Acts 18

The Second Missionary Journey

Acts 18

By Paul’s day Corinth had replaced Athens as the leading political and commercial center in Greece. Corinth enjoyed a strategic location on the isthmus of Corinth, which connected the Peloponnesian peninsula with the rest of Greece. Nearly all traffic between northern and southern Greece passed through the city. Because it was a 200-mile sail around the peninsula, some ships were put on rollers and pulled across the 4-mile bridge of land. In a.d. 67 Nero began work on a canal, but one was not completed until 1893.

As a trade center, Corinth was cosmopolitan, with a largely unsettled population. Pfeiffer and Vos note that “much of the population was mobile (sailors, businessmen, government officials, et al.) and was therefore cut off from the inhibitions of a settled society” (The Wycliffe Historical Geography of Bible Lands [Chicago: Moody, 1967], 481). As a result, Corinth was one of the most debauched cities of antiquity. R. C. H. Lenski writes:

Corinth was a wicked city even as larger cities of the empire went at this period. The very term “Corinthian” came to mean a profligate. Korinthiazomai, “to Corinthianize,” meant to practice whoredom; Korinthiastēs = a whoremonger; Korinthia korē (girl) = a courtesan. (The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles [Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1961], 744)

Towering some 1,500 feet above Corinth was the Acropolis, on top of which was the temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Each evening the temple’s one thousand priestesses, who were ritual prostitutes, would descend into the city to ply their trade. In sharp contrast to the sedate (by comparison) intellectual and cultural center of Athens, Corinth was “undeniably a rip-roaring town where ‘none but the tough could survive’ (Horace, Epistles 1.17.36)” (David J. Williams, New International Biblical Commentary: Acts [Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1990], 313).

As he arrived in Corinth, Paul felt greater discouragement. “The combination of only limited success at Athens, loneliness, and the prospect of facing this city, with its commerce and vice, accounts for the weakness and fear that gripped the apostle as he arrived to begin his work” (Everett F. Harrison, Interpreting Acts: The Expanding Church [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986], 292). Reflecting on his state of mind when he first arrived in their city, Paul later wrote to the Corinthians, “I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling” (1 Cor. 2:3). He also spoke of his trial in his first letter to the Thessalonians, written from Corinth. In 1 Thessalonians 3:7, Paul wrote, “For this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith.” Their faith was a beacon of hope in his darkness. Besides his discouragement, he may have been physically ill, perhaps from the lingering effects of the ill-treatment he had received in Philippi (16:22–24). Physical weakness often makes discouragement even worse.

But the “God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3), who “comforts the depressed” (2 Cor. 7:6), did not leave Paul in his downtrodden condition. He encouraged his struggling servant through four means: the companionship of friends, the blessing of converts, the fellowship of God, and the frustration of his enemies. These are the very blessings any depressed servant of the Lord can cling to for encouragement.[1]

What the Mission Team Finds in Corinth

  1. Paul finds some friends at Corinth, (1-5)
  2.  Paul finds some are new friends, (1-3)

1After these things Paul (possibly alone here as Silas and Timothy are still in Macedonia) departed from Athens and went to Corinth (about 53 miles by foot). 2 And he found (after arriving) a certain Jew named Aquila (which means “eagle”), born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (which means “ancient” or “elderly”) (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome [as a result of some Jewish riots instigated by Chrestus—possibly provoked between strict Jews and followers of Christ]); and he (Paul) came to them (introduced himself to them). 3 So (as a result of making one anothers acquaintance), because he (Paul) was of the same trade (as Aquila), he stayed (teamed up) with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers (They were probably already believers before Paul met them.  In 1 Corinthians 16:19 we find that they hosted a church in their home).

1 Corinthians 16:19 – The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

  • Paul uses the same approach in gaining more friends, (4)

 4 And he (Paul) reasoned (debated through discourse) in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks (proselytes to Judaism to accept the truth that Christ was the Messiah).

Let temporal things serve your use, but the eternal be the object of your desire.

Thomas à Kempis[2]

          TEAMWORK

Some couples know how to make the most of life.

  • They complement each other,
  • capitalize on each other’s strengths,
  • and form an effective team.

Their united efforts have a profound effect on those around them. Aquila and Priscilla were such a couple.

  • The Bible never mentions them separately.
  • In marriage and ministry, they were together.
  • Working in concert, they made an eternal difference in countless lives.

Consider your marriage. Do you and your spouse enjoy an intimacy that overflows into ministry? If not, what prevents you from being a dynamic duo for the Lord?[3]

Should a pastor have a tent making ministry and not be dependent on the support of the Christian community? Not necessarily, for the Lord has stipulated that “those who proclaim the gospel should make their living from the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:14; compare Matt. 10:10; Luke 10:7; 1 Tim. 5:18).

1 Corinthians 9:14 – … the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

1 Timothy 5:18 – … the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

Yet Paul writes that to avoid any hindrance to the spread of the gospel he will not avail himself of the right to receive material support (1 Cor. 9:12b – If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ). Paul speaks about his own situation and has no intention of issuing an apostolic decree. The apostles in Jerusalem gave themselves completely to prayer and the ministry of the Word of God (6:2, 4). In a sense, they set the example for a full-time ministry that is free from material pressure.

