Paul in Corinth Before Gallio

Upon arriving in Corinth around 50 AD, Paul located Aquila and his wife Priscilla, who had recently departed from Italy because Claudius commanded all Jews to leave Rome (Acts 18:2). Paul stayed and worked with them because they shared the same trade of tentmaking. Every Sabbath, Paul reasoned in the synagogue, attempting to persuade both Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself entirely to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 18:5). When they opposed him and reviled him, Paul shook out his garments and stated he would go to the Gentiles. He moved to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God whose house was next door to the synagogue.

Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord along with his entire household, and many other Corinthians believed and were baptized. The Lord spoke to Paul in a vision at night, telling him not to be afraid but to keep speaking, for no one would attack him to harm him (Acts 18:9). Paul remained in Corinth for a year and six months, teaching the word of God among the people. During the time Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, charging that he persuaded people to worship God contrary to the law. Before Paul could speak, Gallio told the Jews he would not be a judge of such matters involving words, names, and their own law (Acts 18:15). Gallio drove them from the tribunal, and the crowd seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal, though Gallio paid no attention.

Paul stayed many days longer before taking leave of the brothers and sailing for Syria with Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae, he had his hair cut, for he was under a vow (Acts 18:18). They traveled to Ephesus, where Paul reasoned in the synagogue but declined to stay longer, though he promised to return if God willed. Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria and an eloquent man competent in the Scriptures, arrived at Ephesus. Though he knew only the baptism of John, Priscilla and Aquila heard him and explained the way of God to him more accurately. Apollos then crossed into Achaia, where he greatly helped those who through grace had believed (Acts 18:27).