Bible Study Acts 18: 1-28

 

Commentary of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Acts 18: 1-28

Text:

In Corinth

18 After these things he departed Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, and his wife Priscilla, who recently came from Italy because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them, 3 and because he was of the same trade, he was staying with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. 4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks.

5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly bearing witness to the Jews that Jesus is the [a]Christ. 6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 Then he left there and went to the house of a man named [b]Titius Justus, a God-fearer, whose house was next to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will lay a hand on you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you; 15 but if there are questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I am not willing to be a judge of these matters.” 16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat. 17 And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.

Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos

18 And Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brothers and put out to sea for Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. In Cenchreae [c]he had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow. 19 And they arrived at Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, 21 but taking leave of them and saying, “I will return to you again if God wills,” he set sail from Ephesus.

22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and went down to Antioch. 23 And having spent some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

24 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, [d]an eloquent man, arrived at Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26 and [e]he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly [f]helped those who had believed through grace, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus is the [g]Christ.

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “After these things he departed Athens and went to Corinth.”

Corinth, the capital of the Roman province of Achaia since 27 b.c., thrived near the isthmus connecting Attica and the Peloponnesus, approximately fifty miles southwest of Athens. It enjoyed significant prosperity between the eighth and sixth centuries b.c., but its fortunes declined, leading to its capture by Philip II of Macedon in 338 b.c. The Romans seized control in 196 b.c., later sacking the city in 146 b.c. as retribution for rebellion. Julius Caesar revived Corinth as a Roman colony in 44 b.c. By New Testament times, its population exceeded 200,000, comprising a diverse mix of Greeks, Italian freedmen, Roman veterans, merchants, officials, Near Easterners, a substantial Jewish community, and numerous slaves. Corinth was notorious for its rampant paganism and immorality, marked by numerous pagan temples, including a prominent temple of Aphrodite on the southern acropolis. The term "to Corinthianize," dating back to the fifth century b.c., became synonymous with sexual immorality.

Verse 2: “And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, and his wife Priscilla, who recently came from Italy because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them,”

A husband and wife duo, Priscilla and Aquila, became close companions of Paul, demonstrating immense loyalty by even endangering their lives for his sake. Intriguingly, Priscilla's name appears first in four Scriptural instances, potentially indicating either a superior social standing compared to Aquila or her more significant role within the church. It is likely they were already believers when Paul encountered them, having relocated from Rome, a city with an established Christian community.

Verse 3: “and because he was of the same trade, he was staying with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers.”

It's possible that "tentmakers" also refers to leatherworkers.

Verse 4: “And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks.”

Paul, while in Athens, anticipated the arrival of Timothy and Silas. Instead, they met him in Corinth and delivered news from the Macedonian churches. The First Thessalonian Epistle, penned by Paul following Timothy's report, was written during this time.

Verse 5: “But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly bearing witness to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.”

Paul was rejoined by Silas and Timothy in Athens, as he had requested. Timothy was then dispatched to Thessalonica. Silas was likely sent to another location in Macedonia, possibly Philippi, and subsequently returned to Corinth from that region.

Verse 6: “But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.’

“Your blood be on your own heads,” means that people bear responsibility for their own transgressions. Someone will pay for your sins forever. If you don’t have a substitute, you will pay for them. It seems Paul's departure to minister to the Gentiles occurred then. From that point onward, his ministry focused primarily on the Gentile world. We'll observe this particularly in Ephesus and somewhat less so in Rome.

Verse 7: “Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a God-fearer, whose house was next to the synagogue.”

The Corinthian church was initially established at the residence of Titius Justus, a Gentile believer who attended the synagogue and held Roman citizenship. He might have been a descendant of the families sent by Julius Caesar to colonize Corinth.

Verse 8: “And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.”

Crispus, the synagogue leader, placed his faith in the Lord, along with his entire family. Hearing this, numerous Corinthians also believed and were baptized.

