1.
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
Paul . Texts read "he".
departed . See Acts 1:1 , Acts 1:4 .
to . Greek. eis. App-104 . Probably in spring of A.D. 52. See App-180 .
Corinth . At this time the political capital of Greece and seat of the Roman proconsul (Acts 18:12 ), as Athens was its literary centre. Its situation on an isthmus, with harbours on two seas, Lechaeum and Cenchreae, made it of great commercial importance, goods being transhipped and carried across the isthmus from one harbour to another, as was the case at Suez before the canal was made. Strabo says it was the chief emporium between Asia and Italy. The worship of Aphrodite (Latin Venus), the same as Ashtoreth (Judges 2:13 ), was carried on here, with all the Oriental licentiousness, probably introduced by the Phoenicians (1 Kings 11:33 ). Attached to the temple of Venus were one thousand courtesans. The word korinthiazomai, to act the Corinthian, was infamous in classical literature. These facts underlie and explain much in the Epistles to the Corinthians, e.g. 1 Corinthians 5:6 . 1Co 7:9 , 1 Corinthians 7:27 ; as also the fact that the renowned Isthmian games were held in the Stadium attached to the temple of Poseidon (Neptune), a short distance from the city. These games, as well as the temples of Athens, Corinth, and elsewhere, supplied Paul with many of the metaphors with which his writings abound.
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.
found = having found.
certain . Greek. tis. App-123 .
named = by name.
Aquila . See Romans 16:3 . 1Co 16:19 . 2 Timothy 4:19 .
born, &c . = a Pontian by race.
lately . Greek. prosphatos. Only here. The adjective prosphatos, found in Hebrews 10:20 , was common in medical writers.
with . Read "and".
Priscilla . Aquila is never mentioned apart from his wife. Both these are Latin names. Their Jewish names are not given,
because . Greek. dia. App-104 .Acts 18:2 .
Claudius . This edict was issued early in A.D. 52 in consequence either of disturbances in Rome, caused by Jews, or of Judaea itself being almost in a state of rebellion.
unto = to.
3.
And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
of the same craft . Greek. homotechnos. Only here. A word applied by physicians to one another. The medical profession was called the healing art (Greek. techne) .
abode = was abiding. See Acts 16:15 .
wrought = was working. Greek. ergazomai.
by their occupation = as to their craft. Greek. techne.
tentmakers . Greek. skenopoios. Only here. They wove the black cloth of goat's or camel's hair of which tents were made. Every Jewish boy was taught some handicraft. Compare 1 Corinthians 4:12 . 1Th 2:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:11 . 2 Thessalonians 3:8 . The Rabbis said, "Whoever does not teach his son a trade is as if he brought him up to be a robber. "
4.
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
reasoned . Greek. dialegomai. See Acts 17:2 , Acts 17:17 .
synagogue . App-120 . In the museum at Corinth is a fragment of a stone with the inscription, ( suna ) goge hebr ( aion ) = synagogue of the Hebrews. The letters in brackets are missing. Its date is said to be between 100 B.C. and A.D. 200.
every sabbath = sabbath by sabbath. Compare Acts 15:21 .
persuaded = was persuading, or sought to persuade. App-150 .
the . Omit.
Greeks . Greek. Hellen. See Acts 14:1 .
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.
And = Now.
were come = came down.
was pressed, &c . Read, was engrossed with or by (Greek. en) the word, i.e. his testimony.
spirit . All thetexts read "word" (Greek. logos . App-121 .10).
and testified = earnestly testifying. Greek. diamarturomai. See note on Acts 2:40 .
Jesus . App-98 .
was = is.
Christ = the Messiah. App-98 . Compare 1 Corinthians 1:23 . This was to the Jews a horrible "scandal".
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.
oppossd themselves . Greek. antitassomai, to set in battle array. Elsewhere translated "resist". Romans 13:2 . J as. Acts 4:6 ; Acts 5:6 . 1 Peter 5:6 .
shook . Greek. ektinasso. See note on Acts 13:51 .
raiment = outer garments. Greek. himation. Compare Acts 12:8 .
your own heads . Fig . Synecdoche. App-6 . "Head" put for man himself.
clean = pure (Greek. katharos), i.e. free from responsibility. Compare Acts 20:26 . Ezekiel 3:17-21 .
henceforth = now.
