Humans are in need of instruction, and it has always been that way.
Adam and Eve, Moses, David and Jesus’ disciples are just a few in a long list of spiritual heavyweight who needed instruction. It’s in our nature because we are not God.
There is a process of growth I like to call the “4 Corners of Teachability.”
Corner #1 is “I’m not listening,” and someone who lives in this place is not teachable.
Corner #2 is “I only listen to what I want to hear,” these people practice selective listening.
Corner #3 is “I pretend to listen,” is the highest form of disrespect, assuming a posture of concern when in fact wanting nothing to do with the other person.
Corner #4 is “Teach Me.” In this place people hunger and thirst for righteousness.
v.18
Most notable is Cenchreae, a place not far from Corinth. Paul writes in Roman 16:1 of a woman he met there named Phoebe, to her Paul entrusted the famed Book of Romans, and to her was appointed the most noble task—take the only copy of the Book of Romans, and travel through every kind of drama, and ensure those sacred words arrive to the Church in Rome.
Wow.
The text mentions a “Nazarite Vow,” which is found in Numbers 6. The reason for taking the vow can be just about anything, but in making it, certain things apply—only for a specific period of time, no touching dead people (I know sounds funny), and no shaving or cutting hair. Both men and women could make a Nazarite vow.
For some reason Paul felt led to make a Nazarite vow, and when it was over it was time to shave and move on.
v.18-23
Paul journey’s to “strengthen the disciples.” The word strengthen means to come upon and make stronger.
v.24-28
Apollos makes his appearance as an on fire preacher for the gospel. He came to faith through the ministry of John the Baptist disciples, as a result he was missing a few things in his doctrine. The fine couple Priscilla and Aquila gently took him aside and began to teach all things. Apollos, showing what a great heart he had, received it, and as a result, the kingdom marched forward victoriously.
