ETB Acts 18:1-11, 18-21

Session 8 p.73 Together

This week’s memory verse is:

Ecclesiastes 4:12 “12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

The writer’s of the lesson focus on the people and the partnerships of those in the lesson passage. I believe it is that 3rd cord that is the most important. The Spirit brings people together to do His work and we grow stronger in the faith through obeying Him in those relationships.

God obviously ordains these partnerships and Paul’s ministry needs are met and strengthened through them, but not because of the efforts of men. God was, and is, actively involved in those ministries which He initiated, and we should continue to seek His guidance to find those partnerships that will expand His Kingdom and give Him the most glory.

In the first paragraph of the book there is a sentence: “Maturity requires more than personal ability.”

What are your thoughts about the truthfulness of that statement?

Knowing your own limits is the first step to moving past them. Sometimes we can work through them on our own, other times we require assistance. God knows our limits better than anyone. Actively seeking His perspective about our limits and how He wants us to move beyond them should be our first choice as believers. He can then guide us those who can help us grow, or partner with us, to complete His work.

Understand the Context

Last week our study finished chapter 17, and today we move right into 18. Ever since chapter 13 when Barnabas and Paul first started out together, Paul has been moving from city to city fairly rapidly as some people who do not like the message, or its messenger make staying in the town dangerous or unfruitful. Paul’s time in Corinth breaks this pattern.

As a multiethnic metropolis, Corinth had a large Jewish population. So, true to his pattern of ministry, Paul began in the synagogue and debated with the Jews about Jesus as Messiah. Also true to previous patterns, Jewish hostility eventually began to intensify against Paul. So, he abandoned speaking to the Jews and started ministering to the Gentiles. [LifeWay Adults (2024). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2024]

In Corinth, God not only starts new partnerships, but He also provides and protects so that His Son’s Gospel can spread more easily through the city and to the rest of the known world.

Explore the Text

Acts 18:1–4 ESV

1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

After this

Today’s passages starts almost immediately after last week’s when Paul finished speaking with the Aeropagus. He left Athens and came to Corinth by himself and began his typical pattern of starting in the synagogue speaking about Christ from the Scriptures.

Holman Concise Bible Commentary A Church in Corinth (18:1–17)

In Paul’s day Corinth was a more influential city than Athens—more populous, more powerful politically and economically. It was a new city. Having been virtually destroyed by the Romans in 146 B.C., it was refounded by Julius Caesar as a Roman colony in 44 B.C. It was cosmopolitan, a port city with harbors to the Adriatic on the west and the Aegean on the east.

The city was home to many shrines, including the temple of Asclepius, the god of healing. The buildings around the temple served as a hospital of sorts, and patients would leave clay replicas of body parts that had been treated there. Corinth’s most prominent temple was dedicated to Aphrodite. Scholars believe the temple was home to at least a thousand cultic prostitutes, highlighting Corinth’s fascination with sexual immorality. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

I am not sure if that last bit of information was still true when Paul got there or not because some of what I read said those “worshippers” descended into the city regularly, but some of the dates were before the 146 destruction. Regardless of the timing, it does point to how inundated the culture in Corinth was with pagan worship practices.

The Moody Bible Commentary 7. The Witness at Corinth (18:1–17)

Barclay quotes a Greek proverb that reads, “Not every man can afford a journey to Corinth” (William Barclay, The Acts of the Apostles [Daily Study Bible], Philadelphia: Westminster, 1955, 145).

I wonder how many American city names could be substituted in that quote today.

Corinth also had a significant Jewish population, enough to have at least one synagogue. Among its members, Paul began what we would call “networking” or “fact finding.”

he found

The wording of this phrase could be translated either - “he came upon by chance” or “he came upon by searching.” The second option would elevate Paul’s investigative capabilities. Because we are reading in the book of Acts and it is recording multiple ways that the Spirit “acted” through the apostles, I am more inclined to go with the first translation as it would put more emphasis on God’s sovereignty working to bring these people together.

a native of Pontus

Pontus is a region not a specific city name. It is the area on the southeast corner of the Black Sea. It is just north of the region of which Paul was a native. Imagine going to Hawaii or Japan, and meeting someone from Virginia.

Although they were forced out of Rome for a time, return to the area as Paul addresses a greeting to them in his letter to the Romans (Rom 16:3)

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 18

It appears that in AD 41 Emperor Claudius prohibited Jews from gathering together in Rome. Then in AD 49 he expelled them altogether, probably because the earlier measures did not work. Presumably Aquila and Priscilla were expelled at this time. That they had recently arrived from Italy suggests that Paul arrived in Corinth in about AD 50.

he stayed with them and worked

Implications of the English phrasing is also present in the Greek. He “resided” with them as a guest in their home but also as fellow “tentmaker.” He worked both his trade and ministry from this place. It may have been that Paul was searching for a place to stay when he first came to Corinth, that is how he “found” this couple. Possibly attracted to their craftsmanship which he would grasp more than a casual observer.

tentmakers

The hard part about understanding what this trade involves is that this is the only occurrence of the word in Scripture.

“attempts to reconstruct historically his trade have not confidently identified its accurate historical reference. Since this difficulty derives from Luke’s choice of vocabulary—he uses a word that is very rare in the canon of Greco-Roman literature.” Shin, W. Gil. "The Double Entendre of Paul’s Trade as Skēnopoiós (Acts 18:3): Working for Israel’s Restoration in the Greco-Roman World." Novum Testamentum, vol. 64, no. 1, 2022, pp. 36-53, https://doi.org/10.1163/15685365-bja10005.

Reasoned in the synagogue

Paul’s ministry usually started with the Jewish synagogue. Luke’s wording suggests Paul was persistent in his efforts in Corinth. He was there every Sabbath. It’s possible that Paul only ministered in the synagogues on the Sabbath. Working during the week would have made it difficult on other days. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Reasoning also points to the use of a systematic process. Paul was well training in the Old Testament before coming to Christ, now he uses that knowledge to provide background to the next part of his presentation.

Persuade

The Greek word (peitho) means to convince or to instill confidence. It is related to the Greek word for faith (pistis). Paul challenged his listeners to be confident that Jesus is the Messiah. The apostle wanted them to trust his message so they could trust Christ. In this setting, Paul preached to both Jews and God-fearing Greeks. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

How does God reveal Himself in these verses?

How should we respond to what He reveals?

Paul did not have to reason and persuade by himself this whole time in Corinth. God eventually brought additional “workers” to increase Christ’s influence in the city.

Acts 18:5–11 ESV

5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, 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 in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Silas and Timothy

Paul had been on his own for a while. After the uproar in Berea (Acts 17:10-15), Paul had left Silas and Timothy there while he headed for Athens. His ministry partners finally caught up with him in Corinth. Many scholars believe they came with a financial gift from the Macedonian churches that would allow Paul to focus fully on evangelism. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Occupied with

With Silas and Timothy now in Corinth, Paul was free to devote more time to preaching. The Greek wording means to hold something together tightly. It was used figuratively to suggest being completely devoted to something. While the Greek wording is different, it carries a similar idea to the apostles’ commitment to preaching and prayer in Acts 6. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

opposed and reviled

Just as Paul was in the habit of ministering in the synagogue, Jews were in the habit of rejecting his message over time. As in other cities, the Jews in Corinth adamantly rejected Paul and his message. Their hostility and abuse toward Paul was one thing, but Luke indicated that they also blasphemed Christ through their words and actions. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Opposed is the planning and “arranging for battle” while reviled is the verbal assault. No physical harm was instigated as that would arouse Roman intervention, but they used all their wits to slander and prevent Paul from being an effective witness. God’s plans were not thwarted, but they may have been slowed by such efforts. Recognizing the ineffectiveness he would have with his fellow Jewish brethren, he moved on to a more effective ministry with the Gentiles.

Paula would later attribute even this resistance by the Jews to God’s plan to salvation to spread to the Gentiles.

Romans 11:11 “11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.”

Jesus had told his disciples this when He sent them out in pairs.

Matthew 10:14 “14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.”

The Jews had been doing this for many ages before that each time they came back to the “holy land” to remove any defilement they may have picked up going through Gentile lands. Paul now symbolically calls this synagogue group unclean because of their resistance to God’s truth. Not only are the unclean, but now condemned.

Your blood be on your heads

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 18

The Lord said to Ezekiel, “If you don’t tell people the truth, their blood will be upon your hands” (see Ezekiel 3:17–21). So, too, if we’re not faithful to communicate to the people to whom the Lord has called us to share, their blood will be on our hands, so to speak. There’s a difference, however, between blood on the hands and blood on the head.

