Paul Ministers in Corinth
(1 Corinthians 1:1–3; 2 Corinthians 1:1–2)

1After these things, having departed from Athens, he arrived at Corinth. 2And upon finding a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with Priscilla his wife, (because Claudius had ordered all Jews to depart from Rome,) he met with them. 3And because he was of the same trade, he lodged with them and was working. (Now they were tentmakers by trade.) 4And he was arguing in the synagogue on every Sabbath, introducing the name of the Lord Jesus. And he was persuading Jews and Greeks.

5And when Silas and Timothy had arrived from Macedonia, Paul stood firm in the Word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6But since they were contradicting him and blaspheming, he shook out his garments and said to them: “Your blood is on your own heads. I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles.” 7And moving from that place, he entered into the house of a certain man, named Titus the Just, a worshiper of God, whose house was adjoined to the synagogue. 8Now Crispus, a leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, with his entire house. And many of the Corinthians, upon hearing, believed and were baptized. 9Then the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: “Do not be afraid. Instead, speak out and do not be silent. 10For I am with you. And no one will take hold of you, so as to do you harm. For many of the people in this city are with me.” 11Then he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.

Paul before Gallio

12But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul. And they brought him to the tribunal, 13saying, “He persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” 14Then, when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: “If this were some matter of injustice, or a wicked deed, O noble Jews, I would support you, as is proper. 15Yet if truly these are questions about a word and names and your law, you should see to it yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.” 16And he ordered them from the tribunal. 17But they, apprehending Sosthenes, a leader of the synagogue, beat him in front of the tribunal. And Gallio showed no concern for these things.

Paul Returns to Antioch

18Yet truly, Paul, after he had remained for many more days, having said goodbye to the brothers, sailed into Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. Now he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had made a vow. 19And he arrived at Ephesus, and he left them behind there. Yet truly, he himself, entering into the synagogue, was disputing with the Jews. 20Then, although they were asking him to remain for a longer time, he would not agree. 21Instead, saying goodbye and telling them, “I will return to you again, God willing,” he set out from Ephesus.

22And after going down to Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem, and he greeted the Church there, and then he descended to Antioch.

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey Begins
(Acts 13:1–3; Acts 15:36–41)

23And having spent some length of time there, he set out, and he walked in order through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

24Now a certain Jew named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man who was powerful with the Scriptures, arrived at Ephesus. 25He was learned in the Way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching the things that are of Jesus, but knowing only the baptism of John. 26And so, he began to act faithfully in the synagogue. And when Priscilla and Aquila had heard him, they took him aside and expounded the Way of the Lord to him more thoroughly. 27Then, since he wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers wrote an exhortation to the disciples, so that they might accept him. And when he had arrived, he held many discussions with those who had believed. 28For he was vehemently and publicly reproving the Jews, by revealing through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.