Acts chapter 18 v 18-23:

Acts chapter 18 v 18-23: 

V18:  Paul stays even longer in Corinth, probably largely teaching and encouraging the church, then takes leave of them and sails for Syria. taking with him Priscilla and Aquila. The vow referred to seems to be a Jewish practice – he was always a Jew, think of his longing for his own people in Romans 9 and 10. We know no more of what this vow was or why he took it, however.

V19:  Travelling now back to Judea via Asia, he comes to Ephesus where he leaves Priscilla and Aquila. 2 Timothy 4 v19 seems to suggest they had a continuing base in that city, though Romans 16 v3 must come between this verse and 2 Timothy. Perhaps, as prosperous business people, they had various homes/bases. Meanwhile, Paul is found yet again in the synagogue, reasoning with those there. ( The rejection expressed in v6 was clearly ” local”, not general.

V20-21:   There must have been blessing on his ministry in Ephesus – by chapter 20 there is clearly an established church there, with many Elders. But at this time, he resists the  requests of the Ephesian believers to stay with them. However, he promises to return to them soon, if the Lord wills – he was always ready to receive and follow the Lord’s leading, as we all should be. ( and see James 4 v15.)  

V22:  Sailing back to Caesarea, he greets the church there, then returns to Antioch, still his sending church. We don’t know if Silas and his other companions are with him still, or if they have been left to other strategic ministries elsewhere – perhaps this was when Timothy was first left in Ephesus?

V23:  After an unspecified period Paul leaves Antioch for another lengthy journey, revisiting churches planted in Galatia and Phrygia, to strengthen and encourage the believers there. In the NT church-planting is always followed up  by a concern to encourage and build up the young believers.