Acts 18:7

¶ And he departed thence, and entered into a certain [man's] house, named Justus, [one] that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

And {G2532} he departed {G3327} thence {G1564}, and entered {G2064} into {G1519} a certain {G5100} man's house {G3614}, named {G3686} Justus {G2459}, one that worshipped {G4576} God {G2316}, whose {G3739} house {G3614} joined hard {G4927}{G2258} to the synagogue {G4864}.

So he left them and went into the home of a “God-fearer” named Titius Justus, whose house was right next door to the synagogue.

So Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titus Justus, a worshiper of God.

And he departed thence, and went into the house of a certain man named Titus Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

Acts 18:7 marks a pivotal moment in the Apostle Paul's ministry in Corinth, illustrating a strategic shift in his evangelistic approach.

Context

This verse immediately follows Paul's strong declaration in Acts 18:6, where he "shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles." This statement came after persistent opposition and blasphemy from many in the Jewish community of the synagogue. While Paul typically began his missions by preaching to the Jews in synagogues, this verse signifies a turning point where he formally turned his primary focus to the Gentiles in Corinth, though not entirely abandoning interaction with Jews.

Key Themes

  • Transition in Ministry: The verse highlights Paul's strategic pivot from exclusive synagogue preaching to a more direct focus on Gentile outreach. This wasn't a total abandonment of the Jewish people, but a recognition of where God was opening doors for the Gospel in Corinth.
  • God's Sovereignty in Outreach: Even in the face of rejection, God provided a new base for ministry. The proximity of Justus's house to the synagogue is symbolic – the Gospel was still near, but now reaching those who were more receptive.
  • Importance of "God-Fearers": Justus represents a significant group in the early church's growth: Gentile "God-fearers" who already believed in the one true God and were morally upright, making them fertile ground for the Gospel of Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "one that worshipped God" (Greek: phoboumenon ton Theon) identifies Justus as a "God-fearer." This term was commonly used in the Roman world to describe Gentiles who were attracted to Jewish monotheism and ethical practices but had not undergone full conversion, such as circumcision. These individuals were often present in synagogue services and served as a crucial bridge for the early Christian missionaries, as they were already familiar with Old Testament scriptures and the concept of one God. Other notable "God-fearers" include Cornelius in Acts 10.

Practical Application

Acts 18:7 reminds believers today of several principles:

  • Adaptability in Mission: Paul's willingness to adapt his strategy in response to local conditions and divine leading demonstrates the importance of flexibility in sharing the Gospel. When one door closes, God often opens another.
  • Seeking Receptive Hearts: Paul moved to where hearts were open, even if it meant shifting locations or methods. This encourages us to discern where God is already at work and join Him there.
  • Leveraging Proximity: Justus's house "joined hard to the synagogue" suggests that sometimes the most effective ministry happens right next door to established communities, reaching those on the fringes who are seeking truth.

This verse underscores the dynamic nature of early Christian missions and God's persistent desire to reach all people with the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, fulfilling the Great Commission.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 16:14

    And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard [us]: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

  • Colossians 4:11

    And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only [are my] fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

  • Acts 10:2

    [A] devout [man], and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

  • Acts 10:22

    And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

  • Acts 17:4

    And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

  • Acts 13:42

    ¶ And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

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