Acts 18:18-23
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18 So Paul, having stayed on for many days, said good-bye to the brothers and sailed away to Syria. Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He shaved his head at Cenchreae because he had taken a vow. 19 When they reached Ephesus he left them there, but he himself entered the synagogue and engaged in discussion with the Jews. 20 And though they asked him to stay for a longer time, he declined, 21 but he said good-bye and stated, “I’ll come back to you again, if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.
22 On landing at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and went down to Antioch. 23 And after spending some time there, he set out, traveling through one place after another in the Galatian territory and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
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Intro: Paul, the missionary, found a fertile field in Corinth. This text take place at the end of Paul's stay in Corinth and the end of his Second Missionary Journey.
He stayed 18 months in Corinth, which was his longest stay in any one place, to this point! He was about to set out from Corinth and stop in Syria, Ephesus, Caesarea, Jerusalem, and Antioch before beginning his third missionary journey. One thing was clear: Paul didn’t lose focus on the work of the Lord, he didn’t lose faithfulness to the work of the Lord, and he didn’t lose faith in the Lord of the work. Paul worked along the way! You and I need to make sure that we are working along the way of life.
Intro: Paul, the missionary, found a fertile field in Corinth. This text take place at the end of Paul's stay in Corinth and the end of his Second Missionary Journey.
He stayed 18 months in Corinth, which was his longest stay in any one place, to this point! He was about to set out from Corinth and stop in Syria, Ephesus, Caesarea, Jerusalem, and Antioch before beginning his third missionary journey. One thing was clear: Paul didn’t lose focus on the work of the Lord, he didn’t lose faithfulness to the work of the Lord, and he didn’t lose faith in the Lord of the work. Paul worked along the way! You and I need to make sure that we are working along the way of life.
I. Paul's Promise... To Keep a Vow
Paul left Corinth at the time he did because he was called to be a missionary and not a pastor. He knew his calling and he remained committed to that which was a part of his calling. As you can see in verse 18, Paul once again expanded his ministry team. Upon arrival in Corinth, Paul met Aquila and Priscilla and began working with them in their tent-making business. As Paul left Corinth, Aquila and Priscilla accompanied him to Ephesus. This means Paul produced disciples from his spiritual work with Aquila and Priscilla. Paul was more than a business partner of Aquila and Priscilla. He was also their teacher.
It appears in the close of verse 18 that at some point Paul took on the commitment of a Nazirite. The Nazirite vow meant a man did not cut his hair during the time of the commitment. Samson and John the Baptist were two other biblical characters who made the vow of a Nazirite. Paul remained true to his commitment as a Nazirite until he finished it. Paul was not only a starter, he was a finisher.
Paul left Corinth at the time he did because he was called to be a missionary and not a pastor. He knew his calling and he remained committed to that which was a part of his calling. As you can see in verse 18, Paul once again expanded his ministry team. Upon arrival in Corinth, Paul met Aquila and Priscilla and began working with them in their tent-making business. As Paul left Corinth, Aquila and Priscilla accompanied him to Ephesus. This means Paul produced disciples from his spiritual work with Aquila and Priscilla. Paul was more than a business partner of Aquila and Priscilla. He was also their teacher.
LIFE APPLICATION
THE TOGETHER TEAM
Priscilla and Aquila were marriage and ministry partners (18:18). Four timeless qualities enabled Priscilla and Aquila to have a marriage that resulted in major ministry:
1. They were steeped in the Truth of God's Word. (Remember that Priscilla and Aquila spent a great deal of time with Paul making tents together. Obviously, they had heard him teach and preach many, many times. This explains the reason they were able to pull Apollos aside and explain the gospel to him. They were competent in handling the Scriptures.)
2. They had an eye on Eternity. (Though they were tentmakers by trade, they were focused on something far more significant. They were investing in people and seeking first and foremost to build Christ's church!)
3. They had an attitude of Availability. (Always their home was open; always they were willing to pull up stakes and go where they were needed.)
4. They were radically committed to Ministry. (Everywhere they went, lives were touched. Because they were active, sensitive, faithful, and steady, they ended up having an impact on three of the most influential Christian leaders of their day—Paul, Apollos, and Timothy!) How much ministry takes place in your marriage?
