Acts 18:18 - Meaning and Application

Paul is now on the move again, after spending some time at Corinth, where he had been busy serving Christ. Whether he stayed still or traveled, his aim was the same, to do good. He left Corinth only after some time had passed since the trouble there. In other places he had left when trouble started, but not here, because in Corinth the storm quickly died down again.

When Paul left, he took a formal and affectionate leave of the believers. He gave them encouragement, counsel, prayer, and needed warnings, especially against the tricks of false apostles. A farewell like that would stay with them and leave a strong impression.

He also took Priscilla and Aquila with him, because they wanted to travel with him. They seem to have been willing to move on rather than stay long in one place, and such a spirit can come from a good heart and do real good. Paul had formed a close friendship with them, so they asked to go along when he left.

At Cenchrea, the harbor near Corinth where travelers sailed out, either Paul or Aquila, the original wording does not make it clear which, shaved his head to finish a Nazarite vow. A Nazarite was someone who had set himself apart to God in a special ceremonial way, often marked by not cutting the hair, and by avoiding wine and other strong drink. If the vow ended, or if it was accidentally broken, the head was shaved as part of completing it. People in Judea were expected to do this at the temple, but those living elsewhere could do it in another place.

Some think this was Aquila, since he was a Jew and may have kept more of the old Jewish customs than was needed. But there is no harm in understanding it of Paul, since Acts later shows Paul doing similar things (Acts 21:24, Acts 21:26). He did this partly to fit in with the Jews for a time, since he had become like a Jew in order to win Jews (1 Corinthians 9:20). Yet the Nazarite vow also had a serious and devout meaning, so it was fitting that this old ceremony should be one of the last to pass away.

Paul then stopped at Ephesus, the leading city of Asia Minor and a busy seaport. There he left Aquila and Priscilla behind. This was not only because they would have slowed him down, but also because they could serve the gospel there. Paul planned to spend time in Ephesus later, so leaving them there was like sending helpers ahead to prepare the way, just as Christ sent disciples ahead to places where he planned to come.

Aquila and Priscilla, who were wise and mature believers, could speak privately with many people and prepare them to receive Paul well. They could also help people understand his teaching when he came. That is why Paul later calls them his helpers in Christ Jesus (Romans 16:3).

While passing through, Paul also preached to the Jews in their synagogue. Even though he was only there briefly, he would not leave without giving them the message of the gospel. He went in as a preacher, not merely as a listener, and reasoned with them. Though the Jews at Corinth had opposed themselves and blasphemed, he did not, because of that, refuse to preach in other synagogues. We should not judge an entire group by the bad conduct of some of its members.

The Jews in Ephesus received him better than the Jews in Corinth had done. They asked him to stay longer and teach them more about Christ. They were more open and courteous, and this showed that God had not fully cast off his people, but still had a remnant among them.

Paul, however, did not stay. He said goodbye, because he still had to go on to Jerusalem for the feast. This was not because he believed the feast laws still bound him, but because he had business there that would be best handled when many Jews were gathered. We are not told which feast it was, though it was probably Passover, the most important one. He also promised that after this journey he would return to Ephesus, and their kind invitation gave him hope that he could do much good there.

Paul’s words also show a useful lesson. It is good to keep future opportunities in mind, so that when one good work ends, we are ready for another. Yet he added the proper condition, “if God wills.” Our times are in God’s hand. We may make plans, but he directs them, so every promise should be made with submission to his will. If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that. Paul had said something similar before, if the Spirit allowed him (Acts 16:7), and that same thought is included here.

Paul then made a short visit to Jerusalem, out of respect for that church, which truly was like a mother church to the rest. He sailed from Ephesus and landed at Caesarea, choosing the sea route for speed and safety. It also let him see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep. Joppa had once served as Jerusalem’s port, but Caesarea was now used more often, since Herod had improved it and Joppa’s harbor was dangerous.

From there he went up and greeted the church, which clearly means the church at Jerusalem. It is called simply “the church” in a special sense, because that is where the Christian church first began (Acts 15:4).

Paul felt it was right to visit them, so they would not think his success among the Gentiles had made him proud or distant. He did not want them to think that the honor God gave him had made him forget the honor he owed to them. His visit to greet the church in Jerusalem shows two things.

First, it was a friendly visit made in genuine kindness. He wanted to ask about their condition and show sincere goodwill toward them. New friendships should not make us forget old ones. It is a joy for good people, and especially good ministers, to renew former friendships. The ministers in Jerusalem lived there constantly, while Paul was always traveling, but he still kept close contact with them. They could rejoice in his work, and he could rejoice in their service, and they could encourage one another in their shared calling.

Second, it was only a short visit. He went up, greeted them, perhaps with the holy kiss, and did not stay long. It was meant to be only a brief meeting, yet Paul was willing to make this long journey for it. This world is not the place where we are meant to stay together forever. God’s people are the salt of the earth, spread out and scattered, but it is good to see one another now and then, even if only for a short time. Such meetings strengthen love, help us keep spiritual fellowship at a distance, and make us long more deeply for the heavenly Jerusalem, where we hope to be together forever.

Then Paul returned through the places where he had once preached the gospel. He spent some time in Antioch, among old friends there, the church from which he had first been sent out to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 13:1). He went there to rest in the company of the ministers there, and that is a real refreshment for a faithful minister. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Paul’s visit to Antioch would have brought back memories of earlier days, and those memories would lead him to fresh thanksgiving.

From there he traveled through the regions of Galatia and Phrygia, where he had preached the gospel and planted churches. Luke mentions that work briefly (Acts 16:6), but it was a great work, as Paul later shows in Galatians 4:14, 15, where he speaks of his first preaching to the Galatians and their warm welcome of him as if he were an angel of God. These were churches in the countryside, and we do not read of a city in Galatia where one church stood alone (Galatians 1:2). Paul visited them in order, as they were located, watering what he had once planted. He strengthened all the disciples.

Even his presence among them was a help. When Paul showed care for them, it encouraged them. But he did more than that. He preached words that strengthened them in their faith in Christ, their resolve for Christ, and their loving affection toward him. Disciples need strengthening, because they are surrounded by weakness. Ministers must do all they can to strengthen them, all of them, by pointing them to Christ and teaching them to live on him. His strength is made complete in human weakness, and he himself is their strength and their song.