Acts 18 9

Acts 18:9 kjv

Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

Acts 18:9 nkjv

Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;

Acts 18:9 niv

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.

Acts 18:9 esv

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,

Acts 18:9 nlt

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, "Don't be afraid! Speak out! Don't be silent!

Acts 18 verses

Acts 18 9 Meaning

Acts 18:9 reveals a direct, supernatural communication from Jesus Christ to the apostle Paul, likely during a period of intense opposition and potential fear in Corinth. The message delivered through a vision comprises a two-fold divine command: first, an exhortation for Paul to "be not afraid," directly addressing any apprehension or discouragement he might be experiencing; and second, an imperative for him to continue actively proclaiming the Gospel, instructing him to "speak, and hold not thy peace." This verse underscores God's personal involvement and protective care for His servants, empowering Paul to persist in his mission despite hostile circumstances.

Acts 18 9 Context

This verse is situated in Acts chapter 18, detailing Paul's ministry in Corinth, a significant commercial and notoriously immoral city. After difficult and sometimes hostile experiences in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens (Acts 17), Paul arrives in Corinth, initially feeling weak and fearful (1 Cor 2:1-3, though this is likely a retrospective reflection on his emotional state during this intense period). He works as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla, earning his living, and initially preaches in the Jewish synagogue. However, facing escalating Jewish opposition and blasphemy (Acts 18:6), Paul emphatically turns his ministry focus to the Gentiles. This pivot, while biblically anticipated, could have intensified his feelings of isolation or vulnerability amidst a predominantly pagan populace and continued Jewish hostility. The vision described in Acts 18:9 directly addresses this pivotal and potentially discouraging juncture, providing divine validation and renewed impetus for Paul's continuing mission. Historically, Corinth was a center of Roman power in Achaia, teeming with diverse philosophies and pagan cults, making the proclamation of the exclusive Gospel message a challenging and dangerous endeavor.

Acts 18 9 Word analysis

• And (kai): A conjunction, linking this divine communication to the preceding narrative of Paul's ministry and opposition in Corinth, indicating God's immediate response to Paul's situation.
• the Lord (ho Kyrios): Refers unequivocally to Jesus Christ. This highlights Christ's active, post-resurrection role in guiding and empowering His apostles. The designation 'Lord' emphasizes His authority and sovereignty over the ministry.
• spoke (eipen): A direct, verbal communication, implying clarity and specific instruction, as opposed to an internal impression or feeling.
• to Paul (tō Paulō): The address is personal and direct, affirming Paul's apostolic commission and divine support amidst personal and external challenges.
• in the night (dia nuktos): Nights were a common time for significant divine revelations in the Bible (e.g., Gen 46:2; Job 33:15; Acts 23:11). It suggests a time of quiet reflection or heightened spiritual sensitivity, and potentially when Paul might have been more prone to anxieties.
• by a vision (di' horamatos): Signifies a supernatural experience, an appearing or manifestation seen in a non-ordinary state, indicating divine origin and authenticity. This wasn't a mere dream, but a structured communication with visual elements, affirming the message's certainty.
• Be not afraid (mē phobou): A present imperative in Greek, indicating a command to cease an ongoing state of fear or to not begin to be afraid. This strongly suggests Paul was experiencing genuine fear due to the fervent opposition, common for prophets and servants of God in challenging ministries (Jer 1:8).
• but (all'): A strong adversative conjunction, presenting a direct contrast between the cessation of fear and the subsequent command to act.
• speak (lalei): A present imperative, commanding continuous action – to keep on speaking or proclaiming. The active nature of Paul's ministry is reaffirmed and strengthened.
• and hold not thy peace (kai mē siōpēsēs): A negative aorist subjunctive, meaning "do not ever become silent" or "do not be silenced." This reinforces the command to speak, ensuring continuous, fearless, and open proclamation, regardless of circumstances. It's an emphatic negation of silence.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "The Lord spoke...by a vision": This phrase emphasizes the divine initiative and validation of Paul's ministry. It’s not human planning but divine orchestration. The Lord is actively involved in His church's mission through personal communication with His appointed leaders.
• "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace": This tripartite command directly confronts potential hindrances to ministry: inner apprehension ("be not afraid") and the temptation to withdraw or be silent due to external pressures ("but speak, and hold not thy peace"). It's a comprehensive instruction for overcoming fear with active proclamation. The balance between negating fear and affirming continuous speech is critical for effective ministry.

Acts 18 9 Bonus section

• The timing of this vision, "in the night," often signifies a profound moment of reflection, vulnerability, or a deeper encounter with the divine, similar to Jacob's dream at Bethel or Gideon's night encounter with the Angel of the Lord.
• This specific intervention by the Lord Himself speaks to the critical nature of the work in Corinth. Paul was turning primarily to the Gentiles, embarking on a major strategic shift after encountering strong Jewish resistance, making divine reassurance even more crucial for validating his difficult path.
• The Lord's command highlights that fear can lead to silence or withdrawal, directly hindering the spread of the Gospel. Therefore, overcoming fear is presented as an imperative for faithful witness.

Acts 18 9 Commentary

Acts 18:9 is a profoundly significant moment in Paul's apostolic journey. Arriving in Corinth after encountering various forms of opposition in Macedonia and Achaia, and perhaps facing internal trepidation, Paul receives a direct divine intervention. The Lord Jesus Christ appears to him in a night vision, offering both comfort and a renewed commission. The core message is clear: overcome fear and persist in the public proclamation of the Gospel.

This command underscores a universal principle in Christian service: God's work is often carried out through human vessels who, despite their calling, can experience very real human emotions like fear, doubt, and weariness. Christ’s intervention validates Paul’s struggles while simultaneously reaffirming his divine mandate. The subsequent assurance of God’s protective presence in the next verse ("For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee," Acts 18:10) provides the foundation for the command not to fear. This divine encounter served as the impetus for Paul's extended, fruitful 18-month ministry in Corinth, a period marked by significant conversions despite ongoing challenges. It models God's encouragement of His servants through direct reassurance, enabling them to persevere through adversity. This demonstrates that true boldness in ministry is not the absence of fear, but proceeding in obedience to God’s call despite it.