Acts 18

Paul at Corinth

1 After these things he left ¹Athens and went to ²Corinth.

2 And he found a Jew named ³Aquila, a native of ⁴Pontus, having recently come from ⁵Italy with his wife ⁶Priscilla, because ⁷Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them,

3 and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and ⁸they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers.

4 And he was reasoning ⁹in the synagogue every ¹⁰Sabbath and trying to persuade ¹¹Jews and Greeks.

5 But when ¹²Silas and Timothy ¹³came down from ¹⁴Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly ¹⁵testifying to the Jews that ¹⁶Jesus was the Christ.

6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he ¹⁷shook out his garments and said to them, "Your ¹⁸blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go ¹⁹to the Gentiles."

7 Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, ²⁰a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue.

8 ²¹Crispus, ²²the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord ²³with all his household, and many of the ²⁴Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.

9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by ²⁵a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;

10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city."

11 And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12 But while Gallio was ²⁶proconsul of ²⁷Achaia, ²⁸the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before ²⁹the judgment seat,

13 saying, "This man persuades men to worship God contrary to ³⁰the law."

14 But when Paul was about to ³¹open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you;

15 but if there are ³²questions about words and names and your own law, look after it yourselves; I am unwilling * to be a judge of these matters."

16 And he drove them away from ³³the judgment seat.

17 And they all took hold of ³⁴Sosthenes, ³⁵the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of ³⁶the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.

18 Paul, having remained many days longer, ³⁷took leave of ³⁸the brethren and put out to sea for ³⁹Syria, and with him were ⁴⁰Priscilla and ⁴¹Aquila. In ⁴²Cenchrea he ⁴³had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow.

19 They came to ⁴⁴Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered ⁴⁵the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

20 When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent,

21 but ⁴⁶taking leave of them and saying, "I will return to you again ⁴⁷if God wills," he set sail from ⁴⁸Ephesus.

22 When he had landed at ⁴⁹Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and went down to ⁵⁰Antioch.

Third Missionary Journey

23 And having spent some time there, he left and passed successively through the ⁵¹Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

24 Now a Jew named ⁵²Apollos, an ⁵³Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to ⁵⁴Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures.

25 This man had been instructed in ⁵⁵the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with ⁵⁶the baptism of John;

26 and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when ⁵⁷Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him ⁵⁸the way of God more accurately.

27 And when he wanted to go across to ⁵⁹Achaia, ⁶⁰the brethren encouraged him and wrote to ⁶¹the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace,

28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating ⁶²by the Scriptures that ⁶³Jesus was the Christ.

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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.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 63

1. Acts 17:15
2. Acts 18:8; Acts 19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1, 23; 2 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Timothy 4:20
3. Acts 18:18, 26; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19
4. Acts 2:9
5. Acts 27:1, 6; Hebrews 13:24
6. Acts 18:18, 26; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19
7. Acts 11:28
8. Acts 20:34; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 1 Corinthians 9:14; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 2 Corinthians 12:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:8
9. Acts 9:20; Acts 18:19
10. Acts 13:14
11. Acts 14:1
12. Acts 15:22; Acts 16:1; Acts 17:14
13. Acts 17:15
14. Acts 16:9
15. Luke 16:28; Acts 20:21
16. Acts 17:3; Acts 18:28
17. Nehemiah 5:13; Acts 13:51
18. 2 Samuel 1:16; 1 Kings 2:33; Ezekiel 18:13; Ezekiel 33:4, 6, 8; Matthew 27:25; Acts 20:26
19. Acts 13:46
20. Acts 13:43; Acts 16:14
21. 1 Corinthians 1:14
22. Mark 5:22
23. Acts 11:14
24. Acts 18:1; Acts 19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1, 23; 2 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Timothy 4:20
25. Acts 9:10
26. Acts 13:7
27. Acts 18:27; 2 Corinthians 9:21">12 Corinthians 9:21; Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians 16:15; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 9:2; 2 Corinthians 11:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:7
28. 1 Thessalonians 2:14f
29. Matthew 27:19
30. John 19:7; Acts 18:15
31. Matthew 5:2
32. Acts 23:29; Acts 25:19
33. Matthew 27:19
34. 1 Corinthians 1:1
35. Acts 18:8
36. Matthew 27:19
37. Mark 6:46
38. Acts 1:15; Acts 18:27
39. Matthew 4:24
40. Acts 18:2, 26
41. Acts 18:2, 26
42. Romans 16:1
43. Num 6:2, 5, 9, 18; Acts 21:24
44. Acts 18:21, 24; Acts 19:1, 17, 26, 28, 34; Acts 20:16; Acts 21:29; 1 Corinthians 15:32; 1 Corinthians 16:8; Ephesians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 4:12; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 2:1
45. Acts 18:4
46. Mark 6:46
47. Romans 1:10; Romans 15:32; 1 Corinthians 4:19; 1 Corinthians 16:7; Hebrews 6:3; James 4:15; 1 Peter 3:17
48. Acts 18:19, 24; Acts 19:1, 17, 26, 28, 34; Acts 20:16; Acts 21:29; 1 Corinthians 15:32; 1 Corinthians 16:8; Ephesians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 4:12; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 2:1
49. Acts 8:40
50. Acts 11:19
51. Acts 16:6
52. Acts 19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Corinthians 3:5, 6, 22; 1 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Corinthians 16:12; Titus 3:13
53. Acts 6:9
54. Acts 18:19
55. Acts 9:2; Acts 18:26
56. Luke 7:29; Acts 19:3
57. Acts 18:2, 18
58. Acts 18:25
59. Acts 18:12; Acts 19:1
60. Acts 18:18
61. Acts 11:26
62. Acts 8:35
63. Acts 18:5