II. Paul's Parting... From His Friends
"And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: (Aquila and Priscilla) but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews" (v. 19). Evidently, Paul was greatly attached to those tent-makers, and to leave his friends in Ephesus could not have been easy. It is not clear whether they planned to establish a home and business in the great city, but God was overruling in the affairs of men. The closing part of chapter 18 describes how Apollos arrived in Ephesus, and Paul's friends were of inestimable value in the training and enlightenment of the fervent preacher who only knew "the baptism of John." If Aquila and his wife had not been in Ephesus at that time, the church might have lost one of its greatest evangelists. Paul never forgot his friends. (See ; ; .) It is thrilling to read Paul's message to the church at Rome: "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles" ().
III. Paul's Purpose... "I must... keep this feast" (v. 21)
Though the Jews were receptive to Paul's message, he apparently felt a more pressing need to return to Antioch. A few ancient manuscripts imply that Paul was also eager to arrive in Jerusalem in time to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. If this is accurate, Paul probably wanted to take advantage of the evangelistic opportunities presented by such a gathering of devout Jews. He promised to return to them "if it is God's will" (see ).
Though the Jews were receptive to Paul's message, he apparently felt a more pressing need to return to Antioch. A few ancient manuscripts imply that Paul was also eager to arrive in Jerusalem in time to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. If this is accurate, Paul probably wanted to take advantage of the evangelistic opportunities presented by such a gathering of devout Jews. He promised to return to them "if it is God's will" (see ).
LIFE APPLICATION
IT'S TIME
Heading for home after a two-year missionary adventure, Paul could have felt satisfied, tired, and perhaps even ready for some rest. During a scheduled stop in Ephesus, however, he left the ship to pay a brief evangelistic visit to the Jews at the local synagogue. The great apostle possessed a sense of urgency, a focus, and an unending compassion to see others meet the Christ he knew so well. Paul tried to make every moment count for eternity. The clock is ticking. Time, the substance of our lives, is slipping by. Are we making the most of the days God has allotted for us?
"He went over all the country,... strengthening all the disciples" (v. 23) It became evident that Paul recognized Antioch to be his home base. His visit to Jerusalem was brief; he did what he had to do and then went back to the city where he was commissioned to preach. It is not known how long he stayed there—Luke says, "some time"—but Paul's heart, so to speak, had been left in Asia.
As Paul set out, one of his priorities was helping the believers to grow. This verb (episterizo) is only used twice in the New Testament and conveys the idea of establishing or making strong; it connotes edification mixed with encouragement. Such was Paul's regular practice—to keep checking up on those he had led to Christ and the churches he had founded.
LIFE APPLICATION
BUILDING UP PEOPLE
Paul seemed to view everyone as either a lost soul in need of being evangelized or a Christian in need of being edified and encouraged. His perspective was "I am here to serve others." His every encounter with another individual was a chance to do so in one way or the other. Imagine if your church members made it their daily goal to do this. Because life is often so discouraging, we need others who will come alongside us and help make us stronger and provide the motivation we need to press on. Be someone who builds others up—through acts of kindness, by passing on lessons learned, by admitting failures, by being real.
My Work on Earth Will Soon Be Done
My work on earth will soon be done
And then I'm going home.
I'm going beyond this veil of tears
Where I won't have to cry anymore.
The Jack Andrews Expository Studies - The Jack Andrews Expository Studies – Understanding Acts - Volume 5.
The Jack Andrews Expository Studies - The Jack Andrews Expository Studies – Understanding Acts - Volume 5.
George Brooks Preaching Commentary - George Brooks Preaching Commentary – Expositions from the Book of Acts: Volume 2.
George Brooks Preaching Commentary - George Brooks Preaching Commentary – Expositions from the Book of Acts: Volume 2.
Life Application Bible Commentary - Life Application Bible Commentary – Acts.
Life Application Bible Commentary - Life Application Bible Commentary – Acts.
Ivor Powell Commentaries - Ivor Powell Commentaries – Amazing Acts.
Ivor Powell Commentaries - Ivor Powell Commentaries – Amazing Acts.