Acts 18:21
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But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
I must . . . keep this feast--probably Pentecost, presenting a noble opportunity of preaching the Gospel. but I will return--the fulfilment of which promise is recorded in Act 19:1.
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. Paul's coming to Corinth, his private converse with Aquila and Priscilla, and his public reasonings with the Jews, from whom, when they rejected him, he turned to the Gentiles (Act 18:1-6). II. The great success of his ministry there, and the encouragement Christ gave him in a vision to continue his labours there, in hopes of further success (Act 18:7-11). III. The molestations which after some time he met with there from the Jews, which he got pretty well through by the coldness of Gallio, the Roman governor, in the cause (Act 18:12-17). IV. The progress Paul made through many countries, after he had continued long at Corinth, for the edifying and watering of the churches which he had founded and planted, in which circuit he made a short visit to Jerusalem (Act 18:18-23). V. An account of Apollo's improvement in knowledge, and of his usefulness in the church (Act 18:24-28).
Open source ↗18:21 “I will come back later”: Paul later spent significant time in Ephesus during his third missionary journey (19:1–20:1; see 19:8, 10).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.
And this we will do, if God permits.
so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.
Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
in my prayers at all times, asking that now at last by God’s will I may succeed in coming to you.
Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night.
For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”
Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.