Bible Commentaries
Acts 18

Verse 1

Acts 18:1

Corinth -- In NT times about 400,000, one of the larger and most immoral city in the Roman Empire and home to a famousTemple of Aphoditius. The priestess’ of the temple were said to wear sandals that left the message "follow me" in the sand behind them. The city was known for it sexual rituals within the famous temple. Today the population of the area is only about 20,000.

Verse 2

Acts 18:2

Found -- What Paul Found At Corinth

1. Christian Fellowship - Acts 18:1-2

2. Energetic Enemies - Acts 18:6; Acts 18:12, 1 Corinthians 16:8-9

3. Providential Care - Acts 18:9-10

4. Hearts Receptive to the Gospel - Acts 18:8; Erastus, Romans 16:23, Acts 18:11

Aquila and Priscilla -- (see Sermons)

1. They had Togetherness

2. Able to Adjust

3. God in the Center of their Life

Aquila and Priscilla - six times

1. Acts 18:2 A&P

2. Acts 18:18 P&A

3. Acts 18:26 A&P

4. Romans 16:3-4 P&A

5. 1 Corinthians 16:19 A&P

6. 2 Timothy 4:19 P&A

Verse 8

Acts 18:8

Hearing believed -- baptized -- Often just a portion of the conversion process is often mentioned to represent the entire process. For example, "repentance" is not mentioned here but we know it was part of the conversion process (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30).

EXAMPLES OF CONVERSION:

1. Pentecost- Acts 2:22 & Acts 2:36-47

2. Samaria- Acts 8:4-13

3. Ethiopian eunuch- Acts 8:26-39

4. Paul (Saul)- Acts 9:1-20 & Acts 22:6-16

5. Cornelius– Acts 10:1-48 & Acts 11:1-18

6. Lydia- Acts 16:13-15

7. Philippian jailer- Acts 16:23-34

8. Corinthians- Acts 18:8

Verse 9

Acts 18:9

Some Various Comings of Christ

*1 Emmanuel, Matthew 1:23; John 1:14; John 6:38; Galatians 4:4 This was the coming of the Lord in the flesh, his birth at Bethlehem.

2 Pentecost, Matthew 16:28 (Mark 9:1) Mark 14:62, Matthew 26:64 In some significant way it could be said that Christ also came on Pentecost representatively when he sent his promise of the Holy Spirit.

3 To Paul at His Conversion __ Acts 26:16, Acts 22:7-9 ; 1 Corinthians 15:8 The Lord came to Paul so he could see him alive after his crucifixion and thus qualify him to be an apostle.

4 In Visions -- To Paul at Jerusalem, Acts 22:17-18 (after conversion); At Corinth, Acts 18:9; again at Jerusalem, Acts 23:11

5 AD 70, His coming in judgment upon the Jews for their rejection. Matthew 24:27, Matthew 24:30, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 24:39; Mark 13:26-30; Luke 21:20-27; Hebrews 10:37; James 5:8

This brought an end to their nation, the temple, the physical priesthood coming from Levi, the end of animal sacrifices, etc. ("Last days"[of the Jewish dispensation] plural)

*6 The Resurrection Day (His Second Coming, -- Cf. "Last Day" singular) 1 Thessalonians 4:13 ff to 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 15:23-24 ff; John 14:1-3;

John 5:28; John 11:24; John 6:39; John 6:40; John 6:44;

Verse 17

Acts 18:17

Sosthenes -- Is he the same as Crispus in Acts 18.8? Or did he succeed him as the ruler of the synagogue. In great cities like Corinth there might be more than one; and there might be several called chief rulers over the same synagogue. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:1 where he seems to be with Paul and joins him in the greetings sent back to the church. Of course, there may well be more than one man with the same name.

Beat -- The question here is "who" beat Sosthenes, and why? Wayne Jackson, p. 238, suggests the rebuffed Hebrews were furious over Sosthenes’ failure to press the case. Gareth Reese, p. 650, surveys several posibilites as to who the "they" were that did the beating. He suggests it was a thorough beating (imperfect tense, of continuted action). 1) the "Jews" may have beaten Sosthenes for presenting the case against Paul so poorly that the case was thrown out; 2) "Greeks" beat him because they saw Jewish persecution of Paul; 3) the court "lictors" beat Sosthenes (and possibly the Jewish deligations) for their failure to leave and clear the court area. Possibly the Jews tried to continue pressing their arguements evenn after it was dismissed.

Verse 24

Acts 18:24

Apollos --

Acts 18:24 1) speaking ability

2) knows the scriptures

Acts 18:25 3) zealous

Acts 18:26 4) courageous

5) seeking

Acts 18:27 6) good commendation

Acts 18:28 7) helpful

8) converting others to the faith

attitude, knew the scriptures