Acts 18 | Daily Bible Reading & Reflection

Acts 18 Devotional: Follow Paul’s ministry in Corinth and the beginning of his third missionary journey. Discover the power of partnership in the Gospel and the importance of being "fervent in spirit" as the early Church expands.

Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to Acts Chapter 18. Today, we travel with Paul to the bustling, diverse city of Corinth. In this chapter, we see that the mission of God is never a solo effort—it involves tentmakers, runaway couples, and eloquent preachers all working together. Let us open our hearts to see how God uses everyday faithfulness to establish His Kingdom.

Acts Chapter 18 Introduction:

Courage in Corinth and the Power of Partnership

Acts 18 finds Paul in Corinth, a city known for its wealth and its moral challenges. It is here that he meets Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tentmakers who become lifelong partners in the ministry. When Paul faces heavy opposition from the local synagogue, the Lord speaks to him in a vision: "Do not be afraid... for I have many people in this city." Strengthened by this promise, Paul stays for a year and a half. The chapter concludes with the introduction of Apollos, a man "mighty in the Scriptures" who is humbly mentored by Priscilla and Aquila to understand the way of God more accurately.

What can we learn from this today? In this chapter, we see the Mission of the Universal Church. As your Statement of Faith affirms, the Church is the Body of Christ, composed of all true believers born of the Spirit. Whether it is Paul preaching, Aquila and Priscilla hosting, or Apollos teaching, every member has a role. We also see the Authority of the Bible in action; Apollos is praised for his knowledge of the Scriptures, yet he remains teachable. This reminds us that we never stop growing in our understanding of God's Word. Finally, the Lord’s encouragement to Paul reminds us that even when we feel alone in our faith, God is sovereignly working behind the scenes to gather His people.

Bible Verse - Acts 18

In Corinth

18 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

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

12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”

14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said 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. 15 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.” 16 So he drove them off. 17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.

Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos

18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.

23 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.

24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

Prayer

The Lord told Paul, "I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you." As we enter into prayer, let us rest in the presence of the same Savior who stands by us in every city and every circumstance.

Prayer Theme: "Fervent in Spirit"

Dear Heavenly Father, We praise You for the growth of Your Church and the preservation of Your Word. We believe that the Holy Spirit dwells in, guides, and empowers every believer for godly living and service. Thank You for the examples of Aquila, Priscilla, and Paul, who worked with their hands and their hearts to see the Gospel advance.

Lord, I ask for the courage You gave to Paul in Corinth. When I feel intimidated by the culture around me, remind me that You have "many people" in my community and that You are always with me. Give me a heart like Apollos—fervent in spirit and mighty in the Scriptures—but also grant me the humility to be mentored and taught by others. Help me to see my daily work, whatever it may be, as an opportunity to partner with others for the sake of the Gospel. May my home, like that of Aquila and Priscilla, be a place where Your Truth is shared and Your people are nurtured.

We pray for our local church and its leaders, that we would be a community of deep fellowship and sound teaching. We lift up those who are ministering in "difficult cities" today where opposition is high; protect them and give them the same peace You gave Paul. We pray for a world that is searching for meaning in all the wrong places; may the message of Jesus Christ be proclaimed with such clarity and passion that many would believe and be baptized. We ask that Your Spirit would continue to regenerate hearts and build Your eternal Kingdom in every nation. Amen.

Daily Application Question

Aquila and Priscilla used their home and their trade to support the Gospel. What "tent" or everyday resource do you have in your life that could be used to support the mission of your local church or to encourage a fellow believer?

Frequently Asked Questions about Acts 18

Who were Aquila and Priscilla? They were a Jewish Christian couple who had been expelled from Rome. They were "tentmakers" by trade, just like Paul, and became instrumental leaders in the early Church, even helping to instruct the great preacher Apollos.
Why did the Lord tell Paul "not to be afraid" in Corinth? Corinth was a notoriously difficult and immoral city, and Paul had recently faced intense persecution in other cities. The vision was a divine assurance that God would protect him and that there was a great harvest of souls prepared in that specific city.
What does it mean that Apollos knew only the "baptism of John"? It means he understood the need for repentance and the prophecies concerning the Messiah, but he likely hadn't yet heard the full story of Jesus' death, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Thank you for joining us for Acts 18. May you go out today with a fervent spirit and a heart ready to partner with others for the Kingdom. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow for the spiritual breakthroughs in Acts Chapter 19.

Navigate the Journey

Previous: ← Acts Chapter 17 | Next: Acts Chapter 19 →

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