Acts 18:18-20

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 18:18

And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while ,.... A year and a half, as in Acts 18:11 for this insurrection might follow immediately upon the vision the apostle had; and who by that was encouraged to continue in this city, notwithstanding the treatment he met with; he not doubting of the promise of God, and of his power and faithfulness to fulfil it, though this was a trial of his faith and constancy: and then took his leave of the brethren ; whom he had been instrumental in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 18:19

And he came to Ephesus ,.... The metropolis of Asia; according to Pliny F3 Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 29. , it had been called by many names; at the time of the Trojan war, Alopes, then Ortygia and Morges, also Smyrna Trachea, Samornion and Prelea, and which he calls the work of the Amazons: some say F4 Heraclides de politiis, p. 456. it was called Ephesus, because Hercules permitted the Amazons to dwell in it, Ephesus in the Greek language signifying "permission"; Pausanias F5 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 18:20

When they desired him to tarry longer time with them ,.... Either Aquila and Priscilla, whom he left here, for here they were, as is certain from Acts 18:24,26 or rather the Jews with whom he reasoned, who might be desirous of further conference with him, upon the subject they had disputed about; either in order to gain more knowledge, or in hopes of baffling and confounding him: he consented not ; for a reason afterwards given. read more

Adam Clarke

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

And Paul - tarried there yet a good while - The persecuting Jews plainly saw, from the manner in which the proconsul had conducted this business, that they could have no hope of raising a state persecution against the apostles; and the laws provided so amply for the personal safety of every Roman citizen that then were afraid to proceed any farther in their violence. It would not be unknown that Paul was possessed of the right of Roman citizenship; and therefore his person was sacred as long... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 18:19

He came to Ephesus - Where it appears he spent but one Sabbath. It is supposed that Paul left Aquila and Priscilla at this place, and that he went on alone to Jerusalem; for it is certain they were at Ephesus when Apollos arrived there. See Acts 18:24 , Acts 18:26 . Ephesus was at the time in which St. Paul visited it, one of the most flourishing cities of Asia Minor. It was situated in that part anciently called Ionia, but now Natolia. It abounded with the most eminent orators,... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 18− 18.And when he had tarried there many days. Paul’s constancy appeareth in this, in that he is not driven away with fear, lest he should trouble the disciples, who were as yet ignorant and weak, with his sudden and untimely departure. We read in many other places, that when persecution was raised against him elsewhere he fled forthwith. What is the cause then, that he stayeth at Corinthus? to wit, when he saw that the enemies were provoked with his presence to rage against the whole... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:18

Having tarried after this yet many days for after this tarried there yet a good while, and then, A.V. ; for for into, A.V.; Cenchreae for Cenchrea, A.V. Took his leave; ἀποταξάμενος , here and again in Acts 18:21 . This is a somewhat peculiar use of the word, which occurs also in Luke 9:61 and 2 Corinthians 2:13 . It is used in the same sense in Josephus ('Ant. Jud.,' 11. 8.6). In a metaphorical sense it means" to renounce," "to bid adieu to" ( Luke 14:23 ). Of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 18:18

St. Paul's personal relations with Judaism. "Having shorn his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow." For the various explanations of this allusion which have been offered, reference must be made to the Exegetical portion of this Commentary. For some reason, which St. Paul regarded as sufficient, he had allowed his hair to grow for a time, and now, the time of the vow being nearly expired, he had his hair cut (not shaved) before starting on his journey into Syria. The point to which we bend... read more

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