Notes and Jottings

Acts 18

(18:1). Corinth. Situated approximately 40 miles to the west of Athens and was the capital of the Roman province of Achaia, as well as a prominent seaport. During this period, Corinth functioned as the political hub of Greece, housing the Roman proconsul, while Athens was recognized as the centre for literature. Its strategic location on an isthmus, with access to two ports, Lechaeum and Cenchreae, greatly enhanced its commercial importance, allowing for the transfer and movement of goods across the isthmus between ports, akin to the activities that took place at Suez prior to the canal’s construction.

(18:2). Aquila and Priscilla. A married couple who were good friends of Paul and also worked as tentmakers. They offered Paul a place to stay and ran a house church. They arrived in Corinth due to an edict from Claudius mandating that Jews leave Rome. They travelled with Paul when he departed from Corinth and went to Syria.

(18:2). Pontus. A region of northern Asia Minor near the Black Sea, which is now in Turkey.

(18:2). Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. The removal of Jews from Rome by Claudius took place in AD 49, roughly two years prior to Paul’s arrival in Corinth.

(18:3). tent-makers. It was a custom among the Jews to bring their children up to learn a trade. Paul was a tentmaker which was an important trade in Tarsus. This is the only reference to Paul’s trade as a tentmaker. See Acts 20:34 and 1 Cor. 4:12.

(18:6). he shook his clothes. This might refer to Neh 5:13 and also to Jesus’ statements about individuals who turn away from God (Matt 10:14; Mark 6:11; Luke 10:11).

(18:12). Gallio. He was proconsul of Achaia in A.D. 51. In Corinth, the Jews brought Paul before Gallio, anticipating that he would pass judgment against him. Gallio replied by stating that their charges against Paul pertained to Jewish law, rather than civil law, and thus were not within his jurisdiction. He also opted not to intervene when the crowds attacked the synagogue leader, Sosthenes.

(18:14). Judaism was a “permitted religion” according to Roman law. Christianity was able to benefit from this protection by aligning itself with Judaism. The Jews likely expressed concerns that Christians were not a legitimate subgroup of Judaism, but Gallio did not agree with their perspective. He essentially stated, “Resolve your own religious disputes on your own.” This decision was likely significant for the work of the gospel.

(18:18). Paul having shorn his head. The indication of the fulfilment of a Nazirite vow (Num. 6:18; Acts 21:24). The reason for taking the vow remains unclear. Cenchrea. The eastern harbour of Corinth. While in Corinth, Paul authored 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

(18:19). Ephesus. A famous city in Ionia, which served as the capital of the region known as ‘the province of Asia’ during Roman times, located in the western part of Asia Minor. Its proximity to the sea made it a hub of significant trade, and as the provincial capital, it maintained frequent communication with neighbouring towns. The renowned Temple of Diana also attracted many pagans. The residents were believed to be of Greek descent, with a substantial number of Jews involved in trade. Acts 18:19-24; Acts 19:1, 17, 26, 35; Acts 20:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:32; 1 Cor. 16:8; Eph. 1:1; 1 Tim. 1:3; 2 Tim. 1:18; 2 Tim. 4:12; Rev. 1:11; Rev. 2:1. Today, it is called Ayasolook. The remnants are vast: the sea has receded, leaving behind a foul marsh of mud and reeds. The city came under the control of the Roman Republic in 129 BC. Ephesus is first mentioned in Acts 18:19.

(18:24). Apollos. A knowledgeable Jew from Alexandria arrived in Ephesus while Aquila and Priscilla were present. He was well-versed in the Scriptures and spoke confidently about Jesus in the synagogue, but he still accepted further instruction from Aquila and Priscilla, who welcomed him into their home. Encouraged by the believers in Ephesus, he traveled to Achaia, where he focused his ministry on demonstrating through Scripture that Jesus is the Messiah. Paul informed the Corinthian church that Apollos worked alongside him, urging them not to create divisions based on their preference for a particular human leader. Later, Paul had to convince Apollos to come back to Corinth.