Acts 19:1

Paul in Ephesus

1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul took a route through the interior and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples.

Acts 19:1 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 19:1

And it came to pass that while Apollos was at Corinth
Whither he came after the Apostle Paul, and where he watered what the apostle had planted, and where he became very famous and eminent; insomuch that he was set up, though not with his will, at the head of a party, in opposition to the chief of the apostles, Peter and Paul; see ( 1 Corinthians 1:12 ) ( 3:4-6 ) ( 4:6 ) .

Paul having passed through the upper coasts;
that is, of Phrygia, Galatia, Pontus, Bithynia, Lydia, Lycaonia, and Paphlagonia;

came to Ephesus;
into Ionia, of which Ephesus was the chief city, and lay near the sea; wherefore the other countries are called the upper coasts; hither he came, according to his promise in ( Acts 28:21 )

And finding certain disciples;
such as believed in Christ, made a profession of him, and had been baptized in his name, for such were commonly called disciples: these do not seem to be persons, who were either converted by Paul, when he was at Ephesus before, or by Apollos, who had been there since, and was gone; but rather some who came hither from other parts, since the apostle was at this place; though indeed his stay at Ephesus before was so short, that they might be here, and he not hear of them, or meet with them.

Acts 19:1 In-Context

1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul took a route through the interior and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples.
2 He asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you came to believe?" They replied, "We've not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
3 Then he said, "What baptism did you receive, then?" They answered, "John's baptism."
4 Paul explained, "John baptized with a baptism by which people showed they were changing their hearts and lives. It was a baptism that told people about the one who was coming after him. This is the one in whom they were to believe. This one is Jesus."
5 After they listened to Paul, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
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