God Works His Will in His Servants
December 5, 2019
Commentary
After eighteen months of ministry Paul decided that it was time for him to return to his sending church in Antioch. At Cenchreae (the seaport of Corinth) Paul cut his hair (the specifics of why he did this are unknown). His friends Aquila and Priscilla went with him as far as Ephesus, where they took up residence. Life in Ephesus revolved around the trade and idol worship. The chief pride of Ephesus was the temple of Diana, which was famed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. On this trip, Ephesus was only a pit-stop, but Paul did make time for a single visit to the Jewish synagogue. After hearing what he had to say, they invited him to stay longer with them. Paul declined but promised to return if God’s willedit (v. 21). From Ephesus, Paul traveled to Caesarea and then onto Antioch (v. 22), thus concluding his 2nd missionary journey. After spending some time at his home church, Paul set out again on his 3rd missionary journey, returning to Galatia and Phrygia to strengthen the churches he had started in those regions (v. 23).
Meanwhile, back in Ephesus, we are told of an eloquent Bible teacher from Alexandria in Egypt named Apollos (v. 24). Somewhere along the way heard John the Baptist and became a believer, but he knew nothing beyond that point. Armed with these limited facts, he traveled to Ephesus, full of zeal to fan the flames of revival already smoldering in the city as a result of Paul’s visit. Apollos is described as “an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures” (v.24), meaning that he was a very effective speaker. Aquila and Priscilla were deeply impressed with his ability and took him into their home. They detected his limited knowledge of the Scriptures and “expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly” (v.26). It is interesting to note that they did not buttonhole him after a service and argue with him but took him home with them and gently and lovingly, filled in the gaps in his knowledge of the truth. Thus, by combining truth with tact, Aquila and Priscilla made a friend and helped to equip an able servant to better the work of the ministry.
Application
It’s not what we do for God that counts. It is what we let Him do through us. So many times, I find myself saying, “Lord I’ll never do that again!” and yet I do it. I can never have victory in my own power. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Acts 18:18– 28 (NET)
18 Paul, after staying many more days in Corinth, said farewell to the brothers and sailed away to Syria accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because he had made a vow. 19 When they reached Ephesus, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila behind there, but he himself went into the synagogue and addressed the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay longer, he would not consent, 21 but said farewell to them and added, “I will come back to you again if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus, 22 and when he arrived at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church at Jerusalem and then went down to Antioch. 23 After he spent some time there, Paul left and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, arrived in Ephesus. He was an eloquent speaker, well-versed in the scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and with great enthusiasm he spoke and taught accurately the facts about Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak out fearlessly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately. 27 When Apollos wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he assisted greatly those who had believed by grace, 28 for he refuted the Jews vigorously in public debate, demonstrating from the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.