Speak and Don’t Keep Silent

Many Need to Hear the Word of God

Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. Acts 18:9-11

Paul was afraid. He feared that his work in Corinth would be cut short by either Jewish opposition (as it had been in Thessalonica and Berea) or by the extreme worldliness he’d encountered.

The solution to Paul’s fear was for him to obey Christ’s command to speak and not keep silent.  He was to continue preaching the Word of God despite opposition. They’d try to stop him, but they wouldn’t succeed. “No one will attack you to hurt you.”

Then Paul heard the promise we all love to hear: “For I am with you.” Not, “I’ll show up when you need it most.” Christ promises to be with us all the time. He’s present, not only to protect us but also to give success in whatever we’re doing for him. He gives us purpose. “I have many people in this city,” he told Paul.

Paul in Corinth

“And he continued in this city a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them” (Acts 18:11). That was a long time for Paul to spend in one city—probably longer than in any other city where he’d founded a church.

Paul must have leaned on this promise often as he worked in the corrupt Corinthian church (for example of their corruption, see 1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 9-11. He described his preaching in Corinth as, “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). Paul was committed, not only to evangelism but also to making disciples. In both areas, he kept obeying Christ’s command to speak and not keep silent.    

It’s easy for us to become discouraged at times and become afraid to speak. We’re often attacked—real or perceived attacks—from people or the Enemy. Ears refuse to listen. Hearts harden. Doors close. It’s easy to feel alone, part of a shrinking group of people. But God tells us, “Don’t be afraid, but speak, and don’t keep silent; for I am with you … for I have many people in your sphere of influence who need to hear the Word of God.”  

Who needs to hear the Word of God from you? Speak, Christ is with you.

Dig Deeper

How did Paul support himself during this time according to Acts 18:1-3?

Read Acts 18:4-8. How did Paul begin his work in Corinth and what things happened just before God spoke to him? What discouragement have you faced in your Christian life? How did you overcome?

For a glimpse of the corruption Paul might have found in Corinth, read another letter he may have written from there: Romans1:18-32. Do you see any of these things happening today?

Nancy J. Baker

This devotion is part of our series “Do Not Be Afraid.”

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