Acts 18:18-23

Acts 18:18-23

 

    Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.

 

    After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

 

Even after certain Corinthians tried to stir up problems for Paul, with those problems squelched, he was able to stay there quite a while. God had given Paul peace from his oppressors, and he was able to invest in the Corinthian people.

 

It is interesting that Paul took a vow, but we are never told what kind of vow he took. Still, Christians should not be too quick to look down on those who take vows, because Paul the apostle took one.

 

The most prominent thing about this section is the number of places Paul went. He sailed to Syria, went up to the synagogue in Ephesus, landed and greeted the church at Caesarea, went down to Antioch, and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia. In every place, Paul ministered.

 

Paul was a servant of Jesus Christ, seeking in every place to strengthen His church.

 

Father, may I also seek to strengthen your church in every place. May I serve You well, an ambassador for Your kingdom.