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In Corinth

18 After this, Paul left Athens(A) and went to Corinth.(B) There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,(C) because Claudius(D) had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.(E) Every Sabbath(F) he reasoned in the synagogue,(G) trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

When Silas(H) and Timothy(I) came from Macedonia,(J) Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.(K) But when they opposed Paul and became abusive,(L) he shook out his clothes in protest(M) and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads!(N) I am innocent of it.(O) From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”(P)

Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.(Q) Crispus,(R) the synagogue leader,(S) and his entire household(T) believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision:(U) “Do not be afraid;(V) keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you,(W) and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.(X)

12 While Gallio was proconsul(Y) of Achaia,(Z) the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”

14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law(AA)—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16 So he drove them off. 17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes(AB) the synagogue leader(AC) and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.

Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos

18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters(AD) and sailed for Syria,(AE) accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.(AF) Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae(AG) because of a vow he had taken.(AH) 19 They arrived at Ephesus,(AI) where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.”(AJ) Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea,(AK) he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.(AL)

23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia(AM) and Phrygia,(AN) strengthening all the disciples.(AO)

24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos,(AP) a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus.(AQ) He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor[a](AR) and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.(AS) 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila(AT) heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia,(AU) the brothers and sisters(AV) encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures(AW) that Jesus was the Messiah.(AX)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 18:25 Or with fervor in the Spirit

Paul in Corinth

18 After this Paul[a] left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named (A)Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife (B)Priscilla, because (C)Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and (D)because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. And (E)he reasoned in the synagogue (F)every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

(G)When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul (H)was occupied with the word, (I)testifying to the Jews that the Christ was (J)Jesus. And when they opposed and reviled him, (K)he shook out his garments and said to them, (L)“Your blood be on your own heads! (M)I am innocent. (N)From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius (O)Justus, (P)a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. (Q)Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together (R)with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. And the Lord said to Paul (S)one night in (T)a vision, (U)“Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 (V)for I am with you, and (W)no one will attack you to harm you, for (X)I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12 But when Gallio was (Y)proconsul of Achaia, (Z)the Jews[b] made a united attack on Paul and (AA)brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to (AB)the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious (AC)crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 15 But (AD)since it is a matter of questions about words and names and (AE)your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.

Paul Returns to Antioch

18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of (AF)the brothers[c] and set sail for Syria, and with him (AG)Priscilla and Aquila. At (AH)Cenchreae (AI)he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19 And they came to (AJ)Ephesus, and he left them there, but (AK)he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you (AL)if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.

22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he (AM)went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he departed and (AN)went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, (AO)strengthening all the disciples.

Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus

24 Now a Jew named (AP)Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, (AQ)competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in (AR)the way of the Lord. And (AS)being fervent in spirit,[d] he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only (AT)the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when (AU)Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him (AV)the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross to (AW)Achaia, (AX)the brothers encouraged him and (AY)wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, (AZ)he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures (BA)that the Christ was Jesus.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 18:1 Greek he
  2. Acts 18:12 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verses 14 (twice), 28
  3. Acts 18:18 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 27
  4. Acts 18:25 Or in the Spirit

Paul in Corinth

18 After these events Paul left (A)Athens and went to (B)Corinth. And he found a Jew named (C)Aquila, a native of (D)Pontus having recently come from (E)Italy with his wife (F)Priscilla, because (G)Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them, and (H)they worked together, for they were tent-makers by trade. And Paul was reasoning (I)in the synagogue every (J)Sabbath and trying to persuade (K)Jews and Greeks.

But when (L)Silas and Timothy (M)came down from (N)Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, (O)testifying to the Jews that (P)Jesus was the [a]Christ. But when they resisted and blasphemed, he (Q)shook out his garments and said to them, “Your (R)blood is [b]on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go (S)to the Gentiles.” Then he left [c]the synagogue and went to the house of a man named [d]Titius Justus, (T)a worshiper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. (U)Crispus, (V)the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord (W)together with his entire household; and many of the (X)Corinthians, as they listened to Paul, were believing and being baptized. And the Lord said to Paul by (Y)a vision at night, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12 But while Gallio was (Z)proconsul of (AA)Achaia, (AB)the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before (AC)the [e]judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man is inciting the people to worship God contrary to (AD)the [f]law.” 14 But when Paul was about to (AE)open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some crime or vicious, unscrupulous act, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you; 15 but if there are [g](AF)questions about [h]teaching and [i]persons and your own law, see to it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.” 16 And he drove them away from (AG)the [j]judgment seat. 17 But they all took hold of (AH)Sosthenes, (AI)the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of (AJ)the judgment seat. And yet Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.