Acts 6:2–4 – The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

In some situations, however, a minister or missionary may practice a trade and thus enter a world that is otherwise closed to the gospel. The particular trade then becomes a vehicle for teaching the Word of God to people who have not yet heard the message of salvation.[4]

  • Paul is reunited with old friends, (5)

The King James or thus the New King James is not the best translation for verse 5 which says:

5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.

NKJV  “Paul was constrained by the Spirit”  
NASB  “Paul began devoting himself completely to the word”  
NRSV  “Paul was occupied with proclaiming the word”  
NIV  “devoted himself exclusively to preaching”  
NJB  “Paul devoted all his time to preaching”  

Using the New American Standard version for verse 5 then:

5 (So Paul followed the pattern in verses 3 & 4 of working through the week and preaching on the Sabbath, Saturday in the Synagogue), But (that changed) when Silas and Timothy came down from (the region of) Macedonia, (and they brought a financial love gift with them for Paul’s ministry, 2 Cor. 11:9; Phil 4:14, 15) Paul (not having the same financial restraints) began devoting himself completely to the (proclamation of the) word (seven days a week), solemnly testifying to (pressing upon) the Jews that Jesus was the Christ (Israel’s Messiah).

2 Corinthians 11:9 – And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.

Philippians 4:14, 15 – Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.

When Paul was in Athens, Timothy had come to him in response to Paul’s instruction (17:15—So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.). But Paul had sent him back to Thessalonica (1 Thess. 3:1–5—Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,  that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.  For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.  For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.) Perhaps Silas had gone back to the church in Philippi while Timothy returned to Thessalonica. When Timothy and Silas eventually arrived in Corinth, Timothy informed Paul about the spiritual welfare of the believers in Thessalonica (1 Thess. 3:6 – Now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you—). This prompted Paul to send his first epistle and, about half a year later, his second epistle to the Thessalonians. The tone of these letters is joyful and thankful, and Paul speaks of his longing to see these believers.[5]

This news of the Thessalonians would certainly be a wonderful boost to Paul, especially after his stint in Athens.  For a true shepherd of God’s children, there is no better news he could ever hear than the flock is spiritually healthy, growing and reproducing.

  1. Paul finds an all too familiar foe, (6)

 6 But (in spite of Paul’s labor of love, relevance and diligence) when they (the Corinthians) opposed him (they literally, physically took battle stances against him) and blasphemed (railed against, spoke profanely about Christ being the Messiah), he shook his garments (that symbolized Paul was rejecting the Jews in their opposition to Christ being the Messiah) and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads (meaning that the eternal damnation that these Jews were headed for was self-inflicted, they could not hold Paul or any other believer responsible for their future eternal estate if they continued to reject Christ); I am clean (innocent of your choice to reject Christ). From now on I will (predominately) go to the Gentiles.” (I will focus my attention and the good news of Jesus Christ on them.)

It’s important to note here that, “Paul was not pronouncing a curse upon the Jews, but declaring he had fulfilled his responsibility to them.”  —Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible – Commentary – The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts.

To have blood on your hands means that you bear the responsibility for another’s death because you were not faithful to warn him. The image comes from the watchman on the city walls whose task it was to stay alert and warn of coming danger (see Ezek. 3:17–21; 33:1–9). But to have blood on your head means that you are to blame for your own judgment. You had the opportunity to be saved, but you turned it down (see Josh. 2:19). Paul’s hands were clean (Acts 20:26) because he had been faithful to declare the message of the Gospel. The Jews had their own blood on their own heads because they rejected God’s truth.[6]

Have we done the same as Paul, with those under our watch?  Have we even given them the gospel to reject?

Whenever God is blessing a ministry, you can expect increased opposition as well as increased opportunities. “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16:9). After all, the enemy gets angry when we invade his territory and liberate his slaves. As in Thessalonica and Berea (Acts 17:5–13), the unbelieving Jews who rejected the Word stirred up trouble for Paul and his friends (see 1 Thes. 2:14–16). Such opposition is usually proof that God is at work in and through us, and this ought to encourage us. Spurgeon used to say that the devil never kicks a dead horse!

A question we can ask ourselves is, “Are we living a normal, natural, healthy, Christian life that is experiencing some adversity?”

Jewish opposition had forced Paul to leave Thessalonica and Berea, but in Corinth, it only made him determined to stay there and get the job done. It is always too soon to quit! Like the undaunted Christopher Columbus, Paul could write in his journal, “Today we sailed on!”[7]

  1. Paul finds a measure of faith, (7, 8)

 7 And he departed from there (left the synagogue, with Silas and Timothy) and entered the house of a certain man named Justus (Titus Justus is a Roman name and this doesn’t mean necessarily that Paul left the home of Aquila and Prisicilla and moved in with Justus, but Justus was), one who worshiped God (and thus Paul may have used his house for a place for a church), whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Then (of all things) Crispus, the (chief) ruler of the synagogue (whose job it was to see to the care of the building and that regular and appropriate meetings were held), believed on the Lord (placed saving faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and his Savior, along) with all his household. (That left a mark on the spiritual Richter scale!)

Think about that…  How would that make Paul and the evangelistic team feel?! 

There is good news and bad news concerning it isn’t there?  Certainly persecution would follow such a conversion of such an influential man and family.

 7b And (as a result, not a few but) many of the Corinthians (possibly Jews and Gentiles alike), hearing (the truth of the gospel for themselves), believed (placed saving faith in Christ for salvation) and were baptized (in the name of Christ, and for His service).

