Acts – Chapter 18

New Testament28 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 18 of Acts begins: "After these things, departing from Athens, he came to Corinth." The chapter centers on Paul, Priscilla and Aquila. Across its 28 verses, two threads run through the text: faith and trust in God and sin and divine judgment. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1After these things, departing from Athens, he came to Corinth.

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

3And because he was of the same trade, he remained with them and wrought. (Now they were tentmakers by trade.)

4And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, bringing in the name of the Lord Jesus. And he persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

5And when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia, Paul was earnest in preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.

6But they gainsaying and blaspheming, he shook his garments and said to them: Your blood be upon your own heads: I am clean. From henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

7And departing thence, he entered into the house of a certain man, named Titus Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house was adjoining to the synagogue.

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

9And the Lord said to Paul in the night, by a vision: Do not fear, but speak. And hold not thy peace,

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

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

12But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat,

13Saying: This man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

14And when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: If it were some matter of injustice or an heinous deed, O Jews, I should with reason bear with you.

15But if they be questions of word and names and of your law, look you to it. I will not be judge of such things.

16And he drove them from the judgment seat.

17And all laying hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

18But Paul, when he had stayed yet many days, taking his leave of the brethren, sailed thence into Syria (and with him Priscilla and Aquila), having shorn his head in Cenchrae. For he had a vow.

19And he came to Ephesus and left them there. But he himself, entering into the synagogue, disputed with the Jews.

20And when they desired him that he would tarry a longer time, he consented not:

21But taking his leave and saying: I will return to you again, God willing, he departed from Ephesus.

22And going down to Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and saluted the church: and so came down to Antioch.

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

24Now a certain Jew, named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus, one mighty in the scriptures.

25This man was instructed in the way of the Lord: and being fervent in spirit, spoke and taught diligently the things that are of Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John.

26This man therefore began to speak boldly in the synagogue. Whom when Priscilla and Aquila had heard, they took him to them and expounded to him the way of the Lord more diligently.

27And whereas he was desirous to go to Achaia, the brethren exhorting wrote to the disciples to receive him. Who, when he was come, helped them much who had believed.

28For with much vigour he convinced the Jews openly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

Important Verses in Acts 18

After these things, departing from Athens, he came to Corinth.

Acts 18:1

And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, bringing in the name of the Lord Jesus. And he persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

Acts 18:4

And the Lord said to Paul in the night, by a vision: Do not fear, but speak. And hold not thy peace,

Acts 18:9

This man was instructed in the way of the Lord: and being fervent in spirit, spoke and taught diligently the things that are of Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John.

Acts 18:25

Historical Context

Acts addresses the growing Church, shown its apostolic origins and missionary calling within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 18 of 28 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 28 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Paul, Priscilla, Aquila and Timothy, the principal figures named in this chapter. It opens with the line: "After these things, departing from Athens, he came to Corinth." The final verse reads: "For with much vigour he convinced the Jews openly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. " The wider setting of Acts is this: Acts narrates the Church's birth and expansion 'to the ends of the earth': Pentecost, the first community in Jerusalem, the martyrdom of Stephen, the conversion of Paul, the opening to the Gentiles, and Paul's… Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 80-90.

Who Wrote It

Luke, as the second volume of his work

When It Was Written

About AD 80-90

Catholic Commentary

In this 28-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of the Church's mission empowered by the Holy Spirit. A pivotal line is verse 1: "After these things, departing from Athens, he came to Corinth." The passage repeatedly touches on faith and trust in God.

Catholic exegesis reads Acts 18 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Acts shows the Church's apostolic foundation (CIC 857-862). St. Athanasius and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 854).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

People in This Chapter

Paul5 mentionsPriscilla3 mentionsAquila3 mentionsTimothy1 mentionApollo1 mentionSilas1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Acts Chapter 18 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that the Church's mission empowered by the Holy Spirit is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing the reality of spiritual combat and vigilance.

Let Acts Chapter 18 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Acts Chapter 18 about?

Acts 18 contains 28 verses. It opens with "After these things, departing from Athens, he came to Corinth." and closes with "For with much vigour he convinced the Jews openly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. ". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in Acts 18?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "After these things, departing from Athens, he came to Corinth." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Acts Chapter 18?

This chapter mentions Paul, Priscilla, Aquila, Timothy, Apollo, among others.

Who wrote Acts and when?

Luke, as the second volume of his work. About AD 80-90.

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