King James Version

What Does Acts 18:18 Mean?

Acts 18:18 in the King James Version says “And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syri... — study this verse from Acts chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 18:18 · KJV


Context

16

And he drave them from the judgment seat.

17

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.

18

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.

19

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

20

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Cenchrea was Corinth's eastern port. The Nazirite vow (Numbers 6) involved hair dedication and was common for expressing special thanksgiving or petition.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Paul's continued Jewish practice teach about cultural identity and Christian freedom?
  2. How do you express thanksgiving to God for significant deliverances?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
1 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 28

And

G1161

but, and, etc

Παῦλος3 of 28

Paul

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

ἔτι4 of 28

there yet

G2089

"yet," still (of time or degree)

προσμείνας5 of 28

after this tarried

G4357

to stay further, i.e., remain in a place, with a person; figuratively, to adhere to, persevere in

ἡμέρας6 of 28

while

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἱκανὰς7 of 28

a good

G2425

competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)

τοῖς8 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀδελφοῖς9 of 28

of the brethren

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

ἀποταξάμενος10 of 28

and then took his leave

G657

literally, to say adieu (by departing or dismissing); figuratively, to renounce

ἐξέπλει11 of 28

and sailed thence

G1602

to depart by ship

εἰς12 of 28

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν13 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Συρίαν14 of 28

Syria

G4947

syria (i.e., tsyria or tyre), a region of asia

καὶ15 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

σὺν16 of 28

with

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

αὐτῷ17 of 28

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Πρίσκιλλα18 of 28

Priscilla

G4252

priscilla (i.e., little prisca), a christian woman

καὶ19 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἀκύλας20 of 28

Aquila

G207

akulas, an israelite

κειράμενος21 of 28

having shorn

G2751

to shear

τὴν22 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κεφαλήν23 of 28

his head

G2776

the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively

ἐν24 of 28

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Κεγχρεαῖς25 of 28

Cenchrea

G2747

cenchreae, a port of corinth

εἶχεν26 of 28

he had

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

γὰρ27 of 28

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

εὐχήν28 of 28

a vow

G2171

properly, a wish, expressed as a petition to god, or in votive obligation


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 18:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 18:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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