Acts 18

1 Paul cometh to Corinth, and there findeth Aquila and Priscilla, with whom he earns his living by making Tents. 4 Teacheth in the synagogue that Jesus is the Christ. 6 Shakes off the dust of his garments against the blasphemers. 7 Cryspus and many Corinthians believe and are baptized. 9 Paul is admonished of the Lord by a vision to abide there. 12 Is by the Jews accused before the Govenour Gallio, who receiveth not the accusation. 17 Softhenes is beaten before the judgement-seat. 18 Paul travelleth towards Syria, cometh to Ephesus, afterwards to Cesarea, and afterwards to Antioch. 23. Travelleth through Galatia and Phrygia. 24 Apollo teacheth at Ephesus the baptism of John, 26 and being further instructed by Aquila and Priscilla travelleth into Achaia, and proveth by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

1. And after this Paul parted from Athens and came to Corinth. [The chief City of Achaia in Greece, situate betwixt two Seas, on the neck of land Peloponesus joined to ACahia. See more largely of this City, 1 Cor. 1. 2.]

2. And found a certain Jew by name Aquila, by birth [Or by descent, generation] of Pontus [this was a Region in Asia the less, lying betwixt Cappadocia and the black Sea, Acts 2:9.] who was lately come from Italy, and Priscilla his wife, because Claudius [the Emperour of Rome] had commanded [Gr.had ordained. Of this command testifie also the Historians, Sueton.in Claud.cap. 25. Orosius.lib.7.cap.6. The reason is diversly set forth: it seems that it was therefore, because the Jews continually with uproar opposed those from among themselves with embraced the Christian Religion: or because some notable persons of Rome betook themselves to the Christian Religion. For the Heathen Romanes held the Jews and Christians for a people of one Religion] that all the Jews should depart out of Rome) and he went unto them.

3. And because he was of the same handicraft, he a abode with them and wrought: for they were Tent-makers [Which at that time were most made or sowed of skins] by handicraft.

4. And he treated [Or disputed. See chapter 17.v.2.] on every Sabbath in the Synagogue, and moved (to the faith) [namely, by good reasons and grounds taken out of the Holy Scripture, for to embrace his doctrine] Jews and Greeks.

5. And when Silas and Timotheus were come down from Macedonia , Paul was pressed [That is, driven forward with a strong zeal] by the spirit, [namely, either by the Holy Ghost which drove Paul forward, or by his own mind which was inflamed with zeal] testifying [Gr.powerfully, or every way testifying] to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. [that is, the anointed, the true Messias promised by the Prophets.]

6. But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook (his) garments, [This was a token that they would have no more communion with them] and said unto them, your blood (be) on your (own) head, [that is, ye pull down on your necks by your own fault, the punishment not only of temporal but also of eternal death. See of this phrase, Leviticus 20:9, 12. 2 Sam.1. 16. Matthew 27:25.] I am pure [namely from your blood and destruction, forasmuch as I have faithfully warned you of destruction, and shewed you the way of salvation, which ye would not follow, Ezekiel 33:8, 9. Acts 20:26.] and from this time forward I will go my way to the Gentiles.

7. And being gone from thence, he came into the house of a (man) by name Justus, who worshipped God, [That is, who was a Proselyte.see Acts 13:43.] whose house bordered on the Synagogue. [wherefore he seemeth to have bin willing to lodge there by going over the street to avoid the danger of an uproar of the unbelieving Jews.]

8. And Crispus [See of him 1 Cor. 1. 14.] the Ruler of the Synagogue [See concerning the Rulers of the Synagogues, Mark 5:22. Acts 13:15.] believed on the Lord with his whole house, and many of the Corinthians hearing (him) believed and were baptized.

9. And the Lord said unto Paul by a vision in the night, be not afraid but speak and hold not thy peace. [This is thus, twice repeated, to give to understand that he should by no kind of trouble be affrighted from speaking and preaching the Gospel boldly. See John 1:20.]

10. For I am with thee, [See Luke 11. 66.] and no man shall lay (hands) on thee to do thee hurt: for I have much people in this City. [that is, many elect ones which by thy preaching shall be converted. See John 10:16.]

11. And he tarried (there) [Gr.sate there, namely, at Corinth. Hebr. See Matthew 6:14.] a year and six moneths teaching the word of God among them.

12. But when Gallio [This was a Brother of the famous L.Anneus Seneca, the School-master of the Emperour Nero, as Seneca himself testifies, Praefat.quaest.nat.lib.4.he was first called M. Anneus Novatus, but being adopted for a son by C.Junius Gallio he also took his name] was Governour [Gr. Anthypateuon, i.e. governing in stead of the Consul of Rome.See of this word Acts 13:7. And 19. 38.] of Achia; [and also of all Greece Pausan.] the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul, and brought him before the judgement-seat,

13. Saying, this (man) adviseth men that they should worship God against the Law. [Namely, of the Jews, to whom the Romanes had permitted that they might continue in their Law.]

