Keraia
Acts 18

Acts 18:21

Paul Returns to Antioch · Acts 18:18–22
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Translations

Modern
But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.
Traditional
But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
Literal
…but having taken leave and having said, “I will return to you again, God willing,” he sailed from Ephesus,
Latin
…sed valefaciens, et dicens: Iterum revertar ad vos, Deo volente: profectus est ab Epheso.

Original

Greek
English
But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.

Notes

Acts 18:21

“I will come back to you”: Paul spent a lot of time in Ephesus during his third mission journey (19:1–20:1; see 19:8, 10).

Acts 18:19–23

Paul made a quick stop at Ephesus, the most important city in the Roman province of Asia. There he left the others behind, including Priscilla and Aquila (see 18:26).

He sailed to Judea, landing at Caesarea, the headquarters of the Roman forces of occupation. After a visit to the church at Jerusalem, Paul returned to Antioch, the church that had originally commissioned him. This marked the end of his second missionary journey.

In Antioch, he spent valuable time reporting what God had done through him and those who ministered with him. He shared the excitement and challenges of their work with the home church.

After some time, Paul began his third mission journey. He traveled by land through Galatia and Phrygia, again visiting Christians he had led to faith in Christ on his previous trips. It was important to him that these new believers did not lose their way or abandon their faith (see Ephesians 6:10–20; 1 Timothy 1:18–20; 2 Timothy 1:15; 4:10).

Theme notes and profiles

Ephesus Paul (Saul)

Events

Places

Ephesus: Major city in Asia Minor; important center for early Christianity

Glossary

Aquila Asia Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) Church Meetings Corinth Inscriptions Letter to the Ephesians Paul the Apostle Priscilla and Aquila Travel

Topics

Ephesus: Apollos Visits and Preaches In Ephesus: Paul Visits and Preaches In Feasts: (Instituted by Moses) by Paul Jerusalem: Paul: Visits Ephesus, where he Leaves Aquila and Priscilla Scribes: Modern: Persecuted the Christians Will of God, the Supreme Rule of Duty