Acts 18

The Apostle Paul in Corinth

1When Paul left Athens he traveled to Corinth, # 18:1 Corinth is about forty-eight miles (seventy-eight kilometers) from Athens. It was a large commercial center with trade links all over the entire ancient world. It was the home of the famous Isthmian Games and the temple of Aphrodite, which held a thousand temple prostitutes. Corinth was known for its debauchery. In the midst of a depraved culture, God birthed a church to become light to the people of their city. 2where he met a Jewish man named Aquila, who was originally from northeastern Turkey. # 18:2 Or “Pontus,” a Roman province in northeastern Asia Minor (Turkey). He and his wife, Priscilla, had recently emigrated from Italy to Corinth because Emperor Claudius had expelled all the Jews from Rome. 3Since Paul and Aquila were both tentmakers # 18:3 The Aramaic can also mean “saddle makers.” by trade, Paul moved in with them and they became business partners.

4Every Sabbath day Paul spoke openly in the synagogue, to both Jews and non-Jews, # 18:4 The Aramaic is “pagans.” attempting to persuade them to believe the message of Jesus.

5When Silas and Timothy finally arrived from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word of God, # 18:5 The Aramaic is “the manifestation of God.” trying to convince the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.

6When they viciously slandered him and hurled abuse on him, he symbolically shook the dust off his clothes in protest against them. He said to them, “Have it your way then! I am guiltless as to your fate, for the blood-guilt of your actions will be on your own heads, and from now on I will preach to the non-Jews.”

7Leaving the synagogue, Paul went to the home of Titus, # 18:7 The Greek text is “Titus Justus,” but the Aramaic only has Titus. It is possible that he is the Titus who accompanied Paul in ministry and the one Paul addressed in the book of Titus. a convert to Judaism, for he and his family attended the Jewish meetings # 18:7 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek says that Titus Justus lived next door to the synagogue. and they had all become believers in Jesus. 8Crispus, # 18:8 Crispus was one of the few people Paul baptized. See 1 Cor. 1:14. According to church tradition he became the bishop of Aegina. the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire family, and many of the Corinthians who heard what had happened believed in the Lord and were baptized.

9One night, the Lord spoke to Paul in a supernatural vision and said, “Don’t ever be afraid. Speak the words that I give you and don’t be intimidated, 10because I am with you. # 18:10 Somewhat more explicit in the Aramaic, this is the great “I AM” who is speaking with Paul, assuring him of God’s presence. No one will be able to hurt you, for there are many in this city whom I call my own.”

11For the next year and a half, Paul stayed in Corinth, faithfully teaching the word of God.

Paul Brought before the Roman Official Gallio

12Now, at that time, Gallio was the regional governor who ruled over the Roman province of Achaia, # 18:12 The province of Achaia included the three most important parts of southern Greece: Attica, Boeotia, and the Peloponnesus. Gallio was the brother of Seneca, the tutor of Nero. and the Jews turned against Paul and came together to seize him and bring him publicly before the governor’s court. # 18:12 Or “judgment seat.” This was a raised platform with a marble bench where judicial and governmental decrees were issued. This bench has been discovered after excavations in the agora. 13They accused him before Gallio, saying, “This man is creating a disturbance by persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our laws.”

14Just as Paul was about to speak in his defense, Gallio interrupted and said, “Wait! If this involved some major crime or fraud, it would be my responsibility to hear the case. 15But this is nothing more than a disagreement among yourselves over semantics # 18:15 Or “doctrines.” and personalities # 18:15 Or “names.” and traditions of your own Jewish laws. # 18:15 The Aramaic is “Torah” (the first five books of Moses). Go and settle it yourselves! I refuse to be the judge of these issues.” 16So Gallio dismissed them from the court.

17Immediately the crowd turned on Sosthenes, # 18:17 Sosthenes means “savior of our nation.” See 1 Cor. 1:1. one of the leaders # 18:17 The Aramaic word used here can mean “priest” or “elder.” Crispus is mentioned as the president or leader (v. 8). Some speculate that Crispus’ term of service had been completed and Sosthenes took his place. of the synagogue who sided with Paul. They seized him and beat him up right there in the courtroom! But Gallio showed no concern at all over what was happening.

Priscilla and Aquila

18After remaining in Corinth several more days, Paul finally bid shalom # 18:18 Shalom is the Hebrew and Aramaic word for “peace and well-being.” The Greek is “farewell.” The Aramaic can also be translated “Paul brought peace to the brothers.” to the believers and sailed away for the coast of Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. # 18:18 Priscilla means “Ancient”; Aquila means “Eagle.” Before they left, Paul had his head shaved at Cenchrea, # 18:18 Cenchrea was one of two major ports of Corinth, possibly where agricultural goods were exported, for Cenchrea means “millet,” a grain similar to quinoa. because he had taken a vow of dedication.

19When they reached Ephesus, # 18:19 Ephesus was in the ancient world, a white marble city, one of the most beautiful in the world. It had the temple of Artemis, one of the seven great wonders of that era. It also had two agoras, a beautiful fountain in the city supplied by an aqueduct, the monument of Phillio, the Koressian Gates, the Bouleuterion, a large stadium, and many terraced houses. It was the capital city of the Roman province of Asia and had a population of well over one hundred thousand at the time Paul visited the city. Ephesus was known historically as the center of powerful magical practices and the casting of spells, as well as the cult center of the worship of the Ephesian goddess Artemis, known as “the supreme power.” It was in this backdrop that the apostle Paul and his companions planted the renowned church of Ephesus. Paul left Priscilla and Aquila behind, then he went into the synagogue and spoke to the Jews. 20They asked him to stay longer, but he refused 21and said farewell to them, adding, “I will come back to you, if it is God’s will, after I go to Jerusalem to observe the feast.” # 18:21 This last clause is only found in the Aramaic. Then he set sail from Ephesus for Caesarea.