14. And when Paul was about to open (his) mouth [Namely, to defend himself] Gallio said unto the Jews, if there were any wrong or ill deed (committed) [namely, of murder, theft, uproar or the like] O ye Jews, then should I with reason [or according to reason, i.e. as much as reason will permit: as much as shall be reasonable] bear with you. [that is, with patience hear you, and do you justice.]

15. But if there be difference about a word [Namely, which any one hath said or spoken amiss of your Law or Religion] and names, [that is, if this difference be about certain Titles which might be ascribed to any man and (about) the Law which is among you, yourselves shall look to it, for I will be no judge about these things.

16. And he drove them away [That is, commanded them presently to depart] from the judgement-seat.

17. But all the Greeks [Namely, which were yet heathens and unbelievers as Gallio was] took Softhenes [whether this Softhenes be the same of whom is spoken 1 Cor. 1.v. 1.is uncertain] the Ruler of the Synagogue and beat (him) before the judgement-seat, and Gallio regarded none of these things. [namely out of contempt of the Jews, and of the Jewish and Christian Religion.]

18. And when Paul had tarried there yet many daies, he took leave of the brethren, [Namely, having taking order about his own and the churches business, as the Greek word imports. See Mark 6:46.] and took ship from thence towards Syria [namely, along the coast which goeth towards Syria] and Priscilla and Aquila with him, having shorn [namely, as they did, who had made the promise of the Nazarites for a time, Num. 6.v. 18. 19, 20.] (his) head [or the head: for the Greek word may be applied to both, as well to Paul as to Aquila at Cenchrea [this was the haven on the other side called Lechea. Strabo lib.8.] for he had (made) a vow. [namely, of the Nazarites, which is described,Numb. 6.which vow some made for their life, others for a time, as was done here. The reason why this vow was made, see Acts 21:23, 24.and 1 Cor.9.20.from whence it appears that this was a vow, not to God service thereby, but out of love to serve for the edification of the weak Jews, and to shew that he was no contemner of the Law.

19. An he came unto Ephesus, and left them [Namely, Aquila and Priscilla] there, [namely, at Ephesus, to strengthen the Ephesians in the faith] but he went into the Synagogue, and treated with the Jews.

20. And when they intreated that he would abide longer [Gr.for more time] with them, he consented not.

21. But he took leave of them, saying, I must altogether [That is, necessarily, by all means] keep the feast that is coming at Jerusalem: [at this feast he would be, not because he thought that the Jewish feast daies must yet be observed: for he teacheth to the contrary, Galatians 4:10. Colossians 2:16.but because at that feast he should finde occasion to preach the Gospel to many, who by reason of the feast would be there together] But I will return unto you if God will. And he sayled away from Ephesus. [Gr.he was driven towards the height, i.e. towards the deep, over Sea.]

22. And when he was come to Cesarea [Namely situate in Palestina, Acts 10:1.] he went up (towards Jerusalem) and having saluted the Church, he went down to Antioch. [namely, situate in Syria.]

23. And when he had been [Gr.had made. See Acts 15:33.and 20. 3. 2 Cor. 11. 25. James 4:13.] (there) sometime, he went away and travelled in order [namely, from one Church to another to visit them] through the land of Galatia and Phrygia, confirming all the disciples.

24. And a certain Jew by name Apollos, by birth of Alexandria, an eloquent man [Or, well-spoken, who could speak well] came to Ephesus, being mighty in the Scriptures. [that is, very expert in the Scriptures, and fit to interpret the same.]

25. He was instructed [Gr. Catechumenos, i.e. by a lively voice instructed in the principalls of Christian Religion] in the way of the Lord, [that is, in the doctrine of the Lord Christ, who sheweth us the way of salvation, Matthew 22:16. Acts 9:2.and 22 4.and 24. 14.] and being servent of spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. [that is, so much of Christ as John the Baptist had taught his disciples, and confirmed this doctrine unto them unto baptism, by which the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost were not imparted, as was done to many by the baptism of the Apostles, Acts 8:15.and 19.3.]

26. And he began to speak boldly in the Synagogue: and when Aquila and Priscilla had heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God [See v. 25.] more distinctly. [that is, more abundantly in all parts of doctrine from point to point.]

27. And when he would travel towards Achaia, as may be gathered from 1 Cor. 3. 6.] the brethren having exhorted (him) [namely, that he would go courageously forward in teaching, and to accomplish his journey] wrote to the Disciples that they should receive him: who being come thither, he advantaged them much, [that is, helped much for confirmation of the faithfull] who believed by grace. [this may be joyned either with the word advantaged, or with the word believed, for both must come from the grace of God.]

28. For he convinced the Jews with great earnestness [Or strongly urging] publickly, proving by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.