Acts 18 19

Acts 18:19 kjv

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

Acts 18:19 nkjv

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

Acts 18:19 niv

They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

Acts 18:19 esv

And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

Acts 18:19 nlt

They stopped first at the port of Ephesus, where Paul left the others behind. While he was there, he went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews.

Acts 18 verses

Acts 18 19 Meaning

This verse details a key moment in Paul's second missionary journey: his initial, brief visit to the prominent city of Ephesus. It records that he, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila, arrived there. Paul strategically left his companions in Ephesus, suggesting a pre-arranged or discerning placement for future ministry. He then, following his customary practice, entered the local synagogue to engage in discussion and argument with the Jewish community about spiritual matters, specifically concerning the identity of the Messiah. This concise account lays the groundwork for significant future gospel work in Ephesus.

Acts 18 19 Context

Acts chapter 18 details Paul's journey from Corinth, where he had a successful ministry of 18 months, concluding with the Gallio incident. Prior to Acts 18:19, Paul had made a vow and sailed from Cenchrea, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. He stopped briefly at Ephesus, an economically and religiously significant port city in Asia Minor. This verse serves as a crucial bridge, marking Paul's first contact with Ephesus, which would become a vital hub for his later missionary efforts. He is currently on his return leg towards Jerusalem before embarking on his third journey, but his strategic decision to leave Priscilla and Aquila there, coupled with his personal visit to the synagogue, indicates foresight for future evangelism in this influential city. The immediate broader context is Paul wrapping up his second missionary journey, but planting seeds for his next.

Acts 18 19 Word analysis

• And he came (κατήντησεν – katēntēsen): The Greek verb indicates reaching a specific point, often implying an appointed destination or arrival by sea, fitting for Paul's travel by ship from Cenchrea. It signifies a decisive act of arriving after a journey, marking the successful culmination of his travel to Ephesus.
• to Ephesus (εἰς Ἔφεσον – eis Ephesos): Ephesus was one of the largest and most significant cities in the Roman province of Asia (modern-day Turkey). It was renowned for its immense Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and served as a major commercial and administrative center. Its strategic location made it an ideal base for spreading the gospel throughout the region, which is why Paul later established a long-term ministry there.
• and left them there (κἀκείνους ἀπέλιπεν αὐτοῦ – kakeinous apelipen autou): "Them" refers to Priscilla and Aquila (from Acts 18:18). The Greek `ἀπέλιπεν` (apelipen) means to leave behind or abandon, here used in the sense of intentionally entrusting someone to stay. This act is highly significant. Paul entrusted them to begin or continue the work in Ephesus, empowering indigenous leadership or preparing the ground. It suggests Paul's recognition of their spiritual gifts and a strategic decision for the broader mission, showing a reliance on co-laborers.
• but he himself (αὐτὸς δὲ – autos de): Emphasizes Paul's personal action, distinct from his companions. He had an immediate, focused objective after disembarking.
• entered into the synagogue (εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὴν συναγωγὴν – eiselthōn eis tēn synagōgēn): Paul's consistent missionary methodology involved starting his evangelism in Jewish synagogues. This provided an existing community that believed in one God, respected the Hebrew Scriptures, and offered a natural forum for discussion, debate, and explanation of how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies.
• and reasoned (διελέγετο – dielegeto): The Greek verb in the imperfect tense, implies a sustained or customary action of engaging in a dialogical discussion, debate, or systematic exposition. Paul wasn't just announcing; he was explaining, arguing from the Scriptures, and persuading his audience about the messianic claims of Jesus. It was an intellectual and spiritual engagement.
• with the Jews (τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις – tois Ioudaiois): This reiterates Paul's primary initial audience and follows his missionary strategy to bring the Gospel to "the Jew first" (Rom 1:16). He sought to convince them that Jesus was the Christ through scriptural argumentation.

• Came to Ephesus, and left them there: This group of words signifies Paul's strategic vision for mission. He wasn't merely passing through; his actions of bringing key ministry partners, Priscilla and Aquila, and then entrusting them with initial responsibilities in such a significant city, reveal an intentional planting of gospel seeds. It highlights decentralization of ministry and empowerment of local leaders.
• Entered into the synagogue, and reasoned: This phrase captures Paul's core evangelistic method: going where the receptive audience gathered (the synagogue) and engaging them intellectually and scripturally (`διελέγετο`). It was a pattern of seeking out those with some understanding of God's word to introduce the Messiah from within their shared faith tradition.

Acts 18 19 Bonus section

This brief stop at Ephesus highlights several recurring themes in Paul's ministry and early church mission:

1. Strategic City Choice: Ephesus was a vital communication and trade hub, making it an ideal base from which the gospel could spread throughout the Roman province of Asia. Paul consistently chose strategic centers.
2. Collaborative Ministry: The involvement of Priscilla and Aquila is crucial. They are not merely Paul's travel companions but active, gifted ministers themselves, tasked with continuing the work in Ephesus while Paul progresses. This demonstrates a flexible, team-oriented approach to mission, empowering gifted laypeople.
3. Preparatory Groundwork: This first visit functions as laying groundwork. Paul identifies key potential in the city and plants vital personnel (Priscilla and Aquila), who would then mentor others, such as Apollos (Acts 18:24-26), and build relationships. This shows that significant ministry often requires initial, shorter, seed-sowing efforts before a fuller harvest.

Acts 18 19 Commentary

Acts 18:19 showcases Paul's discerning and strategic approach to mission. His arrival in Ephesus, though brief initially, was not incidental. By leaving Priscilla and Aquila there, he deliberately sowed seeds for future extensive ministry, demonstrating his trust in his co-workers and their capability to cultivate nascent spiritual interest. His immediate action of entering the synagogue and reasoning with the Jews exemplifies his consistent methodology: beginning with the existing communities that held the Hebrew Scriptures as authority. This approach provided common ground for proclaiming Jesus as the fulfillment of prophetic promises. The word "reasoned" points to a robust, intellectually engaged presentation of the gospel, rather than a mere announcement, challenging the listeners to consider the evidence for Christ. This brief visit was foundational, a reconnaissance that would later blossom into a powerful, sustained gospel movement in Ephesus.