Acts 18:8

KJV

And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Crispus {G2921}, the chief ruler of the synagogue {G752}, believed {G4100} on the Lord {G2962} with {G4862} all {G3650} his {G846} house {G3624}; and {G2532} many {G4183} of the Corinthians {G2881} hearing {G191} believed {G4100}, and {G2532} were baptized {G907}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Crispus, the president of the synagogue, came to trust in the Lord, along with his whole household; also many of the Corinthians who heard trusted and were immersed.

Berean Standard Bible

Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his whole household believed in the Lord. And many of the Corinthians who heard the message believed and were baptized.

American Standard Version

And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 18:8 records a pivotal moment in the establishment of the Corinthian church, detailing the conversion of Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and his entire household, alongside many other Corinthians who, upon hearing the Gospel, believed and were subsequently baptized. This verse powerfully illustrates the transformative reach of the Good News, transcending social status and religious affiliation, and signifies a significant expansion of the early Christian community in a major Roman city.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after a significant turning point in Paul's ministry in Corinth. Having initially reasoned in the synagogue, Paul faced vehement opposition and blasphemy from some Jews, leading him to declare his intention to turn exclusively to the Gentiles, shaking out his garments as a symbolic act of separation [Acts 18:6](/acts/18-6 "Paul Turns to the Gentiles"). He then relocated his base of operations from the synagogue to the adjacent house of Titius Justus, a Gentile God-fearer [Acts 18:7](/acts/18-7 "Paul Moves to Justus's House"). Acts 18:8 thus serves as the immediate and powerful demonstration of God's continued work and the Gospel's efficacy even in the face of Jewish rejection, showcasing the initial fruit of Paul's renewed focus. It sets the stage for the continued growth and challenges that would characterize the Corinthian church.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Corinth was a prominent and wealthy Roman provincial capital, strategically located on an isthmus connecting two major seas, making it a bustling commercial hub. Its diverse population included Romans, Greeks, and a significant Jewish community, as evidenced by the presence of a synagogue. The city was also notorious for its moral laxity and pagan worship, particularly that of Aphrodite. The conversion of a "chief ruler of the synagogue" (archisynagōgos) was a highly unusual and impactful event. These officials were respected leaders responsible for the synagogue's administration, worship, and teaching. Their conversion would have been a public scandal to the Jewish community and a powerful validation for the nascent Christian movement, demonstrating the Gospel's ability to penetrate even the most entrenched religious structures.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 18:8 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty in Evangelism**, as God orchestrates the conversion of key figures like Crispus despite Paul's initial rejection by some within the synagogue. This highlights that the spread of the Gospel is ultimately God's work, not merely human effort or strategy. Another prominent theme is **Conversion and Faith**, emphasizing that belief in the Lord is the foundational response to the Gospel, leading to a transformative change of allegiance. The mention of Crispus's "whole house" believing underscores the theme of **Household Salvation**, a recurring pattern in Acts where the faith of one individual often leads to the spiritual transformation of their entire family unit, as seen with [Lydia's household](/acts/16-15 "Lydia and Her Household Believe") and [the Philippian jailer's household](/acts/16-33-34 "The Philippian Jailer and His Household"). Finally, the act of **Public Profession through Baptism** is central, illustrating the immediate and visible step of obedience and identification with Christ that followed belief in the early church, aligning with the [Great Commission](/matthew/28-19-20 "The Great Commission").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Crispus (Greek, _Kríspos_):** This name, of Latin origin, identifies a specific individual who held a position of significant authority within the Jewish community in Corinth. As the "chief ruler of the synagogue," Crispus was responsible for overseeing the synagogue's services, managing its affairs, and maintaining order. His conversion, therefore, was not merely that of an ordinary congregant but of a prominent and influential leader, lending considerable weight and credibility to the Christian movement in Corinth. Paul later mentions baptizing Crispus in [1 Corinthians 1:14](/1_corinthians/1-14 "Paul Mentions Baptizing Crispus"), underscoring his importance.
