Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
Acts 18
Paul, Prisca, and Aquila in Corinth
After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jewish man named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Prisca because Claudius had ordered all Jewish people to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he practiced the same trade, he stayed and worked with them. They were tentmakers by trade. Every Sabbath Paul reasoned in the synagogue and tried to persuade both Jewish and Greek people. When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jewish people that Jesus is the Christ. When some opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and said, “Your blood is on your own heads. I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” He left there and went to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God whose house was next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the synagogue ruler, trusted in the Lord along with his whole household. Many Corinthians who heard the message also trusted and were baptized. During the night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, “Do not be afraid. Keep speaking and do not be silent, because I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you. I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed there a year and six months, teaching God’s word among them.
Paul Before Gallio
When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, some Jewish opponents rose up together against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat. They said, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the Law.” But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If this were a matter of wrongdoing or a serious crime, Jewish people, I would reasonably listen to you. But since these are questions about words, names, and your own law, see to it yourselves. I do not intend to be a judge of these matters.” Then he drove them away from the judgment seat. They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue ruler, and beat him in front of the judgment seat, but Gallio paid no attention to any of it.
Paul Returns Through Ephesus
Paul remained for many more days. Then he said goodbye to the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, with Prisca and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut because he had made a vow. They came to Ephesus, where Paul left Prisca and Aquila. He himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jewish people. When they asked him to stay longer, he declined. But as he left he said, “I will return to you again if God wills.” Then he sailed from Ephesus. When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, then went down to Antioch. After spending some time there, he left and traveled from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Prisca and Aquila Teach Apollos More Accurately
A Jewish man named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was eloquent and powerful in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the Lord’s way and, being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only John’s baptism. He began speaking boldly in the synagogue. When Prisca and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained God’s way to him more accurately. When Apollos wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. After arriving, he greatly helped those who had trusted through grace, because he powerfully refuted the Jewish opponents in public, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.