In Joshua 2, prior to the fall of Jericho, the spies told Rahab that whoever remained in her house would be spared when destruction came upon the city. Blood would be upon the head, however, of anyone who ventured outside her house. Blood on the head means, “I’ve brought judgment on myself.” Blood on the hands means, “I have failed to reach out to others.” Therefore, because Paul was faithful in sharing the gospel with the Jews at Corinth, their blood would not be upon his hands, but upon their own heads if they rejected his message.

Titius Justus

Paul did not have to search far to find a new place to proclaim the gospel. Next to the synagogue was the home of Titius Justus, a man who likely came to Jesus during Paul’s early days in the Corinthian synagogue. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

His house was next door

When I first read this, I wondered if it was across the street or just how close “next door” really was. The Greek word used is a contraction of two others “together” and “adjoining.” Titius’ house was close enough to the synagogue to share a wall.

As we have studied Paul’s ministry in Acts multiple times he has been prompted to move to another city, or even told where not to go, this time however the vision is one to stay.

Do not be afraid

God would not have said this, if there was no fear within Paul. He later confesses his fear in the letter he writes to this new church.

1 Corinthians 2:3 “3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,”

I am with you

Christ remained actively involved in the ministry of Paul. In a vision, He told the apostle to continue preaching without fear. Jesus promised to protect Paul and many people in the city would support him. Paul’s vision gave him the strength to continue his ministry in Corinth, which lasted a year and six months (v. 11) [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

What does God reveal Himself in these verses?

How should we respond to what He reveals?

Acts 18:18–21 ESV

18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but 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 if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.

After this

This time reference is about the incident with Gallio and the tribunal in verses 12-17.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 18

Since Gallio served in this role A.D. 51–52, this provides one of the key dates used in computing dates for Paul’s various missionary journeys.

took leave of the brothers

Some suggest this was the church in Corinth and should be translated “brothers and sisters.” I think Luke was referring to the 2 men that he had mentioned earlier arriving to encourage Paul, as they are not mentioned travelling with him as he left Corinth. Paul, however, did not leave alone.

With him Priscilla and Aquila

Luke does not explain why they left with the apostle, but they must have believed that they would be more useful to the kingdom beyond Corinth. Paul apparently agreed. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

The Holy Spirit affirms this choice as well and we read about how they were instrumental in helping Apollos learn “the way of God more accurately” at the end of chapter 18. He then became another significant voice for the gospel as he "powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.”

Set sail for Syria

Paul’s lengthy stay in Corinth was aligned with Jesus’s command to reject fear. In the wake of his successful hearing before Gallio (Acts 18:12-17), Paul enjoyed more freedom to teach and preach in the city. He was able to set the Corinthians up for success after he left. Upon saying farewell to his friends, Paul left for Syria. The second missionary journey was drawing to a close. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

he had cut his hair

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 18

It is not clear that Paul was the one who shaved his head at Cenchreae. It may have been Aquila. The Greek syntax seems to indicate the latter, but it is uncertain. The vow may have been a Nazirite vow.

The Nazirite vow is the ritualistic and more referenced reason for shaving the head, but it was also done as an act of mourning and as an act of final cleansing from disease.

The Open Bible Chapter 18

Paul may have taken this vow in thanksgiving for protection and for the success of his mission.

The precise reasons for Paul’s vow are unknown, but it demonstrated that Paul remained faithful to Jewish practices when they did not conflict with the freedom of the gospel. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

As Paul continued to make his was back to Antioch, a stop in Ephesus proved to be encouraging and prompted a return visit, foreshadowing the third missionary journey.

I will return

As noted, Paul’s plans did not include a lengthy stay in Ephesus. He was in a hurry to get back to Caesarea and, eventually, Jerusalem. His eagerness may have been related to his vow or to a festival, but we do not know for sure.

Still, the Jews he encountered in his brief visit to the synagogue wanted to pursue Paul’s message further. They needed extra time, so they asked him to stay longer. But Paul declined their invitation, promising to return to you if God wills. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

And we know that God did will for it as we will study in part next week.

How does God reveal Himself in these verses?

How should we respond to what He reveals?

Apply the Text

PRAY:

Ask God to show you how to use your occupation as a platform for ministry and gospel witness (v. 3).

Thank God for the believers who serve alongside you, helping you to serve Him more effectively (vv. 2-3,18-21).

Ask God to help and protect believers and missionaries who live and serve in dangerous places (vv. 9-10).