Paragraph 18:27–28
18:27a–c
When Apollos resolved to cross over to Achaia…he was a great help to those who by grace had believed: The context implies that Apollos resolved to cross over to Achaia in order to help the believers. In some languages a literal translation would not have that meaning. If that is true in your language, clearly indicate that the purpose of the trip was to help the believers. For example:
When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia ⌊to help⌋ those who by grace had believed.…he was a great help to them
18:27a
cross over to Achaia: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cross over probably means “go over to the other side” here. Achaia was across the Aegean Sea from Ephesus. For example:
cross to Achaia (Revised Standard Version)
brothers: This word refers to believers, both men and women. See how you translated this word in 18:18.
encouraged him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as encouraged refers to urging someone to do something. Here the believers urged Apollos to go to Achaia, which he wanted to do. Other ways to translate this word are:
urged him ⌊to do that/so⌋
-or-
agreed that he ⌊should go⌋
-or-
said, “Yes, go!”
18:27b
disciples: This word refers to the believers in Achaia. See how you translated this word in 18:23.
welcome him: Here the word welcome includes the meaning of “receive favorably.” The believers in Ephesus wanted the believers in Achaia to accept Apollos as a believer and a good teacher, as well as allow him to teach. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
receive him (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
make him welcome (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
accept him (New Century Version)
18:27c
On his arrival: The context implies that Apollos left Ephesus and now arrived in Achaia. For example:
On his arrival ⌊there⌋
-or-
When he arrived ⌊in Achaia⌋
he was a great help to those who by grace had believed: There are two ways to interpret what the phrase by grace connects to:
(1) It connects to had believed. For example:
he greatly helped those who through grace had believed (Revised Standard Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Good News Translation, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version, English Standard Version, King James Version)
(2) It connects to help. For example:
he was able by God’s grace to help the believers considerably (New Jerusalem Bible)
(New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the phrase is next to that verb.
a great help: Apollos probably helped the believers to be strong in faith, to be better prepared to tell others about Jesus, and to respond well to people who criticized them.
those who by grace had believed: This phrase is true for all believers. Here it refers to the believers in Achaia.
The word by indicates that God’s grace enabled these people to believe. For example:
everyone who had put their faith in the Lord Jesus because of God’s kindness (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
those who believed by God’s ⌊freely given⌋ favor
-or-
⌊believers, namely,⌋ everyone who believes because God gave the gift ⌊of faith⌋ to them
by grace: The word grace refers here to God’s kindness, favor, or blessing. God does things for people because he wants to and not because they earned it. He showed this grace to the believers by giving them the ability to believe in Jesus. The ability to believe is a gift. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
God’s kindness (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
God’s ⌊freely given⌋ favor
-or-
God was good/kind to them
See how you translated this word in 15:11.
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