18 Now Paul, when he had remained many days longer, (AK)took leave of (AL)the brothers and sisters and sailed away to (AM)Syria, and (AN)Priscilla and (AO)Aquila were with him. [k]Paul first (AP)had his hair cut at (AQ)Cenchrea, for he was keeping a vow. 19 They came to (AR)Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered (AS)the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, 21 but (AT)took leave of them and said, “I will return to you again (AU)if God wills,” and he set sail from (AV)Ephesus.

22 When he had landed in (AW)Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church, and went down to (AX)Antioch.

Third Missionary Journey

23 And after spending some time there, he left and passed successively through the (AY)Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

24 Now a Jew named (AZ)Apollos, an (BA)Alexandrian by birth, [l]an eloquent man, came to (BB)Ephesus; and he was proficient in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in (BC)the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was accurately speaking and teaching things about Jesus, being acquainted only with (BD)the baptism of John; 26 and [m]he began speaking boldly in the synagogue. But when (BE)Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained (BF)the way of God more accurately to him. 27 And when he wanted to go across to (BG)Achaia, (BH)the brothers encouraged him and wrote to (BI)the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly [n]helped those who had believed through grace, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating (BJ)by the Scriptures that (BK)Jesus was the [o]Christ.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 18:5 I.e., Messiah
  2. Acts 18:6 I.e., the responsibility is all yours
  3. Acts 18:7 Lit from there
  4. Acts 18:7 One early ms Titus
  5. Acts 18:12 Or tribunal
  6. Acts 18:13 Or Law
  7. Acts 18:15 Or arguments
  8. Acts 18:15 Lit word
  9. Acts 18:15 Lit names
  10. Acts 18:16 Or tribunal
  11. Acts 18:18 Lit Having had his hair cut
  12. Acts 18:24 Or a learned man
  13. Acts 18:26 Lit this man
  14. Acts 18:27 Or helped greatly through grace those who had believed
  15. Acts 18:28 I.e., Messiah

Paul in Corinth

18 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus. He had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul visited with them. Because they practiced the same trade, he stayed and worked with them. They all worked with leather. Every Sabbath he interacted with people in the synagogue, trying to convince both Jews and Greeks. Once Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. When they opposed and slandered him, he shook the dust from his clothes in protest and said to them, “You are responsible for your own fates! I’m innocent! From now on I’ll go to the Gentiles!” He left the synagogue and went next door to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile God-worshipper. Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household came to believe in the Lord. Many Corinthians believed and were baptized after listening to Paul.

One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, “Don’t be afraid. Continue speaking. Don’t be silent. 10 I’m with you and no one who attacks you will harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 So he stayed there for eighteen months, teaching God’s word among them.

12 Now when Gallio was the governor of the province of Achaia, the Jews united in their opposition against Paul and brought him before the court. 13 “This man is persuading others to worship God unlawfully,” they declared.

14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, “If there had been some sort of injury or criminal behavior, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 15 However, since these are squabbles about a message, names, and your own Law, deal with them yourselves. I have no desire to sit in judgment over such things.” 16 He expelled them from the court, 17 but everyone seized Sosthenes, the synagogue leader, and gave him a beating in the presence of the governor. None of this mattered to Gallio.

18 After Paul stayed in Corinth for some time, he said good-bye to the brothers and sisters. At the Corinthian seaport of Cenchreae he had his head shaved, since he had made a solemn promise. Then, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila, he sailed away to Syria. 19 After they arrived in Ephesus, he left Priscilla and Aquila and entered the synagogue and interacted with the Jews. 20 They asked him to stay longer, but he declined. 21 As he said farewell to them, though, he added, “God willing, I will return.” Then he sailed off from Ephesus. 22 He arrived in Caesarea, went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.

