Acts 18:18-22·~1 min

Paul Returns to Antioch

After staying in Corinth a while longer, Paul sails for Syria with Priscilla and Aquila, having shaved his head in Cenchrea because of a vow. At Ephesus he reasons in the synagogue but declines to stay longer, promising to return if God wills, and from Caesarea he goes up to greet the church before going down to Antioch.

P¹⁸aul 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. ¹⁹When they reached Ephesus, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue there and reasoned with the Jews. ²⁰When they asked him to stay for a while longer, he declined. ²¹But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus. ²²When Paul had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church at Jerusalem. Then he went down to Antioch.

Section summaryAfter remaining in Corinth for some time, Paul departs for Syria with Priscilla and Aquila, shaving his head in Cenchrea because of a vow. He stops at Ephesus to reason with the Jews, declines a longer stay while promising to return if God wills, lands at Caesarea, greets the church, and goes down to Antioch.

Role in the chapterThis short movement closes the second journey's Corinthian phase and carries Paul back through key places already becoming important. It also leaves Ephesus poised for a fuller return.