Acts 18
EasyEnglish Bible
Paul visits Corinth
18 After Paul had spoken to the important officers of Athens, he left the city. He went from there to the city of Corinth.[a]
2 In Corinth, he met a man called Aquila. Aquila was a Jew. He had been born in the region of Pontus. At that time, Caesar Claudius had said that all Jews must leave Rome. So Aquila had left Italy and he had just arrived in Corinth with his wife Priscilla. Paul went to visit them. 3 They knew how to make tents which they could sell to people. Paul also made tents, so he stayed with them and he worked with them.
4 Every Jewish day of rest, Paul taught both Jews and Greek people in the Jewish meeting place. He wanted them all to believe the good news about Jesus.
5 Then Silas and Timothy arrived there from the country called Macedonia. After that, the only work that Paul did was to teach people God's message. He told the Jews clearly that Jesus is God's Messiah. 6 The Jews did not agree with Paul and they insulted him. So he shook the dirt off his clothes at them.[b] He said to them, ‘If God punishes you, then you have caused it to happen. It will not be because of me. Now I will go to the Gentiles and I will teach them God's message.’
7 So Paul did not speak in the Jewish meeting place any more.[c] Instead, he went to the house of Titius Justus, which was next to the meeting place. Justus was a Gentile who now worshipped God. 8 A man called Crispus was the leader of the Jewish meeting place there. He, and everyone else who lived in his house, believed in the Lord Jesus. Many other people in Corinth heard Paul's message and they believed in Jesus. When they became believers, someone baptized them.
9 But one night, the Lord appeared to Paul in a vision. He said, ‘Do not be afraid of those people who are against you. Continue to speak my message to the people here. Do not stop speaking to them. 10 I am here with you. Nobody will hurt you. There are many people in this city who will believe in me.’
11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 months and he taught the people God's message about Jesus.
12 Gallio then became the Roman ruler of the region called Achaia.[d] At this time the Jewish leaders in Corinth decided together to speak against Paul. So they took hold of him and they brought him to Gallio. They wanted Gallio to judge Paul.
13 The Jewish leaders said to Gallio, ‘This man is teaching people to worship God in a wrong way. The things that he teaches are against our Jewish law.’
14 Paul was ready to speak, but Gallio spoke first to the Jews. He said, ‘If this man had done a very bad thing, then I would judge him. It would be right for me to listen to you. 15 But you are arguing about words and names and your own Jewish law. So you yourselves must decide what to do about it. I will not be a judge to decide about these things.’ 16 Then Gallio told his soldiers to take the Jewish leaders away. 17 Then the whole crowd of people took hold of a man called Sosthenes. He was the leader of the Jewish meeting place there. The crowd hit him with sticks in front of Gallio. But Gallio did nothing to stop them. He did not think it was important.
Paul travels from Corinth to Antioch
18 Paul remained in Corinth with the believers for many days. Then he left them. Priscilla and Aquila also went with him. They went to the port called Cenchrea. They got on a ship there to sail to Syria. Before they left, someone cut off all the hair on Paul's head. This showed that he had made a promise to God.[e]
19 They all arrived in the city of Ephesus. Paul left Priscilla and Aquila, and he went into the Jewish meeting room. There he talked about God's message with the Jews. 20 Some of them asked Paul to remain in Ephesus with them for a longer time. But he did not agree to stay. 21 Before he left, he said to them, ‘If God wants me to come back, I will return to you.’ Then Paul got in a ship and he sailed from Ephesus to Caesarea. 22 After Paul arrived in Caesarea, he went to Jerusalem. He said, ‘hello’ to the group of believers there. Then he travelled to Antioch in Syria.
23 He stayed in Antioch for some time. Then he left there and he travelled through the regions called Galatia and Phrygia. He spoke to all the believers in these places. He helped them to trust God and to be strong.
