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Acts 18

28 verses

TL;DR

Paul leaves Athens for Corinth, partners with Aquila and Priscilla, preaches the gospel to Jews and Gentiles, faces persecution in Achaia, continues missionary journeys to Ephesus, Caesarea, Antioch, and strengthens the church with Apollos.

Summary

After departing Athens, Paul arrives in Corinth where he meets Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tentmakers, and they work together. He preaches in the synagogue, testifying that Jesus is Christ, but is opposed and declares he will go to the Gentiles. Paul stays a year and six months teaching, then is brought before the Roman governor Gallio for a Jewish complaint, and Gallio dismisses the case as a Jewish legal matter. Paul leaves Corinth, sails to Syria, visits Ephesus, and decides to continue the Jerusalem feast, then moves to Caesarea and Antioch, strengthening churches in Galatia and Phrygia. In Ephesus he encounters Apollos, a powerful preacher, who is taught by Aquila and Priscilla and later helps spread the gospel, convincing Jews with Scripture that Jesus is Christ.

Outline
  1. Paul’s partnership with Aquila & Priscilla in Corinth and initial preaching
  2. Legal confrontation in Achaia and Gallio’s dismissal
  3. Missionary travels: Ephesus, Caesarea, Antioch, Galatia & Phrygia, and the role of Apollos
Themes
Missionary partnership and collaborationFaith vs. legalistic oppositionSpread of the gospel to Gentiles
Keywords
apostlegospelfaithJewish lawGentilessynagoguemissionpreaching
People
PaulAquilaPriscillaClaudiusSilasTimothyJustusCrispusGallioSosthenesApollos
Places
AthensCorinthRomeItalyAchaiaEphesusCaesareaAntiochGalatiaPhrygia
Things
tentmakersynagoguepreachingbaptismvowvisionJewish lawGentiles
Key Verses
  • Acts 18:12-16: Illustrates Roman judicial neutrality toward Jewish legal disputes
  • Acts 18:5: Paul’s declaration of turning to the Gentiles marks a pivotal shift in missionary focus
  • Acts 18:8: First major conversion of a Jewish chief ruler, Crispus, and his household
Questions
  • What does Paul’s partnership with Aquila and Priscilla reveal about early Christian ministry? How does Gallio’s dismissal of the case reflect the relationship between Jewish law and Roman governance? In what ways does Apollos’ experience illustrate the importance of doctrinal instruction within the early church?
Sentiment

mixed
Acts displays both triumphant missionary progress and challenging persecution