Acts 18

Acts 18:18-23

In this chapter we have, 1. Paul’s coming to Corinth, his private converse with Aquila and Priscilla, and his public exuberance with the Jews, from whom, when they visited him, he turned to the Gentiles, vers. 1-6. 2. The great success of his ministry there, and the encouragement Christ gave him in a vision to continue his labours there, vers. 7-11. 3. The modifications which after June time he met with them from the Jews, but Gallia the Roman power enjoyed to intermediate in the cause, vers. 12-17. 4. The progress Paul made through many countries, after he had continued long at Corinth, for the edifying and wintering of the churches which he had founded and planted, in which service he made a part with the Jews, vers. 18-23. 5. An account of Apollos’s improvement in knowledge, and of his influence in the church, vers. 24-28.

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 these occupation they were tent-makers.) 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 spirit, and refitted 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.

2. 1-6. At Athens Paul seems to have made no long stay. Probably the pride of philosophy promised little success to the gospel which he preached. He therefore next visited Corinth, a city famous through all Greece for trade and opulence.

3. The apostle, unwilling to be burdensome for a maintenance, highly as he was insisted to the most liberal provision, worked for bread at his trade of tent-making; all the Jewish students being brought up to some handicraft business. Aquila, a converted Jew, with his wife Priscilla, who were of this occupation, being banished from Rome, with all the other Jews, by the jealous emperor Claudius, had settled at Corinth. To them, whom he found excellent people, and deeply versed in the things of God, he applied for work, and detained not to labour for a subsistence. A noble instance of that disinterested zeal which burned in his bosom, and made him willing to undergo any hardship, to prevent the least prejudice which might arise, however unreasonably, against the gospel that he preached! Note, Those who are seeking a service would do well to settle with those from whom they are likely to reap good to their souls.

4. Whilst he laboured six days for a maintenance, every Sabbath, with indefatigable diligence and zeal, he visited the synagogue, where he resigned with the Jews and German privileges, proving from the Scriptures the doctrines which he preached with unadulterable arguments, and silencing all their objections; and persuaded them to embrace the salvation which was in Christ Jesus: and, with respect to many, not without success. And being still more animated by the coming of Silas and Timothy, who brought him the glad tidings of the establishment and increase of the churches which he had planted, he urged with greater warmth and earnestness the grand truth, that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah, and that there was no salvation out of him; grieved to behold the obstinate infidelity of the Jews, and mightily constrained with love towards them, and desire after their conversion. Note, A true zeal for Jesus, and love for immortal souls, will give warmth, energy, and spirit to our discourses.

5. When he found all his labours for them rejected with scorn, and returned with reviling; that they opposed with determined oblivionary what they could not answer, and blasphemed that divine Redeemer whom he preached unto them; with just indignation he shook his raiment, and, abandoning them to their wilful impunity, said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; having given you solemn warning, and laboured to rescue you from that guilt and ruin which ye are terribly and surely bringing upon your souls: from henceforth, since all my words are ineffectual, and rejected by you, I will go unto the Gentiles; not doubting but they will give the gospel word a

VOL. II.

more welcome reception. Note, (1.) They who wilfully oppose the gospel, exasperated, instead of convinced, go on often to add blasphemy to impenitence. (2.) It is a comfort to a faithful minister at least to be conscious that he is free from the blood of all men. (3.) Wee unto those against whom the very ministers of grace shall rise up in judgment to accuse and condemn them.

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. ¶ ⁹ And a 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 I make 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 let 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.

8. 7-11. Having solemnly warned the Jews of the danger and ruin which would be the consequence of their impenitence, he departed.

9. From the synagogue he went to the house adjoining, which belonged to one named Justus, a presbyter, whither there who desired to bear him might resort. And though the generality of the Jews rejected his preaching, yet he saw rich trusts of his labours; Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, being converted to the faith, with all his house: and a great number of the Corinthians, hearing the gospel, believed and were baptized. Note, (1.) Though some reject the gospel, it is a great comfort to a minister’s soul to the others not only hear it with attention, but embrace it with affection. (2.) Not many nobles and rulers are called; yet here and there one, to leave the rest at least inexcusable.

10. Amist all Paul’s discouragements the Lord is with him to support and comfort him, and by a vision in the night animates him boldly to persevere, saying, Be not afraid of the opposition and malice of the Jews; for speak, and hold not thy peace; with all diligence, fidelity, and zeal, declaring the gospel, deterred by no menace to opposition of the most malignant persecutors; for I am with thee, to support, protect, and prosper thee in all thy labours; and no man shall let on thee to hurt thee, restrained by a secret over-ruling hand from injuring your person, or silencing your ministry; for I have much people in this city, whom I have ordained unto eternal life, and who shall be called and converted by thy ministry. Note, (1.) If God be with us and for us, we need not be intimidated by the many or the mighty who may rise up against us. (2.) They who are labouring for Christ, though they be not visited with night visions, shall find internal divine, happens ministered to them amidst all their tribulations. (3.) Where God hath a people, he will find to them his gospel, and all that the Father hath given his Son shall come unto him.

11. Encouraged by this declaration, the apostle continued at Corinth a year and six months, with unwarrated diligence and fervent zeal preaching the gospel, and seeing numbers daily added to the church of such as should be saved, God opening to him a great door and effectual, though there were many adversaries, 1 Cor. xvi. 9.

12. ¶ And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment-feat, 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 laid 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-feat. 17. Then all the Greeks took Solthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-feat: and Gallio cared for none of those things.

13. 12-17. Though God had promised to save the apostle from hurt, he doth not engage to exempt him from the malicious efforts of his enemies.

14. The Jews, as they had elsewhere done, raised an insurrection, and to a popular tumult dogged Paul before Gallia the proconsul, who was the brother of the famous Seneca, and is said to have been of the most sweet and gentle disposition, and universally beloved. Their accusation against the apostle was, that this fellow, so contentiously do they speak of him, persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law; and because they were allowed the exercise of their religion by the edicts of the Roman

emperor, they pretend it was highly criminal for any Jew to worship God any other way than they did.

2. Paul was just going to make his defence, and shew the falsehood as well as malignity of the accusation. But Gallio, understanding it was a merely religious matter, refuted to interfere, and dismissed the cause, saying, If it were a matter of wrong, or wicked lewdness, where any injury had been done, or theft or immorality committed, O ye Jews, reason were that I should bear with you, and do you justice, indecently clamorous as you are; but if it be a position of names and of your law, whether Jesus, whom Paul preaches, be your Messiah, and what obligation there lies on him, or those whom he teaches, to worship God after the law of Moses, look ye to it, and end such disputes among yourselves, for I will be no judge of such matters, it is no concern to me how any man worships God, whilst he approves himself a good subject, and disturbs not the peace of the state. And he deems them from the judgment-feas, expressing his displeasure at their troublesome and impertinent clamours. Now, Magistrates are bound to right the injured; but, where the accusation is evidently frivolous or malicious, such causes should be discontenanced and dismissed.

3. Exaggerated at their disappointment, the unbelieving Greeks took hold of Solthenes, the chief ruler of the Synagogue, Paul’s friend, 1 Cor. 1. and fellow-labourer, and, to vent their re-treatment, they beat him before the judgment-feas, in the face of the governor. And Gallio cared for none of those things, rather chafing to wink at the affront and injustice, than control himself with an enraged populace.

Some suppose that Solthenes was not yet a convert, but headed the accusation against the apostle; and that, as the Jews were in general hated, the profane Greeks, seeing the governor favourable to Paul, were encouraged to put this insult upon them in the person of their chief ruler. Whichever was the case, the behaviour of Gallio was justly to be blamed; for, whether Solthenes was a good or bad man at that time, such illegal proceedings deserved animadversion: but he seems to have been too indifferent about the matter, and merely to consult his own ease.

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 sworn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. 19. And he came to Ephefus, 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 Ephefus. 22. And when he had landed at Cefarea, and gone up and faluted 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.

After a long abode at Corinth, and seeing abundant success of his labours, we have here,

1. The apostle’s departure. Having taken a solemn farewell of the brethren, he let sail for Syria, Priscilla and Aquila accompanying him, having sworn his head at Cenchrea; for he had a vow; willing, as far as was lawful, to comply with the Jews, that he might gain them the more readily to hear him. And now the time of his vow of Nazariotim, under which he had bound himself, being expired, his head was thaved according to the law, Numb. vi. 1—21. Now, in all indifferent matters we should become all things to all men, in order, if it pleads God, that we may by any means gain some to the knowledge of Christ.

