November 14, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Acts Chapter 18

¹ After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

² And 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.

³ And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

⁴ And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

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

⁶ And 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.

⁷ And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

⁸ And 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.

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

¹⁰ For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

¹¹ And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

¹² And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

¹³ Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

¹⁴ And 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:

¹⁵ But 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.

¹⁶ And he drave them from the judgment seat.

¹⁷ Then 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.

¹⁸ And 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.

¹⁹ And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

²⁰ When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;

²¹ But 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.

²² And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

²³ And 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.

²⁴ And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

²⁵ This 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.

²⁶ And 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.

²⁷ And 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:

²⁸ For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

King James Version. Public Domain

Commentary

Introduction

Acts Chapter 18 depicts a significant section in the missionary work of the Apostle Paul. After leaving Athens, Paul arrives in Corinth, a bustling metropolis of the Roman Empire known for its trade, culture, and religious diversity. In Corinth, Paul meets the Jewish craftsman Aquila and his wife Priscilla, with whom he forms a close collaboration. This chapter not only highlights the challenges and resistances Paul faces but also the valuable partnerships and the spread of the Gospel into a new region. Additionally, the encounter with Apollos in Ephesus is discussed, emphasizing the further development of the early church.

Commentary

Acts Chapter 18 vividly illustrates the dynamics of early missionary work and the challenges associated with spreading the Gospel in a multifaceted social and cultural environment. Paul’s encounter with Aquila and Priscilla underscores the importance of community and collaboration in proclaiming the faith. This partnership demonstrates how shared values and callings can support and strengthen missionary efforts.

Paul’s shift in focus from the Jews to the Gentiles in Corinth highlights the strategic orientation of missionary work to reach a broader population group. This shift does not occur without resistance, as evidenced by the accusations from the Jews against Paul. Gallio’s reaction, choosing to stay out of religious conflicts, highlights the tension between Roman authority and local religious disputes.

The introduction of Apollos in Ephesus represents another step in the expansion of the Gospel. Apollos, equipped with a deeper understanding through Aquila and Priscilla, symbolizes the evolution and adaptation of the early church to new challenges and opportunities. His ability to steadfastly resist the Jews and publicly testify emphasizes the ongoing confrontation between the expanding Christianity and existing religious currents.

Overall, Acts Chapter 18 demonstrates the combination of divine guidance, human initiative, and the necessity of community and collaboration in missionary work. It also underscores the inevitable resistances and conflicts that arise when new faith movements challenge traditional structures.

Summary

In Acts 18, Apostle Paul’s journey to Corinth is described, where he meets Aquila and Priscilla, two Jewish craftsmen who had been expelled from Rome due to the imperial decree. Together, they work as tentmakers and form a close-knit community. Paul seizes every opportunity to teach in the synagogue, addressing both Jews and Greeks and pointing them to the Gospel. Despite facing resistance, he decides to focus his mission on the Gentiles.

The Lord appears to Paul in a vision, encouraging him to continue preaching without fear, as God promises him protection. Paul remains in Corinth for a year and a half until a group of Jews brings him before the Roman proconsul Gallio. However, Gallio refuses to involve himself in religious disputes and dismisses Paul.

After another journey, Paul returns to Antioch. Chapter 18 concludes with the introduction of Apollos, an educated Jewish teacher from Alexandria who passionately preaches in Ephesus. Aquila and Priscilla help him deepen his understanding of the Gospel. Later, Apollos travels to Achaia, where he strengthens many believers and publicly testifies that Jesus is the Christ.

Overall, this chapter showcases the challenges and successes of Paul’s missionary work, the importance of community, and the spread of the Gospel despite conflicts and resistances.

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