Some Bible students think [Justus’] full name was Gaius Titus Justus and that he was the “Gaius my host” referred to in Romans 16:23 [Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.]. The connection between Gaius and Crispus in Acts 18:7–8 and 1 Corinthians 1:14 is certainly significant.[8]

1 Corinthians 1:14, 16a – I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius… 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas.

Others who believed along with their household in Acts were:

  • Cornelius, (Acts 10:24, 44)
  • Lydia, (Acts 16:15)
  • The Philippian Jailer, (Acts 16:34)

When you examine Paul’s ministry in Corinth, you will see that he was fulfilling the Lord’s commission given in Matthew 28:19–20. Paul came to Corinth (“Go”), [Acts 18:1] he won sinners to Christ (“make disciples”), he baptized, and he taught them (note Acts 18:11). He even experienced the assurance of the Lord’s “Lo, I am with thee always!” (Acts 18:9–10)

     Paul’s associates baptized most of the new converts (1 Cor. 1:11–17),[9] just as our Lord’s disciples did when He ministered on earth (John 4:1–2; and note Acts 10:46–48). The important thing is the believer’s obedience to the Lord and not the name of the minister who does the baptizing. When [Warren Wiersbe] became senior pastor at the Moody Church in Chicago, an older member boastfully said to [him], “I was baptized by Dr. Ironside!” He was surprised that I was not impressed [Wiersbe said]. I was sure that Dr. Ironside would have lovingly rebuked him for speaking like that, for Dr. Ironside was a humble man who wanted Christ’s name exalted, not his own.

Whose name do we want exalted as we live for Chirst?

[One aspect of living] by faith means to see opportunities even in the midst of opposition.

  • A pessimist sees only the problems;
  • an optimist sees only the potential;
  • but a realist sees the potential in the problems.

Who do we most represent?…

Paul did not close his eyes to the many dangers and difficulties in the situation at Corinth, but he did look at them from the divine point of view.

How do we look at them; purely, or predominately personal?

Faith simply means obeying God’s will in spite of feelings, circumstances, or consequences. There never was an easy place to serve God; and if there is an easy place, it is possible that something is wrong. Paul reminded Timothy, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12, nkjv).

  • “Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament,” wrote Francis Bacon;
  • “adversity is the blessing of the New.”

Paul did not allow adversity to keep him from [loving &] serving God.[10]

Why God says what He does after verse 8, Dr. Luke doesn’t tell us, but it is reasonable to believe that all-out war was going on from within and without here with the conversions that Paul was seeing.

PAUL’S SOURCE OF BOLDNESS

9 Now (as a result of what was happening or was about to happen) the Lord (Himself, Personally) spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, (God just doesn’t do this kind of thing out of the blue.  This concerns a major issue as well as God’s love for Paul himself and the unbelievers around him.  God tells Paul,) [1] “Do not be afraid, (lit. “stop being afraid” What does this literal definition tell us? – This fear was certainly [a.] for his personal safety as the end of the verse states “and no one will attack you to hurt you,” [cp., 1 Cor. 2:3[11]]; Paul could as well have been fearful [b.] for the safety of the new born church) but [2] speak, and do not keep silent (don’t try to avoid trouble by keeping silent—How often do we do that?  We are not told Paul was, but obviously the temptation to do so was, or would become, very real [cp., Eph. 6:18-20]); 10 for (the reason being) [3] I (the God of the universe, the Most High God, your God, Creator, Savior and friend) am with you (it’s kind of like saying, “I’ve got your back and don’t you forget it!” – “…lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age” [Mat. 28:20]),

Warren Wiersbe is so right when he says:

The enemy gets angry when we invade his territory and liberate his slaves.

Warren Wiersbe[12]

Thomas Kelly writes an insightful prayer poem concerning the fears of publically living out our faith.

In the midst of opposition,

Let them trust, O Lord, in Thee;

When success attends their mission,

Let Thy servants humblest be.

Never leave them

Till Thy face in heaven they see.

—Thomas Kelly[13]

 10b and [4] no one will attack you to hurt you (meaning in the physical sense, as they have in the previous areas and driven Paul and his team out [but …… it is important to note that God did not say there would not be opposition, as there certainly would be – God cut out the physical aspect of it); for (the reason being) [5] I have many people in this city.” (Corinth was a city ripe and ready for a spiritual harvesting of souls to salvation.)

Romans 8:29 – For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Some things we can learn from God’s reassurance to Paul:

  1. Paul needed to be reminded and reassured of God’s promises, just like us.
    1. But how does God speak to us?  Though the Holy Spirit’s impressions, godly saints and God’s Word.
  2. Paul had fears and temptations to face, just like us.
    1. The fears and temptations are not the problem though, are they?  No.  What is the problem then?  The problem is yielding to the fears and temptations rather than confronting them with the greatness of God.

It’s no doubt that Paul’s new friends and tested and proven team members were a great encouragement to him and he them, but as John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  Only God can give the peace and rest that we need at times.

  • God’s words “I have many people in this city” (a statement of fact) are meant to encourage us to!  How is that true?  There are those around us who are at some point going to place saving faith in Christ.  God wants us doing our part of living and sharing the gospel before them.  When and where they place saving faith in Christ is God’s part.

Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

          Fear not, for I am with you;

          Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

          I will strengthen you,

          Yes, I will help you,

          I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

John Piper calls this verse “The Five Pillars of Fearlessness.”

