Bible Commentaries
Acts 18

Verses 1-28

XVIII 1-4 At Corinth in the Synagogue, A.D. 51 — The capital of Achaia and a large city and port was a byword even in antiquity for immorality. (But see on 1 Cor, § 864d.)2. Aquila and Priscilla were almost certainly Christians. St Luke tells us they were Jews to explain their expulsion from Rome, presumably that referred to by Suetonius, Claudius25, after the riots ’impulsore Chresto’, a.d. 49.

The Jewish colony in Rome was large, and a few years later Aquila and Priscilla were back in Rome, Romans 16:3.3. They left Corinth with St Paul, 18 and 26. Their house was the church’s centre not only at Corinth but at Ephesus, 1, Cor 16:19, and Rome, Romans 16:4-5.4. The words bringing in the name’, etc., have little MSS authority.

5-11 The Preaching to the Gentiles at Corinth —5. Cf. 17:15 note. Silas and Timothy probably brought alms from Macedonia, which made tent-making less necessary, See 2 Corinthians 11:8-9. Cf. also 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1.6. Cf. 13:45. St Paul disclaims responsibility. 1 and 2 Thess were written from Corinth, and mention the persecution, 1 Thessalonians 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 3:7’Titius Justus’ Was a proselyte, and his house now became the centre of the church. 8. Cf.1 Corinthians 1:14-16. For St Paul’s account see 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.9. After the Jewish opposition St Paul is again encouraged and guided by Jesus. He often speaks of his discouragement in 2 Cor. 10. Even in that wicked city many will listen to the call of God; cf.1 Corinthians 1:26; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.11. Converts were also made in the province, 2 Corinthians 1:1. For further details of the building up of the Church in Corinth see § 864h. St Paul left in his own time, when he saw that the new community was solidly established and his work crowned with success.

12-17 St Paul before Gallio, A.D. 52-12. From an inscription at Delphi we gather that Gallio arrived to take up office, in 51 or 52, cf.*Foakes-Jackson and K. Lake, op. cit. v, 460 f. He was Seneca’s brother, and a weak but agreeable man, faithful to his relatives and friends.

13. The Jews took advantage of the arrival of a new proconsul to accuse St Paul of breaches of their Law.

14-16. Gallio seems to have shared his brother’s contempt for the Jews.

17. Sosthenes was probably the author of the accusation against St Paul.

18-22 The Return to Antioch —18. St Luke is anxious to hurry on to tell of the evangelization of the next great centre Ephesus. Cenchreae was the eastern port of Corinth; cf.Romans 16:1. Perhaps during his perils at Corinth St Paul had taken the Nazirite vow that he would not cut his hair, for a period, or till out of danger, Numbers 6:2. See. Sec: 21:21. 19-21. It seems that the ship only stayed long enough for one Sabbath.

22. ’The church’ is used in its primitive sense, i.e. the community at Jerusalem, as in 5:11. This is the last mention of Antioch in Ac.

XVIII 23-XXI 14 Third Missionary Journey, A.D. 53-8 —Ephesus was to be the centre of this journey, but first, after passing the Cilician Gates, St Paul spent most of the year in Phrygia and Galatia; see 16:6.

XVIII 24-8 Apollos at Ephesus —24. Apollos, with whom 1 Corinthians 1:12-1Co_3:22 is concerned, is mentioned to explain the beginning of St Paul’s apostolate at Ephesus. 25. On ’the way’ see 9:2. Apollos taught ’accurately’, but not completely. 27. At Corinth ’he helped them much who had believed, through the grace’ he had received from God. cf.1 Corinthians 3:6, and for the letter, 2 Corinthians 3:1.