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 18:6 mean?

Explanation

Acts 18:6 depicts a significant moment in the ministry of the Apostle Paul.

Having faced opposition and blasphemy from his Jewish audience, Paul dramatically responds by shaking out his clothing.

This act symbolizes his rejection of responsibility for their disbelief and a turning point where he decides to focus his missionary efforts on the Gentiles.

The phrase "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean" suggests that Paul is free from guilt regarding their possible condemnation, as he has fulfilled his duty to convey the message of Christ to them.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

At the time of Acts 18:6, Paul is in the city of Corinth, a major trade center in ancient Greece.

Paul's mission was first and foremost to the Jews, as seen in his regular use of synagogues as starting points for preaching the gospel.

Due to the resistance he faced, he asserts his intention to go to the Gentiles, who were non-Jews.

This historical moment reflects the early Christian church's transition from a Jewish sect to a universal religion.

Paul's ministry illustrates the growing inclusion of Gentiles in the Christian faith.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Acts 18:6 is a testament to the principle of individual responsibility in the acceptance of the gospel.

It also demonstrates God's impartiality, in which the message of salvation is offered to all, Jew and Gentile alike, fulfilling the prophecy that the gospel would be a light to the nations.

This verse underscores the belief that messengers of God are responsible for preaching the truth but are not accountable for the personal decisions of others regarding that truth.

Practical Applications

In contemporary terms, Acts 18:6 emphasizes the principle of letting go of responsibility for the responses of others to one's message or actions when done in integrity.

It is a call to share one's beliefs without imposition and an encouragement to respect the autonomy of others in making personal decisions.

Additionally, it touches on the importance of adapting to new audiences and being receptive to change when strategies are not effective.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 33:4: "Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head."
Matthew 10:14: "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."
Acts 13:46: “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”

Language Study

"Opposed themselves" (Greek: antitassō): to arrange in battle against, to oppose.
"Blasphemed" (Greek: blasphēmeō): to speak injuriously, to slander.
"Shook his raiment" (Greek: ektinaxas to himation): a symbolic act of rejection or casting off responsibility.
"Your blood be upon your own heads" (Greek: to haima humōn epi tēn kephalēn humōn): an idiomatic expression indicating responsibility for one's own fate or judgement.
"I am clean" (Greek: katharos eimi): to be pure, free from any responsibility or guilt.
"Gentiles" (Greek: ethnos): a group of people, often understood in this context as non-Jews.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This moment in Acts closely resembles practices in other cultures and religions where shaking off dust or garments symbolizes disassociation or cleansing oneself from responsibility. In Jewish tradition, shaking garments could be an act of mourning or a sign of rejection.

The concept of blood guiltiness is prevalent in ancient legal systems and religious rituals, often indicating that the consequences of certain actions must fall on the person responsible.

Scientific Perspectives

While Acts 18:6 does not directly intersect with scientific discussions, the principles of personal responsibility and human behavior can be explored through psychological studies on belief systems and group dynamics.

Understanding why people may resist or accept new ideas is a topic of interest in sociology and psychology.

Commentaries

Commentators have various interpretations of Acts 18:6.

Some see it as a pivotal moment in Christian history when the gospel message officially began reaching a wider audience. Others focus on the personal responsibility aspect, viewing Paul's shaking of his clothes as a release from obligation, consistent with Jewish symbolism at the time.

Many affirm the importance of this act in ushering in a more inclusive understanding of the Christian faith that transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries.

Acts 18

Acts 18

What does Acts 18:6 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 18:6 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?