Acts 18

1 After these things Paul went out of Athens, and came to Corinth.

2 And he found a man, a Jew, Aquila by name, of Pontus by kind, that late came from Italy, and Priscilla, his wife, for that Claudius commanded all Jews to depart from Rome; and he came to them.

3 And for that he was of the same craft, he dwelled with them, and wrought; and they were of ropemakers craft [soothly they were of tentmakers craft, that is, to make coverings to traveling men].

4 And he disputed in the synagogue by each sabbath, putting among the name of the Lord Jesus; and he [softly] counseled Jews and Greeks.

5 And when Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul gave busyness to the word, and witnessed to the Jews, that Jesus is Christ.

6 But when they gainsaid and blasphemed, he shook away his clothes [Forsooth when they against-said and blasphemed, he shook off his clothes], and said to them, Your blood be on your head; I shall be clean from henceforth, and I shall go to heathen men [I clean from henceforth, shall go to heathen men].

7 And he passed from thence, and entered into the house of a just man, Titus by name [by name Titus], that worshipped God, whose house was joined to the synagogue.

8 And Crispus, prince of the synagogue, believed to the Lord, with all his house. And many of the Corinthians heard, and believed [And many of the Corinthians hearing believed], and were christened.

9 And the Lord said by night to Paul by a vision, Do not thou dread, but speak, and be not still;

10 for I am with thee, and no man shall be put to thee to harm thee, for much people is to me in this city.

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

12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, [the] Jews rose up [rised up] with one will against Paul, and led him to the doom,

13 and said [saying], Against the law this counseleth men to worship God.

14 And when Paul began to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If there were any wicked thing, either evil trespass, ye Jews, rightly I should suffer you; [+Soothly when Paul began to open the mouth, Gallio said to Jews, Forsooth, if there were any wicked thing, or worst trespass, ye men Jews, rightly I should sustain you;]

15 but if questions be of the word, and of names of your law, busy yourselves [ye yourselves see]; I will not be doomsman of these things.

16 And he drove them from the doom place.

17 And all took Sosthenes, prince of the synagogue, and smote him before the doom place; and nothing of these was to care to Gallio [and nothing of these was to charge to Gallio].

18 And when Paul had abided many days, he said farewell to brethren, and by boat came to Syria. And Priscilla and Aquila came with him [saying farewell to brethren, by boat came to Syria, and with him, Priscilla and Aquila], which had clipped his head in Cenchrea; for he had a vow.

19 And he came to Ephesus, and there he left them; and he went into the synagogue, and disputed with Jews.

20 And when they prayed, that he should dwell more time, he consented not,

21 but he made farewell to brethren, and said [and saying], [It behooveth me to make the solemn day coming at Jerusalem, and] again I shall turn again to you, if God will [God willing]; and he went forth from Ephesus.

22 And he came down to Caesarea, and he went up [and ascended up], and greeted the church, and came down to Antioch.

23 And when he had dwelled there somewhat of time, he went forth, walking by row [walking by order] through the country of Galatia, and Phrygia, and confirmed all the disciples [confirming all the disciples].

24 But a Jew, Apollos by name, a man of Alexandria of kind, a man eloquent, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in scriptures. [Soothly some Jew, Apollos by name, a man of Alexandria of kind, a man eloquent, came to Ephesus, mighty in scriptures.]

25 This man was taught the way of the Lord, and was fervent in spirit, and spake, and taught diligently those things that were of Jesus, and knew only the baptism of John [knowing only the baptism of John].

26 And this man began to do trustily in the synagogue. Whom when Priscilla and Aquila heard, they took him [to], and more diligently expounded to him the way of the Lord.

27 And when he would go to Achaia, brethren excited [Soothly when he would go to Achaia, brethren admonished, or counseled], and wrote to the disciples, that they should receive him; which when he came, gave much to them that believed.

28 For he greatly overcame Jews, and showed openly by scriptures [showing openly by scriptures], that Jesus is Christ.

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.