Acts 18 18

Acts 18:18 kjv

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.

Acts 18:18 nkjv

So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow.

Acts 18:18 niv

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.

Acts 18:18 esv

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.

Acts 18:18 nlt

Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.

Acts 18 verses

Acts 18 18 Meaning

Acts 18:18 describes Apostle Paul's departure from Corinth after a prolonged ministry, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila, and notes that he had his hair shorn in Cenchrea because he had taken a vow. This verse highlights Paul's strategic movement in his missionary journeys, the importance of his ministry partners, and his complex relationship with Jewish customs, particularly the fulfilling of a vow, likely an act of thanksgiving or personal devotion, indicating his nuanced approach to Christian freedom and Jewish identity.

Acts 18 18 Context

Acts chapter 18 details Paul's ministry in Corinth, a significant Hellenistic city. After facing considerable opposition from Jewish communities but finding open hearts among many Gentiles, Paul's ministry was greatly encouraged by a vision from the Lord (Acts 18:9-10). He remained in Corinth for "a year and six months" (Acts 18:11), establishing a robust church. Verse 18 marks the end of this fruitful period. The legal dismissal by Gallio, the Roman proconsul (Acts 18:12-17), effectively granted Paul state protection for his evangelistic work in Corinth, allowing him to stay "a good while" without further molestation. The decision to shave his head at Cenchrea on his way back to Syria indicates the fulfillment of a vow, signifying thanksgiving or dedication, reflecting aspects of Jewish custom still practiced by Paul. This act demonstrates that while Paul staunchly preached salvation by grace through faith apart from the works of the law, he, as a Jew, continued to participate in certain Jewish ceremonial traditions out of personal piety, cultural identity, or to demonstrate his continued bond with his Jewish heritage and those of his background, without compromising the core tenets of the gospel.

Acts 18 18 Word analysis

• And Paul (Καὶ Παῦλος - Kai Paulos): This marks the continuation of Paul's actions. Paul, a Jew from Tarsus, was the preeminent apostle to the Gentiles, yet often began his ministry in synagogues.
• after this (μετὰ τοῦτο - meta touto): Refers to the events just described, especially the favorable judgment by Proconsul Gallio in Corinth, which granted Paul significant liberty for his ministry. This legal decision protected the budding Christian community and its mission in a Roman city.
• tarried there yet a good while (προσμείνας ἐκεῖ ἡμέρας ἱκανὰς - prosmeinas ekei hēmeras hikanas): "Tarried" means to stay on. "A good while" translates to "sufficient days" or "considerable time," following the "year and six months" (Acts 18:11) already mentioned. This emphasizes Paul's prolonged and effective ministry in Corinth, laying strong foundations for the church, despite earlier persecution.
• and then took his leave (ἀποταξάμενος - apotaxamenos): Meaning "having bid farewell." It implies an organized departure after building relationships with the Corinthian believers ("the brethren").
• of the brethren (τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς - tois adelphois): Refers to the Christians in Corinth, underscoring the familial bond within the early church. Paul consistently nurtured these relationships.
• and sailed thence (ἀπέπλει - apeplei): Paul's customary mode of travel for long distances, enabling rapid movement between key urban centers around the Mediterranean.
• into Syria (εἰς τὴν Συρίαν - eis tēn Surian): Specifically, to Antioch, his primary missionary base. This marked the conclusion of his second missionary journey, a strategic return to his sending church to report and rest.
• and with him Priscilla and Aquila (σὺν αὐτῷ Πρίσκιλλα καὶ Ἀκύλας - syn autō Priskilla kai Akylas): This Jewish couple were tentmakers like Paul (Acts 18:3). They were exiled from Rome due to Emperor Claudius's edict against Jews. They became invaluable ministry partners, often mentioned alongside Paul and even listed before Aquila in other verses, perhaps suggesting Priscilla's significant role in teaching or ministry, as seen in their instruction of Apollos (Acts 18:26). Their steadfast presence highlights the collaborative nature of early Christian missions.
• having shorn his head (κειράμενος τὴν κεφαλήν - keiramenos tēn kephalēn): "Having shaved or cut short his head." This refers to a deliberate act of cutting one's hair. This action is pivotal and directly linked to the "vow."
• in Cenchrea (ἐν Κεγχρεαῖς - en Kenchreaiais): Cenchrea was the eastern port of Corinth, on the Aegean Sea, through which Paul would sail towards Syria. It was strategically important for maritime travel. Shaving the head here, immediately before a significant voyage, further emphasizes the personal nature or conclusion of the vow related to his ministry or journey.
• for he had a vow (εἶχεν γὰρ εὐχήν - eichen gar euchēn): "For he had a vow." This is the core reason for shaving his head. The Greek word euchē (εὐχήν) signifies a solemn promise or pledge made to God, often accompanied by acts of devotion or abstinence.
  • Vow (εὐχήν): In the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament), euchē is frequently used to translate the Hebrew word neder, referring to a Nazirite vow (Numbers 6) or other general vows of dedication or thanksgiving (e.g., Jacob's vow in Gen 28:20, Jonah's vow in Jon 2:9). The cutting of hair was a crucial part of terminating a Nazirite vow, signifying its completion, often accompanied by offerings in Jerusalem.
  • Paul's Vow: While not explicitly stated as a Nazirite vow, the act of shaving the head strongly points to such a vow or a vow with similar ceremonial requirements. It likely signified thanksgiving for God's protection during his challenging and fruitful ministry in Corinth (cf. Acts 18:9-10 where God promised, "I have much people in this city"), or perhaps for a safe voyage ahead. It signifies Paul's piety and his continued connection to Jewish customs, demonstrating that Christian freedom did not equate to discarding all ancestral practices for those born Jewish, as long as they were not for justification or required of Gentiles. It illustrates Paul's principle of being "all things to all people" (1 Cor 9:19-23) — a Jew to Jews, retaining Jewish identity in permissible ways, while for Gentiles, demanding no such observances.

