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Acts 18:26

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 18:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more accurately.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more accurately.
Acts 18:26 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23And having spent some time [there], he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.
24Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures.
25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John:
26and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more accurately.
27And when he was minded to pass over into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them much that had believed through grace;
28for he powerfully confuted the Jews, [and that] publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
← Acts 18:25Acts 18:27 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue, etc.] Of the Jews at Ephesus; using great freedom of speech, and showing much intrepidity and greatness of soul, and presence of mind; not fearing the faces of men, nor the revilings and contradictions of the Jews: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard; they attending at the synagogue, and having observed what he delivered, that there was some deficiency in it, though they took no notice of it publicly; partly on their own account, it not being proper, especially for Priscilla, to speak in public, nor was it allowed in the Jewish synagogues for a woman to speak there; and partly on his account, that they might not put him to the blush, and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“speak boldly in the synagogue, whom when Aquila and Priscilla heard--joying to observe the extent of Scripture knowledge and evangelical truth which he displayed, and the fervency, courage, and eloquence with which he preached the truth. they took him unto them--privately. and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly--opening up those truths, to him as yet unknown, on which the Spirit had shed such glorious light. (In what appears to be the true reading of this verse, Priscilla is put before Aquila, as in Act 18:18 [see on Act 18:18]; she being probably the more intelligent and devoted of the two). One cannot but observe how providential it was that this couple should have been left…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And expounded - Explained. The way of God - Gave him full and ample instructions respecting the Messiah as having already come, and respecting the nature of his work. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He spake - Privately; and taught publicly. Probably he returned to live at Alexandria, soon after he had been baptized by John; and so had no opportunity of being fully acquainted with the doctrines of the Gospel, as delivered by Christ and his apostles. And explained to him the way of God more perfectly - He who knows Christ, is able to instruct even those that are mighty in the Scriptures. Acts 18:27”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“to speak: Act 14:3; Isa 58:1; Eph 6:19, Eph 6:20 Aquila: Act 18:2, Act 18:3 expounded: Act 8:31, Act 28:23; Pro 1:5, Pro 9:9, Pro 22:17, Pro 22:18, Pro 25:12; Mat 18:3, Mat 18:4; Mar 10:15; Luk 19:26, Luk 24:27; Joh 7:17; Co1 3:18, Co1 8:2, Co1 12:21; Heb 6:1; Pe2 3:18 Acts 18:27”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification