Acts 18:4
New International Version
Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

New Living Translation
Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike.

English Standard Version
And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

Berean Standard Bible
Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.

Berean Literal Bible
And he was reasoning in the synagogue on every Sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks.

King James Bible
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

New King James Version
And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

New American Standard Bible
And Paul was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

NASB 1995
And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

NASB 1977
And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks.

Amplified Bible
And he reasoned and debated in the synagogue every Sabbath, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks;

Christian Standard Bible
He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade both Jews and Greeks.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade both Jews and Greeks.

American Standard Version
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.

Contemporary English Version
Every Sabbath, Paul went to the synagogue. He spoke to Jews and Gentiles and tried to win them over.

English Revised Version
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
On every day of worship, Paul would discuss [Scripture] in the synagogue. He tried to win over Jews and Greeks who had converted to Judaism.

Good News Translation
He held discussions in the synagogue every Sabbath, trying to convince both Jews and Greeks.

International Standard Version
Every Sabbath, he would speak in the synagogue, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks.

Majority Standard Bible
Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.

NET Bible
He addressed both Jews and Greeks in the synagogue every Sabbath, attempting to persuade them.

New Heart English Bible
He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

Weymouth New Testament
But, Sabbath after Sabbath, he preached in the synagogue and tried to win over both Jews and Greeks.

World English Bible
He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks.

Berean Literal Bible
And he was reasoning in the synagogue on every Sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks.

Young's Literal Translation
and he was reasoning in the synagogue every sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he discussed in the synagogue on every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, bringing in the name of the Lord Jesus; and he persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he was arguing in the synagogue on every Sabbath, introducing the name of the Lord Jesus. And he was persuading Jews and Greeks.

New American Bible
Every sabbath, he entered into discussions in the synagogue, attempting to convince both Jews and Greeks.

New Revised Standard Version
Every sabbath he would argue in the synagogue and would try to convince Jews and Greeks.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he spoke in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the pagans.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he was speaking in the synagogue on every Sabbath and was persuading the Jews and the Pagans.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But on every sabbath, he reasoned in the synagogue, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

Godbey New Testament
And he spoke in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

Haweis New Testament
and he discoursed in the synagogue every sabbath-day, and persuaded both the Jews and the Greek proselytes.

Mace New Testament
and try'd to gain upon the Jews and the Greek proselytes:

Weymouth New Testament
But, Sabbath after Sabbath, he preached in the synagogue and tried to win over both Jews and Greeks.

Worrell New Testament
And he was reasoning in the synagogue every sabbath, and was persuading Jews and Greeks.

Worsley New Testament
And he discoursed in the synagogue every sabbath-day, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
3and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike. 5And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.…

Cross References
Acts 17:2-3
As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, / explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared.

Acts 19:8
Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.

Acts 13:14-16
And from Perga, they traveled inland to Pisidian Antioch, where they entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and sat down. / After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.” / Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who fear God, listen to me!

Acts 14:1
At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue, where they spoke so well that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.

Acts 9:20
Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.”

Acts 17:17
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day.

Acts 28:23
So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

Acts 13:5
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. And John was with them as their helper.

Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.

1 Corinthians 9:20
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law.

Luke 4:16
Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read,

Mark 1:21
Then Jesus and His companions went to Capernaum, and right away Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.

John 18:20
“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.

Matthew 4:23
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

Isaiah 56:7
I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”


Treasury of Scripture

And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

he.

Acts 13:14
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

Acts 14:1
And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

Acts 17:1-3,11,17
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: …

persuaded.

Acts 18:13
Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

Acts 13:43
Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

Acts 19:26
Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

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Argued Discussions Faith Greeks Jews Persuade Persuaded Persuading Preached Reasoned Reasoning Sabbath Synagogue Tried Trying Turning Win
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Argued Discussions Faith Greeks Jews Persuade Persuaded Persuading Preached Reasoned Reasoning Sabbath Synagogue Tried Trying Turning Win
Acts 18
1. Paul labors with his hands, and preaches at Corinth to the Gentiles.
9. The Lord encourages him in a vision.
12. He is accused before Gallio the deputy, but is dismissed.
18. Afterwards passing from city to city, he strengthens the disciples.
24. Apollos, being instructed by Aquila and Priscilla, preaches Christ boldly.














Every Sabbath
Paul's practice of attending the synagogue every Sabbath highlights his commitment to reaching the Jewish community first, as was his custom (Acts 17:2). The Sabbath, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening, was a time when Jews gathered for worship and teaching, providing Paul with a ready audience familiar with the Scriptures.

he reasoned in the synagogue
Paul's method of reasoning indicates a dialogical approach, engaging in discussions and debates. This was a common practice in synagogues, where the Scriptures were read and interpreted. Paul's reasoning would have involved explaining and proving that Jesus is the Messiah, using the Hebrew Scriptures as his foundation (Acts 17:3).

trying to persuade
The term "persuade" suggests that Paul's efforts were not merely informational but aimed at convincing his listeners to accept Jesus as the Messiah. This reflects the apostolic mission to make disciples by appealing to both the mind and heart, urging a response of faith and repentance.

Jews and Greeks alike
Paul's audience in the synagogue included both Jews and God-fearing Greeks. The presence of Greeks indicates the influence of Hellenistic culture and the openness of some Gentiles to Jewish teachings. This aligns with the broader mission to bring the gospel to all nations, as seen in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). The inclusion of Greeks also foreshadows the expanding reach of the gospel beyond Jewish boundaries, fulfilling prophecies of the Messiah being a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:6).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who is central to this passage, known for his missionary journeys and efforts to spread the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles.

2. Synagogue
A Jewish place of worship and community gathering where Paul often began his ministry in a new city.

3. Jews
The primary audience in the synagogue, who were familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures and awaited the Messiah.

4. Greeks
Non-Jews who were also present in the synagogue, often referred to as God-fearers or proselytes, showing interest in the Jewish faith.

5. Corinth
The city where this event takes place, known for its diverse population and significant commercial activity.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Reasoning in Faith
Paul’s method of reasoning in the synagogue highlights the importance of engaging the mind in matters of faith. Christians are encouraged to understand and articulate their beliefs clearly.

Cultural Engagement
Paul’s ministry to both Jews and Greeks demonstrates the need for cultural sensitivity and adaptability in sharing the Gospel. Believers should seek to understand and connect with diverse audiences.

Sabbath as an Opportunity for Ministry
Paul’s use of the Sabbath for teaching and persuasion suggests that believers should view regular gatherings as opportunities for ministry and outreach.

The Role of Persuasion in Evangelism
Paul’s efforts to persuade indicate that evangelism involves not just proclamation but also dialogue and persuasion, appealing to both the heart and mind.

Inclusivity of the Gospel
The presence of both Jews and Greeks in the synagogue underscores the inclusive nature of the Gospel message, which is for all people regardless of background.(4) He persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.--It is necessary to remind the reader that the latter word does not mean Greek-speaking Jews, or proselytes in the full sense of the word, but, as elsewhere (see Note on Acts 11:22), is used for those who were Gentiles by birth, and who, though worshipping in the synagogue, had not accepted circumcision.

(4) So far we have found reasons for the vow. But taken by itself, the vow would seem to have involved a continuous growth of hair rather than cropping it. How was that act connected with the vow? A probable answer to the question is found in the Apostle's language as to social customs in matters of this kind, in 1Corinthians 11:14. He condemns long hair as effeminate. But the Nazarite vow led to long hair as its natural consequence, and there was, therefore, the risk that while practising a rigorous austerity, he might seem to outside observers to be adopting an unmanly refinement. At Corinth men would, perhaps, know what his act meant, but in the regions to which he was now going it was wise to guard against the suspicion by a modification of the vow, such as Jewish law allowed.

Cenchreae was, as has been said, the eastern harbour of Corinth on the Saronic Gulf. Romans 16:1 indicates the existence of an organised Church there. The warm language of gratitude in which St. Paul speaks of Ph?be, the deaconess of the Church there, is best explained by supposing that she had ministered to him as such when he was suffering from bodily pain or infirmity, and this, in its turn, may afford another probable explanation of the vow.

Verse 4. - Jews and Greeks for the Jews and the Greeks, A.V. Observe again the influence of the synagogue upon the Greek population. Reasoned (see Acts 17:2, 17, note).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Every
πᾶν (pan)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

Sabbath
σάββατον (sabbaton)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4521: The Sabbath, a week.

he reasoned
Διελέγετο (Dielegeto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1256: To converse, address, preach, lecture; I argue, reason. Middle voice from dia and lego; to say thoroughly, i.e. Discuss.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

synagogue,
συναγωγῇ (synagōgē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4864: From sunago; an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish 'synagogue'; by analogy, a Christian church.

trying to persuade
ἔπειθέν (epeithen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3982: A primary verb; to convince; by analogy, to pacify or conciliate; reflexively or passively, to assent, to rely.

Jews
Ἰουδαίους (Ioudaious)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Greeks
Ἕλληνας (Hellēnas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1672: From Hellas; a Hellen or inhabitant of Hellas; by extension a Greek-speaking person, especially a non-Jew.

alike.
τε (te)
Conjunction
Strong's 5037: And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.


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