The Meaning of Acts 18:9 Explained

Acts 18:9

KJV: Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

YLT: And the Lord said through a vision in the night to Paul, 'Be not afraid, but be speaking and thou mayest be not silent;

Darby: And the Lord said by vision in the night to Paul, Fear not, but speak and be not silent;

ASV: And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then  spake  the Lord  to Paul  in  the night  by  a vision,  Be  not  afraid  {5737}, but  speak,  and  hold  not  thy peace: 

What does Acts 18:9 Mean?

Context Summary

Acts 18:1-17 - A Great Ministry In A Great City
Paul tells us, in 1 Corinthians 2:1-4, that he entered Corinth with fear and trembling and made no effort to attract by human wisdom or eloquence. From the first he preached "Christ and Him crucified."
Similarity in trade discovered friends who were to be of the utmost assistance; nothing in our life may be attributed to chance. Sitting at their common toils, he won them for Christ.
Constrained in spirit, Acts 18:5, r.v. The heart of the Apostle yearned with irrepressible desire. He was weary of forbearing. God's word was as a fire in his bones. The guilty city appealed to him and tugged at his heartstrings. So Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Do we participate in this soul anguish? Are our hands free of the blood of men? Are we prepared to suffer if only we may save others?
Gallio was a typical man of the world, intent upon matters of law and order, philosophical and cultured. But when questions of religion were in debate, he was absolutely indifferent. How vast the contrast between him and Paul! [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 18:9

Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace [Μη ποβου αλλα λαλει και μη σιωπησηις]
Literally, “stop being afraid (ποβεω — mē with present middle imperative of λαλεω — phobeō), but go on speaking (present active imperative of μη — laleō) and do not become silent (σιωπαω — mē and first aorist active of siōpaō ingressive aorist).” Evidently there were signs of a gathering storm before this vision and message from the Lord Jesus came to Paul one night. Paul knew only too well what Jewish hatred could do as he had learned it at Damascus, Jerusalem, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Thessalonica, Beroea. He had clearly moments of doubt whether he had not better move on or become silent for a while in Corinth. Every pastor knows what it is to have such moods and moments. In 2 Thessalonians 3:2 (written at this time) we catch Paul‘s dejection of spirits. He was like Elijah (1 Kings 19:4) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 15:15.). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 18:9

Acts 23:11 The Lord [ο κυριος]
Jesus. Paul never needed Jesus more than now. On a previous occasion the whole church prayed for Peter‘s release (Acts 12:5), but Paul clearly had no such grip on the church as that, though he had been kindly welcomed (Acts 21:18). In every crisis Jesus appears to him (cf. Acts 18:9). It looked dark for Paul till Jesus spoke. Once before in Jerusalem Jesus spoke words of cheer (Acts 22:18). Then he was told to leave Jerusalem. Now he is to have “cheer” or “courage” Jesus used this very word to others (Matthew 9:2, Matthew 9:22; Mark 10:49). It is a brave word. Thou hast testified (διεμαρτυρω — diemarturō). First aorist middle indicative second person singular of διαμαρτυρομαι — diamarturomai strong word (See note on Acts 22:18). Must thou That is the needed word and on this Paul leans. His hopes (Acts 19:21) of going to Rome will not be in vain. He can bide Christ‘s time now. And Jesus has approved his witness in Jerusalem. [source]
Acts 26:16 Have I appeared unto thee [ωπτην σοι]
First aorist passive indicative of οραω — horaō See Luke 22:43. To appoint thee (procheirisasthai se). See note on Acts 22:14 for this verb. Both of the things wherein thou hast seen me The reading ων τε οπτησομαι σοι — me (not in all MSS.) makes it the object of ων — eides (didst see) and α — hōn is genitive of τουτων — ha (accusative of general reference) attracted to the case of the unexpressed antecedent εκεινων — toutōn Paul is thus a personal eyewitness of the Risen Christ (Luke 1:1; 1 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Corinthians 9:1). And of the things wherein I will appear unto thee (οπτησομαι — hōn te ophthēsomai soi). Here again οραω — hōn is genitive of the accusative (general reference) relative απεκριτην — ha attracted to the case of the antecedent εποβητην — toutōn or ekeinōn as before. But ophthēsomai is first future passive of horaō and cannot be treated as active or middle. Page takes it to mean “the visions in which I shall be seen by you,” the passive form bringing out the agency of God. See those in Acts 18:9; Acts 23:11; 2 Corinthians 12:2. The passive voice, however, like apekrithēn and ephobēthēn did become sometimes transitive in the Koiné{[28928]}š (Robertson, Grammar, p. 819). [source]
Acts 26:16 And of the things wherein I will appear unto thee [οπτησομαι]
Here again οραω — hōn is genitive of the accusative (general reference) relative απεκριτην — ha attracted to the case of the antecedent εποβητην — toutōn or ekeinōn as before. But ophthēsomai is first future passive of horaō and cannot be treated as active or middle. Page takes it to mean “the visions in which I shall be seen by you,” the passive form bringing out the agency of God. See those in Acts 18:9; Acts 23:11; 2 Corinthians 12:2. The passive voice, however, like apekrithēn and ephobēthēn did become sometimes transitive in the Koiné{[28928]}š (Robertson, Grammar, p. 819). [source]
Acts 26:16 Both of the things wherein thou hast seen me [προχειρισασται σε]
The reading ων τε οπτησομαι σοι — me (not in all MSS.) makes it the object of ων — eides (didst see) and α — hōn is genitive of τουτων — ha (accusative of general reference) attracted to the case of the unexpressed antecedent εκεινων — toutōn Paul is thus a personal eyewitness of the Risen Christ (Luke 1:1; 1 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Corinthians 9:1). And of the things wherein I will appear unto thee (οπτησομαι — hōn te ophthēsomai soi). Here again οραω — hōn is genitive of the accusative (general reference) relative απεκριτην — ha attracted to the case of the antecedent εποβητην — toutōn or ekeinōn as before. But ophthēsomai is first future passive of horaō and cannot be treated as active or middle. Page takes it to mean “the visions in which I shall be seen by you,” the passive form bringing out the agency of God. See those in Acts 18:9; Acts 23:11; 2 Corinthians 12:2. The passive voice, however, like apekrithēn and ephobēthēn did become sometimes transitive in the Koiné{[28928]}š (Robertson, Grammar, p. 819). [source]
1 Corinthians 9:1 Seen Jesus []
See 1 Corinthians 15:8; Acts 9:17; Acts 18:9; Acts 22:17, Acts 22:18; 2 Corinthians 12:1sqq. Compare Acts 22:14. [source]
1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not an apostle? [ουκ ειμι αποστολοσ]
He has the exceptional privileges as an apostle to support from the churches and yet he foregoes these. Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? (ουχι Ιησουν τον Κυριον ημων εορακα — ouchi Iēsoun ton Kurion hēmōn heoraka̱). Proof (1 Corinthians 15:8; Acts 9:17, Acts 9:27; Acts 18:9; Acts 22:14, Acts 22:17.; 2 Corinthians 12:1.) that he has the qualification of an apostle (Acts 1:22) though not one of the twelve. Note strong form of the negative ουχι — ouchi here. All these questions expect an affirmative answer. The perfect active εορακα — heoraka from οραω — horaō to see, does not here have double reduplication as in John 1:18.Are not ye? They were themselves proof of his apostleship. [source]
1 Corinthians 9:1 Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? [ουχι Ιησουν τον Κυριον ημων εορακα]
Proof (1 Corinthians 15:8; Acts 9:17, Acts 9:27; Acts 18:9; Acts 22:14, Acts 22:17.; 2 Corinthians 12:1.) that he has the qualification of an apostle (Acts 1:22) though not one of the twelve. Note strong form of the negative ουχι — ouchi here. All these questions expect an affirmative answer. The perfect active εορακα — heoraka from οραω — horaō to see, does not here have double reduplication as in John 1:18. [source]
2 Corinthians 12:1 Visions [οπτασιας]
Late word from οπταζω — optazō See Luke 1:22; note on Acts 26:19. Revelations of the Lord (apokalupseis Kuriou). Unveilings (from apokaluptō as in Revelation 1:1). See note on 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 14:26. Paul had both repeated visions of Christ (Acts 9:3; Acts 16:9; Acts 18:9; Acts 22:17; Acts 27:23.) and revelations. He claimed to speak by direct revelation (1 Corinthians 11:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Galatians 1:12; Ephesians 3:3, etc.). [source]
2 Corinthians 12:1 Revelations of the Lord [apokalupseis Kuriou)]
Unveilings (from apokaluptō as in Revelation 1:1). See note on 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 14:26. Paul had both repeated visions of Christ (Acts 9:3; Acts 16:9; Acts 18:9; Acts 22:17; Acts 27:23.) and revelations. He claimed to speak by direct revelation (1 Corinthians 11:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Galatians 1:12; Ephesians 3:3, etc.). [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 18:9 mean?

Said now the Lord in [the] night through a vision - to Paul Not fear but continue speaking and be silent
Εἶπεν δὲ Κύριος ἐν νυκτὶ δι’ ὁράματος τῷ Παύλῳ Μὴ φοβοῦ ἀλλὰ λάλει καὶ σιωπήσῃς

Εἶπεν  Said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
Κύριος  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
ἐν  in  [the] 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐν 
Sense: in, by, with etc.
νυκτὶ  night 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: νύξ  
Sense: night.
δι’  through 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
ὁράματος  a  vision 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: ὅραμα  
Sense: that which is seen, spectacle.
τῷ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Παύλῳ  to  Paul 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: Παῦλος  
Sense: Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 4 Pauline epistles.
φοβοῦ  fear 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Singular
Root: φοβέομαι 
Sense: to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away).
λάλει  continue  speaking 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἀπολαλέω 
Sense: to utter a voice or emit a sound.
σιωπήσῃς  be  silent 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: σιωπάω  
Sense: to be silent, hold one’s peace.