Acts 18 Outline Summary and Meaning
Quick Summary
Acts 18 follows Paul's ministry in Corinth and Ephesus. Paul arrives in Corinth and meets Aquila and Priscilla, tentmakers like himself. He preaches in the synagogue every Sabbath. When Silas and Timothy arrive, Paul devotes himself fully to preaching, but the Jews oppose him, so he turns to the Gentiles. The Lord tells Paul in a vision not to be afraid but to keep speaking because He has many people in the city. Paul stays in Corinth for eighteen months. The Jews bring him before Gallio, the proconsul, but Gallio dismisses the case. Paul then sails to Syria, stopping briefly in Ephesus before continuing to Caesarea and Antioch. Meanwhile, Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knows only John's baptism, arrives in Ephesus. Priscilla and Aquila explain the way of God more accurately to him, and he becomes a powerful apologist for Jesus.
Introduction
Acts 17 ended with Paul in Athens engaging philosophers at the Areopagus. Acts 18 moves to Corinth, a major commercial city known for immorality and idolatry, where Paul will spend considerable time establishing a church.
This chapter shows Paul continuing his pattern of preaching first to Jews, then turning to Gentiles when rejected. God's vision reassures Paul during opposition, promising that many in Corinth will believe. The chapter also introduces Apollos and shows Aquila and Priscilla's role in discipling him, demonstrating that ministry involves both proclamation and mentoring.
The encounter with Gallio establishes an important precedent: Roman authorities view the gospel as an internal Jewish dispute, not a threat to public order, providing legal protection for Paul's work.
Outline and Section Summary
Acts 18:1–11 Paul in Corinth
Paul leaves Athens and goes to Corinth. There he meets a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who has recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius has ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul goes to see them, and because he is a tentmaker as they are, he stays and works with them. Every Sabbath he reasons in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy come from Macedonia, Paul devotes himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. When they oppose and abuse him, he shakes out his clothes in protest and says, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." He leaves the synagogue and goes next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believe in the Lord, and many of the Corinthians who hear Paul believe and are baptized.
One night the Lord speaks to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stays in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching the word of God among them.
This section shows God's faithfulness in the midst of opposition. Paul receives supernatural encouragement to continue, and the promise proves true—many believe despite resistance.
Read the full article here: Acts 18:1–11 Paul in Corinth
Acts 18:12–17 Gallio's Judgment
While Gallio is proconsul of Achaia, the Jews make a united attack on Paul and bring him to the place of judgment. They charge, "This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law." Just as Paul is about to speak, Gallio says to them, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." He has them ejected from the court.
Then the crowd turns on Sosthenes, the synagogue leader, and beats him in front of the proconsul. But Gallio shows no concern whatever.
This section demonstrates Roman indifference to what they perceive as internal Jewish religious disputes. Gallio's dismissal provides legal precedent that protects Paul and the church from persecution on religious grounds.
Read the full article here: Acts 18:12–17 Gallio's Judgment
Acts 18:18–28 Apollos in Ephesus and Corinth
Paul stays on in Corinth for some time, then leaves the believers and sails for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he has his hair cut off because of a vow he has taken. They arrive at Ephesus, where Paul leaves Priscilla and Aquila. He himself goes into the synagogue and reasons with the Jews. When they ask him to spend more time with them, he declines but promises to come back if it is God's will. He sets sail from Ephesus, lands at Caesarea, goes up to greet the church in Jerusalem, and then goes down to Antioch.
After spending some time in Antioch, Paul sets out and travels through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, comes to Ephesus. He is a learned man with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He has been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he speaks with great fervor and teaches about Jesus accurately, though he knows only the baptism of John. He begins to speak boldly in the synagogue.
When Priscilla and Aquila hear him, they invite him to their home and explain to him the way of God more adequately. When Apollos wants to go to Achaia, the believers encourage him and write to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrives, he is a great help to those who by grace have believed. For he vigorously refutes the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.
This section introduces Apollos and highlights the importance of accurate teaching. Though eloquent and fervent, Apollos' knowledge is incomplete. Priscilla and Aquila mentor him privately, and he becomes an even more effective minister.
