Atos 18

1 Depois disto Paulo partiu para Atenas e chegou a Corinto.

2 E encontrando um judeu por nome Áqüila, natural do Ponto, que pouco antes viera da Itália, e Priscila, sua mulher (porque Cláudio tinha decretado que todos os judeus saíssem de Roma), foi ter com eles,

3 e, por ser do mesmo ofício, com eles morava, e juntos trabalhavam; pois eram, por ofício, fabricantes de tendas.

4 Ele discutia todos os sábados na sinagoga, e persuadia a judeus e gregos.

5 Quando Silas e Timóteo desceram da Macedônia, Paulo dedicou- se inteiramente � palavra, testificando aos judeus que Jesus era o Cristo.

6 Como estes, porém, se opusessem e proferissem injúrias, sacudiu ele as vestes e disse-lhes: O vosso sangue seja sobre a vossa cabeça; eu estou limpo, e desde agora vou para os gentios.

7 E saindo dali, entrou em casa de um homem temente a Deus, chamado Tito Justo, cuja casa ficava junto da sinagoga.

8 Crispo, chefe da sinagoga, creu no Senhor com toda a sua casa; e muitos dos coríntios, ouvindo, criam e eram batizados.

9 E de noite disse o Senhor em visão a Paulo: Não temas, mas fala e não te cales;

10 porque eu estou contigo e ninguém te acometerá para te fazer mal, pois tenho muito povo nesta cidade.

11 E ficou ali um ano e seis meses, ensinando entre eles a palavra de Deus.

12 Sendo Gálio procônsul da Acaia, levantaram-se os judeus de comum acordo contra Paulo, e o levaram ao tribunal,

13 dizendo: Este persuade os homens a render culto a Deus de um modo contrário � lei.

14 E, quando Paulo estava para abrir a boca, disse Gálio aos judeus: Se de fato houvesse, ó judeus, algum agravo ou crime perverso, com razão eu vos sofreria;

15 mas, se são questões de palavras, de nomes, e da vossa lei, disso cuidai vós mesmos; porque eu não quero ser juiz destas coisas.

16 E expulsou-os do tribunal.

17 Então todos agarraram Sóstenes, chefe da sinagoga, e o espancavam diante do tribunal; e Gálio não se importava com nenhuma dessas coisas.

18 Paulo, tendo ficado ali ainda muitos dias, despediu-se dos irmãos e navegou para a Síria, e com ele Priscila e Áqüila, havendo rapado a cabeça em Cencréia, porque tinha voto.

19 E eles chegaram a Éfeso, onde Paulo os deixou; e tendo entrado na sinagoga, discutia com os judeus.

20 Estes rogavam que ficasse por mais algum tempo, mas ele não anuiu,

21 antes se despediu deles, dizendo: Se Deus quiser, de novo voltarei a vós; e navegou de Éfeso.

22 Tendo chegado a Cesaréia, subiu a Jerusalém e saudou a igreja, e desceu a Antioquia.

23 E, tendo demorado ali algum tempo, partiu, passando sucessivamente pela região da Galácia e da Frígia, fortalecendo a todos os discípulos.

24 Ora, chegou a Éfeso certo judeu chamado Apolo, natural de Alexandria, homem eloqüente e poderoso nas Escrituras.

25 Era ele instruído no caminho do Senhor e, sendo fervoroso de espírito, falava e ensinava com precisão as coisas concernentes a Jesus, conhecendo entretanto somente o batismo de João.

26 Ele começou a falar ousadamente na sinagoga: mas quando Priscila e Áqüila o ouviram, levaram-no consigo e lhe expuseram com mais precisão o caminho de Deus.

27 Querendo ele passar � Acáia, os irmãos o animaram e escreveram aos discípulos que o recebessem; e tendo ele chegado, auxiliou muito aos que pela graça haviam crido.

