Acts 18:2-3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 18:1-6

We do not find that Paul was much persecuted at Athens, nor that he was driven thence by any ill usage, as he was from those places where the Jews had or could make any interest; but this reception at Athens being cold, and little prospect of doing good there, he departed from Athens, leaving the care of those there who believed with Dionysius; and thence he came to Corinth, where he was now instrumental in planting a church that became on many accounts considerable. Corinth was the chief city... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 18:1-11

Its very position made Corinth ( Greek #2882 ) a key city of Greece. Greece is almost cut in two by the sea. On one side is the Saronic Gulf with its port of Cenchrea and on the other is the Corinthian Gulf with its port of Lechaeum. Between the two there is a neck of land less than five miles across and on that isthmus stood Corinth. All north and south traffic in Greece had to pass through Corinth because there was no other way, Men called her "The Bridge of Greece." But the voyage round... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 18:1-11

18:1-11 After this Paul left Athens and came to Corinth. There he found a Jew called Aquila, who was a native of Pontus, but who had newly arrived from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had decreed that all Jews must leave Rome. Paul went in to these people, and, because they had the same craft as he had. he worked with them; for they were leather workers to trade. Every Sabbath he debated in the synagogue and he won over both Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy came... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 18:2

And found a certain Jew named Aquila ,.... This seems to have been his Roman name, which he had took, or was given him, while he was at Rome; very likely his Jewish name was נשד , "Nesher", which signifies an eagle, as "Aquila" does: unless it should rather be thought to be a Greek name; and as "Olympas" is from "Olympios", and "Nymphas" from Nymphios"; so "Akilas", as it in the Greek text, from Akylios", and this from ακυλος , "Akylos", which signifies an acorn. There was a Jewish... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 18:3

And because he was of the same craft , Art, occupation, or trade: he abode with them ; in the same house in which they were: and wrought ; with his own hands, to support himself, for he was a stranger in this place; and as yet here was no church to minister to him; and when there was, he would take nothing of them, that the false teachers, who rose up among them, might not make any handle of it against him, and to the prejudice of the Gospel; though otherwise he thought it his just... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 18:2

A certain Jew named Aquila - Some have supposed that this Aquila was the same with the Onkelos, mentioned by the Jews. See the article in Wolfius, Bibl. Hebr. vol. ii. p. 1147. We have no evidence that this Jew and his wife were at this time converted to the Christian religion. Their conversion was most likely the fruit of St. Paul's lodging with them - Pontus. See the note on Acts 2:9 . Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome - This edict of the Roman emperor is not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 18:3

He abode with them, and wrought - Bp. Pearce observes that it was a custom among the Jews, even of such as had a better education than ordinary, which was Paul's case, Acts 22:3 , to learn a trade, that, wherever they were, they might provide for themselves in case of necessity. And though Paul, in some cases, lived on the bounty of his converts, yet he chose not to do so at Ephesus, Acts 20:34 ; nor at Corinth or other places, 1 Corinthians 4:12 ; 2 Corinthians 9:8 , 2 Corinthians... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 18:2

Verse 2− 2.A Jew called Aquila. This was no small trial, in that Paul findeth none at Corinthus to lodge him save Aquila, who had been twice exiled. For being born in Pontus, he forsook his country, and sailed over the sea, that he might dwell at Rome. He was compelled to depart thence again by the commandment of Claudius Caesar. Though the commodiousness of the city was such, the plenty so great, the situation so pleasant, and there were also so many Jews there, yet Paul found no more fit... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 18:3

Verse 3− 3.They were of the same trade. This place teacheth that Paul, before he came to Corinth, was wont to work with his hands; and that not upon pleasure, but that he might get his living with his handiwork. It is not known where he first learned his occupation; notwithstanding it appeareth by his own testimony that he wrought principally at Corinth. And he showeth a reason, because the false apostles taught freely without taking any thing, that they might craftily creep in, therefore the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:1-3

Christian friendship. Unselfish friendship, the union of human souls in the bands of a close, unworldly, self-sacrificing love, has always been a spectacle that has fascinated men, one on which they have dwelt with peculiar fondness. Among the Greeks, Pylades and Orestes, Damon and Pythias; in the Old Testament David and Jonathan, and in the New Testament Peter and John, are examples of such friendships, and of the admiration which men cannot help having for them. But there is not any more... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 18:1-6

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 18:1-11

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 18:1-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 18:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 18:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 18:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 18:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 18:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 18:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:1-3

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