Verse 9: “And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent;”

In the Book of Acts, Paul experiences a series of six visions that provide divine guidance and assurance throughout his missionary journeys. The passage referenced here, pertaining to Acts 18, marks the third such vision. These visions serve as critical junctures in Paul's ministry, demonstrating God's direct involvement in his work and providing strategic direction for his mission. The previous visions, as recorded in Acts 9:3-6, 16:9-10, and 22:17-18, each played pivotal roles in shaping Paul's path, including his initial calling and directions to new territories. Subsequent visions mentioned in Acts 23:11 and 27:23-24 continue to reinforce God's support and purpose for Paul's life. Each vision is a significant moment of revelation, offering encouragement, protection, and instruction, solidifying Paul's understanding of his divine mission and enabling him to persevere through challenges and trials.

Verse 10: “‘for I am with you, and no man will lay a hand on you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.’”

In Corinth, Jesus assured Paul that his ministry would be successful. This assurance stemmed from the fact that God has chosen certain individuals for eternal life residing within that city, as stated in Acts 13:48. These chosen people, though yet to believe the gospel or even hear it, are known to God and will become His people.

Verse 11: “And he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”

Paul's time in Corinth, spanning about eighteen months, marked his most extended stay in any city, aside from his three-year ministry in Ephesus and his imprisonment in Rome. This lengthy period in Corinth allowed for the establishment of a robust Christian community, as Paul dedicated himself to teaching and discipling the believers there. It also provided a foundation for several of his letters, as later correspondence shows his ongoing care and concern for the church in Corinth. This significant duration suggests the strategic importance Paul placed on this city, a major commercial and cultural hub in the Roman Empire.

Verse 12: “But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,”

In the marketplace, a prominent, elevated stone platform, positioned before the proconsul's residence, served as the "judgment seat." It was there that he presided over and adjudicated public trials.

Verse 13: “‘saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.’”

Specifically, the statement “contrary to law” referred to the Roman law prohibiting the practice of religions not officially sanctioned by Rome. Notably, Judaism held legal recognition, and consequently, Christianity, viewed as an extension of Judaism, also enjoyed legal religious status.

Verse 14: “But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, ‘If it were a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you;’”

Seeing the Jews' plot, Gallio, a man of sound judgment, declined involvement. He considered it an internal Jewish matter, not a criminal offense. Essentially, Gallio made a swift ruling, declaring the issue a mere argument about words and dismissing the case.

Verse 15: “‘but if there are questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I am not willing to be a judge of these matters.’”

He absolutely refuses to hear their grievance concerning a matter outside his authority.

Verse 16: “And he drove them away from the judgment seat.”

Achaia, the Roman name for the Greek peninsula, saw Gallio appointed as its proconsul. This event, a key point for dating Paul's ministry, placed Gallio, brother of Seneca, in Corinth between July and October of AD 51.  Hoping for a favorable decision against Paul, the Corinthian Jews brought charges upon Gallio's arrival. They vaguely accused Paul of breaking some law, but Gallio viewed it as a religious dispute within Judaism. It's possible the Jews aimed to separate Christianity from Roman protections afforded to Judaism.  Gallio strongly rejected the charges, refusing to hear them. His appointment is a significant moment in Paul's timeline.

Verse 17: “And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.”

Sosthenes faced Greek hostility, perhaps fueled by broader anti-Jewish sentiment or anger at his failed attempt to prosecute Paul as the Jewish leader before Gallio.  As the synagogue ruler, Sosthenes had initiated the legal action against Paul. He later became a follower of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:1).

Verse 18: “And Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brothers and put out to sea for Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. In Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow.”

Paul, not Aquila, is likely the subject of the phrase. Due to the strict ceremonial purity demands in Gentile regions, which would have been difficult to maintain, the Nazirite vow (Num. 6:1–21) was probably a personal religious practice rather than an official one. Throughout the vow, hair was left uncut, and the act of cutting it signified the vow's end, perhaps as an act of thanks to God.

Verse 19: “And they arrived at Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.”

Ephesus held great significance as the primary city in Asia Minor. There, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila, who stayed behind to conduct their business. Their time in Ephesus appears to have spanned several years, evidenced by a church gathering in their home, prior to their eventual return to Rome.

Verse 20: “When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent,”

Paul, ever the dedicated Apostle and missionary, embarked on a journey to Jerusalem. This visit, while brief, held deep symbolic importance. It was not merely a casual stop, but rather a deliberate act intended as a gesture of honor and acknowledgment to the church in Jerusalem. This church held a paramount position within the early Christian movement, often regarded as the "mother-church" due to its foundational role and the initial assembly of believers. Paul's appearance there served as a testament to his respect and recognition of this influential body of faith.

