Acts Chapter 18

At a Glance

  • Acts 18 follows Paul’s ministry in Corinth, where he meets Aquila and Priscilla, a married Jewish-Christian couple who had recently left Rome.
  • Paul’s time in Corinth lasts over a year and a half, a period of steady teaching and formation of Christian community.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Acts 18 sits in the middle of Paul’s second journey, in a cosmopolitan hub where Judaism, Hellenistic culture, and emerging Christian community intersect.
  • - Labor and partnership in mission: Aquila and Priscilla’s tentmaking and teaching alongside Paul model collaborative ministry.

Chapter Overview

Acts 18 follows Paul’s ministry in Corinth, where he meets Aquila and Priscilla, a married Jewish-Christian couple who had recently left Rome. The couple shares Paul’s trade as tentmakers, highlighting a theme of labor and mutual support in early Christian mission. Paul’s ministry among Jews and Greeks in the synagogue leads to a pivotal moment when opposition intensifies, prompting a strategic pivot: he shifts to preaching to the Gentiles in the house of a man named Justus, while Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believes along with his household. A divine reassurance comes in a night vision: “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace.” The Lord promises Paul protection and that he has many people in the city, ensuring a durable, sustained ministry.

Paul’s time in Corinth lasts over a year and a half, a period of steady teaching and formation of Christian community. Yet external pressures arise as Gallio, the proconsul, dismisses Jewish accusations against Paul as a matter merely of disputes over law and names, effectively freeing Paul from legal risk. The chapter concludes with significant converts in Corinth and the formation of early churches, setting the stage for Paul’s continuing mission in Greece and beyond. The overall movement is one of perseverance, strategic adaptation, and divine assurance in the face of opposition, illustrating mature, resilient apostolic ministry.

Historical & Literary Context

Acts 18 sits in the middle of Paul’s second journey, in a cosmopolitan hub where Judaism, Hellenistic culture, and emerging Christian community intersect. The genre remains historical narrative with theological framing, demonstrating how God opens doors in hostile and friendly contexts alike. Corinth, a major commercial center, presents both opportunities and challenges for early Christians: pluralism, sexual ethics, idolatry, and social status issues test a fledgling church. The shift from synagogue-centered to house-church–or Gentile-focused outreach reflects a flexible, missionally prudent approach. Gallio’s pronouncement in this chapter also illustrates how Roman governance interacts with the spread of the gospel, signaling a degree of religious tolerance that sometimes shields Christians from legal peril.

Key Themes

- Labor and partnership in mission: Aquila and Priscilla’s tentmaking and teaching alongside Paul model collaborative ministry.

- Gospel breakthrough through strategic opportunities: From synagogue to house church, the gospel reaches a broader audience in Corinth.

- Divine reassurance in the face of fear and opposition: God’s comforting word empowers perseverance.

- Legal and cultural dynamics: Gallio’s decision illustrates how civil authorities can indirectly support the spread of gospel witness.

- Conversion and ecclesial formation: Crispus and many others come to faith, signaling the birth of a robust local church.

Modern Application

This chapter offers practical lessons for contemporary ministry: cultivate partnerships across backgrounds (including co-laborers from different ethnic and vocational backgrounds), be adaptable in outreach strategies (shifting from synagogue to home settings, for example), and rely on God’s encouragement amid daunting contexts. The promise that God has “many people in this city” invites believers to persevere with gospel confidence, even when visible fruit seems uncertain. It also speaks to the importance of workplace and vocational alignment with mission—Paul and his tentmaking friends show that evangelism happens across daily life and labor, not only in formal church programs. Lastly, Romans-like governance influences suggest that believers should pursue lawful, peaceful engagement with civil authorities while remaining faithful to the gospel’s call.

- Acts 13–14 (mission in new cities with cross-cultural dynamics)

- Acts 11:19–21 (Gentile mission and expansion)

- Romans 15:24 (planning to visit Rome)

- 1 Corinthians 1–2 (unity in diversity within the church)

- Paul (apostolic strategy and perseverance)

- Priscilla and Aquila (partnership and teaching in the local church)

Chapter Text

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 publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

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