The Meaning of Acts 18:26 Explained

Acts 18:26

KJV: And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

YLT: this one also began to speak boldly in the synagogue, and Aquilas and Priscilla having heard of him, took him to them, and did more exactly expound to him the way of God,

Darby: And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. And Aquila and Priscilla, having heard him, took him to them and unfolded to him the way of God more exactly.

ASV: and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more accurately.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  he  began  to speak boldly  in  the synagogue:  whom  when  Aquila  and  Priscilla  had heard,  they took  him  unto [them], and  expounded  unto him  the way  of God  more perfectly. 

What does Acts 18:26 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Luke named Priscilla here before her husband. He did not explain the reason for this unusual order in the text. [1] This couple wisely took Apollos aside and privately instructed him in subsequent revelations about "the way of God" (i.e, the gospel) that he did not know.
"Before the encounter with Aquila and Priscilla, it is best to regard Apollos in the same class as OT saints. They too hoped for salvation in Messiah and had not rejected him. The entire Book of Acts depicts the transition from Judaism to Christianity. It is not surprising, therefore, to find imperfect forms of faith during those epochal days." [2]
Another possibility is that Apollos was a New Testament Christian who had not yet learned as much as Priscilla and Aquila had about their faith.
Priscilla and Aquila were an outstanding couple who give evidence of having a strong marriage. They always appear together on the pages of Scripture. They were selfless and brave and even risked their own lives for Paul ( Romans 16:4). They were hospitable and hosted a church in their home ( 1 Corinthians 16:19), and they were flexible, as seen in their moving twice ( Acts 18:2; Acts 18:18). They worked together as leather-workers ( Acts 18:3). They were committed to Christ and to teaching others about Him, which their instruction of Apollos illustrates.
"It is a needed and delicate task, this thing of teaching gifted young ministers. They do not learn it all in schools. More of it comes from contact with men and women rich in grace and in the knowledge of God"s ways." [3]

Context Summary

Acts 18:18-28 - New Helpers In The Gospel
In unimportant matters Paul was still amenable to Hebrew customs and rites, Acts 18:18. Probably he desired to conciliate his Judaizing opponents so far as he could without surrendering vital principles. He took his new-found friends with him to Ephesus. Though none of them realized it, there was important work awaiting them in that mighty city. The plans of Apostles, and of ordinary travelers as well, must be subordinated to the divine will. See 1 Corinthians 4:19; James 4:15.
Apollos combined the eloquence of the Greek with the religious instinct of the Jew. A student from the great university at Alexandria, a convert to the gospel, deeply conversant with the Old Testament, gifted with marvelous eloquence, he was a strong ally of the Christian forces of his age. But he needed to know of the death, resurrection, and ascended power of Christ, and to experience the Pentecostal gift. Into all these he was led by Aquila and Priscilla. How wonderful is that holy wisdom which the Spirit of God gives to simple and humble believers, so that they can become teachers of men who are intellectually their superiors! [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for Acts 18:26

They took him unto them [προσελαβοντο]
Second aorist middle (indirect) indicative of προσλαμβανω — proslambanō old verb, to their home and heart as companion (cf. the rabbis and the ruffians in Acts 17:5). Probably for dinner after service. [source]
Expounded [εχετεντο]
Second aorist (effective) middle indicative of εκτιτημι — ektithēmi seen already in Acts 11:4, to set forth. More carefully (ακριβεστερον — akribesteron). Comparative adverb of ακριβως — akribōs More accurately than he already knew. Instead of abusing the young and brilliant preacher for his ignorance they (particularly Priscilla) gave him the fuller story of the life and work of Jesus and of the apostolic period to fill up the gaps in his knowledge. It is a needed and delicate task, this thing of teaching gifted young ministers. They do not learn it all in schools. More of it comes from contact with men and women rich in grace and in the knowledge of God‘s ways. He was not rebaptized, but only received fuller information. [source]
More carefully [ακριβεστερον]
Comparative adverb of ακριβως — akribōs More accurately than he already knew. Instead of abusing the young and brilliant preacher for his ignorance they (particularly Priscilla) gave him the fuller story of the life and work of Jesus and of the apostolic period to fill up the gaps in his knowledge. It is a needed and delicate task, this thing of teaching gifted young ministers. They do not learn it all in schools. More of it comes from contact with men and women rich in grace and in the knowledge of God‘s ways. He was not rebaptized, but only received fuller information. [source]
More perfectly [ἀκριβέστερον]
The comparative of the same word. More accurately. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 18:26

