Division 18:23–21:16
The third missionary journey
In this division Paul went on his third missionary journey. During that time Priscilla and Aquila instructed Apollos in the complete teachings of Jesus.
Section 18:23–28
Paul began his third journey and Apollos learned about Jesus’ way of saving people
In this section, Paul began his third missionary journey. About that time Apollos began preaching Jesus as the Christ. But he did not know all of the gospel. In particular, he did not know about the baptism that believers practiced. Priscilla and Aquila instructed Apollos in those teachings that he did not know. Then Apollos went to Achaia and helped the believers there.
Some English versions begin the new section at 18:24 instead of 18:23 because the story of Apollos begins there. But Paul began his journey in 18:23. Consider where would be the best place to start a new section.
Other examples of headings for this section are:
Third Missionary Journey (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
Paul went on his third missionary journey
-or-
Paul went to visit some of the churches and Apollos learned the rest of the gospel
Paragraph 18:23
18:23a
After Paul had spent some time in Antioch, he traveled from place to place: The Berean Standard Bible adds the phrase in Antioch to make it clear in this verse where Paul was. The word traveled refers to beginning a journey. For example:
After spending some time there he departed (Revised Standard Version)
18:23b
traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia: The Greek words here are literally “passing through in order the district/region of Galatia and Phrygia.” It indicates that Paul visited the towns in Galatia and Phrygia. He visited them one after the other. The phrase “in order” probably indicates that he visited every town that he had preached in before. He probably visited them in the same order that he visited them last time. Other ways to translate this clause are:
traveled through the region of Galatia and Phrygia visiting each church ⌊that he established⌋
-or-
traveled through the region of Galatia and Phrygia visiting each church ⌊in the same order that he went the last time⌋
the region of Galatia and Phrygia: Here this phrase probably refers to the region that included both Galatia and Phrygia. For example:
the Galatian and Phrygian lands
-or-
the areas of Galatia and Phrygia
18:23c
strengthening all the disciples: The word strengthening refers to helping the disciples to become stronger in their faith in Jesus. Other ways to translate this word are:
helped the followers there to become stronger in their faith (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
strengthened [ the faith of ] all the disciples (God’s Word)
-or-
strengthened the disciples’ ways of faith
-or-
helped the disciples to believe, ⌊love, and obey⌋ ⌊Jesus⌋ better
disciples: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples means “learners” who are in a relationship with a teacher. The learners commit themselves to their teacher in order to learn from him and live according to his teaching and example.
In some languages using the word disciples would imply the twelve disciples. If that is true in your language, you may want to use the more general word “believer.” See how you translated this word in 6:1 or 16:1.
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