The Acts of the Apostles, the history of the early church, by Luke the physician - Acts 19:8-12 comments: Paul disputing in the school of Tyrannus

 

Acts 19:8 ¶  And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9  But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 10  And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 11  And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12  So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

 

The school of Tyrannus probably was, according to some sources, some sort of guild or lecture hall where popular orators or philosophers entertained high class clients who had mornings to hear a speech or sermon. Philosophers commonly made money by giving speeches or sermons throughout the Greek world. In fact, I have read that Stoic preachers would have competitions to see who could better make an audience laugh or cry and be judged by it. They would even be tested and would compete on giving sermons on the most ridiculous subjects to see how clever they were, such as one I read about where a Stoic preacher was challenged to speak about a donkey. One Stoic preacher famously gave a sermon on morality and sobriety just before falling face first drunk into his meal at a wealthy person’s dinner party.

 

But, hearing philosophy was an enjoyable pastime for the wealthy. Paul may have rented this school during off peak hours or Tyrannus may have been a sympathetic Jew or Gentile who let Paul and company teach for free. It was a great opportunity to deliver the gospel. He spent two fruitful years there and the word of God was spread wide by his disputations. Paul, which we will see in the book of Romans, was a competent lawyer who was capable of presenting arguments that his party, no matter whether they were Jew, Roman, or Greek, would understand.

 

Paul’s lectures were probably open to all classes for free if he did not depend on the money he may have received to support himself. We aren’t told. But, for the message to spread so widely it is possible that God used this venue to let Paul use his talents to declare the message of Christ. And to back up his words God gave him signs and wonders that he performed showing that among his hearers were Jews. Paul would appeal, most likely, to the Greek Gentiles by argument but the Jews were impressed with signs and wonders. God gave Paul both.

 

1Corinthians 1:22  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: