So Paul stayed for a year and a halfPaul's extended stay in Corinth is significant, as it indicates a period of stability and fruitful ministry. Corinth was a major city in ancient Greece, known for its commerce and diverse population. This time allowed Paul to establish a strong church foundation. His long stay contrasts with his shorter visits to other cities, suggesting the strategic importance of Corinth in spreading the Gospel. This period also reflects God's providence, as Paul received a vision encouraging him to remain there (
Acts 18:9-10).
teaching the word of God
Paul's primary mission was to teach and preach the Gospel. His teaching would have included the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the implications of these events for both Jews and Gentiles. This aligns with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and Paul's own calling as an apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13). His teaching was not just informational but transformational, aimed at building a community of believers who lived out their faith.
among the Corinthians
Corinth was a city known for its immorality and idolatry, making it a challenging environment for the early church. The Corinthians were a diverse group, including Jews, Greeks, and Romans, which required Paul to address various cultural and religious backgrounds. His letters to the Corinthians (1 and 2 Corinthians) reveal the issues faced by the church, such as divisions, immorality, and misunderstandings about spiritual gifts. Paul's work in Corinth exemplifies the transformative power of the Gospel in a pluralistic society.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PaulThe apostle who is central to this passage. He is known for his missionary journeys and his role in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles. In
Acts 18, Paul is in Corinth, a significant city in ancient Greece.
2.
CorinthA major city in ancient Greece, known for its commerce and diverse population. It was a strategic location for Paul’s ministry due to its cultural and economic influence.
3.
Teaching the Word of GodThis refers to Paul's primary activity in Corinth, which involved instructing both Jews and Gentiles in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Scriptures.
Teaching Points
Perseverance in MinistryPaul’s extended stay in Corinth demonstrates the importance of perseverance and commitment in ministry. Despite challenges, he remained faithful to his calling.
Strategic EvangelismCorinth was a hub of activity and influence. Choosing strategic locations for ministry can maximize the impact of the Gospel.
The Role of TeachingTeaching is a vital component of discipleship. Paul’s focus on teaching underscores the need for sound doctrine and biblical instruction in the church.
Divine EncouragementGod’s encouragement to Paul in the preceding verses reminds us that God supports and strengthens us in our mission, even in difficult circumstances.
Community BuildingPaul’s long-term presence in Corinth allowed him to build a strong community of believers, highlighting the importance of investing time in relationships and community building.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Acts 18:11?
2.How does Paul's 18-month stay in Corinth demonstrate commitment to God's mission?
3.What can we learn from Paul's perseverance in Acts 18:11 for our ministry?
4.How does Acts 18:11 connect with Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20?
5.How can we apply Paul's dedication in Acts 18:11 to our daily lives?
6.What role does teaching play in strengthening faith, as seen in Acts 18:11?
7.Why did Paul stay in Corinth for exactly a year and six months in Acts 18:11?
8.How does Acts 18:11 reflect God's guidance in Paul's missionary journey?
9.What significance does Corinth hold in the context of Acts 18:11?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 18?
11.What is the timeline of Paul's life events?
12.Who was Sosthenes in the Bible?
13.What was biblical Corinth like?
14.2 Corinthians 13:1 – If Paul visited Corinth multiple times, why does historical and archeological evidence seem insufficient to confirm these repeated visits?What Does Acts 18:11 Mean
So Paul stayed• The little word “so” links back to the Lord’s night vision inActs 18:9-10, where Jesus assured Paul, “Do not be afraid… for I am with you.”
• Rather than moving on quickly, Paul chose settled obedience. This mirrors earlier guidance (Acts 16:9-10) and anticipates later steadfastness in Ephesus (Acts 20:31).
• Obedience to Christ’s direct encouragement gave Paul confidence to remain despite Jewish opposition (Acts 18:6-7). The same faith-fueled perseverance surfaces in1 Corinthians 2:3, where he recalls coming to Corinth “in weakness, fear, and much trembling,” yet he stayed.
for a year and a half• Eighteen months made Corinth one of Paul’s lengthiest ministry posts, second only to his three years in Ephesus (Acts 19:10; 20:31).