Acts 22:3 According to the perfect manner [κατὰ ἀκρίβειαν]
Lit., according to the strictness. See on perfect understanding, Luke 1:3; and diligently, Acts 18:25. Compare, also, Acts 18:26; Acts 26:5. [source]
Acts 11:4 Expounded [εχετιτετο]
Imperfect middle of εκτιτημι — ektithēmi to set forth, old verb, but in the N.T. only in Acts (Acts 7:21; Acts 11:4; Acts 18:26; Acts 28:23), a deliberate and detailed narrative “in order” Old word for in succession. In the N.T. only in Luke 1:2; Luke 8:1; Acts 3:24; Acts 11:14; Acts 18:23. Luke evidently considered this defence of Peter important and he preserves the marks of authenticity. It came originally from Peter himself (Acts 11:5, Acts 10:30-32 Acts 11:15, Acts 11:16). “The case of Cornelius was a test case of primary importance” (Page), “the first great difficulty of the early Church.” Part of the story Luke gives three times (Acts 10:3-6, Acts 11:6,; Acts 11:13.). See the discussion chapter 10 for details given here. [source]
Acts 18:3 Because he was of the same trade [δια το ομοτεχνον ειναι]
Same construction with δια — dia as above. ομοτεχνον — Homotechnon is an old word Late word from ποιεω — skēnē and εμενεν — poieō here only in the N.T. They made portable tents of leather or of cloth of goat‘s hair. So Paul lived in this home with this noble man and his wife, all the more congenial if already Christians which they soon became at any rate. They worked as partners in the common trade. Paul worked for his support elsewhere, already in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8) and later at Ephesus with Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:18, Acts 18:26; Acts 20:34; 1 Corinthians 16:19). They moved again to Rome (Romans 16:3) and were evidently a couple of considerable wealth and generosity. It was a blessing to Paul to find himself with these people. So he “abode” (ηργαζοντο — emenen imperfect active) with them and “they wrought” (ērgazonto imperfect middle), happy and busy during week days. [source]
Acts 19:8 Spake boldly [επαρρησιαζετο]
Imperfect middle, kept on at it for three months. Cf. same word in Acts 18:26. [source]
Acts 28:2 Showed us [παρειχαν]
Imperfect active of παρεχω — parechō with αν — ̇an instead of ον — ̇on as ειχαν — eichan in Mark 8:7 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 339). It was their habit on this occasion, Luke means, they kept on showing. No common kindness (ου την τυχουσαν πιλαντρωπιαν — ou tēn tuchousan philanthrōpian). The old word πιλαντρωπια — philanthrōpia (πιλος — philos αντρωπος — anthrōpos), love of mankind, occurs in the N.T. only here and Titus 3:4 (adverb in Acts 27:3). See note on Acts 19:11 for this use of ου την τυχουσαν — ou tēn tuchousan “not the kindness that happens every day.” They were not “wreckers” to take advantage of the calamity. They kindled a fire The only N.T. example and Acts 28:3 of the old word πυρα — pura (from πυρ — pur fire), a pile of burning fuel (sticks). First aorist active participle of απτω — haptō to set fire to, to kindle. Cf. αναπτω — anaptō in Luke 12:49. Received us all (προσελαβοντο παντας ημας — proselabonto pantas hēmās). Second aorist middle (indirect indicative of προσλαμβανω — proslambanō They took us all to themselves (cf. Acts 18:26). The present Second perfect active participle (intransitive) of επιστημι — ephistēmi “the rain that stood upon them” (the pouring rain). Only in Luke and Paul in N.T. [source]
Acts 28:2 They kindled a fire [απσαντες πυραν]
The only N.T. example and Acts 28:3 of the old word πυρα — pura (from πυρ — pur fire), a pile of burning fuel (sticks). First aorist active participle of απτω — haptō to set fire to, to kindle. Cf. αναπτω — anaptō in Luke 12:49. Received us all (προσελαβοντο παντας ημας — proselabonto pantas hēmās). Second aorist middle (indirect indicative of προσλαμβανω — proslambanō They took us all to themselves (cf. Acts 18:26). The present Second perfect active participle (intransitive) of επιστημι — ephistēmi “the rain that stood upon them” (the pouring rain). Only in Luke and Paul in N.T. [source]
Acts 28:2 Received us all [προσελαβοντο παντας ημας]
Second aorist middle (indirect indicative of προσλαμβανω — proslambanō They took us all to themselves (cf. Acts 18:26). [source]
Acts 28:23 In great number [πλειονες]
Comparative of πολυς — polus “more than a few.” Expounded (εχετιτετο — exetitheto). Imperfect middle of εκτιτημι — ektithēmi to set forth, as in Acts 11:4; Acts 18:26. He did it with detail and care and spent all day at it, “from morning till evening” (απο πρωι εως εσπερας — apo prōi heōs hesperas). In N.T. only here, Acts 4:3 and Luke 24:29, though common word. Persuading them concerning Jesus Conative present active participle, trying to persuade. It was only about Jesus that he could make good his claim concerning the hope of Israel (Acts 28:20). It was Paul‘s great opportunity. So he appealed both to Moses and to the prophets for proof as it was his custom to do. [source]
Acts 28:23 Expounded [εχετιτετο]
Imperfect middle of εκτιτημι — ektithēmi to set forth, as in Acts 11:4; Acts 18:26. He did it with detail and care and spent all day at it, “from morning till evening” In N.T. only here, Acts 4:3 and Luke 24:29, though common word. [source]
Romans 16:3 Prisca and Aquila []
Priscilla is the diminutive of Prisca. See Acts 18:2, Acts 18:18, Acts 18:26; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19. It is argued by some that Aquila and Priscilla must have been at Ephesus at this time, since they were there when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 16:19, and again when he wrote 2 Timothy 4:19. “It is strange to find them settled at Rome with a church in their house between these two dates” (Farrar). But, as Bishop Lightfoot remarks (“Commentary on Philippians,” p. 176), “As Rome was their headquarters, and they had been driven thence by an imperial edict (Acts 18:2), it is natural enough that they should have returned thither as soon as it was convenient and safe to do so. The year which elapses between the two notices, allows ample time for them to transfer themselves from Ephesus to Rome, and for the apostle to hear of their return to their old abode.” Notice that the name of Priscilla precedes that of her husband. So Acts 18:2. Probably she was the more prominent of the two in christian activity. [source]
Romans 16:3 Prisca and Aquila [Πρισκαν και Ακυλαν]
This order always (Acts 18:18, Acts 18:26; 2 Timothy 4:19, and here) save in Acts 18:2; 1 Corinthians 16:19, showing that Prisca was the more prominent. Priscilla is a diminutive of Prisca, a name for women in the Acilian gens. She may have been a noble Roman lady, but her husband was a Jew of Pontus and a tent-maker by trade. They were driven from Rome by Claudius, came to Corinth, then to Ephesus, then back to Rome, and again to Ephesus. They were good travelling Christians. My fellow-workers (τους συνεργους μου — tous sunergous mou). Both in tent-making and in Christian service in Corinth and Ephesus. [source]
2 Timothy 4:19 Prisca and Aquila []
They appear in Corinth, Acts 18:2, Acts 18:3; in Ephesus, Acts 18:18, Acts 18:26; 1 Corinthians 16:19. [source]
Philemon 1:17 Receive him as myself [προσλαβου αυτον ως εμε]
“Take him to thyself (indirect second aorist middle of προσλαμβανω — proslambanō as in Acts 18:26) as myself.” Surpassing delicacy and consummate tact. These words sound the death-knell of human slavery wherever the spirit of Christ is allowed to have its way. It has been a long and hard fight to break the shackles of human bondage even in Christian countries and there are still millions of slaves in pagan and Mohammedan lands. Paul wrote these words with wisdom and courage and sincerity. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 18:26 mean?

