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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_18:1-4
1After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. 2And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, 3and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. 4And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
Act_18:1 "he left Athens and went to Corinth" Corinth was 50 miles west of Athens on a narrow strip of land (isthmus). Paul was alone in Athens and even for a little while in Corinth (cf. Act_18:5). Paul had eye problems (thorn in the flesh, cf. 2 Corinthians 12). It was very hard for him to be alone.
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Act_18:2 "a Jew named Aquila. . .Priscilla" His wife, Priscilla, also called Prisca, is usually mentioned first (cf. Act_18:18; Act_18:26; 1Co_16:19; 2Ti_4:19), which was highly unusual in this patriarchal culture (see hyperlink at Act_2:17). Her name matches a wealthy Roman family name (gens Prisca). She is never said to be a Jew. What a great love story it would be if she were a wealthy Roman lady who fell in love with an itinerant Jewish tentmaker or leather worker! They befriended and worked together with Paul in that trade. They helped disciple Apollos.
▣ "recently" In A Translator's Handbook on the Acts of the Apostles, p. 347, Newman and Nida make an interesting point about this adverb, prosphatôs. Originally it means "freshly killed," but it came to be used metaphorically as "recent." This is a good example of how etymology is not always a good indication of meanings. Words must be understood in their contemporary and contextual setting. Many of the misinterpretations of the Bible come from the failure of the modern interpreter to recognize the ancient metaphorical or idiomatic usage.
▣ "having come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome" In Historia Contra Paganus 7.6.15, Orosius says the date of this edict was a.d. 49. Suetonius, in Life of Claudius 25.4, tells us that it was over rioting in the Jewish ghetto at the instigation of one Chrestus. The Romans confused Christus with Chrestus (cf. Tacitus, Annais 25:44:3). Dio Cassius in Histories 60.6, says the Jews were not expelled, but forbidden to practice their ancestral customs.
The participle, "having come," is perfect active participle, implying that the move was thought to be permanent or long term. Claudius' edict (command) is a perfect passive infinitive.
Act_18:3 "because he was of the same trade" This is usually thought to be tent-making, but the word can refer to leather working. Paul's rabbinical background demanded that he have a secular job or trade. No rabbi could take money for teaching. Cilicia, Paul's home area, was noted for its goat hair and skins.
Act_18:4 "he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath" Paul was active every Sabbath both "reasoning" and "trying to persuade" (these are both imperfect tense). Paul went to the Jews first because
1. it was Jesus' example (cf. Mat_10:5-6)
2. they knew the OT
3. the God-fearing Greeks there were generally responsive to his message (cf. Rom_1:16)
The synagogue developed during the Babylonian exile as a place of worship, education, and prayer. It was designed to foster and maintain Jewish culture.