18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.
22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
After Gallio’s decision, Paul remained in Corinth for a while before he set sail for Syria. Priscilla and Aquila traveled with him. In Cenchreae Paul had his hair cut off because a vow he had taken was concluded (Num 6:2, 18). When they arrived at Ephesus, Paul left them there. He again went into the synagogue to reason with the Jews. These Jews were more receptive than most. They asked him to stay longer but he declined, saying he would return to them if God willed (Jas 4:13-15). Some Greek manuscripts include that Paul’s reason for leaving was to keep a feast in Jerusalem, perhaps the Passover. When Paul landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church in Jerusalem, then he continued down to Antioch. After spending time with his sending church, Paul embarked on his third missionary journey. This time he moved through the region of Galatia and Phrygia. Paul strengthened the believers from the churches he established on his second missionary journey.
Back in Ephesus, a Jew named Apollos, who was originally from Alexandria, arrived. He was a gifted speaker who knew the Scriptures well. He had learned and accurately taught about Jesus, but his knowledge was deficient. He only knew about John’s baptism which was a baptism of repentance toward God. He still hadn’t undergone Christian baptism which symbolises a union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him teaching in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the things about God more accurately. When Apollos desired to cross over to teach in Achaia, the believers encouraged him and sent him off with a letter of commendation. When he arrived he was a great help to the believers there. Armed with a fuller, more accurate knowledge of Jesus, he presented powerful arguments against the Jews publicly showing that the Christ (the Messiah) was Jesus.
It is said that to spot a fake, you need to know the original extremely well. Do you know your Bible well enough to pick up when someone’s teaching is not accurate? What do you need to do to grow in your knowledge of God’s word?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
Stand Firm: 2 Thessalonians 1-2