Acts Chapter 18 [KJVwc]

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1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; Athens – The intellectual metropolis of the world. R1557:3

Athens was given over to religious philosophy and idol worship. R2191:2

Corinth – About forty miles from Athens. R3143:2; CR278:5

A commercial city, noted for its manufactures, architecture, paintings, Corinthian brass, or bronze, etc. R3143:2, 2191:2, 1557:3; CR278:5

Nicknamed the Vanity Fair of the World, because it was a center of frivolity, pleasure-seeking, etc.; a most licentious and profligate city. R4417:1, 2191:2, 1557:3; CR278:5


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. Aquila...Priscilla – Aquila, A Jew, with his wife, Priscilla, a Gentile, were amongst those driven from Rome, who had received the message. R3143:3

Poor Jews, outcast for their religion. R2191:6

They were unable to preach in a public way. R647:4

Claudius – The Emperor Claudius Caesar was reigning at this time. R3143:2

Depart from Rome – Had been exiled from Rome, the seat of the Empire. R1557:3, 2207:2

The seat of the Empire. R2207:2

Because the Jews were raising dissensions respecting the principles of Christianity, which by this time had reached Rome. R3143:3


3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. Of the same craft – Tent-makers. R1557:3, 5935:2, 3143:3, 2191:6, 733:2, 619:1*

Enabling him to provide for his necessities, while preaching the Gospel of Christ. R3143:3, 5935:2, 3157:3, 2221:5, 2191:6, 1021:1, 733:2, 619:2*

Not only for his own support, but for the financial assistance of others in the Gospel work. R5935:2, 2221:5

The Apostle did not belong to a paid ministry. R3157:6

He never let his business run away with him, or interfere with his religious life. R619:2*

Occupation – Every Jewish youth was required to learn a trade. R4416:2, 3143:3, 2191:6, 619:2*

Were tentmakers – If it were necessary, in order to be a minister of the Gospel, to work with the hands, as did Paul, nearly all the ministers of Babylon would cease preaching. R2852:3


4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. Reasoned – He did not start out to preach Christ boldly to the Jews. R2192:1

But apparently he was under a measure of constraint and did not speak in his usual boldness and vigor, perhaps because of the lack of moral support. R4416:3

In the synagogue – Any person of ability had the privilege of giving an exposition of the law and prophets. R3143:4, 1557:6

Every Sabbath – If the earning of his daily bread hindered his preaching during the week, Paul at least took his Sabbath days for the more important work. R4416:3

The Jewish Sabbath and the privileges of the synagogue afforded special opportunities for the promulgation of the truth. R1557:6


5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was earnestly occupied with the Word, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. Silas and Timotheus – Their coming brought not only physical strength, but an energy of spirit, an increased earnestness and force to his preaching. R3144:1

Paul was refreshed by the arrival of Silas and Timothy. He needed their encouragement. R1557:6

It is still true that the strongest of the Lord's people need the help, encouragement, assistance of others. R3144:1

Pressed in the spirit – Felt a fresh vigor urging him to still more vigorously present his message. R4416:3

Felt a pressure of earnest desire to make known the Lord Jesus. R2192:1

He was mentally energized. E312

And testified – Encouraged, revived in spirit, he was bolder now. R3144:1, 4416:3


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. They opposed – He was no longer made welcome in the synagogue and the opposition became violent. R3144:1

Shook his raiment – As an indication that he had nothing further to present, and would discontinue the discussion. R3144:1

As though he would not even take from them the dust. R4416:3

Your blood – The statement does not imply that they were already doomed to second death, but toward which such a wilful opposition to the truth surely tends. R1557:6

I am clean – I have done my duty towards you and the responsibility is now with yourselves only. R1557:6, 4416:5, 3144:2

There are times when positiveness is absolutely necessary. R4416:3

I will go – When positive bitterness and hatred are manifested, it is better to withdraw. R4416:4


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. A certain man's house – The new meetings were held in the home of Justus. R4416:5

Justus – A reverent man. R4416:5

A Greek convert first to Judaism, and now to Christianity. R2192:2

A Jewish proselyte. R1557:6

As a believer entertained Paul at Corinth. R2071:5

Worshipped God – The Gospel sought first those who seemed to be earnest worshipers. R2071:5

"The Father seeketh such to worship him as worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23) R2071:5

On this account was esteemed worthy of the truth and its spirit and its privileges. R2071:5

Joined hard – Living next door to the synagogue. R1557:6

Resided near the synagogue. R4416:5


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. Crispus...believed – Crispus decided for the Lord Jesus and took his stand with the Apostle and a few others. R4416:5

And were baptized – The true baptism of consecration, also the outward symbolic water baptism. R3144:2, 4416:5

