Acts 18 8

Acts 18:8 kjv

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

Acts 18:8 nkjv

Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

Acts 18:8 niv

Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

Acts 18:8 esv

Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.

Acts 18:8 nlt

Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.

Acts 18 verses

Acts 18 8 Meaning

Acts 18:8 records a significant turning point in Paul's ministry in Corinth, marking substantial fruitfulness of the Gospel. It states that Crispus, the respected ruler of the Jewish synagogue, along with his entire household, embraced faith in Jesus as the Lord. Furthermore, many other residents of Corinth, both Jews and Gentiles, upon hearing Paul's message, also believed and were subsequently baptized. This verse highlights the spread of the Gospel among different social strata and the Jewish community, symbolizing both individual and corporate responses to the divine call.

Acts 18 8 Context

Acts chapter 18 initiates Paul's ministry in the prominent Roman city of Corinth, known for its strategic trade routes and its reputation for immorality. Paul begins by working with Aquila and Priscilla as tentmakers, simultaneously reasoning in the Jewish synagogue every Sabbath. Despite initial opposition from some Jews, Paul persevered, reinforced by the arrival of Silas and Timothy. Acts 18:8 records a pivotal breakthrough: the conversion of Crispus, a highly influential figure within the Jewish community, signifying a significant internal shift. This verse is immediately followed by a divine reassurance to Paul in a vision (Acts 18:9-10), indicating that the Lord intended for him to continue his powerful work in this city, confirming that many more people were to be gathered to God through his ministry. This conversion marks the turn from an initial focus on the Jewish synagogue to a more concentrated Gentile ministry from the house of Titius Justus, setting the stage for the growth of the large and diverse Corinthian church.

Acts 18 8 Word analysis

• Crispus (Κρίσπος, Krispos): This individual's name is Latin in origin, meaning "curled" or "crisp-haired." His conversion is particularly significant due to his high status and position within the Jewish community, demonstrating the Gospel's power to penetrate influential circles. He is also personally identified by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:14 as one of the few individuals Paul himself baptized, underscoring his importance as an early convert.
• ruler of the synagogue (ἀρχισυνάγωγος, archisynagōgos): This title denotes a highly respected and authoritative official within a Jewish synagogue. The archisynagōgos was responsible for overseeing worship services, managing the synagogue building, and inviting speakers, wielding considerable social and religious influence. His conversion implies a major spiritual and social upset within the local Jewish community and lends significant credibility to Paul's message, paving the way for further Jewish and Gentile conversions.
• believed (ἐπίστευσεν, episteusen): This is the Aorist tense of the Greek verb pisteuō (πιστεύω), signifying a definitive, completed action of placing trust, faith, and confidence in Jesus Christ. It denotes a turning from unbelief to a sincere and saving acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus, which is central to the New Testament concept of salvation.
• in the Lord: The phrase "in the Lord" specifies the object of faith: Jesus Christ. The term "Lord" (κύριον, kyrion) carries significant weight, referring to Jesus not merely as a teacher or prophet, but as the divine, sovereign master. This confession aligns with early Christian declarations of faith acknowledging Jesus' divine authority and deity.
• with all his household (σὺν ὅλῳ τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ, syn holō tō oikō autou): This phrase points to a recurring pattern in the book of Acts where faith in Christ extends beyond an individual to their entire familial and extended domestic unit. The "household" (oikos) in antiquity included immediate family, servants, and dependent kin, reflecting a communal decision for Christ and a spiritual leadership role within the family unit.
• many of the Corinthians (πολλοὶ τῶν Κορινθίων, polloi tōn Korinthiōn): This indicates a broad response to the Gospel, moving beyond specific Jewish leaders. "Corinthians" here broadly refers to the inhabitants of Corinth, including a mix of Roman citizens, Greeks, and other foreigners, suggesting that Paul's ministry rapidly found a receptive audience among the Gentiles as well.
• hearing (ἀκούοντες, akouontes): This is a present participle, indicating a continuous or ongoing act of listening attentively. It highlights the foundational principle that faith comes through the hearing of the preached word of God, as the Holy Spirit works through the proclamation of the Gospel to open hearts to truth (Romans 10:17).
• believed (ἐπίστευον, episteuon): Here, the verb is in the Imperfect tense, suggesting a progressive or repeated action. "They kept on believing" or "were coming to believe," emphasizing a process of faith developing and solidifying in many people, confirming a sustained work of conversion among the population.
• and were baptized (ἐβαπτίζοντο, ebaptizonto): The Imperfect passive tense denotes a continuous or repeated action of being baptized. It signifies their public identification with Christ, an outward sign of an inward spiritual transformation and new life, confirming their entrance into the Christian community and commitment to the teachings they had heard and believed.

Acts 18 8 Bonus section

The conversions described in Acts 18:8 not only demonstrated God's power but also shifted Paul's ministry dynamics in Corinth. Prior to this, Paul had declared he would turn to the Gentiles due to Jewish opposition (Acts 18:6). However, Crispus's conversion, as a high-profile Jew, signifies that God was still drawing from the Jewish community, even as the focus expanded. This simultaneous Jewish and Gentile fruitfulness solidified Paul's foundation in Corinth, setting the stage for a lasting work despite intense opposition, and highlighted the inclusiveness of the Christian faith to all who hear and believe.

Acts 18 8 Commentary

Acts 18:8 serves as a testament to the sovereign power of the Gospel to transform individuals and communities. The conversion of Crispus, a man of high standing and religious authority, represents a major breakthrough, not only numerically but strategically. His belief, extending to his entire household, illustrates the holistic nature of faith's impact within family units, which served as vital centers for early Christian fellowship and dissemination of the message. The phrase "many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized" encapsulates the core process of evangelism: divine truth proclaimed (hearing), internal acceptance (believing), and outward identification with Christ (baptism). This verse underscores the rapid and extensive growth of the Corinthian church, validating Paul's difficult mission in this challenging pagan metropolis, and demonstrates that no societal barrier or traditional allegiance can withstand the transformative power of Christ's message.