* **chief ruler of the synagogue (Greek, _archisynágōgos_):** This title denotes the principal officer or president of a synagogue. The _archisynagōgos_ was a highly respected figure within the Jewish community, responsible for inviting readers, supervising the reading of the Law and Prophets, and generally directing the synagogue's activities. Crispus's conversion from this esteemed position to faith in Christ was a dramatic and unexpected turn of events, signaling a significant breach in the Jewish opposition to the Gospel and a powerful testament to its persuasive power.
* **believed (Greek, _pisteúō_):** This verb signifies more than mere intellectual assent; it denotes a deep trust, reliance, and commitment to the Lord. In the context of the New Testament, "believing on the Lord" implies accepting Jesus as the Messiah, Savior, and divine authority, entrusting one's spiritual well-being to Him. The repeated use of "believed" for both Crispus and "many of the Corinthians" emphasizes that genuine faith was the prerequisite for their subsequent baptism and inclusion in the Christian community.
* **house (Greek, _oîkos_):** This term refers not only to a physical dwelling but, by implication, to the entire household or family unit. The phrase "with all his house" indicates that Crispus's conversion had a profound spiritual impact on his immediate family and dependents, leading them also to embrace faith in Christ. This highlights the communal aspect of early Christian conversions and the ripple effect that an individual's faith could have on their domestic sphere.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house;"**: This clause introduces the primary subject of the verse, Crispus, identifying him by his prominent religious office. His act of "believing on the Lord" signifies a profound spiritual conversion, a turning from his former religious framework to embrace Jesus as the Messiah and divine Master. Crucially, his faith extended to "all his house," indicating a corporate conversion where his entire family unit also embraced belief in Christ, reflecting a common pattern of household salvation in the book of Acts.
* **"and many of the Corinthians hearing believed,"**: This part of the verse broadens the scope of conversion beyond Crispus's household. It indicates that the message preached by Paul resonated with a significant number of the general populace in Corinth. The phrase "hearing believed" emphasizes the crucial role of proclamation and reception of the Gospel message. Their belief was a direct response to the apostolic preaching, demonstrating the power of the spoken word to engender faith.
* **"and were baptized."**: This final clause describes the public and ceremonial act that followed belief. Baptism served as an outward declaration of their inward faith, symbolizing their identification with Christ's death and resurrection, their cleansing from sin, and their incorporation into the body of believers. This immediate progression from hearing to believing to being baptized underscores the early church's practice of public confession and initiation into the Christian community.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Synecdoche** is present in the phrase "all his house," where "house" stands in for the entire family or household, indicating a corporate conversion. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the contrast between Crispus's former role as "chief ruler of the synagogue"—a position of Jewish religious authority—and his new identity as one who "believed on the Lord," highlighting the radical nature of his conversion and the Gospel's ability to transcend religious boundaries. The repetition of "believed" (implied in "hearing believed") creates a sense of **Parallelism** and emphasizes the central action of faith as the foundational response to the Gospel. Finally, the verse functions as a moment of **Narrative Progression**, marking a significant turning point in Paul's Corinthian ministry, demonstrating the immediate fruit of his turning to the Gentiles, and setting the stage for the growth of the church in this vital city.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 18:8 powerfully illustrates the universal reach of the Gospel and God's sovereign hand in drawing people to Himself, regardless of their social standing or religious background. Crispus's conversion, from a position of authority within the synagogue, underscores that no one is beyond the transforming power of Christ. It demonstrates that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but a profound commitment that often extends its influence to the entire household, reflecting God's desire for families to come to Him. The immediate follow-up of baptism signifies the inseparable link between inward belief and outward confession, establishing a pattern for Christian initiation and public identification with Christ and His church. This verse provides a microcosm of the early church's growth: the proclamation of the word, the response of faith, and the public act of baptism, all contributing to the expansion of God's kingdom.

