History · Chapter 18 of 28

Acts 18

At Corinth Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla, works as a tentmaker, and reasons in the synagogue. When opposed, he turns to the Gentiles, and the Lord tells him in a vision not to fear, for he has many people in that city. Paul stays a year and a half. Later, before Gallio, charges against him are dismissed. Then Aquila and Priscilla instruct the eloquent Apollos more perfectly.

What happens in Acts 18

Paul comes to Corinth and joins Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tentmakers recently expelled from Rome, reasoning in the synagogue each sabbath. When Silas and Timothy arrive, Paul devotes himself fully to testifying that Jesus is the Christ. Opposed and reviled, he shakes his raiment and turns to the Gentiles, and many Corinthians believe and are baptized, including Crispus the synagogue ruler. In a night vision the Lord tells Paul not to fear but to keep speaking, for he is with him and has many people in that city, so Paul stays a year and a half.

When the Jews bring him before Gallio, the deputy refuses to judge a matter of their law and drives them off. Later Paul sails to Ephesus, then to Antioch. Meanwhile Apollos, an eloquent Jew mighty in Scripture but knowing only John's baptism, is taken aside by Aquila and Priscilla and taught the way of God more perfectly, then powerfully proves Jesus is the Christ.

Acts 18 in context

Acts 18 covers Paul's eighteen months in Corinth, a wealthy, immoral port city, during his second missionary journey. Gallio's proconsulship helps date these events to around AD 51. Aquila and Priscilla become lifelong coworkers with Paul.

The chapter also introduces Apollos, who will minister at Corinth and Ephesus. Notably, tentmaking shows Paul supporting himself, and Gallio's ruling effectively grants Christianity legal shelter as it spreads through the empire.

Main themes of Acts 18

Acts 18 (KJV)

1After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 7And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. 9Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 11And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, 13Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 14And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. 16And he drave them from the judgment seat. 17Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things. 18And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. 19And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 20When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; 21But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. 22And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. 24And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 28For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Verses to carry from Acts 18

“And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.”Acts 18:5

“Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:”Acts 18:9

“For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”Acts 18:28

Reflection

Paul kept preaching in a difficult city because Jesus promised, I am with thee. You may serve in a place that feels resistant or fruitless. Hear the same word to you. Christ is present, and he has people you cannot yet see. Do not be afraid; keep speaking and trusting his hidden work.

A prayer from Acts 18