22When he arrived there he traveled on to Jerusalem to visit the church and pray for them, # 18:22 Although this clause is missing in the Greek, the Aramaic can be translated “to pray for the peace of the congregation.” A true spiritual father prays for believers and brings them a message of hope and peace. then he left for Antioch. 23After spending some time there, Paul continued on through the region of Galatia and Phyrgia in central Turkey. And wherever he went he encouraged and strengthened the believers. # 18:23 The Aramaic can be translated “Wherever he went he made them all disciples.”

The Ministry of Apollos

24A Jewish man by the name of Apollos arrived in Ephesus. He was a native of Alexandria # 18:24 This is Alexandria in Egypt. and was recognized as an educated and cultured man. He was powerful in the Scriptures, 25had accepted Jesus, and had been taught about the Lord. He was spiritually passionate # 18:25 Or “His spirit boiled.” for Jesus and a convincing teacher, although he only knew about the baptism of John. 26He fearlessly preached # 18:26 That is, boldly and powerfully. The Aramaic can be translated “with crystal clarity.” in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard Apollos’ teachings, they met with him privately # 18:26 The Aramaic is “they took him into their home.” and revealed to him the ways of God more completely. # 18:26 Or “more accurately.” They filled in the gaps in his understanding of the Lord Jesus.

27Then Apollos, with the encouragement of the believers, went to the province of Achaia. # 18:27 See the first footnote on v. 12. He took a letter of recommendation from the brothers of Ephesus so his ministry would be welcomed in the region. He was a tremendous help to the believers and caused them to increase in grace. # 18:27 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek is “He helped those who believed by grace.” 28Apollos boldly and publicly confronted the Jews, vigorously debating them, proving undeniably from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

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Acts 18

Paul in Corinth

1Later, Paul left Athens and went to the city of Corinth. 2There he met a Jewish man named Aquila, who was born in the country of Pontus. But he and his wife, Priscilla, had recently moved to Corinth from Italy. They left Italy because Claudius had given an order for all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit Aquila and Priscilla. 3They were tentmakers, the same as Paul, so he stayed with them and worked with them.

4Every Sabbath day Paul went to the synagogue and talked with both Jews and Greeks, trying to persuade them to believe in Jesus. 5But after Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time telling God’s message to the Jews, trying to convince them that Jesus is the Messiah. 6But they disagreed with what Paul was teaching and started insulting him. So Paul shook the dust from his clothes.#18:6 shook the dust from his clothes A warning. It showed Paul was finished talking to these Jews. He said to them, “If you are not saved, it will be your own fault! I have done all I can do. After this I will go only to the non-Jewish people.”

7Paul left the synagogue and moved into the home of Titius Justus, a man who was a worshiper of the true God. His house was next to the synagogue. 8Crispus was the leader of that synagogue. He and all the people living in his house believed in the Lord Jesus. Many other people in Corinth also listened to Paul. They, too, believed and were baptized.

9During the night, Paul had a vision. The Lord said to him, “Don’t be afraid, and don’t stop talking to people. 10I am with you, and no one will be able to hurt you. Many of my people are in this city.” 11Paul stayed there for a year and a half teaching God’s message to the people.

Paul Is Brought Before Gallio

12During the time that Gallio was the governor of Achaia, some of the Jews came together against Paul. They took him to court. 13They said to Gallio, “This man is teaching people to worship God in a way that is against our law!”

14Paul was ready to say something, but Gallio spoke to the Jews. He said, “I would listen to you if your complaint was about a crime or other wrong. 15But it is only about words and names—arguments about your own law. So you must solve this problem yourselves. I don’t want to be a judge of these matters.” 16So Gallio made them leave the court.

17Then they all grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue. They beat him before the court. But this did not bother Gallio.

Paul Returns to Antioch

18Paul stayed with the believers for many days. Then he left and sailed for Syria. Priscilla and Aquila were also with him. At Cenchrea Paul cut off his hair,#18:18 cut off his hair This may show that Paul was ending a Nazirite vow, a time of special dedication and service promised to God. See “Nazirite” in the Word List. because he had made a promise to God. 19Then they went to the city of Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. While Paul was in Ephesus, he went into the synagogue and talked with the Jews. 20They asked him to stay longer, but he refused. 21He left them and said, “I will come back to you again if God wants me to.” And so he sailed away from Ephesus.

22When Paul arrived at Caesarea, he went to Jerusalem and visited the church there. After that he went to Antioch. 23Paul stayed in Antioch for a while. Then he left there and went through the countries of Galatia and Phrygia. He traveled from town to town in these countries, helping all the followers of Jesus grow stronger in their faith.

Apollos in Ephesus and Corinth

24A Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus. Born in the city of Alexandria, he was an educated man who knew the Scriptures well. 25He had been taught about the Lord and was always excited#18:25 excited Or “on fire with the Spirit.” to talk to people about Jesus. What he taught was right, but the only baptism he knew about was the baptism that John taught. 26Apollos began to speak very boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak, they took him to their home and helped him understand the way of God better.

27Apollos wanted to go to Achaia. So the believers in Ephesus helped him. They wrote a letter to the Lord’s followers in Achaia and asked them to accept Apollos. When he arrived there, he was a great help to those who had believed in Jesus because of God’s grace. 28He argued very strongly against the Jews before all the people. He clearly proved that the Jews were wrong. He used the Scriptures and showed that Jesus is the Messiah.

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