These are some of the things that Apollos did
24 A certain Jewish man called Apollos arrived in Ephesus. He had been born in Alexandria, and he could teach people very well.[f] He knew a lot about God's message in the Bible. 25 Someone had taught him the good news about the Lord Jesus. He liked to speak a lot to people about Jesus. The things that he taught were true. But he only knew part of God's message. He only knew the things that John taught about baptism. 26 Apollos went to the Jewish meeting place and he taught the people there. He was not afraid to speak God's message to them. Priscilla and Aquila heard what Apollos was teaching the people. So they said to him, ‘Please come with us to our home.’ Then they explained to Apollos the whole of God's message about Jesus. Then he could understand better.
27 Later, Apollos decided to go to the region called Achaia. The believers in Ephesus agreed that he should do that. They wrote a letter for him to give to the believers in Achaia. They wrote, ‘When Apollos arrives, please accept him.’ God had been very kind to the believers in Achaia, so that they believed in Jesus. When Apollos came to them, he helped them very much. 28 Some of the Jews there spoke against Apollos's message. But he argued strongly against them so that everyone could hear. He explained to them what God had said in the Bible. He showed them clearly that Jesus is God's Messiah.
Footnotes
- 18:1 Corinth is a city in Greece, about 75 kilometres from Athens.
- 18:6 Paul cleaned the dirt off his clothes. This meant that Paul did not want to speak to those Jews again.
- 18:7 Paul continued to teach in Corinth. But now he usually taught those who were not Jews. Most people who lived in Corinth were Greek.
- 18:12 The men with authority in Rome caused Gallio to rule Achaia in AD 51.
- 18:18 God had helped Paul to do many things in Corinth. Maybe he was saying thank you because God had helped him.
- 18:24 Alexandria was an important city in Egypt and in the world. And people went there to learn many different things.
Acts 18
King James Version
18 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.
Acts 18
1599 Geneva Bible
18 As Paul at Corinth 6 taught the Gentiles, 9 the Lord comforteth him. 12 He is accused before Gallio, 16 but in vain: 18 From thence he saileth to Syria, 19 and so to Ephesus. 23 At Galatia and Phrygia he strengtheneth the disciples. 24 Apollos being more perfectly instructed by Aquila, 28 preacheth Christ with great efficacy.
1 After [a]these things, Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth,
2 And found a certain Jew named (A)Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, and his wife Priscilla (because that [b]Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome) and he came unto them.
3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them and wrought (for their craft was to make tents.)
4 [c]And he disputed in the Synagogue every Sabbath day, and [d]exhorted the Jews, and the Grecians.
5 Now when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia, Paul, [e]forced in spirit, testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.
6 [f]And when they resisted and blasphemed, he (B)shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your [g]blood be upon your own head: I am clean: from henceforth will I go unto the Gentiles.
7 So he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, a worshipper of God, whose house joined hard to the Synagogue.
8 And (C)Crispus the chief ruler of the Synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household: and many of the Corinthians hearing it, believed and were baptized.
9 [h]Then said the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Fear not, but speak, and hold not thy peace.
10 For I am with thee, and no man shall lay hands on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
11 So he [i]continued there a year and six months, and taught the word of God among them.
12 ¶ [j]Now when Gallio was deputy of [k]Achaia, the Jews arose with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God otherwise than the Law appointeth.
14 And as Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong, or an evil deed, O ye Jews, I would according to [l]reason maintain you.
15 But if it be a question of [m]words and [n]names, and of your Law, look ye to it yourselves: for I will be no judge of those things.
16 And he drove them from the judgment seat.
17 Then took all the Grecians Sosthenes the chief ruler of the Synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat: but Gallio cared nothing for those things.
18 [o]But when Paul had tarried there yet a good while, he took leave of the brethren, and sailed into Syria, (and with him Priscilla and Aquila) after that [p]he had shorn his head in [q]Cenchrea: for he had made a (D)vow.