Read the full article here: Acts 18:18–28 Apollos in Ephesus and Corinth
Major Themes in Acts 18
Tentmaking and bi-vocational ministry
Paul works as a tentmaker to support himself while ministering. This demonstrates that gospel work can be supported through secular employment when necessary (Acts 18:3).
Divine encouragement in ministry
When opposition arises, the Lord speaks to Paul in a vision, assuring him of protection and promising that many will believe. God sustains His servants in difficult places (Acts 18:9–10).
Turning to the Gentiles
After Jewish opposition, Paul declares he will go to the Gentiles. This pattern repeats throughout Acts—when Jews reject the message, Paul turns to Gentiles (Acts 18:6).
God's people in unexpected places
The Lord tells Paul, "I have many people in this city." God has chosen people everywhere, even in the most corrupt cities. The gospel will reach them (Acts 18:10).
Roman protection of the gospel
Gallio's dismissal of the case against Paul establishes that Christianity is not illegal under Roman law. This provides practical protection for the church's mission (Acts 18:14–16).
Mentoring and discipleship
Priscilla and Aquila take Apollos aside and explain the way of God more accurately. Ministry includes teaching and correcting those who are zealous but need greater understanding (Acts 18:26).
Scripture as the basis for proving Jesus is Messiah
Apollos proves from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah. Effective apologetics is rooted in biblical exposition, not mere eloquence or philosophy (Acts 18:28).
Meaning for Today
Acts 18 encourages believers facing opposition. Paul experienced resistance in Corinth, but God assured him of success. Modern Christians in hostile environments should take heart—God has His people everywhere, and He protects and sustains those who speak His word.
The chapter validates bi-vocational ministry. Paul's tentmaking was not a sign of failure but a wise strategy. Pastors and missionaries today who support themselves through secular work follow a biblical pattern. Ministry is not less legitimate because it is not fully funded.
Gallio's judgment reminds believers that God uses secular authorities to protect the church. While governments may not always be friendly to Christianity, God can use their decisions to advance His purposes. Believers should pray for favorable rulings and seek legal protections when available.
The story of Apollos highlights the importance of accurate teaching. Zeal and eloquence are valuable, but they must be matched with sound doctrine. Priscilla and Aquila's gentle correction models how to help someone who is fervent but incomplete in understanding. The church today needs both bold proclaimers and patient teachers.
Finally, Acts 18 shows that gospel ministry requires both proclamation and discipleship. Paul preached publicly, but Priscilla and Aquila mentored privately. Both are essential. Churches should not only focus on outreach but also invest in teaching and discipling believers to maturity.
FAQ
What is Acts 18 about?
Acts 18 describes Paul's ministry in Corinth where he stays eighteen months, the Roman proconsul Gallio dismissing charges against Paul, and Apollos being mentored by Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus (Acts 18:1–28).
Who were Aquila and Priscilla?
A Jewish couple who were tentmakers like Paul. They had recently come from Rome after Claudius expelled the Jews. They became Paul's coworkers and later mentored Apollos (Acts 18:2–3, 18, 26).
Why did Paul work as a tentmaker?
To support himself while ministering. This allowed him to preach without burdening the church financially and gave him common ground with working people (Acts 18:3).
What did God tell Paul in the vision?
Not to be afraid but to keep speaking because God was with him and had many people in that city. God promised protection and fruitfulness (Acts 18:9–10).
Why did Gallio dismiss the case?
He viewed it as an internal Jewish religious dispute about words, names, and Jewish law, not a matter for Roman courts. This ruling protected Paul and set a precedent (Acts 18:14–15).
Who was Apollos?
A learned Jew from Alexandria who was eloquent, knew the Scriptures thoroughly, and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only John's baptism. After being mentored by Priscilla and Aquila, he became a powerful apologist (Acts 18:24–28).
What does "knowing only John's baptism" mean?
Apollos understood that the Messiah was coming and that repentance was necessary (John's message), but he needed fuller instruction about Jesus' death, resurrection, and the Holy Spirit (Acts 18:25).
Why did Priscilla and Aquila take Apollos aside privately?
To correct and instruct him without embarrassing him publicly. They mentored him in a way that honored his zeal while filling in gaps in his knowledge (Acts 18:26).