Verse 21: “but taking leave of them and saying, “I will return to you again if God wills,” he set sail from Ephesus.”

Indeed, while facing various challenges, the Apostle Paul perceived a significant opportunity for ministry in Ephesus. He recognized an open door, a metaphor for the readiness of the people to receive the Gospel message. Paul, driven by an ardent missionary zeal, felt a strong calling to revisit Ephesus, likely to further establish and strengthen the Christian community he had initiated there. Ephesus, at that time, was not merely a town, but a major metropolis, a vibrant hub within the vast Roman Empire. It held immense strategic importance for spreading the Gospel due to its influence, commercial activity, and cultural prominence. The city was a crossroads, a melting pot of diverse peoples and beliefs, making it a pivotal location for disseminating the teachings of Jesus Christ. Paul's desire to return reflects his strategic vision and commitment to reaching key centers of influence with the message of salvation.

Verse 22: “And when he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and went down to Antioch.”

Luke's geographical references subtly suggest Paul's visit to Jerusalem to address the church. Given Jerusalem's elevated position, reaching it required an ascent, while leaving involved a descent. Moreover, Paul's commitment to fulfill a vow necessitated his return to Jerusalem, marking the conclusion of his second missionary journey.

Verse 23: “And having spent some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.”

After a stay in Antioch lasting several months, roughly from the fall of 52 AD to the spring of 53 AD, Paul commenced his third missionary journey. He initiated this journey in the Phrygian region of Galatia, located in southern Asia Minor, which was the area closest to his previous missionary endeavors.

Verse 24: “ Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, arrived at Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures.”

Apollos was a follower of John the Baptist, he was initially an Old Testament believer. After guidance from Aquila and Priscilla, he became an influential Christian preacher. His ministry significantly impacted the Corinthians. Alexandria was an Egyptian city near the Nile's mouth with a large Jewish community in the first century. Apollos, while not born in Israel, was raised in a Jewish cultural context. The phrase “Mighty in the Scriptures” was an unique phrase denoting Apollos' profound understanding of the Old Testament. His scriptural knowledge, combined with his persuasive speaking skills, enabled him to effectively refute Jewish opposition in debates.

Verse 25: “This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John;”

Apollos possessed a knowledge of the Old Testament but his understanding of Christian doctrine was incomplete. While he grasped John the Baptist's message of preparing Israel for the Messiah and mentally accepted Jesus as this Messiah, he lacked understanding of fundamental Christian truths. The truths had not been applied to his heart by the Holy Spirit. He was unaware of the significance of Christ's death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit's role, and the church's identity as God's new people. His comprehension extended to the spiritual and moral standards God set for His people as described in the Old Testament. His faith was that of a redeemed Old Testament believer, not yet fully encompassing the Christian faith as seen in verse 26. John’s baptism aimed to prepare Israel for the Messiah’s arrival.

Verse 26: “and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”

Aquila and Priscilla refined Apollos' theological understanding through thorough instruction in their home, enhancing his knowledge of Christian doctrines, scripture, and practical faith. This mentorship strengthened his spiritual foundation, enabling him to become a more effective and influential teacher of the Gospel. This is the meaning of the phrase: “explained to him the way of God more accurately.” They showed Apollos that Christ was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

Verse 27: “And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly [a]helped those who had believed through grace,”

Apollos intended to travel from Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) to Corinth, located on the Greek mainland. It was a common practice in the early church for believers to provide letters of recommendation. In this instance, the Christians from Ephesus sent a letter to the Corinthian church, attesting that Apollos had received complete instruction in the Christian faith.

Verse 28: “ for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.”

Apollos vehemently persuaded the Jewish populace, demonstrating through Scriptural evidence that the Lord Jesus was the Christ. He had ardently instructed from the Old Testament narrative up to the ministry of John the Baptist. His knowledge extended solely to the baptism of John. Aquila and Priscilla subsequently had the opportunity to instruct him more fully and guide him to conversion. Subsequently, he journeyed to Achaia, visiting the ecclesiastical bodies in Greece, encompassing Corinth and Athens, proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah and Savior.