Baptism was the custom of all the apostles--not merely with the Jews, but also with the Gentiles. F448; R1539:3


9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: Spake the Lord – The Lord himself has supervision of his own work, and guides those who are truly his servants. R3144:3

Evidently the Lord saw that his servant Paul needed some special encouragement at this time, and hence another vision was granted. R4416:5, 3190:1

The Lord constantly witnessed with him. R1558:5

By a vision – Greek, horama; not reality, correctly translated "vision." R4142:4*

Reassured of the Lord's personal care and supervision. R1557:6, 3190:1


10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. I am with thee – What an insight this gives us to the divine supervision of the Gospel message and its servants! R4416:5

No man – The Lord will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able, but will, with every temptation provide also a way of escape. (1 Cor. 10:13) R4416:6

To hurt thee – God is able to shield and to deliver all of his servants. R4416:6

Much people – To be reached by the truth. R2192:4, 2

"The Lord knoweth them that are his." (2 Tim. 2:19) R2191:3

The Lord knows the hearts of all and has a care, not only for his saints, but also for those who have not heard of and received his grace, whose hearts are in a favorable attitude of honesty, sincerity. R4416:6, 3144:3

It gives us the thought that the objective point of this missionary tour in the divine program was Corinth. R2191:3

That vision and its message, we may be sure, was not for the Apostle merely, but for us also. R4416:6

Truth usually makes better progress today in places where irreligion has the upper hand, as in Corinth. R3143:2

Where sin stands out glaringly it has a repulsive effect upon the pure in heart, and this repulsion seems to prepare such hearts for a genuine consecration. R4417:1


11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. A year and six months – Providentially detained there. R4417:1

Teaching the Word – Intention, plan or purpose. R338:1, 421:2


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. Look – Greek, optomai; attend, recognize. R140:6

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. Priscilla and Aquila – Who were about to make Ephesus their home. R4420:2

Priscilla is mentioned first, as if she were the more prominent and active of the two. R1549:3


19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. Into the synagogue – According to his custom. R4420:2

A part of the twelve tribes scattered abroad and living in the various cities of the Gentiles. R2069:2


20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; He consented not – He was urged to remain, but he hastened onward, promising, if possible, to return. R4420:2

21 But bade them farewell, saying, I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. This feast – Feast of the Passover. R2206:1, 4420:2

Not the Jewish feast, but the substitute. "Christ our passover." (1 Cor. 5:7) R4420:2


22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. Caesarea – Philip made it his headquarters. R2222:3

And gone up – To Jerusalem. R2206:1

It was eight years since Paul had visited the brethren at Jerusalem. R1559:2

Saluted the Church – Apparently the reception accorded the great Apostle was a rather cool one. R2206:1


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. Apollos – A convert to Christianity. R4420:3, 3152:1, 1558:1

Born at Alexandria – One of the chief cities of that time, noted for its libraries. R3152:2

An eloquent man – The Greek indicates that he was both eloquent and learned. R3152:2

Paul, though a great reasoner and possessed of the eye and ear qualities, was inferior to Apollos and some others in oratory. R365:2

Mighty in the Scriptures – Gave evidence of ability in presenting the truth to the minds of others. R2741:5


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. Fervent in the spirit – Greek, pneuma; of ardent mind. E312

Baptism of John – The baptism of repentance, which was for the Jews only. R4420:3, 1558:1; PD56/69

This was a mistake for Gentile converts; they needed to be baptized directly into Christ's death. ( Acts 19:3-5) PD56/69

Apollos apparently had not learned respecting the new dispensation, and the gifts of the spirit by which it was introduced. R2206:4


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. Aquila and Priscilla – Though not qualified to speak publicly in the synagogue. R3152:2, 2206:4, 647:4

They took him – They recognized him as a Christian brother. R3152:2

Took him home and instructed him, so that he went away better equipped for the work. R1558:1, 4420:3, 3152:2, 2206:4

Aquila and Priscilla were able to instruct a public preacher. R3682:3

Expounded unto him – Had Aquila and Priscilla not been students of the truth, what an opportunity they would have lost. R647:4

More perfectly – More fully explaining to him, doubtless, respecting the Pentecostal blessing and the unction of the holy Spirit. R4420:3

Let us, too, be ready to accept further instructions as from the Lord, however humble may be the channels. R3152:4

Each doing with his might what his hand finds to do, using whatever talents he possesses, helping to understand the word of God more perfectly. R537:1


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: The brethren wrote – Introduction by letter, as a safeguard against "false brethren" was the custom of the primitive Church. R1707:1, 3152:3, 1822:2, 1720:2

A letter of commendation. R1822:2


28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. Mightily convinced – Because of his thorough acquaintance with the Scriptures and his ability in expounding them. (18:24) R3152:3, 2206:4

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