Acts 18:18-23

Paul stayed on in Corinth. This may be included in the year and a half (Acts 18:11). The point is that he was not forced to leave the area by what the Jews were doing. Then left them and sailed off. Heading back to Antioch in Syria, to the "parent church" that sent him out. Before sailing he made a vow. Cenchreae was the eastern harbor of Corinth, where shipping for the East arrived and departed. Jews often made vows for personal reasons. Why Paul did this just now, we do not know. It could be that it was part of some custom which would help him reach his Jewish people with the gospel (compare Acts 21:24). They arrived in Ephesus. On the coast of the Roman province of Asia. He went into the synagogue. As he always did. Compare note on Acts 17:2. They seemed to be interested in what he said, but he could not stay. If it is the will of God. See James 4:13-17. Paul was making a hurried trip to Jerusalem, perhaps for the feast of Pentecost. He did return (Acts 19:1). He sailed from Ephesus to Caesarea, then traveled some seventy miles inland to Jerusalem. And greeted the church. We are told nothing else about this visit. This would be his fourth visit to Jerusalem since becoming a Christian (Acts 9:26; Acts 11:30; Acts 12:25). It could be that he made this fourth visit to complete a vow (Acts 18:18). Then went to Antioch. The "parent church" of the Gentile Christians. He did not stay long, but started his third tour of missions.