Acts 18: Building Up the Church in Corinth and Ephesus
Paul ministers in Corinth, is encouraged by God, and Apollos is mentored.
Acts 18 (WEB)
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.
2 He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, who had recently come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them,
3 and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers.
4 He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.
6 When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his clothing and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!”
7 He departed there, and went into the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.
8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.
9 The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Don’t be afraid, but speak and don’t be silent;
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”
11 He lived there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,
13 saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”
14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you;
15 but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves. For I don’t want to be a judge of these matters.”
16 So he drove them from the judgment seat.
17 Then all the Greeks laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. Gallio didn’t care about any of these things.
18 Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of the brothers, and sailed from there for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. He shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow.
19 He came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
20 When they asked him to stay with them a longer time, he declined;
21 but taking his leave of them, he said, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return again to you if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.
22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the assembly, and went down to Antioch.
23 Having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.
24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptures.
25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John.
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.
27 When he had determined to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he had come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
Acts 18 (KJV)
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
2 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.
3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
6 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.
7 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.
8 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.
9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
14 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:
15 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.
16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.
17 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.
18 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.
19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
21 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.
22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
23 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.
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 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.
26 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.
27 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:
28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
Acts 18 (ASV)
1 After these things he departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.
2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome: and he came unto them;
3 and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them, and they wrought, for by their trade they were tentmakers.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.
6 And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment and said unto them, Your blood [be] upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
7 And he departed thence, and went into the house of a certain man named Titus Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
8 And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
9 And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace:
10 for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this city.
11 And he dwelt [there] a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment-seat,
13 saying, This man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villany, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
15 but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; I am not minded to be a judge of these matters.
16 And he drove them from the judgment-seat.
17 And they all laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things.
18 And Paul, having tarried after this yet many days, took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila: having shorn his head in Cenchreae; for he had a vow.
19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
20 And when they asked him to abide a longer time, he consented not;
21 but taking his leave of them, and saying, I will return again unto you if God will, he set sail from Ephesus.
22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and saluted the church, and went down to Antioch.
23 And having spent some time [there], he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.
24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures.
25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John:
26 and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more accurately.
27 And when he was minded to pass over into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them much that had believed through grace;
28 for he powerfully confuted the Jews, [and that] publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
Summary
In Corinth Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tentmakers, and works alongside them while teaching in the synagogue. When opposition grows, God encourages Paul in a vision to keep speaking, and he stays for a year and a half. A legal challenge before the proconsul Gallio is dismissed, and Paul eventually travels on toward Ephesus and Antioch. Meanwhile, an eloquent teacher named Apollos is taught more accurately by Priscilla and Aquila and goes on to strengthen the believers.
Main Characters
- Paul — Establishes the church in Corinth and is encouraged by God to persevere.
- Aquila and Priscilla — A married couple who partner with Paul and mentor Apollos.
- Apollos — An eloquent teacher who is helped to understand the way of God more fully.
- Gallio — A Roman proconsul who refuses to hear the case against Paul.
Key Verse
Acts 18:9-10 (WEB)
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.”
Lessons Learned
- God encourages his servants to persevere when they grow weary or afraid.
- Ordinary believers play a vital role in teaching and mentoring others.
- Partnership and friendship strengthen the work of ministry.
- Even gifted teachers can keep growing in their understanding.
- God meets us in our fear. When Paul faced rising opposition in Corinth, God gave him a direct, personal word of assurance — "Don't be afraid" — showing that divine encouragement is available even to seasoned missionaries (Acts 18:9–10, WEB).
- Faithful work opens doors for witness. Paul's tentmaking alongside Aquila and Priscilla was not a distraction from ministry but a doorway into it, illustrating that ordinary labor can serve the mission of God.
- Community protects the messenger. Rather than remaining isolated, Paul worked within a network of believers and co-laborers, and God's promise that "I have many people in this city" signals that mission is never a solo task (Acts 18:10, WEB).
- Humble correction advances the gospel. Priscilla and Aquila took Apollos aside privately rather than publicly rebuking him, demonstrating that the manner of correction is as important as its content (Acts 18:26, WEB).
- Continued learning marks mature disciples. Apollos was already gifted and fervent, yet he remained teachable; growth in understanding the way of God is a lifelong calling, not a stage to be completed.
- Providential appointments shape ministry paths. Paul's brief but fruitful stop in Ephesus, his return to Antioch, and Apollos's subsequent move to Achaia all reflect a pattern of Spirit-directed movement that advances the church beyond any single leader's plans.
- How does God encourage Paul, and why might he have needed it?
- What do you notice about the partnership of Priscilla and Aquila?
- How do they help Apollos, and what does that model for us?
- Why is it significant that even Apollos had more to learn?
- Who has mentored you, and whom might you encourage?
- God encouraged Paul through a nighttime vision, telling him not to be afraid, to keep speaking, and promising that no one would harm him because God had many people in the city (Acts 18:9–10, WEB). Paul likely needed this because the synagogue opposition had intensified — he had just shaken out his garment and declared he would turn to the Gentiles (Acts 18:6, WEB) — and he had already faced hardship in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. The vision was a direct divine assurance that his work in Corinth was not in vain.
- Look for responses that note Priscilla and Aquila appear consistently as a united, active couple — both names are given every time they are mentioned. They opened their home to Paul, worked alongside him in tentmaking, traveled with him to Ephesus, and took the initiative to invest in Apollos's development (Acts 18:2–3, 18–19, 26, WEB). Leaders may draw out how the partnership of husband and wife in ministry is modeled here, and how both lay people and traveling workers can share the load of the mission.
- When Priscilla and Aquila heard Apollos speaking boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside privately and explained the way of God more accurately — specifically filling in what he lacked beyond the baptism of John (Acts 18:25–26, WEB). This models humble, relational correction over public confrontation: they did not silence or dismiss him but invested in him. For the group, it raises the question of what contexts or relationships in our own lives could serve the same mentoring function.
- Look for responses that engage with the tension between giftedness and incompleteness. Apollos was eloquent, mighty in the Scriptures, fervent in spirit, and already teaching accurately about Jesus — yet he had a significant gap in understanding (Acts 18:24–25, WEB). The significance is that no amount of natural ability or prior training makes further learning unnecessary. Participants may also note that Apollos's teachability — his willingness to receive correction from a tentmaking couple — was as important as his eloquence.
- This is a personal reflection question. Look for honest, specific responses rather than general answers. Encourage participants to name the person or people who shaped their faith or understanding, and to think concretely about who in their current circle might benefit from deliberate encouragement or teaching — whether a newer believer, a coworker, or someone exploring faith. Relevant texts for further reflection: 2 Timothy 2:2; Hebrews 10:24–25.