade, the husband/wife duo joined Paul on his missionary journey and traveled with him to Ephesus. While in Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila encounter a man named Apollos and their interaction with him shows us a wonderful picture of discipleship, sharing truth.

Apollos was using his abilities in public speaking to share about repentance and Christ’s coming. Priscilla and Aquila take him aside to explain baptism in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Most commentators say they likely welcomed Apollos into the home where they were staying. They were lovingly guiding him in truth, allowing their schedules to be interrupted to share with him. Notice what they didn’t do. They didn’t humiliate him or tear him down. They clearly recognized the gaps in Apollos' teaching but cared enough about him to give him the complete Gospel in kindness, to which Apollos was receptive. You’ll continue to hear Apollos mentioned by Paul as he joins him in ministry and is an asset to the church at Corinth.

The teaching moment that Priscilla and Aquila had with Apollos could’ve been handled a number of ways, but I believe they handled this situation the best way and I’m so thankful Luke recorded it so that we can read it and learn from it. We can be like Priscilla and Aquila and share the truth in love like the word tells us in Ephesians 4:15, but we can also be like Apollos and be receptive to genuine instruction from another believer.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Allow interruptions in your life to share truths from scripture with others. You never know how God will use the interaction in both your life and the person’s life with whom you’re sharing.
  
• To share truth from scripture, you have to routinely ingest scripture. Intentionally memorizing scripture is a great way to have it on your mind for your own spiritual growth but also to share with others.