  1. Fear not . . . God is with you;
  2. Fear not . . . God is your God;
  3. Fear not . . . God will strengthen you;
  4. Fear not . . . God will help you;
  5. Fear not . . . God will uphold you.

Let’s think that verse through some:

  • I am your God—When someone says I am your boss, or your father or mother, what are they saying?  — God is over us.
  • I am with you—When someone says they will go with you, or will stay with you, what are they saying?—God is by our side.
  • I will strengthen you—Where is it that we need to be strengthened the most?  Where will God’s infusion of strength do the most good for us? —God is inside of us.
  • I will help you—Does God say He will only help us on weekends?  When will He help us then?  Everyday.  Does God say He will only help us on family matters?  What matters will He help us in?  All matters.  Does God say He will only help us between the hours of 9 to 5?  During what times will God help us?  24/7—Is it fair to say then that God is all around us from wherever, whatever and whenever the trouble or temptation comes.
  • I will uphold you—When someone says they will uphold or hold us up, what are they saying? —God is underneath us, supporting us.

So to state the plain simple truth:

  • Fear not for—I am your God—over you.
  • Fear not for—I am with you—by your side.
  • Fear not for—I will strengthen you—from inside of you.
  • Fear not for—I will help you—from all around you from wherever, whatever and whenever the trouble or temptation comes.
  • Fear not for—I will uphold you—from underneath, supporting you.

The key then to fearlessness, is not just believing that God is your God and is with you and will strengthen you and help you and uphold you, knowing the greatness of this God as well is necessary.  If we want to intensify our faith and our fearlessness, we need to intensify our knowledge and understanding of who God is.    Did Paul have a good knowledge and understanding of who God was?  He certainly did.  What was the result then of God’s promise to him in verses 9-10?

11 And (the result of God’s words to Paul was that) he continued there (in Corinth) a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

  1. How is this message of God to us in our day going to affect us in living and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ tomorrow and every day there after? 
  2. What do we need to do if it’s not going to have too much or not enough impact?  (Expand our knowledge and understanding of God)
  3. What is the only thing that can hinder us from being blessed by this promise as Paul was?  We ourselves.

Let’s follow Paul’s example and stop defining and limiting our future in terms of ourselves and/or our past and start defining it in terms of our God.

Let’s recognize that God is greater than:

  • Our personality
  • Our past experiences of fearfulness
  • The powers and authorities over us
  • The persons and personalities of others around us
  • Even all of the demonic forces and influences around us

If God is for us, who can be against us! (Rom. 8:31)

God is calling you and me to joyful fearlessness. Let’s answer that call.

“Let not your hearts be troubled, BELIEVE IN GOD.” Believe in God! Trust God! Let God be your God! Your help. Your strength. He will uphold you and me with his righteous right hand.

This is one of six visions Paul received in Acts (9:12; 16:9–10; 22:17–18; 23:11; 27:23–24), all coming at crucial points in his ministry.[14]

Acts 9:12 – And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

Acts 16:9–10 – And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 22:17–18 – “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’

Acts 23:11 – But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

Acts 27:23–24 – For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’

Does God Really Want You to Be Encouraged?

12 (God providing an example of His promised protection reveals to us that) When Gallio (who was the brother of the famous Roman philosopher, Seneca, who was the tutor of Nero) was (recently assigned by Rome to the) proconsul of Achaia (the heart of Greece, to govern that province), the (unbelieving) Jews (hoping this new proconsul could be won over to their views in order to establish a precedent against Christians) with one accord (collectively as one body) rose up against (meaning “made a united attack upon”) Paul (really against the Lord Jesus and His gospel whose Person Paul modeled and whose message Paul preached—So a mob rose up against one soul) and brought him to the judgment seat (they took him to the Roman court at the marketplace, in Corinth),

Now, lest you think of Gallio as a dictatorial, mean-spirited, angry, hardhead Roman political brute, he is known for having a kind disposition and was universally loved by all.  Gallio, is a good man; a man of outstanding character.  A man you would love to have as a guest in your home and better yet as a close friend to hang out with.

13 (So the unbelieving Jews brought Paul to the judgment seat) saying (accusing), “This fellow persuades (convinces) men to worship God contrary to the law.” (They appear to leave “what law” they are referring to open-ended, assumedly hoping that Gallio’s definition of “law,” whether religious or Roman, would be one favorable to their cause of crushing Christianity.  It was a mistake if this was their purpose.)

Here’s what is going on culturally and politically. “Judaism was officially tolerated by the Romans, who at this early date viewed Christianity as nothing more than a sect of Judaism. Their charge [against Paul] challenged that [view] by saying that since Paul’s Christian teaching was outside the bounds of Judaism, [and Rome’s interpretation of it] Christianity should not receive the toleration from the Romans that Judaism did.”[15]

14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth (in his defense), Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing (misdeeds) or wicked (serious) crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear (endure, put up) with you. 15 But if (in this case “But since”) it is a question of words and names and your own law (in other words, semantics that only apply to you concerning your God), look to (deal with)it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.” (I have no responsibility or interest in such matters.) 16 And (because the Jews evidently persisted in arguing their case) he (Gallio) drove them (physically) from the judgment seat (the official platform from which one presents his business). 17 Then (after being driven from the platform, the “bema seat”) all the Greeks (probably the lictors who managed law and order at the judgment seat) took Sosthenes (who had replaced Chispus), the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat (possibly in an expression of their disdain for the Jews and their God). But Gallio took no notice of these things (he concerned himself no further with the whole matter).

