Acts Chapter 18 — Paul's Ministry in Corinth
Paul establishes the church in Corinth and receives a vision of protection, while Priscilla and Aquila later help instruct the eloquent preacher Apollos.
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Notable Verses
Acts 18:9-10
“The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Don’t be afraid, but speak and don’t be silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.””
This vision provided Paul with the divine assurance needed to remain in the challenging environment of Corinth for a long period.
Acts 18:26
“He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside, and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”
This highlights the importance of mentorship and the role of women in the early church's teaching ministry.
Chapter Summary
Acts Chapter 18 follows Paul's arrival in Corinth, where he meets Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tentmakers who had recently left Rome due to the decree of Claudius. Paul begins preaching to both Jews and Greeks, eventually focusing on the Gentiles after facing Jewish opposition. During his eighteen-month stay, the Lord appears to him in a vision, assuring him of safety and a large following in the city. The chapter also details a legal challenge brought against Paul before the proconsul Gallio, who dismisses the case as a religious dispute rather than a criminal matter. Paul eventually travels to Ephesus, leaving Priscilla and Aquila there, and continues to Antioch. The narrative then introduces Apollos, an eloquent Alexandrian well-versed in the Scriptures. Though he spoke accurately about Jesus, he only knew the baptism of John until Priscilla and Aquila explained the way of God more completely to him, after which he became a powerful force for the faith in Achaia.
Frequently Asked Questions
They were forced to leave because Emperor Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome. This historical event brought them to Corinth, where they met the apostle Paul.
Paul was a tentmaker by trade. He lived and worked with Priscilla and Aquila because they practiced the same profession, allowing him to support himself while preaching.
Gallio was the proconsul of Achaia. When Jewish leaders brought Paul before him on charges of illegal worship, Gallio dismissed the case, viewing it as a matter of Jewish religious law rather than a Roman criminal offense.
While Apollos was eloquent and taught accurately about Jesus, he only knew the baptism of John. Priscilla and Aquila had to explain the way of God more accurately to him to complete his understanding of the faith.
Study Note
The mention of Gallio as proconsul of Achaia is a key historical marker that allows scholars to date Paul’s residence in Corinth to approximately 51–52 AD.
Related Chapters
Acts 17
The previous chapter details Paul's time in Athens before he arrived in Corinth.
1 Corinthians 1
Paul's first letter to the Corinthians provides additional context for the church he founded in this chapter.
Acts 19
The next chapter follows Paul's return to Ephesus and the continued impact of his ministry there.
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