Acts 18

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

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.

And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

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 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.

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.

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.

Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

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:

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.

And he drave them from the judgment seat.

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.

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.

And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;

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.

And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

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.

And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

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.

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.

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:

For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

What does Acts 18:20 mean?

Explanation

The verse Acts 18:20 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads: "When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;" This verse occurs within a passage describing Paul the Apostle's missionary work.

The "they" in this verse refers to the people of Ephesus, who were the audience of Paul's preaching.

The verse shows that the Ephesians wanted Paul to stay with them for a longer period of time, indicating that they valued his teachings and company.

However, Paul "consented not," meaning he did not agree to stay longer.

This refusal suggests that, despite the Ephesians' desire for his extended presence, Paul had other commitments or a sense of urgency in continuing his missionary journey elsewhere.

The deeper meaning points to the commitment to the broader mission over local attachments and the transient nature of apostolic ministry.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

At the time Acts 18:20 was written, Paul was on his second missionary journey, a significant period in the spread of early Christianity. Ephesus was a major city in the Roman Empire, located in what is now modern-day Turkey.

It was a center of trade and had a mix of cultures, religions, and philosophies. Acts 18 depicts Paul engaging with the Jewish and God-fearing Gentile population there, which was common practice for him to preach in synagogues first.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse reflects the idea of divine calling and obedience.

Paul's refusal to stay longer may indicate his commitment to following God's plan for him, even over the wishes of his followers.

It also demonstrates the transient nature of the apostles' ministry, as they were called to spread the word broadly rather than remain in one place.

Some theologians may see in Paul's response an example of discernment, recognizing and responding to God's direction over human desires. Others might discuss the importance of spreading the Gospel and not becoming too comfortable in one place when there is a larger mission field.

Practical Applications

This verse serves as a reminder of prioritizing one's life mission or calling over comfort and popular demand.

It can encourage individuals to follow their convictions even when others wish for them to do otherwise.

In daily life, this might relate to making decisions that align with personal or spiritual goals, rather than conforming to the expectations of others.

Cross-References

Acts 20:24 - "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."
Acts 16:6-7 - "Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not."

Language Study

The key phrase in Acts 18:20 is "he consented not," translated from the Greek word "ouk" (οὐκ), which is a strong negative meaning "not" or "no" and "suneudokēsen" (συνευδόκησεν), which is derived from "syneudokeo" meaning to agree with or consent.

This emphasizes Paul's firm decision against staying longer.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the context of other ancient religions and myths, Paul's decision to leave might be compared to various figures who were on a quest or mission, such as Odysseus from Homer's Odyssey, whose journey was marked by many detours yet always had the goal of returning home.

Similarly, Paul had an end goal for his missionary journeys, which he pursued despite local attachments or diversions.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific or psychological perspective, one could analyze Paul's decision-making process and his resistance to social pressure, which can be studied in terms of cognitive biases, social conformity, and commitment to personal goals.

Modern studies explore how individuals balance community desires against their own aims, a topic relevant to Paul's context.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentaries interpret Acts 18:20 differently.

Some, like the Matthew Henry Commentary, focus on Paul's willingness to leave as evidence of his dedication to God's work.

The Pulpit Commentary notes that his decision demonstrates his sense of duty and the sacrifice required of him as an apostle.

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible points out that Paul's refusal was polite yet firm, made with a view to his apostolic mission to preach to all nations.

Each commentary underscores the theme of devotion to divine calling above all else.

Acts 18

Acts 18

What does Acts 18:20 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 18:20 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?