Today’s blog title is a well-known adage that doesn’t get much “play” in modern society. Kicking a person when he’s down is standard operating procedure today.
The Jews in today’s reading would have done well to observe this practice (or non-practice), as it may have led one of their own to be more willing to leave their fold.
In Acts 18 we read of the conversion of Crispus, who served as the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth (v 8). Sosthenes, his replacement (v 17), later led a contingent of Jews to deliver Paul to the local authorities, but Gallio, the local proconsul, refused to hear their case.
Following this setback, the Jews beat Sosthenes in the sight of Gallio and the rest. (I know the NKJV text says the Gentiles did it, but the original text says otherwise.) The next (and only) time we read of Sosthenes in our Bibles is in Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth: “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,” (1 Cor 1:1).
It appears the good influence of Paul and Crispus, (who is also mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:14), contrasted with the poor treatment by his Jewish brethren, helped Sosthenes leave Judaism and embrace the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Kicking a man when he’s down is antithetical to Christian life and disposition, regardless of the character of the one who is defeated. Folks who find themselves in such dire conditions are often ripe and receptive to the teaching of the gospel. Think of the power that the love of Christ can have on the heart of the defeated! Especially in view of the hoards who are waiting and willing to pile on!
Moreover, we must be careful how we treat our own in any defeat, especially when said defeat affects us personally, lest we drive them away into the fellowship of others. No doubt the Jewish leadership drove many into the loving arms of Jesus and sweet fellowship of His church.
I cannot help but think that the Jews’ boorish and brutal treatment of Paul actually had the opposite of its intended effect, as it served to make him love the Lord even more.
One Comment
Donald E. Pugh
Came across your excelent commentary on incident in Corinth having to do with Paul and his despicable treatment.
Fascinating account on Sothenes who replaced Crispus and although non-supportive of Paul in the beginning, was referred to by Paul as “our brother.” God used negative events in the life of Sosthenes, as you pointed out, to ultimately drive him into the arms of Jesus. Oh, the matchless grace of God who in His mercy, reached down and saved Sosthenes!
Your blog on being” kicked while you’re down” puts me in the mind of our President’s circumstances…. Now that he’s been weakened, we hear the mocking voices shouting, “kick him while he’s down.” Can Trump be likened to Sosthenes in Acts 18 and who will eventually [if not already] be called a Christian brother in Christ due to what has happened in these recent days? Let’s pray for the President during this time of his weakness and need, when most have turned against him.
Don Pugh