Paul Begins His Third Missionary Journey; Acts 18:23 – 28 Part 1

Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57

23After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. 27When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

He returned through those countries where he had formerly preached the gospel. He went and spent some time in Antioch, among his old friends there. This was where he was first begun to preach among the Gentiles. He went down to Antioch, to refresh himself with the sight and conversation of the ministers there. It is very refreshing to a faithful minister to have for awhile the society of his brethren. Paul's coming to Antioch would remind him of the earlier days, which would give him a renewed confidence and for fresh thanksgiving. He then went through the regions of Galatia and Phrygia, where he had preached the gospel, and planted churches, which, though very briefly mentioned (Acts 16:6), was yet a glorious work, as appears by (Galatians 4:14-15), where Paul speaks of his preaching the gospel to the Galatians at the first, and their receiving him as an angel of God. These country churches (for such they were (Galatians 1:2), and we read not of any city in Galatia where a church was) Paul visited in order as they lay, watering what he had been instrumental to plant, and strengthening all the disciples. His very coming among them, and accepting them, were a great strengthening to them and their ministers. Paul's support of them was encouraging them; but that was not all: he preached that to them which strengthened them, which confirmed their faith in Christ, their resolutions for Christ, and their pious affections to him. Disciples need to be strengthened, for they are compassed about with infirmity; ministers must do what they can to strengthen them, to strengthen them all, by directing them to Christ, and bringing them to live upon him, whose strength is perfected in their weakness, and who is himself their strength and song.