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 18:21 mean?

Explanation

Acts 18:21 is a part of the narrative about Paul's missionary journeys in the New Testament.

In this verse, Paul is addressing the Ephesian believers while departing from the port of Ephesus.

He expresses his intent to keep a forthcoming feast in Jerusalem, which indicates his observance of Jewish customs and festivals, and he also signals his openness to God's will concerning his return to the Ephesian community.

The passage showcases Paul's dedication to his mission, his respect for Jewish tradition, and his submission to divine guidance.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

During the time of the early church, Jerusalem was the center of Jewish religious life.

The "feast" mentioned likely refers to one of the major Jewish festivals, such as Passover, Weeks (Pentecost), or Tabernacles, which were pilgrimage festivals where many Jews traveled to Jerusalem.

Acts 18:21 falls within the broader context of Paul's Second Missionary Journey, which is recorded in the book of Acts.

Paul's travels were aimed at spreading the Christian faith and strengthening the early church.

The period was marked by both Jewish and Roman governance, influencing Paul's activities and his adherence to Jewish laws and customs.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints may focus on Paul's commitment to Jewish feasts as an indication of continuity between the Old and New Covenants, underscoring that the early Christian faith was deeply rooted in Judaism.

Other perspectives might highlight Paul’s statement "if God will" as a testament to the early Christian understanding of divine providence and the recognition that human plans are ultimately subordinate to God’s will.

Practical Applications

The verse serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual obligations and traditional practices, while simultaneously emphasizing the need to be flexible and responsive to God's will.

Believers can learn from Paul's example by being diligent in their religious duties but also open to the guiding hand of God in their life decisions.

Cross-References

Acts 20:22 - "And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:"
James 4:15 - "For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."

Language Study

"Bade them farewell": The original Greek verb used here is "apoluō," meaning to set free or to take leave of.
"Feast": This word translates from the Greek word "heortē," referring to a festival or a holiday, often with religious connotations.
"Must by all means": This phrase reflects the Greek "pantōs dei," indicating a sense of obligation or necessity.
"If God will": The Greek "ean ho theos thelēsei" conveys a condition dependent on God's will, illustrating a common Jewish-Christian expression of submission to divine sovereignty.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The early Christian practice observed by Paul would have paralleled Jewish religious life, yet differed from the polytheistic and emperor worship that was common in Greco-Roman society.

Comparisons can also be made to other ancient cultures that observed regular festivals, often tied to agricultural cycles or deities, although the Christian perspective was uniquely monotheistic and salvific in nature.

Scientific Perspectives

There are no direct scientific perspectives related to this verse.

However, the practice of traveling for religious festivals reflects an understanding of the social and psychological needs for communal rituals and traditions, which modern anthropology and sociology continue to study.

Commentaries

Experts often focus on this verse as evidence of Paul's continued observance of Jewish customs after his conversion to Christianity.

They may also note that his willingness to revisit the Ephesian believers highlights the apostle's pastoral concern and the importance of cultivating Christian communities.

Commentaries might also discuss the theological significance of Paul's acknowledgment of God's will as indicative of the early Christian worldview that emphasizes divine guidance and providence.

Acts 18

Acts 18

What does Acts 18:21 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 18:21 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?