• Extended presence allowed:
– Deep discipleship rather than quick evangelism (cf.Colossians 1:28).
– Formation of church leadership, later addressed in1 Corinthians 3:10-11.
– Time to model bivocational ministry—working with Priscilla and Aquila in tentmaking (Acts 18:3;1 Thessalonians 2:9).
• Lengthy investment underscores God’s patience and commitment to transform a notoriously immoral city (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
teaching the word of God• Luke highlights teaching over signs; the gospel advances primarily through Scripture proclamation (Romans 10:17).
• Paul “reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath” (Acts 18:4) and later devoted himself “exclusively to preaching” (v. 5).
• His curriculum:
– Christ as fulfillment of Scripture (Acts 18:28).
– The cross as central (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).
– Whole counsel of God—pattern repeated inActs 20:27.
• Teaching produced a letter-writing pastor; 1 & 2 Corinthians preserve what he had already taught face-to-face.
among the Corinthians• Corinth was a bustling trade hub, famous for wealth and vice. Planting a church here placed light in cultural darkness (Matthew 5:14-16).
• Ministry “among” them shows Paul lived in their midst, not aloof. He lodged with fellow tentmakers (Acts 18:3) and ministered next door to the synagogue in Titius Justus’s house (v. 7).
• Fruit included converts like Crispus (v. 8) and a diverse congregation later addressed as “those sanctified in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:2).
• The phrase reminds modern believers that effective witness requires presence within our communities (Philippians 2:15-16).
summaryActs 18:11 spotlights steadfast obedience, patient investment, Scripture-centered ministry, and incarnational presence. Paul’s eighteen-month stay in Corinth—rooted in Christ’s assurance—birthed a vibrant, if imperfect, church and proves that God’s word, faithfully taught, transforms even the toughest cultures.
(11)
And he continued there a year and sixmonths.--This obviously gave time not only for founding and organising a Church at Corinth itself, but for work in the neighbouring districts, such as the port of Cenchreae, where we find in
Romans 16:1 a church duly furnished not only with presbyters and deacons, but with a sisterhood of deaconesses. The superscription of
2Corinthians 1:1, "to the Church that is in Corinth and
to all the saints that are in all Achaia,clearly indicates an extension of evangelising work beyond the limits of the city. The unimpeded progress of this period came to him as an abundant fulfilment of the Lord's promise, and prepared him for the next persecution when it came.
Verse 11.- Dwelt for
continued, A.V.
Dwelt; literally,
sat down, as
Acts 13:14, etc., and hence to "remain quietly" (
Luke 24:49).
A year and six months. It is not clear whether these eighteen months are to be measured to the end of St. Paul's stay at Corinth, or only to the rising up of the Jews related in vers. 12-17. Renan is doubtful. Howson does not go into the question. But Lewin rightly measures the eighteen months down to Gallio's arrival. And so does Meyer, who also notices the force of
ἐκάθισε, as indicating a quiet, undisturbed abode, and calls special attention to the
ἔτι of ver. 18, as showing that the "many days" there mentioned were
additional to the year and a half of ver. 11. The only longer residence we know of was that of three years at Ephesus (
Acts 20:31).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[So]δὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.[Paul] stayedἘκάθισεν(Ekathisen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2523:Another form for kathezomai; to seat down, i.e. Set; intransitively, to sit; figuratively, to settle.for a yearἐνιαυτὸν(eniauton)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1763:A year, cycle of time. Prolongation from a primary enos; a year.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.[a half],ἓξ(hex)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1803:Six. A primary numeral; six.teachingδιδάσκων(didaskōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1321:To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.theτὸν(ton)Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.wordλόγον(logon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056:From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.of GodΘεοῦ(Theou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.amongἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.[the Corinthians].αὐτοῖς(autois)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
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NT Apostles: Acts 18:11 He lived there a year and six (Acts of the Apostles Ac)