Acts 18:1-23 | Whatever It TakesНамуна

Acts is filled with so many places – places that many of us have never heard of. Without a map, it can all get lost and a bit confusing.

It’s not just places. Acts is filled with so many names. Names of a cast you may not know, which can also leave you wondering who’s who and what’s going on.

In Acts 18 alone—

Priscilla and Aquila: A married couple who work alongside Paul. Acts tells us they were ordered to leave Rome at the order of Emperor Claudius. The Roman historian Suetonius, records this same event, saying it was because the Jews were making constant disturbances at the instigation of “Chrestus” (Life of Claudius 25.4). No doubt referring to Jesus Christ, trouble in the synagogues over Jesus was far and wide. The emperor had enough and forced all Jews out of Rome. Priscilla and Aquila suffered displacement as part of that collateral damage.

They’re mentioned several times in the New Testament, often with Priscilla mentioned first. Here in Corinth, they led a church in their home (1 Cor 16:19). Paul calls them co-workers on more than one occasion, and here in Acts 18 they help Paul by letting him stay with them and work in their tentmaking business. They were willing to do what it takes for Jesus and his gospel.

Silas and Timothy: Both co-workers with Paul. After Paul and Barnabas split up (Acts 15:36-41), Paul chose Silas to accompany him. Shortly thereafter, Timothy (who had a Jewish mother and Greek father), joined Paul as well. Paul calls Timothy his “son in the faith” (1 Tim 1:2) and writes two letters to him which you’ll find in the New Testament. Both men poured themselves into sharing Jesus and his gospel. Timothy is even circumcised so as not to cause offense among the Jews on the missionary tour (Acts 16:3).

Titius Justus: We meet him in Acts 18:7. Not much is known about him except that he takes Paul in after he is rejected in the synagogue. Titius Justus risked the same abuse as Paul from the synagogue next door to him by taking Paul in, all for the sake of Jesus and his gospel.

Crispus: The leader of the synagogue that turned hostile on Paul. Crispus and his household believed in Jesus. He risked status, position, and even his family’s safety for Jesus and his gospel.

Sosthenes: Another synagogue ruler. Whether Crispus’s replacement after coming to faith, a co-leader with him, or the leader of a different Corinthian synagogue, he is publicly beaten for faith in Jesus in front of the Roman judge, Gallio. Sosthenes suffers for the sake of Jesus and his gospel.

Gallio: The proconsul of Achaia. Meaning, the local Roman governor overseeing order in Corinth – where Paul is staying and preaching in Acts 18. Acts tells us the Jews in Corinth made a united attack on Paul, dragging him before Gallio in the hopes of having him condemned as the Pharisees once did with Jesus before Pilate.

Gallio gives us an interesting point of reference. An inscription found in the region of Achaia dates Gallio governing the region in AD 51-52. It gives an externally sourced date that helps anchor when things are happening in Acts. (Gallio was also the brother of the well-known philosopher, Seneca.) Despite public pressure, Gallio would not unjustly condemn Paul and these early Christians, or play into the manipulation of others.

Apollos: We’ll meet him in Acts 18:24. Another disciple. We’ll talk about him in our next plan.

Each of these people had a story. Each were known to disciples in the first century. Except for Gallio, each was willing to do what it takes and face persecution for Jesus and his gospel.

You might not know these people or recognize their names, but the invitation of Jesus and Acts is to add your name to the list.

Jesus gave his all. For you. He is worth living for. He is worth suffering for. He is worth giving your all for. Don’t sell out Jesus. Be sold out for Jesus. Whatever it takes.

If this plan helped orient you to the ongoing work and teaching of Jesus in this world, we encourage you to subscribe to our other plans on Acts.