Acts 18

Paul, Silas, and Timothy in Corinth

1 After these [things] he departed from Athens [and] went to Corinth.

2 And he found a certain Jew {named} Aquila, {a native} of Pontus who had arrived recently from Italy {along with} Priscilla his wife, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to depart from Rome, [and] he went to them.

3 And because [he] was practicing the same trade, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.

4 And he argued in the synagogue every Sabbath, attempting to persuade both Jews and Greeks.

5 Now when both Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began to be occupied with the message, solemnly testifying to the Jews [that] the Christ was Jesus.

6 And [when] they resisted and reviled [him], he shook out [his] clothes [and] said to them, "Your blood [be] on your [own] heads! I [am] guiltless! From now on I will go to the Gentiles!"

7 And leaving there, he entered into the house of someone {named} Titius Justus, a worshiper of God whose house was next door to the synagogue.

8 And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his whole household. And many of the Corinthians, [when they] heard about [it], believed and were baptized.

9 And the Lord said to Paul by a vision in the night, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not keep silent,

10 because I am with you and no one will attack you to harm you, because many people are mine in this city."

11 So he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Paul Accused Before the Proconsul Gallio

12 Now [when] Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one purpose against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,

13 saying, "This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law!"

14 But [when] Paul was about to open [his] mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it was some crime or wicked villainy, O Jews, {I would have been justified in accepting} your complaint.

15 But if it is questions concerning a word and names and {your own law}, see to [it] yourselves! I do not wish to be a judge of these [things]."

16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat.

17 So they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, [and] began beating [him] in front of the judgment seat. And none of these [things] was a concern to Gallio.

Paul Returns to Antioch in Syria

18 So Paul, [after] remaining many days longer, said farewell to the brothers [and] sailed away to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. He shaved [his] head at Cenchrea, because he had [taken] a vow.

19 So they arrived at Ephesus, and those he left behind there, but he himself entered into the synagogue [and] discussed with the Jews.

20 And [when] they asked [him] to stay for a longer time, he did not give his consent,

21 but saying farewell and telling [them], "I will return to you again [if] God wills," he set sail from Ephesus.

22 And [when he] arrived at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, [and] went down to Antioch.

23 And [after] spending some time [there], he departed, traveling through one [place] after another [in] the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

The Early Ministry of Apollos

24 Now a certain Jew {named} Apollos, {a native} Alexandrian, arrived in Ephesus--an eloquent man who was well-versed in the scriptures.

25 This man had been instructed [in] the way of the Lord, and being enthusiastic in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the [things] about Jesus, [although he] knew only the baptism of John.

26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but [when] Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately.

27 And [when] he wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged [him] [and] wrote to the disciples to welcome him. [When he] arrived, {he} assisted greatly those who had believed through grace.

28 For he was vigorously refuting the Jews in public, demonstrating through the scriptures [that] the Christ was Jesus.

Acts 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("departed") has been translated as a finite verb
• [b]. Literally "by name"
• [c]. Literally "by nationality"
• [d]. Literally "and"
• [e]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("found") has been translated as a finite verb
• [f]. *Here the imperfect verb has been translated as conative ("attempting to persuade")
• [g]. *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began to be occupied with")
• [h]. Or "Messiah"
• [i]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("resisted")
• [j]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [k]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [l]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("shook out") has been translated as a finite verb
• [m]. Literally "by name"
• [n]. Or "a God-fearer"
• [o]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("heard about") which is understood as temporal
• [p]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [q]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("was")
• [r]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("was about")
• [s]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [t]. Literally "with respect to a motive I would have accepted"
• [u]. Literally "the according to you law"
• [v]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [w]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("seized") has been translated as a finite verb
• [x]. *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here ("began beating")
• [y]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [z]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("remaining") which is understood as temporal
• [aa]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("said farewell") has been translated as a finite verb
• [ab]. *Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [ac]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("entered") has been translated as a finite verb
• [ad]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("asked")
• [ae]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [af]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [ag]. *Here "if" is supplied as a component of the conditional adverbial participle ("wills")
• [ah]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("arrived") which is understood as temporal
• [ai]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the two previous participles ("went up" and "greeted") have been translated as finite verbs
• [aj]. *Here "[after]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("spending") which is understood as temporal
• [ak]. Literally "by name"
• [al]. Literally "by nationality"
• [am]. *Here "[although]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("knew") which is understood as concessive
• [an]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("heard") which is understood as temporal
• [ao]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("wanted")
• [ap]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
• [aq]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("encouraged") has been translated as a finite verb
• [ar]. *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("arrived") which is understood as temporal
• [as]. Literally "who"
• [at]. Or "Messiah"