Section 18:18–22

Paul went to Ephesus, Caesarea, and Antioch

In this section, Paul stayed in Corinth for a while longer, then started his journey to Syria. He stopped in Ephesus but stayed only a short time. He then went to Caesarea. He made a brief visit to the believers in Jerusalem. Then he went to Antioch in Syria.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul went back to Antioch via Ephesus and Caesarea
-or-
Paul Returns to Antioch in Syria
-or-
The Return to Antioch (Good News Translation)

Paragraph 18:18–22

18:18a

quite some time: This phrase in Greek is literally “enough/many days.” It may have been a few weeks or a few months. For example:

many days (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
quite a while (God’s Word)

18:18b

saying goodbye: This clause in Greek is literally “having said goodbye to.” Paul left the brothers with proper farewells. For example:

took leave of (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
said good-bye to (New Living Translation (2004))

the brothers: This refers to believers, both men and women. See how you translated this word in 15:1 or 17:14.

18:18c

sailed for Syria: The tense on the Greek verb probably indicates that Paul began his journey to Syria at this time. The final destination of the journey was Syria. He stopped in Ephesus (18:19). For example:

set sail for Syria (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
started his journey by boat to Syria

Syria: This name refers to a Roman province. See how you spelled this word in 15:23.

18:18d

He had his head shaved: This clause refers to cutting Paul’s hair with scissors near the skin. For example:

he had his hair cut short (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

The Greek verb may indicate that Paul cut his own hair or that someone cut it for him. In some languages a word referring to the person cutting the hair must be supplied. For example:

he had ⌊someone⌋ cut his hair off
-or-
Paul cut off his hair (New Century Version)

Cenchrea: Cenchrea was a city on the east coast of Achaia. It is about ten kilometers (six miles) from Corinth. At Cenchrea Paul could find a ship headed east toward Syria.

18:18e

to keep a vow he had made: During the time of this kind of vow, the person did not cut his hair. The sign that the vow was complete was to cut his hair. In some languages a literal translation would not clearly explain why Paul cut his hair. For example:

because of a vow he had taken ⌊and now the vow was complete⌋

a vow he had made: The word vow refers to a solemn promise. Paul promised something to God. The verse does not say what the vow was. Other ways to translate this word are:

he had made a promise to God (New Century Version)
-or-
he had taken a solemn vow (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
he was under a vow (English Standard Version)

General Comment on 18:18b–e

Here the Berean Standard Bible has reordered the Greek clauses in order to put them in sequence. The New International Version follows the Greek order:

18bThen he left the brothers and sisters 18eand sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. 18cBefore he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae 18dbecause of a vow he had taken. (New International Version)

However, Paul had his hair cut off (18:18c) before sailing for Syria (18:18e). Also, Paul made the vow (18:18d) at least a month before he had his hair cut off (18:18c). In some languages following the order that the events occurred is necessary or more natural, as in the Berean Standard Bible. Here is another way to translate this:

⌊Some time before⌋ 18dhe had taken a vow. 18bHe left the brothers ⌊and went to⌋ 18cCenchrea. There he had his hair cut off to show the vow had ended. 18eThen he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.

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