Gentiles . Greek. ethnos. i.e. in Corinth. See next verse. He still continued to go first to, the synagogues in other places. See Acts 19:8 and App-181 .
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.
Justus . Some texts read Titus, or Titius, Justus.
worshipped . Greek. sebomai. App-137 .
God . App-98 .
joined hard . Greek. sunomoreo. Only here.
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.
Crispus . See 1 Corinthians 1:14 .
chief, &c . Greek. archisunagogos. Here and Acts 18:17 translated chief ruler, &c. In all other places, ruler, &c. See note on Acts 13:15 .
believed on . App-150 .
believed . App-150 .
baptized . App-115 and App-185 .
9.
Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
vision . Greek. horama. See note on Acts 7:31 .
speak . Greek. laleo. App-121 .
hold . . . thy peace = be. . . silent. Greek. siopao. Only here in Acts, ten times in the Gospels. This is the Figure of speech Pleonasm. App-6 .
10.
For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
no man = no one.
set on thee = lay (hands) on thee.
hurt thee = do thee evil. Greek. kakoo. See note on Acts 7:6 .
people . Greek. laos. Here nsed generally.
11.
And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
continued . Literally "sat". Figure of speech Synecdoche (of species). "Sit" used of a permanent condition.
a year and six months . In A.D. 52-53. During this period Paul wrote 1 Thess. (A.D. 52) and 2 Thess. (A.D. 53), and probably Hebrews. See introductory notes to these epistles and App-180 .
word . Greek. logos. App-121 .
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,
when, &c . Literally Gallio being proconsul. Another instance of. Luke's accuracy. Achaia was a senatorial province under Augustus, imperial under Tiberius, but after A.D. 44 restored by Claudius to the senate and therefore governed by a proconsul.
Gallio . Brother of Seneca, who was Nero's tutor. Said to be an amiable and gracious man.
was the deputy . Greek. anthupateuo. Literally holding the office of proconsul ( anthupatos) . Only here. Some of the texts read anthupatou ontos, being proconsul. Compare Acts 13:7 ; Acts 19:38 .
made insurrection . . . against = rose up against. Greek. katephistemi. Only here. The verb ephistemi occurs Acts 17:5 , "assault".
with one accord . Greek. homothumadon. See note on Acts 1:14 .
judgment seat . Greek. bema. See note on John 19:13 . In the Athenian courts there were two other platforms, for the accuser and the accused.
13.
Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
This fellow = This one. persuadeth. Greek. anapeitho. Strong form of peitho ( App-150 .) Only here.
men . Greek. anthropos. App-123 .
contrary to = against. Greek. para. App-104 .
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:
now . Omit.
open his mouth . Figure of speech Idioma. App-6 . A Hebraism.
If = If indeed. Greek. ei. App-118 .
a matter of wrong = an injustice. Greek. adikema. App-128 .
wicked . Greek. poneros. App-128 .
lewdness = recklessness. Greek. radiourgema. Only here. Compare Acts 13:10 .
reason would = according to (Greek. kata. App-104 .) reason (Greek. logos. App-121 .)
that I should = I would.
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.
a question . Greek. zetema. See note on Acts 15:2 . The texts read "questions".
words = a word. Greek. logos. App-121 .
your law = the law (that is) with (Greek. kata. App-104 .) you.
look, &c . = look ye yourselves to it. Greek. opsomai. App-133 .
for . Omit. will be no judge = will (Greek. boulomai. App-102 .) not (Greek. ou. App-105 .) be a judge (Greek. krites. Compare App-122 and App-177 :6, 7, 8).
such = these.
16.
And he drave them from the judgment seat.
drave . Greek. apelauno. Only here. They probably persisted in their charges and so the liotors were ordered to clear the court.
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.
all the Greeks . The texts read, "they all".
Sosthenes . He had apparently succeeded Crispus (Acts 18:8 ). Compare 1 Corinthians 1:1 .
bsat . The crowd, to whom the Jews were obnoxious, would be glad to second the work of the lictors.
Gallio, &c . Literally none ( ouden ) of these things was a concern to Gallio. He refused to interfere in behalf of such troublesome litigants.