Sosthenes by the way, becomes a gospel believer at some point as we see in 1 Corinthians 1:1, “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother…”

What a great example of God’s encouraging promise to Paul and the evangelistic team!  God makes such wonderful and encouraging promises to gospel believers today as well!

Hebrews 6:17–18 –  Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

Notice the words first in verse 17, “…God, determining to show more abundantly …” (or even more convincingly)

This text assumes that God had already said enough to give us encouragement. But is God a God of minimums? No!  His aim is not to speak as few encouraging words as possible. He speaks some words to give us hope. Then, with grace that over the top, God speaks some more words of encouragement.

But, the beauty is that they are not just more. Notice they are better in that, He moves from simple promises (which are in and of themselves, infallible and infinitely trustworthy!) to oaths. And not just any oaths either, but the best and highest kind—What are they? Oaths that are based on Himself. Why? Well it’s not because His word is weak, that’s forsure.   It’s because we are weak, and he is empathetic of our weaknesses and is patient concerning them.

God desires to “show…prove…demonstrate…point out…represent…display…reveal… drive home” the hopefulness of our future. He really wants us to feel this. He goes the second (and third and fourth) mile to help us feel encouraged. This is what He is expressing to us. ““ When God, determining to show more abundantly …”

Notice another phrase in verse 18,  “it is impossible for God to lie, [so] we might have strong consolation,…”  “strong encouragement…”

Just how encouraged does God want us to feel? Well, how does He describe His consolation/encouragement here?  He said, “Strong consolation/encouragement!” Note that word! God might have said, “great encouragement” or “big encouragement” or “deep encouragement”. They would all be true and wonderful. But the word is REALLY “strong.” [It means, boisterous, mighty (-ier), powerful, strong (-er, man), valiant][16]  This is encouragement that stands against every storm of life, and fear concerning such storms. Preach this to yourself over and over again: “God desires me to have strong encouragement!” “God REALLY, REALLY desires me to have strong encouragement!”

We’ll close with one more phrase in verse 18, “to lay hold (seize) of the hope set before us.”  

There are good things and times in this life. But let’s face it: the days are evil, our imperfections frustrate us, we are getting old, and are moving toward the grave. If in this life only we have hoped in Christ we are of all people most to be pitied. There are good times yet to come in this life. But even these (compared to the surpassing worth of gaining Christ) are rubbish. Even here we can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. But only because there is a “hope set before us.” Reach out and seize it. God REALLY encourages you to. Take it now. Enjoy it now. Be encouraged by it now. Be strongly encouraged. Because your hope is secured with double infiniteness: the promise of God and the oath of God.  —John Piper

Paul Returns to Antioch

18 So Paul still remained a good while (a year and a half altogether). Then he took leave (in the spring of A.D. 52) of the brethren (the gospel believers at Corinth) and sailed for Syria (arriving at Caesarea by the Sea to go to Jerusalem first), and Priscilla and Aquila (the evangelistic tentmakers) were with him (Timothy and Silas remained at Corinth). He (Paul) had his hair cut off at Cenchrea (the eastern seaport for Corinth, about 10 miles away—There was a church there and Phoebe was a deaconess there [Rom. 16:1]), for he had (previously) taken a (assumedly Nazarite) vow (of which the hair cutting signaled its conclusion.  We are not told what the vow was for). 19 And he came to Ephesus (a major commercial center, where the great temple of Diana {Artemis}, one of the Seven Wonders of the World was.  Ephesus was also the capital of the Roman province of Asia.  Paul would remain here for three years on his third missionary journey), and left them (Priscilla and Aquila) there (they remained at Ephesus); but he himself (as usual) entered the synagogue and reasoned (dialoged back and forth) with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay a longer time with them (to extend his layover with them, showing a favorable response to Paul’s dialoging with them), he did not consent, (clearly showing the seriousness of Paul’s vow) 21 but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast (probably the Passover Feast) in Jerusalem (the necessity of this appointment probably had something to do with his vow); but I will return again to you, God willing (clearly showing Paul’s desire to evangelize the city).” And (after that short layover and vision) he sailed (on) from Ephesus.

22 And when he had landed at Caesarea (by the Sea—which had a thriving church, but it appears Paul passed it by and in his rush), and (had) gone up (to Jerusalem) and greeted (gave a report of his second missionary journey to) the church, he (after taking care of his vow and reporting, he) went down to (the church at) Antioch, (Syria, about 300 miles from Caesarea—making Paul’s total second missionary journey over 1,500 miles!) 23 After he had spent some time there (maybe around six months), he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, (retracing some of his first and second missionary journey) strengthening (further affirming, supporting) all the disciples. (It may be that Paul continues to return to these church because of the extreme persecution that prevailed there.)

[Think about this] Acts 18:23–19:1 describe a journey of no less than 1,500 miles and it is dismissed with barely a reference. There are [with absolute certainty, multiple] untold tales of heroism of Paul which we will never know. (The Acts of the Apostles [Philadelphia: Westminster, 1955], 150)[17]

Serving the Lord

Acts 20:18–20 – know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,

Verse 18: You yourselves “know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord. . . “

[Paul exercised] Servant-Leadership Under the Lord’s Rule

The first thing that Paul wants to say about his work is that he was serving the Lord.  

Paul is not serving himself, nor is the evangelistic team with him, serving themselves.  They are serving the Lord.

Matthew 16:24–25 (NLT) – Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

How Does Paul Spell Out This Service?

