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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_18:18-21
18Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brethren and put out to sea for Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. In Cenchrea he had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow. 19They came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, 21but taking leave of them and saying, "I will return to you again if God wills," he set sail from Ephesus.
Act_18:18 "Cenchrea" This was one of two seaports of Corinth. It was located on the Aegean Sea, on the east side of the narrow isthmus on which Corinth was located. It is mentioned again as the site of a church in Rom_16:1.
▣ "keeping a vow" This refers to a chronologically limited Nazarite vow described in Num_6:1-21 (cf. F. F. Bruce, Answers to Questions, p. 52). Paul does this again in Act_21:24 (see note there). The cutting or shaving of the head would denote the end of the vow.
Both A. T. Robertson and M. R. Vincent think this was not a Nazarite vow because it could only be terminated in Jerusalem according to Jewish custom. Paul did become all things to all men to win some (cf. 1Co_9:19-23). We can be sure this vow was for evangelism, not legalism! And, of course, there is always the possibility that it was Aquilla who shaved his head.
Act_18:19 "Ephesus" This was a large commercial city in western Asia Minor. After the harbor at Miletus was destroyed by silt from the Maeander River, the commercial trade moved up the coast to Ephesus, which also had a natural harbor. By the NT period the best days of Ephesus had passed. It was still a large and influential city, but nothing like its past glory.
1. It was the largest city of the Roman province of Asia Minor. It was not the capital, though the Roman governor lived there. It was a commercial center because of it excellent natural harbor.
2. It was a free city, which allowed it to have local government and much freedom, including no garrison of Roman soldiers.
3. It was the only city which was allowed to hold the bi-annual Asian games.
4. It was the site of the Temple to Artemis (Diana in Latin), which was one of the seven wonders of the world of its day. It was 425' x 220' with 127 columns, which were 60' tall; 86 of them were overlaid with gold (see Pliny's Hist. Nat. 36:95ff). The image of Artemis was thought to have been a meteor which resembled a many-breasted female figure. This meant that there were many cultic prostitutes present in the city (cf. Acts 19). It was a very immoral, multi- cultural city.
5. Paul stayed in this city more than three years (cf. Act_18:18 ff; Act_20:13).
6. Tradition asserts that it became John's home after Mary' death in Palestine.
▣ "he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews" Paul loved his people (cf. Rom_9:1-5). He tried without fail to reach them with and for the gospel.
Act_18:20 These Jews were like the Bereans. They were willing to listen. Why Paul was unwilling to stay is not stated in the text, but in Act_18:21 it shows he was willing to return at God's direction at a later date.
Act_18:21 "I will return to you again if God wills" Paul believed his life was in God's hands, not his own (cf. Rom_1:10; Rom_15:32; 1Co_4:19; 1Co_16:7). This is the biblical worldview (cf. Heb_6:3; Jas_4:15; 1Pe_3:17). Paul will return and Ephesus will become his major focus on the third missionary journey.