Acts 18 18 Bonus section

• The timing of Paul's vow fulfillment in Cenchrea, a Greek port city, rather than Jerusalem, suggests that while the ritual (shaving of head) was maintained, the requirement to perform the subsequent sacrifices in the Temple (as in Num 6) was perhaps not considered strictly binding by Paul for a general vow of thanksgiving or that he planned to complete it fully in Jerusalem later (implied by his hasty departure towards Jerusalem via Ephesus - Acts 18:21). The brevity of the mention may also indicate that Luke (the author) considered the act more an internal personal expression than a public demonstration of adherence to all Mosaic rituals.
• Some interpretations suggest that it might have been Aquila who had the vow, given the ambiguity of the original Greek relative pronoun "having shorn" which could refer to a male in the accompanying group. However, the consistent focus on Paul in the narrative flow and the historical understanding make Paul the most probable subject.
• This act can be seen as an expression of "living consistently" with Jewish heritage when possible and when not compromising the Gospel, thus allowing for a diverse body of Christ where individuals, especially Jewish believers, could maintain cultural identity within their Christian faith (Gal 2:11-14 illustrates the boundaries of this when it clashes with Gospel truth regarding Gentiles).

Acts 18 18 Commentary

Acts 18:18 provides a critical glimpse into Paul's practical approach to his identity and ministry. Having successfully planted a strong church in Corinth, solidified by divine reassurance and Roman legal protection, Paul prepared for his return to Antioch. His journey eastward via Cenchrea, accompanied by his faithful co-workers Priscilla and Aquila, underscores the collaborative nature of the apostolic mission. The most significant detail, however, is Paul shaving his head in Cenchrea because he had a vow. This action has been a subject of scholarly discussion. While it may not have been a full Nazirite vow requiring a trip to Jerusalem for offerings, it was clearly a personal act of devotion or thanksgiving to God, concluding a period of special dedication, likely in gratitude for God's protection and success in Corinth despite significant opposition. This incident powerfully demonstrates Paul's complex identity. Although the leading advocate for salvation by grace through faith apart from the works of the Mosaic Law for both Jew and Gentile, Paul himself did not entirely abandon certain Jewish ceremonial customs. This was not about seeking justification by law, but likely an expression of his personal piety, cultural heritage, and strategic outreach, showing Jewish believers that he had not entirely renounced his heritage, thereby remaining approachable "to the Jew as a Jew." This nuance is key to understanding Paul's theology of Christian liberty – freedom not for license, but for love and for the sake of the gospel (1 Cor 9:19-23; Acts 21:20-26). It also highlights the reality of fulfilled prayer and thanksgiving in Paul's life.