Everything that follows from verse 18 through 21 is one sentence in the original. It’s Paul’s way of spelling out how he served the Lord.

Three Characteristics of Serving the Lord

1. Lowliness

Verse 19a: Serving the Lord means HUMILITY. “Serving the Lord with all humility.”

The first thing Paul has to say is that being a servant of the Lord means being humble and lowly. Lowliness or humility is, FIRST, a feeling toward God that he has absolute rights over your life—that he can do with you as he pleases and that he has absolute authority to tell you what is best for you—and that’s just fine with you. It is a spirit of utter yieldedness and submissiveness to the Lord as master. Clay in the Potter’s hands.

SECOND, lowliness means feeling indebted to all people because of how graciously God has treated us. It’s the opposite of feeling that everybody owes you something—owes you an ear or owes you strokes or owes you time. Now, of course, there are relationships in which those things may be true—someone may in fact owe you something. But the more you are driven by what others owe you rather than by what you owe them in love and service, the less lowly you are.

Lowliness says, I am a debtor to Greeks and barbarians, to wise and foolish, to friend and foe. Lowliness does not think in terms of its rights. It empties itself and takes the form a servant and becomes obedient unto death, even death on a cross.

The first thing that serving the Lord means is [humility or] lowliness.

2. Tears

Verse 19a: Serving the Lord means TEARS. “Serving the Lord with all humility and with many tears.”

Tears can come from physical pain or from heart-rending loss or from unbearable frustrations and discouragements or from intense yearning or from overwhelming joy. I don’t know which Paul had in mind here. In [Acts 20] verse 31 he says, “I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.” So in that case his tears were the tears of intense yearning for their faith and holiness.

But he doesn’t say here in verse 19 why he cried so often. What should we learn then? …I think what we should learn is that serving the Lord means getting so intensely involved in people …that you cry over them.

Serving the Lord … will mean getting involved in people’s struggles for faith and hope and truth and holiness.

[Are we close enough with our church family and others around us that it would not be unusual to weep on behalf of them?

3. Trials

Verse 19b: Serving the Lord means TRIALS. “Serving the Lord with all humility and with many tears and with trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;.”

Now why does Paul remind the [church] about these dangers that he went through? The answer is that they will have to go through them too. Consider this: in 1 Corinthians 15:32 Paul said, “Humanly speaking I fought with beasts at Ephesus.” What did he mean? Well compare Acts 20:29, “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore, be alert . . . “

… its the same thing Jesus meant when he said, “Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matthew 10:16). There are people who when they hear the absolute claims of Jesus Christ become so angry they are like animals.

And the tragic thing is that in Acts 20:29 Paul says that these wolves will even come from among their own number! In other words some [church family members] in the church at Ephesus will become the enemies of truth and righteousness. …And Paul says this is a great trial.

So we have seen that serving the Lord means three things. It means humility, tears, and trials. And I want to call you to serve the Lord in these ways in your particular sphere.

  • HUMILITY: Be utterly yielded to the Lord. Be submissive to his absolute rights to control your life. Be willing clay in the Potter’s hands. And be a debtor to all people. Don’t dwell on what people owe you. Think about how the grace of God makes you a debtor to all.
  • TEARS: If you are shedding them, be comforted. You are in good company with Paul. And if you are not, perhaps you should look for someone who needs you. Or perhaps pray that God would help you see what is at stake in the battle for faith and hope and holiness [in your life and the lives of others].
  • TRIALS: If you are being tried, then hear the word of James: “Count it all joy, brothers, when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

***********

Humility agrees and is glad that this servanthood is true greatness. Verses 43–44: “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.”

I think it is clear now why after a journey of no less than 1,500 miles, we don’t hear of the countless untold tales of heroism concerning Paul and the rest of the evangelistic team.  It’s not important.  Serving the Lord is important and note worth, not the challenges in doing so.  The Lord is to be put on display, not us.

In Sum

So to sum up,

  1. Humility is glad that God gets all the credit for choosing us so that we boast only in him and not man.
  2. Humility happily admits that everything we have is a free gift from God, so that we can’t boast in it.
  3. Humility is glad to affirm that God sovereignly governs our heartbeats and safe arrivals, or non-arrivals.
  4. The root of Christian humility is the gospel that Christ died for our sins. That’s how sinful I was. That’s how dependent I am.
  5. Humility gives itself away in serving everyone, rather than seeking to be served.
  6. And humility is glad to affirm that this service is true greatness.

Qualities of An Ambassador for Christ

24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria (a city near the mouth of the Nile, in Egypt founded by Alexander the Great, which had a large Jewish population)

In Alexandria, the Old Testament had been translated from the Hebrew into the Greek in an effort to help the Greek-speaking Jews understand the Scriptures. The Jews had built an enormous synagogue, which “was so large that the hazzan, or sexton, had to stand on a platform in the middle to signal with a flag so that those in the back would know when to join in the amens.” Alexandria was the second city of rank in the Roman empire and had the distinction of being a seat of learning. Here Jewish students received a thorough education.[18]

  1. An ambassador of the gospel puts everything he or she’s got into his or her presentation

24b(Apollos was), an eloquent man (a man exceptionally gifted in public speaking; in content and delivery) and mighty (the word for dynamite, a dynamo) in the Scriptures (in his knowledge and use of the OT Scriptures and he), came to Ephesus. (We are not told why.)

