AND after these transactions, Paul departing from Athens, came to
Corinth; (2)and finding a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus,
lately arrived from Italy, with Priscilla his wife, (because Claudius
had issued an order that all Jews should depart from Rome,) he turned
in to them. (3)And as he was of the same occupation, he abode with
them, and worked, (for by trade they were tent-makers:) (4)and he
discoursed in the synagogue every sabbath-day, and persuaded both the
Jews and the Greek proselytes. (5)And when Silas and Timothy were come
from Macedonia, Paul felt a strong impulse on his spirit, and forcibly
testified to the Jews, that Jesus was the Messiah. (6)But as they
continued opposing and blaspheming, he shook his garments, and said
unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am pure from it: from
this moment will I go to the Gentiles. (7)And departing thence, he came
to the house of a person, called Justus, one who worshipped God, whose
house was contiguous to the synagogue. (8)But Crispus, the ruler of the
synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house: and many of the
Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptised. (9)Then spake the
Lord in a vision by night to Paul, Fear not, but speak; and hold not
thy peace: (10)for I am with thee, and no man shall set himself against
thee to do thee harm; because I have much people in this city. (11)And
he sat down there a year and six months, teaching among them the word
of God.
(12)But when Gallio was the proconsul of Achaia, the Jews, with one
accord, rose up against Paul, and brought him to the judgment-seat,
(13)saying, This is the fellow that earnestly persuades men to worship
God contrary to the law. (14)Then Paul being about to open his mouth,
Gallio said to the Jews, (15)If indeed this was now a matter of
injustice, or wicked knavery, with reason I should hear you patiently;
but if it be merely a controversy about the word, and names, and a law
peculiar to yourselves, settle it yourselves: for I will be no judge of
these matters. (16)And he drove them from the judgment-seat. (17)Then
all the Greeks laid hold on Sosthenes the ruler of the synagogue, and
beat him before the tribunal. And Gallio paid no regard to any of these
things.
(18)Then Paul abode there yet many days, and taking leave of the
disciples, he set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila;
having cut off his hair at Cenchrea: for he had a vow. (19)And he came
to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself went into the
synagogue, and discoursed with the Jews. (20)But when they were
importunate with him to prolong his stay among them, he consented not;
(21)but took his leave of them, saying, I must by any means keep the
approaching feast at Jerusalem: but I mean to return to you again, if
God so please. So he sailed from Ephesus. (22)And landing at Cesarea,
he went up, and having saluted the church _at Jerusalem_, he went down
to Antioch. (23)And after making some stay, he departed, passing in
regular order through the Galatian district, and Phrygia, confirming
all the disciples.
(24)Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, a man of
eloquence, who was powerful in the Scriptures, had come to Ephesus.
(25)He was instructed in the way of the Lord: and being fervent in
spirit, he spake and taught very diligently the things concerning the
Lord, though knowing only the baptism of John. (26)So this man began to
speak with great boldness in the synagogue: but when Aquila and
Priscilla heard him, they took him home with them, and more accurately
expounded to him the way of the Lord. (27)And when he wished to pass
over to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive
him; who arriving, contributed much to _confirm_ those who believed
through grace. (28)For he strenuously argued with the Jews in public,
demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.