And entering the synagogue Paul spent three months speaking boldly, arguing and pleading with them about the kingdom of God; but some were stubborn and disbelieved, slandering the Way before the congregation. That's why he turned from them, taking the disciples along, and on a daily basis continued teaching in the Hall of Tyran'nus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
In a Nutshell
Paul worked for two years, teaching the disciples in Ephesus.
Questions
Read the passage carefully. Why did Paul the lecturer turn away from the synagogue at Ephesus?
Luke has told us how Paul began to expand his teaching to include Gentiles who had not had any prior contact with the Jewish synagogue. We recall that in almost every city Paul had first visited the synagogue but had to face the opposition from those Jews who could not accept his message. As a Jew, believing in Jesus the Messiah, he could never take their "No!" as final and ultimate. He would leave that to the Lord Almighty. But in the meantime, he decided he had not been called to get involved in synagogue brawls. That was not what God had called him to do.
Woe unto me he wrote if I fail to proclaim the Good News (I Cor
9:16)
Luke tells us how Paul left the synagogue - he turned his back on it. The word "turned" is very strong indeed. It is the word we often use to describe those who have "turned back from", or "given up" or "rejected" the Christian life. In this case, Paul was willing to cut himself off from that synagogue because he believed that in time the Gospel would surely conquer those who opposed him by their confounded arguments, jealousy and miserable slanders. He left in order to keep on teaching that Gospel which alone can win the hearts of all those who resist God's love and mercy. Paul was as stubborn as his Jewish opponents. Luke perceived this. He describes for us the method in Paul's retreat. And the result?
All the residents of Asia, Jews
and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.
Luke recounts for us that apart from the opposition of that local synagogue, and quite apart from any other opposition Paul had to contend with in Ephesus and the wider region, God's Spirit was busy getting the message out. The sower would sow his seed indiscriminately and there would be a harvest because God Himself ensures that the soil is rightly prepared. His timing never misses a beat.
Make love your aim, and desire spirituality most earnestly, particularly to set [the message] forth (1 Cor 14:1).Paul's retreat from the unhelpful and strife-riven synagogue was not the end. He knew that. In time, God's Spirit in time would confirm that such a separation was a two year act of love. Paul diligently sought ways to get his own kinsmen to hear the good news above the clamour of their own godless bickering. It's worthwhile pondering this for an hour or so. Go for a long walk and reflect upon the fact that Luke wrote to defend Paul against his opponents. There would be those who held it against him that he had "turned his back" on the synagogue. But Luke's account confirms that Paul was indeed deeply and truly committed to his own people. Jesus required him to be faithful.