Paul’s first visit was a year and a half, and his later visit was three months.

Old Corinth was hundreds of years old when the city defied the Roman Empire and was destroyed utterly. By 51 CE, the new Corinth was five times the size of Athens, an important trade stop, and home to new business people who were interested in prosperity, not tradition. There were temples but no dominant religion.

“I know a person”- Paul is speaking of himself.

This passage was written about 55 AD so this revelation was about 41 AD.

The third heaven is heaven, the first heaven is the atmosphere, and the second heaven is the stars.

“No mortal is permitted to repeat” Greek mystery cult teachings for insiders only.

“than what is seen in me or heard from me” – The only evidence for Christian life is behavior or speech.

Paul’s infirmity might have been physical, perhaps stuttering, perhaps another chronic illness.

The lessons from this passage are:
Paul uses his humble station but immense faith for his Christian walk.
For other Christians to question him because he has not done miracles or had revelations is wrong.
His weakness is his strength.
It is part of Church life to resolve differences and personal issues through faithful discussion.


Mark
“This place”…Some say Nazareth and some say Caperneum.

“Carpenter” could be mason – lower class and illiterate.

“Son of Mary” could be a put down rather than using son of Joseph.

Scandal , skandalon had become a technical term for the effect of Christ’s death on Israel.

All of this is in the tradition of the “prophets”, whose message is rejected by their own folks.

“unbelief”: By the time this was written, apistia had come to symbolize the disbelief of Israel

This dramatic and tragic end of Jesus’ Galilean ministry foreshadows the greater rejection of Israel.

The apostles start to share Jesus’ ministry of healing, preaching, power over evil forces, and humble peace and compassion.
“tunics” are a chiton: a short-sleeved inner garment of knee length, held in at the waist by a girdle.

Traveling missionaries depended on local hospitality. Local communities would need to put them up, so it was necessary to be frugal.

Olive oil was regularly used as a remedy in the ancient world. In Luke 10:34, it is used in treating the wounds of the man who fell among bandits.

The emphasis in this passage is the rejection of Jesus, both in his own temple and through his apostles’ travels.
Jesus does not mince words, those who refuse to consider him, or who refuse to give him authority in their lives are doomed. Those who preach from the Bible need to remind their listeners of the consequences of hearing God’s word and denying it.