Acts 18:27 - When he had determined to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he had come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
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What does "Acts 18:27" mean?
Let's break down Acts 18:27 phrase by phrase to understand its meaning:
"When he had determined to pass over into Achaia..." This refers to Apollos, an eloquent and knowledgeable Jewish believer who had been teaching about Jesus. He had decided to travel from Ephesus (where he was currently ministering) to Achaia, a Roman province in Greece. Achaia was an important region, containing the city of Corinth, where Paul had established a church.
"...the brothers encouraged him..." "The brothers" here likely refers to the Christian community in Ephesus. They recognized Apollos' gifts and calling and affirmed his decision to go to Achaia.
"...and wrote to the disciples to receive him." The Ephesian Christians provided Apollos with letters of introduction and recommendation. These letters were addressed to the Christians in Achaia, urging them to welcome and support Apollos in his ministry there. This was a common practice in the early church to ensure traveling ministers were genuine and to facilitate their ministry.
"When he had come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;" This is the key impact statement. Upon arriving in Achaia, Apollos proved to be a valuable asset to the existing Christian community. He strengthened and encouraged those who were already believers ("those who had believed"). Crucially, the verse emphasizes that their belief was "through grace," meaning it was a gift from God, not something they earned. Apollos' ministry built upon this foundation of God's grace.
In summary, the verse means:
Apollos, feeling called to minister in Achaia, received the support and endorsement of the church in Ephesus. They sent letters ahead to the Christians in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. Once in Achaia, Apollos's ministry proved very beneficial in strengthening and encouraging those who had already become believers through God's grace. He was a helpful reinforcement to the fledgling churches there.
Key Takeaways:
Support and Encouragement: It highlights the importance of Christian community in supporting and sending out those who are called to ministry.
Authenticity and Recognition: The letters of recommendation served as a way to vouch for Apollos's authenticity and purpose.
Grace as the Foundation: The verse emphasizes that salvation and belief are based on God's grace, and Apollos's ministry served to strengthen that foundation.
Complementary Ministries: It implicitly shows that different people with different gifts (Apollos being eloquent and knowledgeable) can contribute to the growth of the church in various ways. Apollos built on the foundation Paul had already laid.
The verse shows a well-functioning early church, working together to spread and strengthen the Gospel.
Acts 18:27 - When he had determined to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he had come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
What does "Acts 18:27" mean?
Let's break down Acts 18:27 phrase by phrase to understand its meaning:
"When he had determined to pass over into Achaia..." This refers to Apollos, an eloquent and knowledgeable Jewish believer who had been teaching about Jesus. He had decided to travel from Ephesus (where he was currently ministering) to Achaia, a Roman province in Greece. Achaia was an important region, containing the city of Corinth, where Paul had established a church.
"...the brothers encouraged him..." "The brothers" here likely refers to the Christian community in Ephesus. They recognized Apollos' gifts and calling and affirmed his decision to go to Achaia.
"...and wrote to the disciples to receive him." The Ephesian Christians provided Apollos with letters of introduction and recommendation. These letters were addressed to the Christians in Achaia, urging them to welcome and support Apollos in his ministry there. This was a common practice in the early church to ensure traveling ministers were genuine and to facilitate their ministry.
"When he had come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;" This is the key impact statement. Upon arriving in Achaia, Apollos proved to be a valuable asset to the existing Christian community. He strengthened and encouraged those who were already believers ("those who had believed"). Crucially, the verse emphasizes that their belief was "through grace," meaning it was a gift from God, not something they earned. Apollos' ministry built upon this foundation of God's grace.
In summary, the verse means:
Apollos, feeling called to minister in Achaia, received the support and endorsement of the church in Ephesus. They sent letters ahead to the Christians in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. Once in Achaia, Apollos's ministry proved very beneficial in strengthening and encouraging those who had already become believers through God's grace. He was a helpful reinforcement to the fledgling churches there.
Key Takeaways:
Support and Encouragement: It highlights the importance of Christian community in supporting and sending out those who are called to ministry.
Authenticity and Recognition: The letters of recommendation served as a way to vouch for Apollos's authenticity and purpose.
Grace as the Foundation: The verse emphasizes that salvation and belief are based on God's grace, and Apollos's ministry served to strengthen that foundation.
Complementary Ministries: It implicitly shows that different people with different gifts (Apollos being eloquent and knowledgeable) can contribute to the growth of the church in various ways. Apollos built on the foundation Paul had already laid.
The verse shows a well-functioning early church, working together to spread and strengthen the Gospel.