Acts 18

1 post haec egressus ab Athenis venit Corinthum

2 et inveniens quendam Iudaeum nomine Aquilam Ponticum genere qui nuper venerat ab Italia et Priscillam uxorem eius eo quod praecepisset Claudius discedere omnes Iudaeos a Roma accessit ad eos

3 et quia eiusdem erat artis manebat apud eos et operabatur erat autem scenofactoriae artis

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5 cum venissent autem de Macedonia Silas et Timotheus instabat verbo Paulus testificans Iudaeis esse Christum Iesum

6 contradicentibus autem eis et blasphemantibus excutiens vestimenta dixit ad eos sanguis vester super caput vestrum mundus ego ex hoc ad gentes vadam

7 et migrans inde intravit in domum cuiusdam nomine Titi Iusti colentis Deum cuius domus erat coniuncta synagogae

8 Crispus autem archisynagogus credidit Domino cum omni domo sua et multi Corinthiorum audientes credebant et baptizabantur

9 dixit autem Dominus nocte per visionem Paulo noli timere sed loquere et ne taceas

10 propter quod ego sum tecum et nemo adponetur tibi ut noceat te quoniam populus est mihi multus in hac civitate

11 sedit autem annum et sex menses docens apud eos verbum Dei

12 Gallione autem proconsule Achaiae insurrexerunt uno animo Iudaei in Paulum et adduxerunt eum ad tribunal

13 dicentes quia contra legem hic persuadet hominibus colere Deum

14 incipiente autem Paulo aperire os dixit Gallio ad Iudaeos si quidem esset iniquum aliquid aut facinus pessimum o viri iudaei recte vos sustinerem

15 si vero quaestiones sunt de verbo et nominibus et legis vestrae vos ipsi videritis iudex ego horum nolo esse

16 et minavit eos a tribunali

17 adprehendentes autem omnes Sosthenen principem synagogae percutiebant ante tribunal et nihil eorum Gallioni curae erat

18 Paulus vero cum adhuc sustinuisset dies multos fratribus valefaciens navigavit Syriam et cum eo Priscilla et Aquila qui sibi totonderat in Cencris caput habebat enim votum

19 devenitque Ephesum et illos ibi reliquit ipse vero ingressus synagogam disputavit cum Iudaeis

20 rogantibus autem eis ut ampliori tempore maneret non consensit

21 sed valefaciens et dicens iterum revertar ad vos Deo volente profectus est ab Epheso

22 et descendens Caesaream ascendit et salutavit ecclesiam et descendit Antiochiam

23 et facto ibi aliquanto tempore profectus est perambulans ex ordine galaticam regionem et Frygiam confirmans omnes discipulos

24 Iudaeus autem quidam Apollo nomine Alexandrinus natione vir eloquens devenit Ephesum potens in scripturis

25 hic erat edoctus viam Domini et fervens spiritu loquebatur et docebat diligenter ea quae sunt Iesu sciens tantum baptisma Iohannis

26 hic ergo coepit fiducialiter agere in synagoga quem cum audissent Priscilla et Aquila adsumpserunt eum et diligentius exposuerunt ei viam Dei

27 cum autem vellet ire Achaiam exhortati fratres scripserunt discipulis ut susciperent eum qui cum venisset contulit multum his qui crediderant

28 vehementer enim Iudaeos revincebat publice ostendens per scripturas esse Christum Iesum

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.