Paul Travels

[Act 18:12-28 NIV] 12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13 "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law." 14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law--settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." 16 So he drove them off. 17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever. 18 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. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. 27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

Defining Some Locations:

Corinth is a one of the prominent centers in the New Testament accounts of the early church. The other locations are Jerusalem, Antioch of Syria, and Ephesus. Corinth is located in the Greek peninsula with the mainland to the north.[1]

Syria is the northeastern Mediterranean region situated between Palestine and Mesopotamia.[2]

Cenchreae is the eastern port city of Corinth.[3]

Ephesus is located near modern Selçuh, Turkey in western Asia Minor at the mouth of the Cayster River.[4]

Caesarea Maritima is located on the Mediterranean Sea, twenty-three miles south of Mount Carmel.[5]

Antioch is the province of Galatia in south central Turkey.[6]

Galatia is located in central Asia Minor.[7] 

Phrygia means parched. It was a subregion of Galatia.[8]

Achaia is the southern half of ancient Greece. It included the major cities of Sparta, Athens, and Corinth.[9]

Apollos was an Alexandrian Jew. He followed Paul to Ephesus. He was taught Christian doctrine by Priscilla and Aquila because he lacked the full understanding of the way of God.[10]

Paul seeks out a synagogue in each new location. The synagogue will have individuals that believe the truth of the Old Testament. Paul is trying to convince them that Jesus is spoken about throughout the Old Testament. Apollos is proof that knowledge and understanding will assist in debates regarding Jesus and scripture.

What about you? Are you learning more each day about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit? Prayer is the most important conversation that occurs with God. Anything that you need that lines up with the Bible can be sought in prayer. 

Bibliography

“Achaia.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 19. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

“Cenchrea.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 271. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Davis, Thomas F. “Antioch.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 74. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

“Galatia.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 605-606. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Glaze, R. E. and Chad Brand. “Corinth.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 341-345. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Knight, George W. and Stephen Humphreys. “Caesarea Maritima.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 246-247. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

“Phrygia.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1268. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Reddish, Mitchell G. and Paul Martin. “Ephesus.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 497-500. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

“Syria.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1520-1521. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Vermillion, William H.  “Apollos.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 87. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

[1] R. E. Glaze and Chad Brand, “Corinth,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 341-345.

[2] Daniel C. Browning, Jr. and Brendan Kennedy, “Syria,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1520-1521.

[3] “Cenchrea,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 271.

[4] Mitchell G. Reddish and Paul Martin, “Ephesus,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 497-500.

[5]George W. Knight and Stephen Humphreys, “Caesarea Maritima,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 246-247.

[6] Thomas F. Davis, “Antioch,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 74.

[7] “Galatia,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 605.

[8] “Phrygia,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1268.

[9] “Achaia,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 19.

[10] William H. Vermillion, “Apollos,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 87.