Hall of Tyrannus: The First Bible College
Lecture Halls Filled With God’s Word
SCRIPTURE:
Acts 19:8-10 NLT - Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia--both Jews and Greeks--heard the word of the Lord.
OBSERVATION:
Acts 19 offers a brief account of Paul’s more than two years in Ephesus. During his time there, he taught for two years in the Hall of Tyrannus and also wrote the book of 1 Corinthians.
This was a response to the Ephesians' request for Paul to stay longer during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:21), which had initially brought him to Ephesus. Before this, the Holy Spirit had not allowed him to go to Ephesus (Acts 16:6).
Paul would reason with the Jews at the synagogue for two months, only to be rejected by those who were “stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking out against the Way” (vs 8-9).
Paul didn't take this rejection personally; instead, he took his message to the place we should as well – the seat of Academia.
We are told that Paul spent the next two years teaching the Word of God at the School of Tyrannus.
GotQuestions.org provides insight into who this Tyrannus was and what his school was used for.
Acts 19:8-10 NLT - Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia--both Jews and Greeks--heard the word of the Lord.
OBSERVATION:
Acts 19 offers a brief account of Paul’s more than two years in Ephesus. During his time there, he taught for two years in the Hall of Tyrannus and also wrote the book of 1 Corinthians.
This was a response to the Ephesians' request for Paul to stay longer during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:21), which had initially brought him to Ephesus. Before this, the Holy Spirit had not allowed him to go to Ephesus (Acts 16:6).
Paul would reason with the Jews at the synagogue for two months, only to be rejected by those who were “stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking out against the Way” (vs 8-9).
Paul didn't take this rejection personally; instead, he took his message to the place we should as well – the seat of Academia.
We are told that Paul spent the next two years teaching the Word of God at the School of Tyrannus.
GotQuestions.org provides insight into who this Tyrannus was and what his school was used for.
Nothing is really known of Tyrannus’s background or spiritual standing, or even the function of his “lecture hall.” His name is Greek (meaning “prince” or “ruler”), and some scholars believe that Tyrannus was a teacher, philosopher, or rhetorician—an expert in persuasive speech—who rented out his hall to traveling philosophers and teachers. He may have simply been a businessman who permitted Paul to use the building. Others hold to the possibility that Tyrannus was a Jewish scholar or rabbi who had his own private synagogue or operated a school.
The Bible never indicates whether Tyrannus became a believer in Christ or if his faith had anything to do with allowing Paul to use his building. In fact, it’s possible that the lecture hall was named in honor of a former owner of the building or a respected teacher in the past, and that Tyrannus was not alive during Paul’s time. The place could have been called “Tyrannus Lecture Hall” in the same way that a university today might christen a building “John Adams Hall.”
The Bible never indicates whether Tyrannus became a believer in Christ or if his faith had anything to do with allowing Paul to use his building. In fact, it’s possible that the lecture hall was named in honor of a former owner of the building or a respected teacher in the past, and that Tyrannus was not alive during Paul’s time. The place could have been called “Tyrannus Lecture Hall” in the same way that a university today might christen a building “John Adams Hall.”
Paul did this for two years. According to some accounts, he would teach during the off-hours, from eleven in the morning to four in the afternoon. This was not only the time in Greek culture to rest from work, but also the school's off-hours.
What a concept! Repurposing academic spaces to teach the Word of God. This was once common in our country, and I hope it returns. One classroom, and school at a time.
APPLICATION:
During this two-year period, Paul performed the duties of a pastor—shepherding, teaching, equipping, and caring for the church.
Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT - Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
What a concept! Repurposing academic spaces to teach the Word of God. This was once common in our country, and I hope it returns. One classroom, and school at a time.
APPLICATION:
During this two-year period, Paul performed the duties of a pastor—shepherding, teaching, equipping, and caring for the church.
Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT - Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
Paul carried this on for two years, and his effective teaching equipped believers, who got the word of God out to all who dwelt in Asia.
By himself, there was no way that Paul could reach this region. But he could equip Christians to do the work of the ministry, just as he described in Ephesians 4:11-12. – David Guzik.
By himself, there was no way that Paul could reach this region. But he could equip Christians to do the work of the ministry, just as he described in Ephesians 4:11-12. – David Guzik.
We might not have a School of Tyrannus or a Bible College, but we have God’s Word. All we need to do is open it and follow Paul’s example.
Hebrews 4:12 NLT - For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
The church needs more of the Word of God and less of man’s opinions. Let us shepherd, teach, and equip the church to carry out the work of the ministry. I venture to say that we will see many “Schools of Tyrannus” spring up, and the Word of God will reach all our cities, states, and nations – even our schools!
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me, as a Pastor, to follow Paul’s example. May I be faithful in shepherding, teaching, and equipping those you have entrusted to my care. I pray that your Word will reach our cities, states, and nation, and even reclaim our schools.
Hebrews 4:12 NLT - For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
The church needs more of the Word of God and less of man’s opinions. Let us shepherd, teach, and equip the church to carry out the work of the ministry. I venture to say that we will see many “Schools of Tyrannus” spring up, and the Word of God will reach all our cities, states, and nations – even our schools!
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me, as a Pastor, to follow Paul’s example. May I be faithful in shepherding, teaching, and equipping those you have entrusted to my care. I pray that your Word will reach our cities, states, and nation, and even reclaim our schools.
Let God’s Word once again fill our hearts and motivate us to carry out the work of the ministry.
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