Hechos 18

1 PASADAS estas cosas, Pablo partió de Atenas, y vino á Corinto.

2 Y hallando á un Judío llamado Aquila, natural del Ponto, que hacía poco que había venido de Italia, y á Priscila su mujer, (porque Claudio había mandado que todos los Judíos saliesen de Roma) se vino á ellos;

3 Y porque era de su oficio, posó con ellos, y trabajaba; porque el oficio de ellos era hacer tiendas.

4 Y disputaba en la sinagoga todos los sábados, y persuadía á Judíos y á Griegos.

5 Y cuando Silas y Timoteo vinieron de Macedonia, Pablo estaba constreñido por la palabra, testificando á los Judíos que Jesús era el Cristo.

6 Mas contradiciendo y blasfemando ellos, les dijo: sacudiendo sus vestidos: Vuestra sangre sea sobre vuestra cabeza; yo, limpio; desde ahora me iré á los Gentiles.

7 Y partiendo de allí, entró en casa de uno llamado Justo, temeroso de Dios, la casa del cual estaba junto á la sinagoga.

8 Y Crispo, él prepósito de la sinagoga, creyó al Señor con toda su casa: y muchos de los Corintios oyendo creían, y eran bautizados.

9 Entonces él Señor dijo de noche en visión á Pablo: No temas, sino habla, y no calles:

10 Porque yo estoy contigo, y ninguno te podrá hacer mal; porque yo tengo mucho pueblo en esta ciudad.

11 Y se detuvo allí un año y seis meses, enseñándoles la palabra de Dios.

12 Y siendo Galión procónsul de Acaya, los Judíos se levantaron de común acuerdo contra Pablo, y le llevaron al tribunal,

13 Diciendo: Que éste persuade á los hombres á honrar á Dios contra la ley.

14 Y comenzando Pablo á abrir la boca, Galión dijo á los Judíos: Si fuera algún agravio ó algún crimen enorme, oh Judíos, conforme á derecho yo os tolerara:

15 Mas si son cuestiones de palabras, y de nombres, y de vuestra ley, vedlo vosotros; porque yo no quiero ser juez de estas cosas.

16 Y los echó del tribunal.

17 Entonces todos los Griegos tomando á Sóstenes, prepósito de la sinagoga, le herían delante del tribunal: y á Galión nada se le daba de ello.

18 Mas Pablo habiéndose detenido aún allí muchos días, después se despidió de los hermanos, y navegó á Siria, y con él Priscila y Aquila, habiéndose trasquilado la cabeza en Cencreas, porque tenía voto.

19 Y llegó á Efeso, y los dejó allí: y él entrando en la sinagoga, disputó con los Judíos,

20 Los cuales le rogaban que se quedase con ellos por más tiempo; mas no accedió.

21 Sino que se despidió de ellos, diciendo: Es menester que en todo caso tenga la fiesta que viene, en Jerusalem; mas otra vez volveré á vosotros, queriendo Dios. Y partió de Efeso.

22 Y habiendo arribado á Cesarea subió á Jerusalem; y después de saludar á la iglesia, descendió á Antioquía.

23 Y habiendo estado allí algún tiempo, partió, andando por orden la provincia de Galacia, y la Phrygia, confirmando á todos los discípulos.

24 Llegó entonces á Efeso un Judío, llamado Apolos, natural de Alejandría, varón elocuente, poderoso en las Escrituras.

25 Este era instruído en el camino del Señor; y ferviente de espíritu, hablaba y enseñaba diligentemente las cosas que son del Señor, enseñando solamente en el bautismo de Juan.

26 Y comenzó á hablar confiadamente en la sinagoga: al cual como oyeron Priscila y Aquila, le tomaron, y le declararon más particularmente el camino de Dios.

27 Y queriendo él pasar á Acaya, los hermanos exhortados, escribieron á los discípulos que le recibiesen; y venido él, aprovechó mucho por la gracia á los que habían creído:

28 Porque con gran vehemencia convencía públicamente á los Judíos, mostrando por las Escrituras que Jesús era el Cristo.

Hechos 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.