19 Then he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he entered into the Synagogue and disputed with the Jews.
20 [r]Who desired him to tarry a longer time with them: but he would not consent,
21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must needs keep this feast that cometh, in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, (E)[s]if God will. So he sailed from Ephesus.
22 ¶ And when he came down to Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem: and when he had saluted the Church, he went down unto Antioch.
23 Now when he had tarried there a while, he departed, and went through the country of Galatia and Phrygia by order, strengthening all the disciples.
24 [t]And a certain Jew named (F)Apollos, born at Alexandria, came to Ephesus, an eloquent man, and [u]mighty in the Scriptures.
25 The same was instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spake fervently in the Spirit, and taught diligently the things of the Lord, and knew but the baptism of John only.
26 And he began to speak boldly in the Synagogue. Whom when (G)Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the [v]way of God more perfectly.
27 And when he was minded to go into Achaia, the brethren exhorting him, wrote to the disciples to receive him: and after he was come thither, he helped them much which had believed through [w]grace.
28 For mightily he confuted publicly the Jews, with great vehemency, showing by the Scriptures, that Jesus was that Christ.
Footnotes
- Acts 18:1 The true ministers are so far from seeking their own profit, that they do willingly depart from their right, rather than the course of the Gospel should be hindered in the least wise that might be.
- Acts 18:2 Suetonius recordeth that Rome banished the Jews, because they were always at disquiet, and that by Christ’s means.
- Acts 18:4 The truth ought always to be freely uttered, yet notwithstanding the doctrine may be so moderated, as occasion of the profit that the people take thereby, shall require.
- Acts 18:4 Exhorted so that he persuaded, and so the word signifieth.
- Acts 18:5 Was very much grieved in mind: whereby is signified the great earnestness of his mind, which was greatly moved: for Paul was so zealous, that he clean forgot himself, and with a wonderful courage gave himself to preach Christ.
- Acts 18:6 Although we have assayed all means possible, and yet in vain, we must not leave off from our work, but forsake the rebellious, and go to them that be more obedient.
- Acts 18:6 This is a kind of speech taken from the Hebrews, whereby he meaneth, that the Jews are cause of their own destruction: and as for him, that he is without fault in forsaking them and going to other nations.
- Acts 18:9 God doth avouch and maintain the constancy of his servants.
- Acts 18:11 Word for word, sat, whereupon they in former time, took the name of their Bishop’s seat: but Paul sat, that is, continued teaching the word of God: and this kind of seat belongeth nothing to them which never saw their seats with a mind to teach in them.
- Acts 18:12 The wicked are never weary of evil doing, but the Lord mocketh their endeavors marvelously.
- Acts 18:12 That is, of Greece, yet the Romans did not call him Deputy of Greece, but of Achaia, because the Romans brought the Greeks into subjection by the Achaians, which in those days were Princes of Greece, as Pausanias recordeth.
- Acts 18:14 As much as in right I could.
- Acts 18:15 As if a man have not spoken well, as the case of your religion standeth.
- Acts 18:15 For this profane man thinketh that the controversy of religion, is but a brawl about words, and for no matter of substance.
- Acts 18:18 Paul is made all to all, to win all to Christ.
- Acts 18:18 That is, Paul.
- Acts 18:18 Cenchrea was an haven of the Corinthians.
- Acts 18:20 The Apostles were carried about not by the will of man, but by the leading of the holy Ghost.
- Acts 18:21 So we should promise nothing without this clause, for we know not what the day following will bring forth.
- Acts 18:24 Apollos, a godly and learned man, refuseth not to profit in the school of a base and abject handicraftsman, and also of a woman: and so becometh an excellent minister of the Church.
- Acts 18:24 Very well instructed in the knowledge of the Scriptures.
- Acts 18:26 The way that leadeth to God.
- Acts 18:27 Through God’s gracious favor, or by those excellent gifts which God hath bestowed upon him.
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