Acts 18

Acts 18 depicts Paul's ministry in Corinth, a key city of ancient Greece known for its cultural and commercial significance. In this chapter, Paul preaches the gospel, faces opposition, receives encouragement from the Lord, and sees many people come to faith. He also meets Aquila and Priscilla, a married couple who become important helpers in the work of God. This chapter shows that even when the gospel is opposed, God protects His servants, strengthens His people, and continues to spread the truth through faithful workers.

Acts 18:1-5 (NKJV)
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.
2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.
3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.

In Corinth, Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla, a Jewish couple who had recently come from Italy because Emperor Claudius had ordered the Jews to leave Rome. Since Paul was also a tentmaker, he stayed with them and worked to support himself. At the same time, every Sabbath he went to the synagogue and spoke with both Jews and Greeks, trying to convince them that Jesus is the promised Christ. When Silas and Timothy arrived, Paul was especially moved by the Spirit to testify clearly to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah.

Acts 18:6 (NKJV)
6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

When some of the Jews strongly opposed Paul and spoke against his message, Paul shook out his garments as a sign that he had done his part. He had faithfully preached the truth to them, so if they rejected it, the responsibility was now on them. When Paul said, “Your blood be upon your own heads,” he meant that they were responsible for the consequences of rejecting Christ. From that point, Paul said he would focus more on preaching to the Gentiles.

Acts 18:7-8 (NKJV)
7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.
8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

Paul left the synagogue, but he did not go far. He went to the house of Justus, a Gentile worshiper of God, whose house was right next to the synagogue. This gave Paul a good place to keep reaching both Jews and Gentiles. Even Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with his whole household. Many people in Corinth also heard the message, believed, and were baptized. This shows that even though some rejected the gospel, others received it gladly.

Acts 18:9-11 (NKJV)
9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”
11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Jesus encouraged Paul through a vision at night. He told Paul not to be afraid, but to keep speaking and not be silent. The Lord promised that He was with Paul and that no one would harm him, because there were still many people in the city who would belong to God. This gave Paul courage to stay in Corinth for a year and six months, teaching the word of God and helping the believers grow stronger.

Acts 18:12-17 (NKJV)
12 When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat,
13 saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you.
15 But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.”
16 And he drove them from the judgment seat.
17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.

Paul’s enemies tried to bring him before Gallio, the Roman ruler, accusing him of teaching people to worship God in a way they said was against the law. But Gallio understood that this was a religious argument among the Jews, not a Roman legal crime. So he refused to judge the matter and dismissed the case. This actually helped Paul, because the Roman authority did not treat his preaching as illegal. After this, Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, was beaten, but Gallio did not interfere. This shows the tension surrounding Paul’s ministry, but also how God protected him.

Acts 18:18 (NKJV)
18 So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow.

After this, Paul stayed in Corinth for some time longer before leaving for Syria. Priscilla and Aquila went with him, showing that they had become close partners in the work of the gospel. Paul also had his hair cut at Cenchrea because he had taken a vow. This was likely a personal act of dedication to God, showing Paul’s seriousness and devotion in his walk with the Lord.

Acts 18:19-21 (NKJV)
19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
20 When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent,
21 but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.

When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he left Priscilla and Aquila there. As usual, he went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews about the things of God. The people wanted him to stay longer, but Paul could not remain at that time because he wanted to continue his journey. However, he promised to return if God allowed it. His words, “God willing,” show that Paul made plans, but he submitted his plans to God’s will.

Acts 18:22 (NKJV)
22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch.

Paul arrived at Caesarea, went up to greet the church, and then went down to Antioch. This marked the end of this part of his missionary journey. Antioch was an important home base for Paul’s ministry, so returning there likely gave him time to report what God had done, rest, and prepare for more work ahead.

Acts 18:23 (NKJV)
23 After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

After spending some time in Antioch, Paul began traveling again. He went through Galatia and Phrygia to strengthen the disciples. This shows that Paul did not only preach to new people; he also cared for believers who had already accepted Christ. He wanted them to become stronger in faith, more stable in truth, and more prepared to continue following the Lord.

Acts 18:24-26 (NKJV)
24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.
26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Apollos was a Jewish man from Alexandria who was a powerful speaker and knew the Scriptures very well. He was sincere, passionate, and taught accurately what he knew about the Lord, but his understanding was still incomplete because he only knew the baptism of John. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they did not embarrass him publicly. Instead, they took him aside privately and explained the way of God more fully. This shows the importance of humility, correct teaching, and helping others grow in truth with love and wisdom.

Acts 18:27-28 (NKJV)
27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

After being taught more accurately, Apollos wanted to go to Achaia. The believers encouraged the disciples there to receive him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through God’s grace. Apollos used the Scriptures powerfully to show publicly that Jesus is the Christ. His ministry strengthened the believers and helped defend the truth. This shows that when a gifted person remains humble and teachable, God can use him even more effectively.