Finally back to the Corinthians! From my morning devotion:
1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
Who is Sosthenes? Nothing is in the word of God by accident. Let's look into the word and let's see what the Bible has to say.
Acts 18:1,4-6,8,11-18 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 4And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, 13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. 16 And he drave them from the judgment seat. 17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things. 18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
Some people say that Sosthenes and Crispus are the same person. I disagree. Under Roman law, the chief ruler of the synagogue would have been in charge of keeping the Jews in line. Crispus had not been the chief for more than a year and a half by the time of the Jewish insurrection (verse 11). Sosthenes was dragged before the judgment seat and beaten (verse 17), the Roman ruler had given his approval.
What happened after that we can only speculate. Paul stayed there yet a good while (verse 18). It appears that the love and compassion of the Christians won over Sosthenes. By the time Paul is writing the letter to the Corinthians, this converted Jewish leader has authority with the local New Testament church and Paul speaks with his authority.
Matthew 5:43-45 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
We should remember to love our enemies. It turns out it can make a world of difference. Pray for them. God demands it.
Heavenly Father, help us to love our enemies. Help us to see the possibilities of showing them your love. In Jesus name, amen.
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