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Acts 18:1

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¶ After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

{G1161} After {G3326} these things {G5023} Paul {G3972} departed {G5563} from {G1537} Athens {G116}, and came {G2064} to {G1519} Corinth {G2882};

After this, Sha’ul left Athens and went to Corinth,

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

After these things he departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.

Commentary

Acts 18:1 marks a pivotal transition in the Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey. Having just completed his time in Athens, a city renowned for its philosophy and idolatry, Paul now moves on to Corinth, a bustling commercial hub with a very different character.

Context

This verse immediately follows Paul's experience in Athens, detailed in Acts 17. In Athens, Paul engaged with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, culminating in his famous sermon on Mars' Hill (Acts 17:22-31). While some scoffed, and others wanted to hear more, only a few believed (Acts 17:34). From this intellectually vibrant but spiritually resistant environment, Paul departed for Corinth.

Corinth, at this time, was a major Roman provincial capital, a strategic port city connecting the Aegean and Adriatic seas. Its wealth came from trade, but it was also infamous throughout the ancient world for its widespread immorality and diverse pagan worship. Paul's decision to come to Corinth was a strategic move, targeting a city whose influence could spread the Gospel far and wide, despite its challenging spiritual landscape.

Key Themes

  • Missionary Progress: Paul's journey demonstrates the relentless and Spirit-led expansion of the early Christian message. He continually moved to new cities, undeterred by previous challenges or limited success.
  • Divine Guidance: Although not explicitly stated in this verse, Paul's movements were consistently guided by God's providence, leading him to key urban centers where the Gospel could take root and spread.
  • Strategic Evangelism: Paul consistently targeted major cities that served as cultural, economic, and political centers. His presence in Corinth would lead to the establishment of a significant church, to which he would later write the epistles of 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "After these things" translates the Greek `meta tauta` (μετὰ ταῦτα), a common transitional phrase indicating a sequential event. It simply means "subsequently" or "after this." There isn't a complex linguistic nuance here, but it signals the narrative's continuation and Paul's onward journey.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that the work of God's kingdom often involves moving forward, even from places where results seemed meager or the environment was difficult. Paul's perseverance and willingness to step into new, challenging territories exemplify a commitment to the divine mission. For believers today, it highlights the importance of:

  • Perseverance: Not being discouraged by past difficulties but continuing to pursue God's calling.
  • New Beginnings: Understanding that God often leads us to new places or phases of life, each with its own unique challenges and opportunities for ministry.
  • Strategic Engagement: Being willing to bring the light of the Gospel into morally dark or challenging environments, trusting in God's power to transform lives there.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 1:2 (6 votes)

    Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

  • Acts 19:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

  • 2 Timothy 4:20 (5 votes)

    Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy [our] brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

  • Acts 17:32 (3 votes)

    ¶ And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this [matter].

  • Acts 17:33 (3 votes)

    So Paul departed from among them.

  • Acts 17:15 (3 votes)

    And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.