BSB ACTs Chapter 18

Paul Ministers in Corinth

(1 Corinthians 1:1–3, 2 Corinthians 1:1–2)

18 After this, [Paul] left Athens [and] went to Corinth. 2 [There] he found a Jew named Aquila a native of Pontus, who {had} recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. [Paul] went to [ visit ] them, 3 and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, [just as] he was.

4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike. 5 And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews [that] Jesus is the Christ. 6 But [when] they opposed and insulted [him], he shook out [his] garments [and] told them, “Your blood [be] on your [own] heads! I [am] innocent [of it]. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

7 [So] [Paul] left the synagogue [and] went next door to [the] house of Titus Justus,[fn] a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his whole household believed in the Lord. And many of the Corinthians who heard [ the message ] believed and were baptized.

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “{Do} not be afraid; keep on speaking; {do} not be silent. 10 For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 [So] [Paul] stayed for a year and [a half] teaching the word of God among [the Corinthians].

Paul before Gallio

12 [While] Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat. 13 “This [man] is persuading the [people] to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said

14 But [just as] Paul was about to speak Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your [ complaint ]. 15 But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle [it] yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.” 16 And he drove them {away} from the judgment seat.

17 At this, the crowd[fn] seized Sosthenes the synagogue leader [and] beat [him] in front of the judgment seat. [But] none of this was of concern to Gallio.

Paul Returns to Antioch

18 Paul remained [in Corinth] for quite some time [before] saying goodbye to the brothers. {He had} [his] head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had [ made ], [and then] he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.

19 [When] they reached Ephesus, [Paul] left [Priscilla and Aquila]. He himself went into the synagogue [there] [and] reasoned with the Jews. 20 [When] they asked [him] to stay for a while longer he declined. 21 But as he left, he said, I will come back[fn] to you [if] God is willing.” [And] he set sail from Ephesus.

22 [When Paul] had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church [ at Jerusalem ].[fn] [Then] he went down to Antioch.

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey Begins

(Acts 13:1–3, Acts 15:36–41)

23 [After] [Paul] had spent some time [in Antioch], he traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus,[fn] [though] he knew only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. [When] Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

27 [When] [Apollos] resolved to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged [him] [and] wrote to the disciples [there] to welcome him. On his arrival he {was a} great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public [debate], proving from the Scriptures [that] Jesus is the Christ.