About Acts

Acts records the birth and growth of the church through the power of the Holy Spirit from Jerusalem to Rome.

Author: LukeWritten: c. AD 62-64Reading time: ~4 minVerses: 28
Holy SpiritWitnessChurch GrowthMissionPersecutionUnity

King James Version

Acts 18

28 verses with commentary

Paul in Corinth

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

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Paul 'departed from Athens, and came to Corinth' - moving from philosophy's capital to commerce's hub. Corinth was strategically located on the isthmus connecting mainland Greece. The shift from Athens' intellectualism to Corinth's cosmopolitanism required adjusted ministry approach.

And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

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Paul 'found a certain Jew named Aquila' and 'Priscilla his wife.' Their recent expulsion from Rome under Claudius shows the precariousness of Jewish life under Roman rule. These tentmakers became Paul's hosts and ministry partners.

And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

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Paul 'wrought' with them because 'he was of the same craft' - tentmaking. Manual labor dignified Paul's ministry and avoided financial burden on new converts. 'By their occupation they were tentmakers' may include leather work generally.

And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

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'He reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath' - systematic Scripture exposition for both Jews and Greeks. The Greek dialegomai indicates dialogue and persuasion, not merely proclamation. Paul engaged minds with gospel truth.

And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. was Christ: or, is the Christ

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Silas and Timothy's arrival from Macedonia allowed Paul to be 'pressed in the spirit' and 'testify to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.' Their arrival likely included financial support (2 Corinthians 11:9, Philippians 4:15) freeing Paul for full-time ministry.

And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

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'When they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment' - a symbolic act of disassociation (Nehemiah 5:13). 'Your blood be upon your own heads' placed responsibility on rejectors. 'I will go unto the Gentiles' didn't end Jewish ministry but shifted focus.

And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

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Paul moved to 'the house of one named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.' The strategic location - adjacent to the synagogue - enabled continued outreach. Justus as a God-fearer provided Gentile base for ministry.

And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

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'Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house.' This synagogue leader's conversion was a major breakthrough. Household conversion patterns show the social dimension of early Christianity. 'Many of the Corinthians hearing believed' indicates broader response.

Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

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The Lord's night vision to Paul—'Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace'—reveals that even apostles battled fear requiring divine encouragement. God's promise 'I am with thee' echoes the great commission and Old Testament assurances, providing courage for continued witness. The command against silence emphasizes proclamation's centrality.

For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

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God's promise 'I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee' provided assurance of protection. 'I have much people in this city' revealed divine foreknowledge of future conversions. God's knowledge of His elect encouraged continued ministry.

And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. continued there: Gr. sat there

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'He continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.' Extended teaching established the church deeply. The Corinthian correspondence shows how foundational this teaching period was despite later problems.

And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

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'When Gallio was the deputy of Achaia' - this Roman official's administration can be dated (AD 51-52), providing a crucial chronological anchor. 'The Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul' - unified religious opposition sought Roman intervention.

Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

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The accusation - 'This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law' - sought Roman condemnation of Christianity as illegal religion. The charge attempted to distinguish Christianity from Judaism, which enjoyed legal protection.

And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

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Gallio's refusal - 'If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, I would reason with you' - distinguished criminal from religious matters. His judicial restraint protected Paul while establishing precedent for Roman treatment of Christianity.

But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

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'But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it.' Gallio recognized the dispute as theological, not criminal. 'I will be no judge of such matters' established that Roman courts wouldn't adjudicate Jewish religious controversies.

And he drave them from the judgment seat.

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'He drave them from the judgment seat' - forcible dismissal emphasized Gallio's rejection of the case. This public rebuff humiliated the accusers and vindicated Paul before the Roman authorities.

Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

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'Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat.' Mob violence turned on the accusers. Sosthenes may later have converted (1 Corinthians 1:1). 'Gallio cared for none of those things' - Roman indifference to Jewish internal affairs.

Paul Returns to Antioch

And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

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'Paul after this tarried there yet a good while' - Gallio's ruling enabled extended ministry. 'Having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow' - likely a Nazirite vow, showing Paul's continued Jewish practice. Liberty from law didn't mean rejection of Jewish identity.

And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

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'He came to Ephesus' - beginning what would become Paul's longest ministry in any city. 'He himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews' - his initial Ephesian contact followed the 'to the Jew first' pattern.

When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;

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'When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not' - responsiveness didn't guarantee immediate action. Paul discerned timing for extended ministry. The positive reception indicated future fruitfulness.

But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

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'I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem' - Paul's Jerusalem orientation showed continued Jewish identity. 'I will return again unto you, if God will' expressed submission to providence. Plans were made contingent on divine permission.

And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

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'He went up, and saluted the church' in Jerusalem before going to Antioch. This visit maintained apostolic fellowship and accountability. 'He went down to Antioch' - his sending church base for reporting and refreshment.

And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

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'He departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.' The third missionary journey began with revisiting established churches. 'Strengthening' indicates continued pastoral care, not just initial evangelism.

Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus

And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

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Apollos: Eloquence and Scripture Knowledge

This verse introduces one of the early church's most influential figures: Apollos. Luke identifies him with four key descriptors. First, he was "a certain Jew" (Ioudaios tis)—establishing his Jewish heritage and covenant background. Second, he was "born at Alexandria"—the great center of learning in Egypt, home to the famous library and a large Jewish community. Alexandrian Jews, influenced by scholars like Philo, were known for sophisticated biblical interpretation.

Third, Luke calls him "an eloquent man" (anēr logios). The Greek logios (λόγιος) means "learned, cultured, eloquent"—someone skilled in rhetoric and persuasive speech. This wasn't mere oratory skill but cultured intelligence combined with effective communication. Fourth, and most importantly, he was "mighty in the scriptures" (dynatos ōn en tais graphais)—powerful, capable, skilled in the Old Testament writings. His scriptural knowledge formed the foundation for his eloquence.

The combination of learning, eloquence, and scriptural knowledge made Apollos uniquely equipped for ministry—yet Acts 18:25-26 reveals he needed further instruction from Priscilla and Aquila. This demonstrates that even considerable gifts and knowledge require refinement through the church's teaching. Apollos models teachability: despite his impressive credentials, he humbly received correction and became even more effective in ministry.

This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

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Apollos was 'instructed in the way of the Lord' and taught 'accurately the things of the Lord,' yet knew 'only the baptism of John.' This shows how sincere believers can have partial understanding requiring further instruction. Aquila and Priscilla's gentle correction - taking him aside to 'expound unto him the way of God more perfectly' - models humble teaching that builds on existing knowledge.

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

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Apollos 'began to speak boldly in the synagogue' but Aquila and Priscilla 'took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.' Private correction preserved Apollos's reputation while improving his understanding. Humble teaching and humble receiving characterized this encounter.

And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

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'When he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him.' Church letters of commendation facilitated itinerant ministry. 'He helped them much which had believed through grace' - Apollos's ministry complemented Paul's foundation-laying.

For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. Christ: or, is the Christ

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'He mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.' Apollos's apologetic skill served Christ-centered proclamation. Public demonstration of Jesus as Messiah from Scripture exemplified apostolic preaching.

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