He then began to speak boldly in the synagogue Having heard however him Priscilla and Aquila they took to [them] him more accurately to him expounded the way of God
οὗτός τε ἤρξατο παρρησιάζεσθαι ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ ἀκούσαντες δὲ αὐτοῦ Πρίσκιλλα καὶ Ἀκύλας προσελάβοντο αὐτὸν ἀκριβέστερον αὐτῷ ἐξέθεντο τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ

ἤρξατο  began 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἄρχω  
Sense: to be the first to do (anything), to begin.
παρρησιάζεσθαι  to  speak  boldly 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Root: παρρησιάζομαι  
Sense: to use freedom in speaking, be free spoken.
συναγωγῇ  synagogue 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: συναγωγή  
Sense: a bringing together, gathering (as of fruits), a contracting.
ἀκούσαντες  Having  heard 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
Πρίσκιλλα  Priscilla 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: Πρίσκιλλα  
Sense: a Christian woman, the wife of Aquila.
Ἀκύλας  Aquila 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἀκύλας  
Sense: a Jew of Pontus, a tent maker convert to Christ, companion and ally of Paul in propagating Christianity.
προσελάβοντο  they  took  to  [them] 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Plural
Root: προσαναλαμβάνω 
Sense: to take to, take in addition, to take to one’s self.
ἀκριβέστερον  more  accurately 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular, Comparative
Root: ἀκριβῶς  
Sense: exactly, accurately, diligently.
αὐτῷ  to  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἐξέθεντο  expounded 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἐκτίθημι  
Sense: to place or set out, put outside, expose.
ὁδὸν  way 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ὁδός 
Sense: properly.
Θεοῦ  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.