After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

Acts 18:1-4

I’m locked in a house with 5 “kids” (the older ones would protest because 4 of them are adult children, one is kind of adopted for now for those of you who are wondering) and the poor things are trying to not go crazy during quarantine. They are all used to being very socially active and they are missing it. In spite of the stay at home orders, I think they are appreciating the fact that they have each other. Washing dishes has become almost fun…almost.

God created us to be social beings. Friends, and to be specific, good godly friends are important in any age. Sometimes we forget that those friends are our family, and what a blessing family is, especially when everyone loves God and has a personal relationship with Him.

Paul had crazy friends. It really had to be a bummer to be Paul’s friend because usually that meant being stuck in jail with him or being beaten or stoned or having authorities breathe down your neck. God knew that Paul needed a break, a different kind of break and He brought it in the form of new friends.

After Paul’s dissertation in Athens, he traveled approximately 50 miles to Corinth. (It is seeming to me that most ancient cities were about 50 miles away from each other.) Corinth was the capital of Achaia and was one of the most affluent and populated cities of Greece with all of the sin that goes along with a big city. He meets up with an Italian Jew named Aquila who was born in Pontus and his wife Priscilla. They had to relocate because Claudius, the ruler of Rome at the time, ordered all the Jews out of Rome. It was custom for all young men to learn a practical trade in which they could support themselves if their loftier ambitions didn’t quite work out and Paul hung out with them because they all knew the same trade; tent-making. This is where we get the term tent-maker for believers who are self-supporting in the ministry. I imagine that the tents were quite elaborate, and the craftsmanship was amazing. During this time, Paul spent his Sabbaths “reasoning” in the synagogue. (I have to say that I’m loving the term “reasoning” for his preaching as Paul was surely surrounded by self-pronounced theologians.)

God is so amazing to give us friends to fellowship with. Are you appreciating them and realizing that God is the One who brought them into your life? How about past friends? I remember specific times when God brought the right friend that I needed at the right time to draw me closer to Him. Praise the Lord for your godly friends!

Written by Kaye Dee Richards. Kaye Dee lives with her husband Colin in Morrison, CO. They have 4 children, Joshua, Amelia, Victoria, and Julia.
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