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

18 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.

17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;

21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

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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