23 After some time there he left and traveled from place to place in the region of Galatia and the district of Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

Apollos and his ministry

24 Meanwhile, a certain Jew named Apollos arrived in Ephesus. He was a native of Alexandria and was well-educated and effective in his use of the scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and spoke as one stirred up by the Spirit. He taught accurately the things about Jesus, even though he was aware only of the baptism John proclaimed and practiced. 26 He began speaking with confidence in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they received him into their circle of friends and explained to him God’s way more accurately. 27 When he wanted to travel to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples so they would open their homes to him. Once he arrived, he was of great help to those who had come to believe through grace. 28 He would vigorously defeat Jewish arguments in public debate, using the scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Christ.

Paul in Corinth

18 Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, where he met Aquila, a Jewish man from Pontus. Not long before this, Aquila had come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Emperor Claudius had ordered the Jewish people to leave Rome.[a] Paul went to see Aquila and Priscilla and found out they were tent makers. Paul was also a tent maker, so he stayed with them, and they worked together.

Every Sabbath, Paul went to the synagogue. He spoke to Jews and Gentiles[b] and tried to win them over. But after Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, he spent all his time preaching to the Jews about Jesus the Messiah. Finally, they turned against him and insulted him. So he shook the dust from his clothes[c] and told them, “Whatever happens to you will be your own fault! I am not to blame. From now on I am going to preach to the Gentiles.”

Paul then moved into the house of a man named Titius Justus, who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus was the leader of the synagogue. He and everyone in his family put their faith in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard the message, and all the people who had faith in the Lord were baptized.

One night, Paul had a vision, and in it the Lord said, “Don't be afraid to keep on preaching. Don't stop! 10 I am with you, and you won't be harmed. Many people in this city belong to me.” 11 Paul stayed on in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching God's message to the people.

12 While Gallio was governor of Achaia, some of the Jewish leaders got together and grabbed Paul. They brought him into court 13 and said, “This man is trying to make our people worship God in a way that is against our Law!”

14 Even before Paul could speak, Gallio said, “If you were charging this man with a crime or some other wrong, I would have to listen to you. 15 But since this concerns only words, names, and your own law, you will have to take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” 16 Then he sent them out of the court. 17 The crowd grabbed Sosthenes, the Jewish leader, and beat him up in front of the court. But none of this mattered to Gallio.

Paul Returns to Antioch in Syria

18 (A) After Paul had stayed for a while with the Lord's followers in Corinth, he told them goodbye and sailed on to Syria with Aquila and Priscilla. But before he left, he had his head shaved[d] at Cenchreae because he had made a promise to God.

19 The three of them arrived in Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He then went into the synagogue to talk with the people there. 20 They asked him to stay longer, but he refused. 21 He told them goodbye and said, “If God lets me, I will come back.”

22 Paul sailed to Caesarea, where he greeted the church. Then he went on to Antioch. 23 After staying there for a while, he left and visited several places in Galatia and Phrygia. He helped the followers there to become stronger in their faith.

Apollos in Ephesus

24 A Jewish man named Apollos came to Ephesus. Apollos had been born in the city of Alexandria. He was a very good speaker and knew a lot about the Scriptures. 25 He also knew much about the Lord's Way,[e] and he spoke about it with great excitement. What he taught about Jesus was right, but all he knew was John's message about baptism.

26 Apollos started speaking bravely in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him to their home and helped him understand God's Way even better.

27 Apollos decided to travel through Achaia. So the Lord's followers wrote letters, encouraging the followers there to welcome him. After Apollos arrived in Achaia, he was a great help to everyone who had put their faith in the Lord Jesus because of God's gift of undeserved grace. 28 He got into fierce arguments with the Jewish people, and in public he used the Scriptures to prove that Jesus is the Messiah.

Footnotes

  1. 18.2 Emperor Claudius had ordered the Jewish people to leave Rome: Probably a.d. 49, though it may have been a.d. 41.
  2. 18.4 Gentiles: Here the word is “Greeks.” But see the note at 14.1.
  3. 18.6 shook the dust from his clothes: This means the same as shaking dust from the feet (see the note at 13.51).
  4. 18.18 he had his head shaved: Paul had promised to be a “Nazirite” for a while. This meant that for the time of the promise, he could not cut his hair or drink wine. When the time was over, he would have to cut his hair and offer a sacrifice to God.
  5. 18.25 the Lord's Way: See the note at 9.2.