Acts 18:1-23 | Whatever It Takesનમૂનો

Near the end of Acts 18, we read that Paul had his hair cut off because of a vow he had taken (Acts 18:18).

Odd.

It’s a reference to the Nazirite vow. You’ll find it in Numbers 6. This special vow is one an Israelite could take to go the next level in dedicating themselves to God. It is voluntary. No one is required to take it. Nor is the specific motivation for taking it ever stated. Simply that it’s a vow of dedication. It’s a vow you take when something within you says “I want to give God my everything. I want to show him how much he means to me. I want to devote my life to him and his cause.” This vow is over-the-top.

It involves four things:

1. No alcohol. Period. Not even trace amounts or source material like grapes or raisins.
2. Letting your hair grow long. No haircuts. No shaving.
3. No going near a dead body. Not even if it’s your own close relative.
4. A full-spread sacrifice. Not just one of the kinds Leviticus stipulates. But one of everything! A male lamb, a female lamb, a ram, together with all the different kinds of grain offerings and drink offerings you can think of. In addition to anything else you could afford.

And at the end? Shave your head.

On the surface, it might sound random, and probably a bit confusing. But think about what this vow would do.

Religious life and social life revolved around alcohol. Wine was the standard drink from early on. You are no longer sharing a table or sharing a cup with your people.

Long, unkempt hair would differentiate you. You would stand out. You would be noticeable. You would be different. In some capacity, to be different is to be separate and stand alone.

Even in death you were separate. If someone died suddenly in your presence, the vow was done. Not even in others’ grief could you gather with them.

The sacrifice was hefty. Some have tried to calculate the cost. What’s clear is that this would cost you. Paying it would equal personal sacrifice. It may require singular focus and determination. Some might sacrifice and save for the day they could make this vow. Others might fundraise. Later in Acts we’re told Paul pays the expenses for four other Jewish brothers who may have been struggling to pay the price of this vow (Acts 21:23-24).

Remember, this is a vow of special dedication to God. You were separate from the rest. You were separate in singular devotion to God. (As one example, it may be that John the Baptist lived in a perpetual state of this vow. We picture him as wild and unkempt, and in Luke 1:15 the angel Gabriel told his parents he was never to take alcohol.)

Acts tells us that Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching and testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah (18:5). There’s that word again: devoted. Paul is in Corinth, and heading towards Jerusalem. Once again the synagogue opposed him. Acts says they became abusive (Acts 18:6). How much more in Jerusalem!

What does Paul do? He takes the Old Testament’s most special and extreme vow. What message is he sending? I am devoted to God! I will do whatever it takes! Paul goes above and beyond to show his Jewish people he is not out to undermine God or dissuade people from God, but rather to lead people to God, and that way is through Jesus the Messiah. Paul takes this vow to do whatever it takes to try to lead his Jewish brothers and sisters to Jesus. Despite condemning adherence to the Mosaic law when it’s used as a crutch of justification, he has no problem abiding by it if it will make inroads in his witness.

Think about the cost. Think about the burden. Think about the energy it would require. Think about the fact that it is something Paul didn’t have to do. He did it for them. To be like a Jew among the Jews. For Paul, every ounce was worth it, because God was worth it. Every ounce was worth it if it led more people to him.