In Corinth
Acts 18:1-18
After leaving Athens, Paul went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila with his wife, Priscilla. They were tentmakers like Paul was. He stayed with them and worked with them. Every Sabbath, he spoke in the synagogue trying to persuade Jews and Greek to accept Jesus Christ.
Throughout this study, you have seen people worshipping God but not having received salvation. That’s why Paul is doing so much preaching. The Jews were (and still are) devout worshippers of God; however, they have not accepted Jesus Christ.
After Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching and testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. When the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook off his clothes in protest and rebuked them (Acts 18:6). Paul shook his garments so that not a speck of dust from the synagogue would remain on his clothes and sandals. This was a dramatic way of expressing his rejection of their rejection. Paul made a vow that from now on, he would go to the Gentiles.
Then Paul went next door to the house of Titius Justis. After Paul spoke there, Crispus, the synagogue ruler and his entire household believed in the Lord and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
Paul had gone through a lot while proclaiming the gospel as he traveled. Read what God spoke to him in Verses 9-10. Because of what God told Paul, he stayed in Corinth a year and a half and continued to teach the word of God.
Paul was attacked again after God’s encouragement. The Jews made an attack on him and brought him into court. He was accused of persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law. Gallio refused to be a judge over the situation.
Questions
1. What was the breaking point for Paul to make a vow? What was the vow?
2. What was significant about him shaking his clothes and sandals?
3. Who was Gallio and why did he refuse to be concerned about what was going on when Paul was taken to court?
Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos
Acts 18:18-28
In this chapter, notice that Priscilla’s name comes before her husband’s name. Normally, the man’s name comes first, but not in this case. That’s because she carried the purse.
Remember they are tentmakers like Paul. The couple joined Paul on his journey. Before they sailed, Paul had his hair cut off because of a vow. When they arrived at Ephesus, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila and went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. They wanted him to spend more time with them, but he declined, but he promised that he would return if it be God’s will.
This is the end of Paul’s second missionary journey that started in Acts 15:36 and ends at Acts 18:22.
After leaving Ephesus, Paul went to Antioch. Remember, he has been there before on his first missionary journey. He spent some time there before traveling from place to place throughout Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
A Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus and spoke because he was a learned man with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. However, he knew only about the baptism of John. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak, they invited him to their house and explained to him more about Jesus Christ. What he learned, Apollos shared it with the people in Achaia. He refuted the Jews in public and debated with them. He proved from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
Questions
1. What did Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila have in common?
2. Review why Priscilla is mentioned before her husband when it is customarily for the man’s name to come first even in modern times.
3. You probably know the vow Paul mentioned in Acts 18:18 was the Nazarite vow. (See Numbers 6). Usually, the vow of a Nazarite was for a certain period of time and when completed, the hair was cut off and offered to the Lord at a special ceremony at the temple in Jerusalem. Can you recall other vows of a Nazarite? Can you name other Nazarites in the Bible?
4. Why was Apollos invited to go home with Priscilla and Aquila?
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