  • [Apollos] understood the [place] and meaning of [the Scriptures],
  • he knew how to make use of them and to apply them,
  • how to reason out of the scriptures, and to reason strongly [dynamically];
  • [He had] a convincing, commanding, confirming power [that] went along with all his expositions and applications of the scripture.[19]
  • Now, can all of us be eloquent?
  • Can all of us be Scripture dynamos?
  • But, should any of us be boring?
  • Should any of us remain ignorant of the meaning of the Scriptures and the place they have in man’s life?
  • Should any of us lack the ability of applying them to our lives and the lives of others?
  • Should any of us lack the ability to take people to specific Scriptures that defends what we believe?
  • Should any of us lack the ability to convince others that we are absolutely certain of what we believe?
  • We can and should be like Apollos then, shouldn’t we?!

[Being “mighty in the Scriptures” also implies that] Apollos was not a man who merely echoed the learning of his day, who merely swallowed all that he was taught and let it puff him up with intellectual pride… [as so many did in his day as well as ours] [20]

Apollos was able to dig deep into the riches of the Scriptures.

  • An ambassador of the gospel never ceases to be an active disciple of Christ

25 This man (Apollos) had been instructed (taught) in the way (in the doctrine and life) of the Lord (the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  Apollos was a learner.);

  • This man welcomed and valued discipleship. –“had been instructed”
  • He obviously applied himself to the discipleship provided. – “in the way”
  • His discipleship revolved around the authentic and not the counterfeit. –“of the Lord”
  • How does discipleship take place today?
    • Sunday School
    • Sermons
    • One on One
    • Awana
    • Youth Group
    • Released Time
    • Gospel Media
  • Do we welcome and value it?
  • Do we apply ourselves to it?
  • Do we focus on the authentic rather than the counterfeit?
  • An ambassador of the gospel cannot keep the gospel to him or herself

25band being fervent (meaning “to boil”) in spirit (What [Apollos] had discovered did not appeal to him only intellectually, it captivated his very spirit; he glowed with holy enthusiasm and zeal.[21]),

  • Apollos could not keep the Word of God or the Person of God to himself.  It was not a private matter to him; it was an infinite treasure to be shared.

Dear Mom and Dad,

    In my last letter I told you about the atheist girl, Varia. Now I am so happy to tell you the exciting mews: Varia has received Christ! She is so different and is already witnessing openly to everyone…

    We went together to the assembly of the godless (Communist Youth Organization meeting). Although I warned her to be reserved, it was useless. After refusing to join in the singing of the Communist hymn, Maria went forward to address the whole assembly. She courageously told everyone about accepting Christ as her Savior!

    She begged everyone to give up the way of sin and come to Christ, and the whole place was silent. When she finished speaking, she sang with her incredible voice the old hymn, “I am not ashamed to proclaim the Christ who died, to defend his commandments and the power of his cross.” I could only watch helplessly as they took her away: Today is May 9, and we haven’t heard anything about her.

    Please pray.

    Maria

Jeremiah 20:9 – Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.”  But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.

  • An ambassador of the gospel maintains his or her integrity as well as the gospels

25che spoke (in general conversations) and taught (in public arenas) accurately ([meaning] he maintained “strict conformity to a norm or standard, involving both detail and completeness”[22]) the things (the truths) of the Lord (Apollos taught these truths of the Lord by word and example.  He lived his life in the same strict conformity to God’s truths as the doctrines he taught), though he knew only (up to) the baptism (the work and teaching) of John (the Baptist). 

Apollos’s preaching was [the same, but] a more polished version of John’s message[23]

  • John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance; [as] those who were baptized looked forward to the coming Messiah [and they wanted to be ready when He came] (Acts 19:4).
  • John also announced a future baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8) which took place on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:5).

Apollos knew about the promises, but he did not know about their fulfillment.[24]  [So] …he was not familiar with the work of the Holy Spirit, the progress of God’s kingdom, and the way of God.[25]

Some things we can learn from Apollos here are:

  • [Apollos] spoke [the truths of the Lord] to men privately as occasion offered,
  • and he taught them in public, in meetings in the synagogues wherever he happened to be.
  • He did not let his zeal carry him away [into fanaticism].
    • George Santayana, a Nineteenth Century Spanish Philosopher, says that, “Fanaticism consists in redoubling your efforts when you have forgotten your aim.”

We need to be careful of the flip side of fanaticism as well as a supply preacher brings to light.  

“I was a supply preacher for a small town Texas Church, coming in early Sunday, preaching a sermon to the congregation, and then leaving after lunch. Arriving early one Sunday I sat down at a local donut shop, opened my Bible and went over my sermon notes. “

A man was sitting down the counter from me and he said, “You a preacher or something?”

I replied, “Yes I preach at the Christian Church here in town.”

He got excited and said, “Hey, I’m a member of that church.”

The church was small and I knew all the regulars so I said, “I’ve been preaching there for about three months and I’ve never seen you there.”

He looked at me kinda strange and said, “I said I was a member of that church. I never said that I was fanatical about it!”

When you get a flu shot your getting injected with a very small amount of the sickness. So small that it shouldn’t make you sick and should keep you from getting really sick. Many people in the Church just want a flu shot of Christianity. Not too much to where they turn into their definition of a fanatic, but just enough to keep them from out of hell.