* [Acts 16:15](/acts/16-15 "Lydia and Her Household Believe")
* [Acts 16:33-34](/acts/16-33-34 "The Philippian Jailer and His Household")
* [Mark 16:16](/mark/16-16 "Whoever Believes and Is Baptized Will Be Saved")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 18:8 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us of the Gospel's enduring power to transform lives across all societal strata. The conversion of Crispus, a respected religious leader, should encourage us to never pre-judge who might be open to the Good News; God's grace extends to everyone, even those we might perceive as most resistant or least likely to believe. Furthermore, the concept of "household salvation" challenges us to consider the spiritual impact we can have on our own families and to earnestly pray and share the Gospel within our homes, trusting that God delights in saving entire families. Finally, the immediate act of baptism for those who believed underscores the importance of public confession of faith. It calls us to consider our own journey of faith: have we publicly identified with Christ? Are we living out our faith in a way that others can see and be drawn to? This verse also serves as an encouragement to persevere in evangelism, knowing that despite opposition, God is at work, bringing forth fruit for His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Crispus's conversion challenge my assumptions about who might be receptive to the Gospel?**
* **What steps can I take to more intentionally share my faith with my own household or extended family?**
* **In what ways does my public life reflect my private belief in Jesus Christ?**
* **How does the immediate connection between belief and baptism in this verse inform my understanding of Christian discipleship today?**

### FAQ

**Why was Crispus's conversion particularly significant?**

Answer: Crispus's conversion was highly significant because he held the esteemed position of "chief ruler of the synagogue" (Greek, _archisynágōgos_). This meant he was a prominent and respected leader within the Jewish community, responsible for the synagogue's administration and worship. His public conversion to Christianity, therefore, was a major blow to the Jewish opposition Paul faced and a powerful endorsement for the nascent Christian movement. It demonstrated that the Gospel could penetrate even the highest levels of Jewish religious authority, lending credibility and momentum to the church's growth in Corinth. Paul himself later mentions baptizing Crispus in [1 Corinthians 1:14](/1_corinthians/1-14 "Paul's Baptismal Practices"), further highlighting his importance.

**What does "with all his house" imply about early Christian conversions?**

Answer: The phrase "with all his house" (Greek, _sýn hólos autós oîkos_) indicates that Crispus's faith led to the conversion of his entire family unit, including dependents and possibly servants. This was a common pattern in the early church, as seen with [Lydia's household](/acts/16-15 "Lydia and Her Household Believe") and [the Philippian jailer's household](/acts/16-33-34 "The Philippian Jailer and His Household"). It suggests that in the ancient world, the head of the household's decision often influenced the spiritual direction of the entire family. Theologically, it highlights the communal aspect of salvation and God's desire to save not just individuals but entire families, demonstrating the ripple effect of genuine faith within a domestic sphere.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 18:8, while a narrative account of early church growth, profoundly points to Christ as the central figure of salvation and the driving force behind the expansion of God's kingdom. The belief of Crispus and "many of the Corinthians" is explicitly "on the Lord," signifying their faith in Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah and divine Savior. This echoes the very heart of the Gospel message, which is the person and work of Jesus—His sacrificial death, victorious resurrection, and ascension to heavenly authority. The act of baptism, immediately following belief, is a public identification with Christ, symbolizing participation in His death and resurrection [Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Baptism into Christ's Death and Resurrection"). The conversion of a prominent synagogue ruler like Crispus demonstrates that Christ's redemptive power transcends all human barriers—social, religious, or cultural—fulfilling the prophetic vision of a people gathered from every tribe and tongue to worship the Lamb [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Multitude from Every Nation Worshipping the Lamb"). Ultimately, the growth of the church in Corinth, sparked by such conversions, is a direct fulfillment of Christ's Great Commission to make disciples of all nations [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "The Great Commission"), showcasing His ongoing work through the Holy Spirit to build His church, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Christ Will Build His Church").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 10:14

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Romans 10:17

So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Mark 16:15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mark 16:16

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

1 Corinthians 1:13

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 1:17

¶ For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Acts 8:12

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.