Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles — Homily 40

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting

Acts XVIII. 18

And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

See how the Law was breaking up; see how they were bound by conscience. This, namely, was a Jewish custom, to shear their heads agreeably with a vow. But then there ought to be also a sacrifice [[Acts 21.26]], which was not the case here. — Having yet tarried: after the beating of Sosthenes. For it was necessary that he should yet tarry, and comfort them concerning these things. He sailed for Syria. Why does he desire again to come to Syria? It was there that the disciples were ordered to be called Christians [[Acts 11.26]]: there, that he had been commended to the grace of God [[Acts 14.26]]: there, that he had effected such things concerning the doctrine. And with him Priscilla — lo, a woman also — and Aquila. But these he left at Ephesus. With good reason, namely, that they should teach. For having been with him so long time, they were learning many things: and yet he did not at present withdraw them from their custom as Jews. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; but bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that comes in Jerusalem. Therefore it was that he was hindered from coming into Asia, being impelled to what was of pressing moment. Thus observe him here, entreated (by them) to stay, but because he could not comply, being in haste to depart, he bade them farewell. However, he did not leave them without more ado, but with promise (to return): But I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. [[Acts 18.19]]-21 And when he had landed at Cæsarea, and gone up, and saluted the Church, he went down to Antioch. And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. [[Acts 18.22]]-23 He came again to those places which he had previously visited. And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. [[Acts 18.24]] Lo, even learned men are now urgent, and the disciples henceforth go abroad. Do you mark the spread of the preaching? This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the Spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. [[Acts 18.25]]-26 If this man knew only the baptism of John, how is it that he was fervent in the Spirit, for the Spirit was not given in that way? And if those after him needed the baptism of Christ, much more would h