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.
tarried = stayed on. Greek. prosmeno. See note on Acts 11:23 .
a good while = many days.
took his leave = having taken leave. Greek. apotasso, to set apart. Mid. withdraw. In N.T. always in Mid. Voice. Here, Acts 18:21 .Mark 6:46 . Luke 9:61 ; Luke 14:33 . 2 Corinthians 2:13 .
and sailed = sailed away. See note on Acts 15:39 .
shorn . Greek. keiro. Occurs elsewhere, Acts 8:32 , and 1 Corinthians 11:6 . In the latter passage keiro, which means to "shear", and xurao, which means to "shave", both occur. Compare Acts 21:24 .
Cenchrea . This was the port east of Corinth whence he would set sail.
vow . Greek. euche. App-134 . Only here, Acts 21:23 , and James 5:15 . It has been questioned whether these words refer to Paul or to Aquila. The facts point to Paul, for whichever it was, the ceremonies connected with the vow could only be completed at Jerusalem, and while Paul was hastening his journey thither (Acts 18:21 ), Aquila appears to have remained at Ephesus (Acts 18:26 ).
19.
And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
he . The texts read "they".
came . Greek. katantao. See note on Acts 16:1 .
20.
When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
desired = asked. Greek. erotao. App-134 .
tarry . Greek. meno. See p. 1511.
longer time = for (Greek. epi. App-104 .) more time.
consented . Greek. epineuo, to nod towards. Only here. Used in medical
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.
bade them farewell . Greek. apotasso, as in Acts 18:18 , "took his leave. "
I must . . . Jerusalem . The texts omit this clause, but not the Syriac.
return . Greek. anakampto, bend back (my steps). Only here, Matthew 2:12 . . Luke 10:6 . Hebrews 11:15 .
if God will = God being willing (Greek. thelo. App-102 .)
sailed . Greek. anago. See note on Acts 13:13 .
22.
And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
when he had landed = having come down.
at = to. Greek. eis. App-104 .
gone up , i.e. to Jerusalem. Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6 .
church . App-186 .
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, &c . Literally having made. See Acts 15:33 .
some time . Probably three months. It was from Antioch he had gone forth on his first missionary journey; it had happier associations for him than Jerusalem, where they were "all zealous of the law" (Acts 21:20 ).
country of Galatia . Not the province, but the district.
in order . Greek. kathexes. See note on Acts 3:24 .
strengthening . Greek. episterizo. The texts read sterizo. See note on Acts 14:22 .
24.
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
Apollos . Shortened form of Apollonius.
eloquent . Greek. logios. Only here. The word may mean either "eloquent", or "learned". The latter idea is expressed in the next phrase.
man . Greek. anir. App-123 .
mighty . Greek. dunatos. Said of Moses (Acts 7:22 ).
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.
This man = This one.
instructed . Greek. katecheo. See notes on Acts 21:21 , Acts 21:24 .Luke 1:4 .Romans 2:18 . Compare Engl, "catechise".
in = as to.
the way . See note on Acts 9:2 .
fervent . Greek. zeo , to boil. Only here and Romans 12:11 . His was burning zeal. Figure of speech Idioma. App-6 .
spirit . App-101 . Fervent in spirit means spiritually fervent, or exceedingly zealous.
diligently = accurately. Greek. akribos. Here Matthew 2:8 . Luke 1:3 .Ephesians 5:15 . 1 Thessalonians 5:2 . The verb akriboo only in Matthew 2:7 , Matthew 2:16 .
of = concerning (Greek. peri. App-104 .)
the Lord . The texts read "Jesus".
knowing . Greek. epistamai. App-132 .
baptism . Greek. baptisma. App-115 .
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.
he = this one.
speak boldly . Greek. parrhesiazomai. See note on Acts 9:27 .
expounded . Greek. ektithemi. Set out before him. See note on Acts 7:21 .
more perfectly = more accurately. Comp. of akribos, Acts 18:25 .
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:
'was disposed = wished. Greek. boulomai. App-102 .
exhorting . Greek. protrepomai. Only here. According to the order in the Greek this refers to Apollos, and it should read, "the brethren, having encouraged him, wrote".
receive . Greek. apodechomai. See note on Acts 2:41 .
helped . Greek. sumballo. See note on Acts 4:15 .
through . Greek. dia. App-104 .Acts 18:1 .
grace . App-184 .
28.
For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
mightily . Greek. eutonos. Only here and Luke 23:10 . A medical word.
convinced = confuted. Greek. diakatelenchomai. Only here.
publickly . Greek. demosia. See note on Acts 5:18 .