Acts 18 Acts 18:1–8 Paul worketh for his subsistence, and preacheth Christ at Corinth, first to the Jews, and, upon their opposing and blaspheming, to the Gentiles with more success. Acts 18:9–11 He is encouraged by the Lord in a vision, and abideth there a long time.

The metropolis of Achaia, being a rich sea town, and situate in the very isthmus which joins Peloponnesus unto Achaia; made a Roman colony, and now flourishing with learned men. Here St. Paul gathered a famous church, unto which he wrote two of his Epistles.

Pontus; a country between Cappadocia and the Black Sea, Acts 2:9, whither the progenitors of Aquila, in one of the dispersions, might flee from Judea to inhabit there.

Of the same craft; the most learned amongst the Jews did always learn some handicraft, and it was one of those things which they held a father was bound to do for his child, viz. to teach him some trade.

He reasoned in the synagogue; or argued and disputed, giving his reasons out of Scripture, and answering their objections. And persuaded the Jews; not only using cogent arguments, but, as some understand the verb, such as did prevail upon them.

Were come from Macedonia; according as was ordered by him, Acts 17:14–15. Pressed in the spirit; more than ordinarily affected, the Spirit of God influencing his spirit, so that he felt an anguish or pain at the heart, as 2 Cor.

Blasphemed; they blasphemed Paul, miscalling of him, but especially Christ, whose dishonour grieved Paul most. He shook his raiment; his upper garment, as the manner was, Matt. 26:65, that none of the dust of that place where such blasphemy was spoken might stick unto him. See Acts 13:51.

Justus; some read Titus, some both Titus and Justus, making Justus a surname, as Acts 1:23, Col. 4:11; after the manner of the Romans. One that worshipped God; had forsaken the polytheism of the heathen.

The chief ruler: there were several rulers in a synagogue, which we find frequent mention of, as Matt. 9:18, Mark 5:22. Their office and place was, to advise and give order about the affairs of the synagogue, that all things might be performed according to their prescribed rules.

In the night by a vision; as Acts 16:9; it may be, by an angel. Speak, and hold not thy peace; it is doubled again and again, as of greatest consequence: 1. To the Corinthians, whose salvation by this means might be procured. 2.

Christ, in this vision, useth two arguments to persuade Paul to continue preaching the gospel at Corinth: 1. Because he would be with him, to supply, support, and deliver him; as it is promised to Jeremiah, Jer. 1:19, and to all the faithful ministers of Christ, Matt. 28:20.

He sat there as his fixed place; which implies his continuance and constancy in the work of the ministry.

This Gallio was brother to that deservedly famous Seneca, (who was tutor to Nero), and hath great commendations given him, as being a man of excellent disposition, beloved by all men, an enemy to all vice, and especially a hater of flattery.

Contrary to the law, of the Romans, who, to avoid tumults and confusions, did forbid any to set up any new worship without leave; and the Jews in these parts having here no power to punish St. Paul as they had at Jerusalem, maliciously incite the governor against him.

To open his mouth; to make his apology, and to speak in his own defence. A matter of wrong; as murder, theft, or any such injury, which judges do usually determine of.

A question of words; which have been spoken about the controversies of religion. And names; as, whether Jesus was to be called Christ or the Messiah; and whether his disciples might be called Christians. And of your law; concerning circumcision, as whether none may be saved without it.

He commanded them to be gone, having dismissed their case; and, if need were, added threatening and force.

All the Greeks; not the converted Greeks, though St. Austin thought they beat Sosthenes, as an enemy to Paul, (yet surely they had not so learned Christ), but the unbelieving or Gentile Greeks, who cared for neither Paul nor Jews, but favoured Gallio, who would have them driven away.

A good while; a year and a half in all, as some think, which is mentioned Acts 18:11, by a prolepsis; or, besides that year and a half there spoken of.

Ephesus; the metropolis of the Lesser Asia, where afterwards that famous church was, unto which St. Paul wrote an Epistle, as also St. John wrote another, Rev. 2:1.

They desired; that is, Aquila and Priscilla, whom Paul would not yield unto. He consented not; by God’s wonderful providence, which overrules all our inclinations; Paul having greater things to do and suffer for the glory of God elsewhere.

This feast; the feast of the passover; which is meant where feast is put absolutely, unless some after expression qualifies it: not that this holy man did out of conscience to the feast intend to observe it, for Christ is the end of the law to them that believe, Rom.

Caesarea; not that Caesarea that was in Syria, but that which was in Palestine, called Caesarea Stratonis; and which was the safest way to Jerusalem; for the way by Joppa, though shorter, was accounted more dangerous.

Had spent some time there; this work might take up the constant care and indefatigable pains of the apostle. Galatia; where he had converted many. Phrygia: see Acts 16:6. Strengthening all the disciples; though the seed be duly sown, yet it must be seasonably watered; and redit labor actus in orbem.

Apollos; who is thought also to be called Apelles, Rom. 16:10. Born at Alexandria; his parents having lived there. An eloquent man; a rational, prudent, and learned man. Though the kingdom of God is not in any excellency of speech, 1 Cor. 2:1, 1 Cor.

Instructed; catechised, or taught, viva voce. In the way of the Lord; Christ, who hath by his precepts and example tanght us the way to happiness. Fervent in the spirit; very zealous to promote God’s glory, and men’s salvation, as Rom. 12:11.

If we allow Priscilla to have contributed towards the instruction of Apollos, as doubtless we may, it is certain it was only in private discourse; which being joined with a meek and humble behaviour, might be very effectual for the conversion of souls, 1 Pet. 3:1–2.

To pass into Achaia; to Corinth, which was in Achaia. The brethren wrote; who were at Ephesus. Helped them much which had believed through grace; Apollos helped them much by his eloquence, zeal, and constancy, which all are the gifts of God; but, especially, that they believed was through grace;…

Mightily; with great constancy, perseverance, and enduring of opposition. Showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ; as Acts 17:3. Some think that Christ ought to be the subject, and Jesus the predicate; and then the sense is, that Christ is our Jesus, or Saviour.