Journal

Please use one of the prompts below to get your journaling started.

• Explore your fears and what’s behind them.
• Write about a relational conflict you are experiencing.
• List out all that you are grateful for.
• Recall a significant reaction, conversation or event.

• Here are some tools to help you with the devotionals:
  • A Guide to Journaling & Prayer
  • A Guide to Self-Reflection
  • A Chart to help articulate feelings

Commentary

Commentary for Chapters 1-11

CHAPTER 12 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 13 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 14 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 15 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 16 COMMENTARY

CHAPTER 18 COMMENTARY

Acts 18:12-21 (ESV)

¹² But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, ¹³ saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” ¹⁴ But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. ¹⁵ But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” ¹⁶ And he drove them from the tribunal. ¹⁷ And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.

¹⁸ After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. ¹⁹ And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. ²⁰ When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. ²¹ But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.

Go Deeper

Acts 18:12-17

• Judaism was one of the legally recognized and protected religions of the Roman empire.  These Jews were trying to convince Gallio in court that Christianity was not Jewish, and therefore an illegal religion.  To their surprise, Gallio refused to hear their case, citing it was a squabble over nuances of Judaism, in effect declaring Christianity was Jewish and therefore legal.  What kind of impact did Gallio’s remarkable decision have upon Paul’s ministry in Corinth?  How does this demonstrate God’s ability to overcome obstacles in the most unexpected ways?  What are some ways in which I have experienced this in my own life?  How does this encourage me to trust God regarding the difficulties I face today? 

Prayer