Acts 18:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →After many more days in Corinth, Paul sails for Syria with Priscilla and Aquila, first shearing his head at Cenchrea because he had taken a vow.
What Does Acts 18:18 Mean?
The promised protection held: Paul stays on a good while before taking leave of the believers. At Cenchrea, Corinth's eastern port, he cuts his hair to mark a vow, a practice like the vow of dedication in Numbers 6, in which uncut hair marked a season set apart for God.
Luke does not tell us what the vow was; gratitude for God's keeping in Corinth fits the story well. The apostle of grace saw no contradiction in binding himself with a solemn act of devotion. Thanksgiving wants form as well as feeling, and a promise made and kept to God is one of the oldest shapes that love for Him takes.
Acts 18:18 in the Original Language
euche (εὐχή), 'vow' -- a voluntary promise of devotion made to God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 18:18
What does Acts 18:18 mean?
After many more days in Corinth, Paul sails for Syria with Priscilla and Aquila, first shearing his head at Cenchrea because he had taken a vow.