2. His arrival at Ephefus, the chief city of the proconsular Asia. There, as his custom was, he entered into the synagogue of the Jews, and resigned with them concerning the great truths of Christianity. But his stay was very short, as he hastened to Jerusalem: and therefore, leaving Aquila and Priscilla there, though they, and probably the other Jews, desired him to make some longer abode with them, they could not prevail with him, he having urgent business which called him to Jerusalem, where he intended to keep the approaching feast, probably the passover. But with God’s permission he engaged to return to them again, and make some longer stay among them, to dispense that gospel which they seemed desirous to hear. Now, As all our motions are under the Divine Providence, and our times are in his hands, a gracious soul determines nothing absolutely, but adds to all his purposes, if it pleads the Lord.

3. Suiling from Ephefus, he arrived at Cefarea, where landing, he went up to Jerusalem, and saluted the church, enquiring of their welfare, gladdening them with the tidings he brought, and maintaining communion with his brethren the apostles, who might still make that the chief place of their reform. And

such friendly visits of Christ’s ministers are a great comfort and mutual encouragement to each other.

4. From Jerusalem he departed for Antioch, the most famed Gentile church, from whence he had been at first sent forth, and whether now the second time he returned with still more joyful accounts of the propels of the gospel. After some time spent there, he proceeded on a third visitation, going over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples, confirming them in the faith, encouraging them to persevere, and suggesting the thronged motives and arguments to engage them to take up the truth, and patiently in well-doing to approve their fidelity to their blessed Lord and Master.

5. ¶ And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephefus. 25. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and ‘being forever 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 Azania, 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 18:24-28

Whilst the apostle was on his travels, under a promise of returning to Ephefus, the Lord was railing up in that place an eminently useful minister in the person of Apollos.

1. The account given of him is, that he was a Jew by birth, a native of Alexandria in Egypt, a man of singular abilities, possessed of a fond of solid learning, and evoked with a most persuasive faculty of education, deeply read in the Scriptures, and every way highly qualified for the work of the ministry. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord, and, as far as John’s ministry went, embraced the principles of the doctrine of Christ; and, so far as his knowledge reached, being forever in Spirit, and impressed with a warm zeal for God’s glory, and the good of men’s souls, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, with much study and pains, according to his best light; knowing only the baptism of John, who spoke of the approaching Messiah, and exhorted all men to prepare for his reception. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue, with great freedom of speech and intrepidity of mind, fearless of the faces of men. A noble pattern for our imitation! And happy is it for that people to whom the Lord is pleased to send such a helper, whose heart, enriched with grace, zealously longs for their salvation, and whose gifts of wisdom and education enable him in the most engaging and powerful manner to urge the truths he preaches upon the conscience.

2. Aquila and Priscilla with pleasure heard him, and, observing his simplicity and zeal, they invited him to their lodging; and, being far more experienced and enlightened Christians, they expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly, which it seems he never had an opportunity of being informed of before, having probably lived at Alexandria till now; and he immediately embraced the gospel, as soon as he heard it. Herein we may observe, (1.) The gracious conduct of Aquila and Priscilla. Though far more experienced in the truths of God, they attended the ministry of Apollos, encouraged him in his work, and helped him greatly by their private conversation with him. Older Christians should thus be ready to assist young ministers with their advice, and countenance them in their labours. (2.) The great teachablements of Apollos. Though a man so ingenious, learned, and eloquent, he disdained not to sit as a scholar at the feet of a poor team-maker and his wife, and to learn of them the good ways of God. Thus should young ministers covet the acquaintance of more aged and wise Christians: and much, very much, may be learned from conversing with poor old men and women, despicable as they may appear in the eyes of scientific pride. (3.) Whatever our attainments are, we should never think ourselves too wise to learn. They who know most will covet to know more, and have their ears open to those who can expound to them the way of God more perfectly.

3. When, after some stay at Ephefus, Apollos was disposed to pass into Azania, to preach the gospel there, particularly at Corinth, Aquila and Priscilla recommended him by letter to the brethren as an able and faithful servant of the Lord Jesus; and, when he came thither, he helped them much which had believed through grace, establishing their faith, comforting their hearts, and building them up on that foundation which Paul had laid; for he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, in their synagogues and before all the people, shewing by the scriptures, with the most convincing arguments and closest application, that Jesus was Christ, the true, expected Messiah, by faith in whom alone salvation

salvation could be obtained. Now, (1.) Faith is the gift of God; it is by his grace alone that we are enabled to receive the salvation which is in his Son. (2.) Though we have true faith, yet we need help and quickening, that we may be more confessed and established in the truth. (3.) They who are put in truth with the gospel should be able to defend the great truths which they preach, and from the Scriptures, with all zeal and meekness, to convince gainsayers and confirm the faithful.