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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 18:18-23

We have here Paul in motion, as we have had him at Corinth for some time at rest, but in both busy, very busy, in the service of Christ; if he sat still, if he went about, still it was to do good. Here is, I. Paul's departure from Corinth, Acts 18:18. 1. He did not go away till some time after the trouble he met with there; from other places he had departed when the storm arose, but not from Corinth, because there it had no sooner risen than it fell again. Some tell us that Gallio did... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 18:18-23

18:18-23 After Paul had remained there many days longer he took leave of the brethren and sailed away to Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila went with him. At Cenchrea he had his head shorn for he had a vow. They arrived at Ephesus and he left them there. He himself went into the synagogue and debated with the Jews. They asked him to stay a longer time but he would not consent to do so, but he took leave of them saying, "God willing, I will come back to you again." and he set out from Ephesus.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 18:22

And when he had landed at Caesarea ,.... This was Caesarea Stratonis, formerly called Strato's tower: it would have been nearest for the apostle to have landed at Joppa, in order to go to Jerusalem, but that haven was a dangerous one; this was the safest, and which therefore Herod had repaired at a vast expense, and in honour of Caesar had called it by this name: of the port at Caesarea, and what a convenient and commodious one, as it was made by Herod, Josephus F9 Antiqu. l. 15. c. 9.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 18:22

Landed at Caesarea - This must have been Caesarea in Palestine. Gone up - To Jerusalem, though the name is not mentioned: but this is a common form of speech in the evangelists, Jerusalem being always meant when this expression was used; for the word αναβαινω , to go up, is often used absolutely, to signify, to go to Jerusalem: e.g. Go ye Up unto this feast; I Go not Up yet, John 7:8 . But when his brethren were Gone Up, then Went he also Up unto the feast, John 7:10 . There were... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 18:22

Verse 22− 22.When he came down to Caesarea. Though Luke saith in a word that Paul saluted the Church at Jerusalem, yet is it certain that he was drawn thither with some great necessity. And yet we may gather by this text that he stayed not long at Jerusalem, peradventure because things fell not out as he would. Moreover, he declareth that his journey in his return was not idle or barren, in that he saith that he strengthened all the disciples, undoubtedly not without great pains-taking,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:18-22

Return of-Paul to Antioch. We do not know the exact nature of the vow he was under. But the following lessons may be drawn from his conduct:— I. WORK WHILE IT IS DAY . Where God opens the door, let the ready servant enter. The voice of the Almighty saith, "Upward and onward evermore," Work, not for glory and gain, out for the kingdom of God and the salvation of men. II. TARRY NOT TO CONFER WITH FLESH AND BLOOD . Foes might have deterred him in the front;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:18-23

The concise narrative. The grain of mustard seed becomes a great tree, and the fowls of the air lodge in its branches. Could we unfold all that is covered under these few words, whole volumes of surpassing interest might be evolved. The occasion and motives of Paul's vow; the first visit to the capital of Proconsular Asia, to be afterwards the scene of such great events; Pentecost at Jerusalem; the interview with James and the elders of Jerusalem; his thoughts in the metropolis of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:18-23

The strength which is of man. The most suggestive sentence in these verses is that with which they conclude; but we may gather lessons from others also. We may learn— I. THAT THE DIVINE SPIRIT LEAVES US TO LEARN SOME TRUTHS BY THE TEACHING OF EVENTS . ( Acts 18:18 .) We are a little surprised that Paul should think it necessary to trouble himself with ceremonies which, in Christ Jesus, have become obsolete. But this is one of those things which, among... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:18-23

Retrospect. An interval in Paul's labors; how long cannot be known. Probably a needed rest; possibly connected with a vow. Employed in visiting Ephesus, sailing to Caesarea, his long fellowship with the Church there, repairing to Antioch and recounting his successes, for some time; and then revisiting the scene of his labors in Galatia and Phrygia. Thus it was a time of comparative bodily rest, of reflection and preparation for the future, and of confirmed intercourse and fellowship with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:22

He went up for and gone up, A. g.; and went for he went, A.V. When he had landed at Caesarea ; i.e. Caesarea Stratonis, or Sebaste, or παραλιός , as it was variously called, to distinguish it from Caesarea Philippi (see Acts 8:40 ; Acts 9:30 ; Acts 10:1 , etc., and frequently elsewhere in the Acts). "Caesarea, whither probably the vessel was bound, was the military capital of the Roman province of Judea, of which Felix was at this time procurator. It was also the harbor... read more

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