THE WORK OF GOD GROWS

Passage: Acts 18:12-28

Key verse: 26

NIV

12 While Gallio was proconsul(A) of Achaia,(B) the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”

14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law(C)—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16 So he drove them off. 17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes(D) the synagogue leader(E) and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.

Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos

18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters(F) and sailed for Syria,(G) accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.(H) Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae(I) because of a vow he had taken.(J) 19 They arrived at Ephesus,(K) where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.”(L) Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea,(M) he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.(N)

23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia(O) and Phrygia,(P) strengthening all the disciples.(Q)

24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos,(R) a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus.(S) He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor[a](T) and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.(U) 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila(V) heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia,(W) the brothers and sisters(X) encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures(Y) that Jesus was the Messiah.(Z)

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 18:25 Or with fervor in the Spirit
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

12 But when Gallio was (A)proconsul of Achaia, (B)the Jews[a] made a united attack on Paul and (C)brought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to (D)the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious (E)crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 15 But (F)since it is a matter of questions about words and names and (G)your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.

Paul Returns to Antioch

18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of (H)the brothers[b] and set sail for Syria, and with him (I)Priscilla and Aquila. At (J)Cenchreae (K)he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19 And they came to (L)Ephesus, and he left them there, but (M)he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you (N)if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.

22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he (O)went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he departed and (P)went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, (Q)strengthening all the disciples.

Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus

24 Now a Jew named (R)Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, (S)competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in (T)the way of the Lord. And (U)being fervent in spirit,[c] he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only (V)the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when (W)Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him (X)the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross to (Y)Achaia, (Z)the brothers encouraged him and (AA)wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, (AB)he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures (AC)that the Christ was Jesus.

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 18:12 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verses 14 (twice), 28
  2. Acts 18:18 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 27
  3. Acts 18:25 Or in the Spirit
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Challenge in Corinth (12-17) The Jews arrested Paul and brought him for judgment, but God protected him. The proconsul Gallio refused to judge matters of Jewish law, and so the work in Corinth continued to grow, 2. Emerging leaders (18-28) Paul traveled back to Antioch, leaving Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus, then going through Caesarea and Jerusalem on his way. After a time he set out again, visiting the churches in Asia Minor. In Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila met a man named Apollos, who had knowledge of the Scriptures and John the Baptist, but not Jesus. They taught him the gospel in their house church and raised him as a man who could adequately prove from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. The Lord was raising new leaders for his ministry.

Prayer: Lord, the ministry is your work. Help us to serve it by preaching your word. Raise new leaders for our generation.

One Word: Raise leaders who preach the word