Study notes
In Roman times, political power in Achaia was centered in Corinth, an important city-state and a major center for trade. Corinth became known for widespread prostitution, sexual immorality (wrong sexual behavior), and drunkenness (see 1 Corinthians Book Introduction, “Setting”).
Paul spent a great deal of time and effort building a Christian community there (see study note on Acts 16:8).
In Corinth, Paul made two new friends named Aquila and Priscilla. The three of them worked and served together.
Silas and Timothy joined Paul again in Corinth. The leader of the synagogue believed Paul’s message about Jesus. But other Jews in Corinth didn’t. So Paul announced that he would preach to the Gentiles instead.
In other cities Jews who opposed Paul chased him away. That didn’t happen in Corinth. Jesus appeared to Paul in a vision. The message of the vision was for Paul to stay and keep working in Corinth.
Gallio was the Roman governor of that area. He didn’t care what Paul or the Jews believed or how they treated one another. But Gallio said that the things Paul taught didn’t go against Roman laws. So he allowed Paul to continue preaching and teaching.
The Roman historian Suetonius mentions that the emperor Claudius Caesar ordered all Jews to leave Rome around AD 49 (Life of Claudius 25).
Aquila and Priscilla were a remarkable husband and wife team in the early church. They worked as tentmakers, as did Paul. Paul probably lived and worked with Aquila and Priscilla during his time in Corinth (Acts 18:11; see Romans 16:3–4; 1 Corinthians 16:19).
Paul had probably learned tentmaking when he was young. It was a Jewish custom to teach sons a manual trade, even if they planned to become rabbis or other kinds of professionals.
Paul followed his usual practice of preaching to the Jews first. After encountering rejection and opposition, he then reached out to the Gentiles (13:42–49; see 3:25–26; 26:20; Romans 1:16; 2:10; 3:29, 30; 4:9–12).
Paul probably wrote his letters to the Christians in Thessalonica after Silas and Timothy returned from Macedonia with a report on the situation there (see 1 Thessalonians 3:6; 2 Thessalonians Book Introduction, “Setting”).
Titius Justus (“Titus the Just”) was a Gentile who worshiped God. People like him are often called “God-fearers” (non-Jews who worship the God of Israel; see study note on 10:2). The name Titus was a common Roman name, so the second name or title Justus helps to tell him apart from the better-known Titus, who worked with Paul ("Titus" in 2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:6, 13; 8:6, 16, 23).
Paul encountered strong opposition in Corinth and feared another attack (18:6). The divine message comforted him (see 23:11; Psalm 34:4, 7, 19; Matthew 28:20). It encouraged him to continue his public ministry and promised God's protection (see Psalm 91:11; 2 Timothy 4:17).
The governor (or proconsul) of Achaia, Junius Gallio, was the older brother of the Roman philosopher Seneca. Seneca later served as a tutor to Emperor Nero.
An ancient inscription shows that Gallio was governor around AD 51–52. This helps scholars date Paul’s visit to Corinth to about the same time.
Gallio’s ruling indicated that the charges against Paul were unjustified. The Roman government had nothing to fear from acknowledging Christianity as a legal religion.
The Greeks probably beat Sosthenes to show their anger towards the Jews. It is also possible that the Jews attacked their own synagogue leader because he failed to defend them. Sosthenes might be the same person Paul later calls "our brother" in 1 Corinthians 1:1, but this is uncertain since the name was common.
The voluntary vow of a Nazirite allowed men or women to separate themselves to the LORD. The Nazirite lifestyle varied throughout Hebrew history. People took vows seriously in ancient times as a way to show devotion or gratitude to God. This vow could be temporary or permanent. It involved avoiding alcoholic drinks, not cutting hair, and avoiding contact with corpses.
Nazirite restrictions allowed members of non-Levitical tribes to have a more demanding and highly respected relationship with God. The Nazirite vow is probably best known because of Samson (Judges 13–16). See also 1 Samuel 1:11; Jeremiah 35; Acts 18:18; 21:23–26; compare Luke 1:15.
Cenchrea was a seaport on the Aegean Sea, about eight kilometers (five miles) east of Corinth. Here, Paul had his head shaved following Jewish custom to mark the completion of a temporary Nazirite vow (compare 21:23–24; and Numbers 6:1–21; Judges 13:4–7; 16:1; Amos 2:11–12; Luke 1:15).
After working a long time in Corinth, Paul went to Ephesus with Priscilla and Aquila.
The Jews in Ephesus didn’t want Paul to leave. He promised to return if God allowed it. Then Paul returned to Antioch in Syria. That was the end of his second journey to spread the message about Jesus.
After some time, Paul started his third journey. He returned to places he had visited before and helped the believers in the churches there. While Paul continued travelling, Priscilla and Aquila stayed in Ephesus to help the church.
Then another teacher named Apollos came to Ephesus. He spread the message of Jesus but didn’t fully understand the Way of Jesus. Priscilla and Aquila taught him. Apollos became even more helpful as a teacher.
Paul did important work by starting many churches and helping them to grow. But he didn’t do all the work by himself. God’s Spirit works through everyone who is willing to spread the good news about Jesus.
Paul made a quick stop at Ephesus, the most important city in the Roman province of Asia. There he left the others behind, including Priscilla and Aquila (see 18:26).
He sailed to Judea, landing at Caesarea, the headquarters of the Roman forces of occupation. After a visit to the church at Jerusalem, Paul returned to Antioch, the church that had originally commissioned him. This marked the end of his second missionary journey.
In Antioch, he spent valuable time reporting what God had done through him and those who ministered with him. He shared the excitement and challenges of their work with the home church.
After some time, Paul began his third mission journey. He traveled by land through Galatia and Phrygia, again visiting Christians he had led to faith in Christ on his previous trips. It was important to him that these new believers did not lose their way or abandon their faith (see Ephesians 6:10–20; 1 Timothy 1:18–20; 2 Timothy 1:15; 4:10).
Paul wanted to remain connected with earlier converts and strengthen their faith.
Alexandria was the second-largest city in the Roman Empire. It was known for its strong tradition of public speaking and for the writings of Philo, a Jewish philosopher.
Apollos was a skilled speaker and knew the Scriptures (the Old Testament) very well. However, his understanding of Jesus and the Holy Spirit was incomplete. He did not yet understand that believers can experience the Holy Spirit’s power in their lives now.
Priscilla and Aquila kindly took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources