BibleWord.ai› Bible› Acts› Chapter 18› Verse 8

Acts 18:8

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 18:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
Acts 18:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.
6And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment and said unto them, Your blood [be] upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
7And he departed thence, and went into the house of a certain man named Titus Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
8And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
9And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace:
10for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this city.
11And he dwelt [there] a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
← Acts 18:7Acts 18:9 →
← Full Chapter 18 Acts Overview

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 Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, etc.] This was a Jewish name; frequent mention is made of R. Crispa in the Jewish writings f923 this person, either through hearing Paul before he departed from the synagogue, or when in Justus’s house, which was hard by the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house: he believed the doctrine the apostle preached, concerning Jesus, and that he was the Messiah; and he believed in him for life and salvation, and made a profession of his faith in him, and so did all his family, upon which he was baptized by the apostle; (see <460114>1 Corinthians 1:14) and many of the Corinthians hearing not “his faith”, as the Arabic version adds; as if…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house--an event felt to be so important that the apostle deviated from his usual practice (Co1 1:14-16) and baptized him, as well as Caius (Gaius) and the household of Stephanas, with his own hand [HOWSON]. many of the Corinthians . . . believed and were baptized--The beginning of the church gathered there.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And Crispus - He is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:14 as having been one of the few whom Paul baptized with his own hands. The conversion of such a man must have tended greatly to exasperate the other Jews, and to further the progress of the Christian faith among the Corinthians. With all his house - With all his family, Acts 10:2. And many of the Corinthians - Many even in this voluptuous and wicked city. Perhaps the power of the gospel was never more signal than in converting sinners in Corinth, and rearing a Christian church in a place so dissolute and abandoned. If it was adapted to such a place as Corinth; if a church, under the power of Christian truth, could be organized there, it is…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And many hearing - The conversation of Crispus, and the preaching of Paul. Acts 18:10”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Crispus: Co1 1:14 the chief: Act 18:17, Act 13:15; Mar 5:35 believed: Act 10:2, Act 16:14, Act 16:15, Act 16:34; Gen 17:27, Gen 18:19; Jos 24:15 hearing: Act 2:37-41, Act 8:12, Act 8:35-38; Mat 28:19; Mar 16:15, Mar 16:16; Rom 10:14-17; Co1 1:13-17 Acts 18:9”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Acts 18 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification