Corinth and Ephesus: teaching, trades, and shared ministry
About this date: The episode order is Acts' narrative order. Reconstructing absolute dates requires external evidence and argument; this study does not turn an official's name into a precise date for every journey.
At Corinth, Acts places Paul alongside Priscilla and Aquila in work and witness. At Ephesus the couple explains the way more accurately to Apollos, who then serves believers in Achaia. Paul's letters reject factions built around missionaries: planting and watering are complementary service, while God gives growth. Acts also places opposition within local economic and civic life, including the Ephesian trade associated with Artemis.
Key points
- Acts names Gallio as proconsul of Achaia, but the narrative does not give a modern calendar date for the hearing.
- Apollos's instruction by Priscilla and Aquila is distinct from the following scene involving about twelve disciples in Acts 19.
- The meeting place of Tyrannus and the later address to Ephesian elders show teaching and durable community responsibility.
- Colossians names Epaphras's work for Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis and describes letters being exchanged between communities.
Scripture
- Acts 18:1-28 — Paul's shared trade, the Corinthian mission, Gallio, travel with Priscilla and Aquila, and Apollos's instruction.
- Acts 19:1-10 — The disciples familiar with John's baptism and subsequent teaching in Ephesus are a distinct episode after Apollos's departure.
- Acts 19:23-41 — The Artemis-related trade and civic assembly frame the disturbance in Ephesus.
- Acts 20:17-38 — Paul addresses the Ephesian elders about teaching, vigilance, labor, and care for the weak.
- 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 — Paul challenges divisions named after Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 3:4-9 — Planting and watering are complementary; God gives the growth.
- 1 Corinthians 16:8-12 — Paul describes plans involving Ephesus, Timothy, and Apollos rather than a solitary fixed itinerary.
- 1 Corinthians 16:19 — Aquila and Prisca send greetings with the church in their house.
- Colossians 4:12-16 — Epaphras, neighboring communities, Nympha's house church, and circulation of letters broaden the network.
Primary sources
1 Clement recalls the earlier dispute:
A later Roman letter asks Corinth to reread Paul's warning about factions involving Paul, Cephas, and Apollos.
Take up the epistle of the blessed Paul the Apostle. ... Of a truth he charged you in the Spirit concerning himself and Cephas and Apollos, because that even then ye had made parties.
Passage context and translation
The letter compares Corinth's current conflict over presbyters with the earlier divisions recalled in Paul's correspondence. The omitted section 47.2 asks what Paul first wrote to them at the beginning of the gospel.