  • he avoided the speculations [26] (Apollos didn’t detract from the Scriptures nor did he impose upon them—he let them speak clearly and simply for themselves.)
  • An ambassador of the gospel exerts no superiority or competitiveness, only humility

26 So (filled with a passion to speak for God) he began to speak boldly (without hesitation or reservation) in the synagogue (as Paul was invited to do in Ephesus too). When Aquila and Priscilla heard him (noticing his strengths and weaknesses), they took him aside (into their home and heart) and explained (exposed) to him the way (the doctrine and life) of God more accurately (more fully, completely).

There was no high-mindedness on Apollos’ part and no competitiveness on Aquila or Periscilla’s part.

  • Neither tried to exert any kind of superiority
  • Neither tried to exert any competitiveness, jealously or envy
  • All were united in the same goal

There is a fable of an eagle which could outfly another, and the other didn’t like it. The latter saw a sportsman one day, and said to him: “I wish you would bring down that eagle.”

The sportsman replied that he would if he only had some feathers to put into the arrow. So the eagle pulled one out of his wing. he arrow was shot, but didn’t quite reach the rival eagle; it was flying too high. The envious eagle pulled out more feathers, and kept pulling them out until he lost so many that he couldn’t fly…

If you are jealous, the only man you can hurt is yourself.

Moody’s Anecdotes, pp. 44-45

The eagle didn’t become less than what he was until he set out to make himself more than he was.

We won’t ever find our life until we are willing to find the life we have been given; both of them; who God has created us to be, and who Christ has made us to be.

  • We have been created in God’s image to love and obey Him by following His instructions as our Creator.
  • We have been saved by God’s Son to love and obey Him by following Him as our Master.

This is where the jealous eagle went wrong.  He wanted to be his own creator, creating his own image that he could be master over as well as the master of others.  This is where we go wrong too.

  • We think we can create a better world to exercise dominion over than Gods.
  • We think we can find a better master to serve than the One who gave up everything for us.
    • If I just had this or that… If I didn’t have this or that…  If I just had him or her… Or if I didn’t just have him or her…   We are prone to do all that we can to build our own little world—
      • a world that is defined by who or whatever we value based on our likes verses dislikes, (instead of God’s)
      • a world constructed on our hopes and dreams verses those of others, (instead of God’s)
      •  a world fabricated based on our expectations of what will provide us with fulfillment, (instead of God’s)
    • We now live in a world that we broke.  But, our Creator still expects us to live within His boundaries, still holding us accountable to glorify Him even in the mess we have made; even though it is impossible for us to now do it.)

1 Corinthians 6:20 – For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

When we look at this world, we typically see a life to get, rather than a life to receive in order to give back.  We utilize our talents and opportunities as a means to get for ourselves rather than to receive what God provides through them in order to share those provisions with others around us, as administrators of God’s blessings.

G. K. Chesterton, hit the nail on the head when he said, “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.”

Apollos seems to be doing just fine here.

  • An ambassador of the gospel is always looking for others to invite to Christ

27 And when (his instruction was over) he desired to cross to Achaia (its capital being Corinth), the brethren (Ephesian believers) wrote (on Apollos’ behalf), exhorting the disciples to receive him (to welcome him with open arms and to listen to him); and when he arrived, he (as expected) greatly (abundantly, extensively) helped (edified, further built up, disciple) those who had believed through grace (showing that everything that both sides are receiving and giving are the benefits of God’s grace); 28 for (one of the big ways Apollos helped was that) he vigorously (intensely, vehemently) refuted the Jews (“refuted” is an intense double compound word that signifies that Apollos totally decimated the arguments of his opponents on every way and on every count—and he did this) publicly (in front of everyone, friend and foe), showing (revealing) from the (OT) Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Savior).

Luke 24:25–27 – Then [Jesus] said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Isa. 53; Isa. 9:6

This is probably one of the reasons the Corinthians said in 1 Corinthians 1:12 “Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Paul warns them about this kind of thinking in 1 Corinthians 3:4 when he says, “For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?”  Then Paul instructs them as to what they ought to think in 1 Corinthians 3:6, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” ;

[1] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1994). Acts. MacArthur New Testament Commentary (326). Chicago: Moody Press.

[2] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts. Life Application Bible Commentary (312). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

[3] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts. Life Application Bible Commentary (312). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

[4] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 17: Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. New Testament Commentary (650). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[5] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 17: Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. New Testament Commentary (651). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Ac 18:6). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Ac 18:6). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Ac 18:6). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[9] 1 Corinthians 1:11–17 – For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

[10] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Ac 18:6). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[11] 1 Corinthians 2:3 – I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.

[12] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts. Life Application Bible Commentary (313). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

[13] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 17: Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. New Testament Commentary (657). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[14] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1994). Acts. MacArthur New Testament Commentary (326). Chicago: Moody Press.

[15] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1994). Acts. MacArthur New Testament Commentary (p. 326). Chicago: Moody Press.

[16] Strong, J. (1996).The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

[17] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1994). Acts. MacArthur New Testament Commentary (p. 326). Chicago: Moody Press.

[18] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. New Testament Commentary (Vol. 17, p. 667). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[19] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (Ac 18:24–28). Peabody: Hendrickson.

[20] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (p. 770). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.

[21] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (p. 772). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.

[22] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996).Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains. New York: United Bible Societies.

[23] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts. Life Application Bible Commentary (p. 320). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

[24] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Ac 18:23). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[25] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. New Testament Commentary (Vol. 17, p. 668). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

[26] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles (p. 772). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.