Acts 18 1

Acts 18:1 kjv

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

Acts 18:1 nkjv

After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.

Acts 18:1 niv

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

Acts 18:1 esv

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

Acts 18:1 nlt

Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

Acts 18 verses

Acts 18 1 Meaning

Acts 18:1 concisely describes a key geographical transition in Paul's second missionary journey. Following his departure from Athens, a city celebrated for its intellectual prowess and philosophical schools, Paul traveled to Corinth, a prominent and bustling port city. This verse serves as the immediate precursor to a significant period of Paul's ministry, where he would establish one of the foundational and yet often-challenged churches of the New Testament.

Acts 18 1 Context

Acts 18:1 initiates a new phase within Paul's second missionary journey. The preceding chapter, Acts 17, chronicles Paul's ministry in Thessalonica (facing persecution), Berea (finding receptive listeners), and Athens. In Athens, Paul encountered a highly intellectual and philosophical society, culminating in his famous Areopagus speech where he addressed their "unknown god" by declaring the true Creator. While a few believed, the overall reception in Athens was limited, marked more by curiosity and derision than by widespread conversion.

Historically, Corinth was a pivotal Roman colony and the capital of the Roman province of Achaia, strategically situated on the Isthmus of Corinth. Its geographical advantage, controlling both Aegean and Adriatic Sea trade routes, made it an immensely wealthy and bustling metropolis. Consequently, it was a melting pot of various cultures, religions (including significant cults like the worship of Aphrodite), and philosophies, characterized by significant paganism, a sizable Jewish community, and notorious immorality often epitomized by the phrase "Korinthiazomai" ("to act like a Corinthian"), meaning to practice sexual license. The Isthmian Games, a major panhellenic athletic festival second only to the Olympics, were held nearby. This context highlights Corinth as a challenging yet incredibly strategic urban center for Paul to establish a robust Christian witness, influencing wider Hellenistic and Roman societies.

Acts 18 1 Word analysis

• After (Μετὰ - Meta): This preposition indicates temporal succession, signaling a shift in Paul's location and ministry phase following his time in Athens. It establishes a narrative continuity, connecting Paul's current journey to his previous evangelistic endeavors.
• these things (ταῦτα - tauta): Refers to the events described in Acts 17, specifically Paul's experiences and ministry in Athens. It suggests that Paul's departure from Athens was a deliberate decision based on the outcome and perhaps limited receptivity there, under divine guidance for the next phase of the mission.
• Paul (Παῦλος - Paulos): The Apostle to the Gentiles, a central figure in the book of Acts. His consistent movement and unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel across the Roman world underscore his identity and God's mission through him. His presence signifies the advancement of the early Christian movement.
• departed (χωρίζομαι - chorizomai): The Greek verb means to separate oneself, withdraw, or leave. This emphasizes an intentional action of leaving Athens behind, perhaps after discerning the work there was complete for the time being, and moving to a new mission field. It highlights the dynamic nature of Paul's itinerant ministry.
• from Athens (ἀπὸ Ἀθηνῶν - apo Athenōn): Athens was a renowned center of philosophy, art, and intellectual debate. Paul's engagement there had primarily been with philosophers and intellectuals (Acts 17:16-34). Leaving Athens, a city steeped in human wisdom, sets up a contrast with Corinth, where Paul would later emphasize "Christ and Him crucified" over "wisdom of words" (1 Cor 1:17; 2:1-5).
• and came (ἦλθεν - ēlthen): A straightforward verb meaning to come or arrive. It marks the successful completion of the journey segment from Athens to Corinth and Paul's physical establishment in a new location for ministry.
• to Corinth (εἰς Κόρινθον - eis Korinthon): Corinth was a strategically vital Roman city, prosperous due to trade, but also notorious for its moral degradation. Its socio-economic diversity and position as a communication hub made it a crucial target for gospel proclamation, where a strong church could significantly impact the broader region and beyond.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "After these things Paul departed from Athens": This phrase underlines the chronological and purposeful nature of Paul's mission. His departure wasn't arbitrary but followed a sequence of events, suggesting divine leading even when immediate results were limited, such as in Athens. It speaks to the persistence of Paul's ministry despite varied reception.
• "and came to Corinth": This concluding phrase signifies not just a change of location but the establishment of a new, crucial beachhead for the gospel. The contrast between Athens (intellectual, resistant) and Corinth (commercial, immoral, yet receptive for significant growth) sets the stage for distinct challenges and opportunities in ministry. Paul's arrival in Corinth highlights the Holy Spirit's strategic direction of gospel proclamation to diverse and strategic urban centers.

Acts 18 1 Bonus section

• Paul's extended stay in Corinth (18 months, Acts 18:11) compared to shorter visits in other cities, suggests the immense strategic importance of Corinth as a base for gospel dissemination throughout Achaia.
• The socio-economic landscape of Corinth, with its many transient sailors, merchants, and a large population of freedmen and slaves, likely meant that Paul's message, focusing on the equality of believers in Christ, found a receptive audience among those on the margins of society, often overlooked by the sophisticated philosophies of Athens.
• The immediate and lasting impact of Paul's ministry in Corinth is further evidenced by his later correspondence with the church, the letters of 1 and 2 Corinthians, which address a wide array of theological and practical issues that arose in this unique Christian community.

Acts 18 1 Commentary

Acts 18:1 succinctly details a pivotal geographical shift in Paul's second missionary journey, marking his transition from Athens, the intellectual heart of the ancient world, to Corinth, a dynamic, wealthy, and notoriously immoral port city. This move highlights the strategic intent of God and Paul to bring the gospel to major urban centers that served as hubs of commerce, culture, and communication. Despite the philosophical challenges and limited conversions in Athens, Paul steadfastly advanced to a new, equally complex mission field. Corinth presented a unique environment – a melting pot of cultures and religions, where rampant syncretism and sexual license defined the societal fabric. Here, Paul would spend an extended period (Acts 18:11), establishing a robust church that, while later plagued by various internal issues, would nonetheless demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel amidst profound depravity, illustrating the principle that no city or people group is beyond the reach of God's redemptive grace. The establishment of the Corinthian church became a significant testament to the broad reach and adaptable nature of the apostolic mission.