Acts 18:1-11·~1 min

Paul Ministers in Corinth

Paul leaves Athens for Corinth, where he meets Aquila and Priscilla, recently displaced from Rome, and stays with them because they share the trade of tentmaking. While working there, he reasons every Sabbath in the synagogue and tries to persuade both Jews and Greeks.

A¹fter this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. ²There 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, ³and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was. ⁴Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.

When Silas and Timothy arrive from Macedonia, Paul gives himself fully to the word, testifying that Jesus is the Christ. As opposition grows, he declares himself free of their blood, turns to the Gentiles next door at the house of Titus Justus, and sees Crispus with his whole household and many other Corinthians believe and be baptized.

⁵And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. ⁶But 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.” ⁷So Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titus Justus, a worshiper of God. ⁸Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his whole household believed in the Lord. And many of the Corinthians who heard the message believed and were baptized.

In a night vision the Lord tells Paul not to be afraid, to keep speaking, and not to be silent because he is with him and has many people in the city. Under that assurance Paul stays for a year and a half teaching the word of God among them.

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

Section summaryIn Corinth Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla, works with them as a tentmaker, and reasons each Sabbath in the synagogue. When Silas and Timothy arrive and opposition hardens, Paul turns to the Gentiles, yet Crispus and many Corinthians believe, and the Lord encourages Paul in a vision to keep speaking because he has many people in the city, so Paul remains there teaching for a year and a half.

Role in the chapterThis opening movement gives the chapter its stable center. Corinth becomes not just another stop under pressure but a sustained place of labor, reassurance, and gathered belief.