Acts18
English Standard Version
1 and .
2 he , a of , , had the to . And he to see ,
3 he of the he , they by .
4 he the , tried to .
5 , was with the , to the that the was .
6 when him, he his and , be own ! am . I will the .
7 he and the of a , a of . to the .
8 , the ruler of the , in the , together . of the Paul were .
9 the to a , Do be , go on do be ,
10 , no will to , who are my .
11 he a , the of .
12 when was of , the made a on the ,
13 , man is to to the .
14 when was to his , the , it a of , , I would have to your .
15 it a matter of own , to it . to a of these .
16 he the .
17 they , the ruler of the , and him in of the . to any of .
18 this, many and then took of the and , . he had his , he was a .
19 they , and there, he the and with the .
20 him to a , he .
21 on taking of he , I will if , he .
22 he had , he the , and then .
23 there, he and from one place to the through the of , the .
24 , a of , . He was an , the .
25 had in the of the . being in , he the things , though he the of .
26 to speak the , when , they aside to the of .
27 when to , the him and to the to . When , he who had ,
28 he the in , the that the .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 18.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Paul at Corinth, with Aquila and Priscilla. (1–6). He continues to preach at Corinth. (7–11). Paul before Gallio. (12–17). He visits Jerusalem. (18–23). Apollos teaches at Ephesus and in Achaia. (24–28).
vv1-6
Though Paul was entitled to support from the churches he planted, and from the people to whom he preached, yet he worked at his calling. An honest trade, by which a man may get his bread, is not to be looked upon with contempt by any. It was the custom of the Jews to bring up their children to some trade, though they gave them learning or estates. Paul was careful to prevent prejudices, even the most unreasonable. The love of Christ is the best bond of the saints; and the communings of the saints with each other, sweeten labour, contempt, and even persecution. Most of the Jews persisted in contradicting the gospel of Christ, and blasphemed. They would not believe themselves, and did all they could to keep others from believing. Paul hereupon left them. He did not give over his work; for though Israel be not gathered, Christ and his gospel shall be glorious. The Jews could not complain, for they had the first offer. When some oppose the gospel, we must turn to others. Grief that many persist in unbelief should not prevent gratitude for the conversion of some to Christ.
vv7-11
The Lord knows those that are his, yea, and those that shall be his; for it is by his work upon them that they become his. Let us not despair concerning any place, when even in wicked Corinth Christ had much people. He will gather in his chosen flock from the places where they are scattered Thus encouraged, the apostle continued at Corinth, and a numerous and flourishing church grew up.
vv12-17
Paul was about to show that he did not teach men to worship God contrary to law; but the judge would not allow the Jews to complain to him of what was not within his office. It was right in Gallio that he left the Jews to themselves in matters relating to their religion, but yet would not let them, under pretence of that, persecute another. But it was wrong to speak slightly of a law and religion which he might have known to be of God, and which he ought to have acquainted himself with. In what way God is to be worshipped, whether Jesus be the Messiah, and whether the gospel be a Divine revelation, are not questions of words and names, they are questions of vast importance. Gallio spoke as if he boasted of his ignorance of the Scriptures, as if the law of God was beneath his notice. Gallio cared for none of these things. If he cared not for the affronts of bad men, it was commendable; but if he concerned not himself for the abuses done to good men, his indifference was carried too far. And those who see and hear of the sufferings of God's people, and have no feeling with them, or care for them, who do not pity and pray for them, are of the same spirit as Gallio, who cared for none of these things.
Key Words
ταῦτα (taûta): these things
Παῦλος (Paûlos): (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle
Ἀθῆναι (Athēnai): Athenæ, the capitol of Greece
ἔρχομαι (érchomai): to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Κόρινθος (Kórinthos): Corinthus, a city of Greece
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὑρίσκω (heurískō): to find (literally or figuratively)
τὶς (tìs): some or any person or object
Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos): Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah
Cross References
Acts 18The idiom 'blood upon your own heads' echoes Ezekiel's warning on the watchman's accountability.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel pattern of Paul turning to the Gentiles after Jewish opposition and blasphemy.
Supported by JFB
Paul explicitly mentions baptizing Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue at Corinth.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Sosthenes, beaten here as synagogue leader, is later identified as Paul's Christian brother.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul's greetings to Priscilla and Aquila as his helpers in Christ Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Paul reminds the Ephesian elders that his own hands ministered to his necessities.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Provides the legal context for Paul taking and completing a Jewish Nazirite vow.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Apollos as a key minister alongside Paul in the Corinthian church.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul's symbolic act of shaking off dust/raiment in protest against rejecting Jews.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illustrates Christ's claim to 'much people in this city' before they are gathered.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Verbal parallel to Paul's conditional promise: 'I will return... if God will.'
Supported by Matthew Henry
Another night vision where the Lord directly encourages Paul to speak boldly.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Roman officials consistently find Paul's accusations relate to Jewish law, not civil crimes.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Connects Aquila and Priscilla's instruction of Apollos back to their introduction in Corinth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Priscilla and Aquila host a church in their house during their time in Asia.
Supported by JFB