28 Pois com grande poder refutava publicamente os judeus, demonstrando pelas escrituras que Jesus era o Cristo.

Atos 18 Commentary

Chapter 18

Paul at Corinth, with Aquila and Priscilla. (1-6) He continues to preach at Corinth. (7-11) Paul before Gallio. (12-17) He visits Jerusalem. (18-23) Apollos teaches at Ephesus and in Achaia. (24-28)

Verses 1-6 Though Paul was entitled to support from the churches he planted, and from the people to whom he preached, yet he worked at his calling. An honest trade, by which a man may get his bread, is not to be looked upon with contempt by any. It was the custom of the Jews to bring up their children to some trade, though they gave them learning or estates. Paul was careful to prevent prejudices, even the most unreasonable. The love of Christ is the best bond of the saints; and the communings of the saints with each other, sweeten labour, contempt, and even persecution. Most of the Jews persisted in contradicting the gospel of Christ, and blasphemed. They would not believe themselves, and did all they could to keep others from believing. Paul hereupon left them. He did not give over his work; for though Israel be not gathered, Christ and his gospel shall be glorious. The Jews could not complain, for they had the first offer. When some oppose the gospel, we must turn to others. Grief that many persist in unbelief should not prevent gratitude for the conversion of some to Christ.

Verses 7-11 The Lord knows those that are his, yea, and those that shall be his; for it is by his work upon them that they become his. Let us not despair concerning any place, when even in wicked Corinth Christ had much people. He will gather in his chosen flock from the places where they are scattered Thus encouraged, the apostle continued at Corinth, and a numerous and flourishing church grew up.

Verses 12-17 Paul was about to show that he did not teach men to worship God contrary to law; but the judge would not allow the Jews to complain to him of what was not within his office. It was right in Gallio that he left the Jews to themselves in matters relating to their religion, but yet would not let them, under pretence of that, persecute another. But it was wrong to speak slightly of a law and religion which he might have known to be of God, and which he ought to have acquainted himself with. In what way God is to be worshipped, whether Jesus be the Messiah, and whether the gospel be a Divine revelation, are not questions of words and names, they are questions of vast importance. Gallio spoke as if he boasted of his ignorance of the Scriptures, as if the law of God was beneath his notice. Gallio cared for none of these things. If he cared not for the affronts of bad men, it was commendable; but if he concerned not himself for the abuses done to good men, his indifference was carried too far. And those who see and hear of the sufferings of God's people, and have no feeling with them, or care for them, who do not pity and pray for them, are of the same spirit as Gallio, who cared for none of these things.

Verses 18-23 While Paul found he laboured not in vain, he continued labouring. Our times are in God's hand; we purpose, but he disposes; therefore we must make all promises with submission to the will of God; not only if providence permits, but if God does not otherwise direct our motions. A very good refreshment it is to a faithful minister, to have for awhile the society of his brethren. Disciples are compassed about with infirmity; ministers must do what they can to strengthen them, by directing them to Christ, who is their Strength. Let us earnestly seek, in our several places, to promote the cause of Christ, forming plans that appear to us most proper, but relying on the Lord to bring them to pass if he sees good.

Verses 24-28 Apollos taught in the gospel of Christ, as far as John's ministry would carry him, and no further. We cannot but think he had heard of Christ's death and resurrection, but he was not informed as to the mystery of them. Though he had not the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, as the apostles, he made use of the gifts he had. The dispensation of the Spirit, whatever the measure of it may be, is given to every man to profit withal. He was a lively, affectionate preacher; fervent in spirit. He was full of zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of precious souls. Here was a complete man of God, thoroughly furnished for his work. Aquila and Priscilla encouraged his ministry, by attendance upon it. They did not despise Apollos themselves, or undervalue him to others; but considered the disadvantages he had laboured under. And having themselves got knowledge in the truths of the gospel by their long intercourse with Paul, they told what they knew to him. Young scholars may gain a great deal by converse with old Christians. Those who do believe through grace, yet still need help. As long as they are in this world, there are remainders of unbelief, and something lacking in their faith to be perfected, and the work of faith to be fulfilled. If the Jews were convinced that Jesus is Christ, even their own law would teach them to hear him. The business of ministers is to preach Christ. Not only to preach the truth, but to prove and defend it, with meekness, yet with power.