Acts 19:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

NIV: Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.

NASB: And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, having discussions and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

CSB: Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, arguing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

NLT: Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God.

KJV: And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

NKJV: And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.

Paul is in Ephesus, a large city on the western coast of modern-day Turkey. He had visited before for a very short time; the members of the synagogue had wanted him to stay, but he had to leave for Judea (Acts 18:19–21). Now he returns.

He has already met twelve men who were devoted followers of John the Baptist. After Paul explains that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah John prophesied, the men accept Jesus' offer of salvation, are baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1–7). When Paul returns to the synagogue, he has the beginning of a church (Acts 19:9).

"Reasoning" is from the Greek root word dialegomai. It means to ponder one or more ideas and to discuss to determine what is right. "Persuading" is from the Greek root word peithō. Persuasion uses the arguments of reason as part of a holistic discourse to get people to think what you want them to think. People are rarely persuaded by bare facts. They also need to know how the issue impacts them, the character of the speaker, and how the issue and the argument make them feel. In matters that are spiritual, the Holy Spirit is important: for convicting other people of biblical truth and helping us rightly determine what is true (John 16:8; 14:26).

Jesus spoke extensively about the "kingdom of God." He described it as evidence of God and His work in the world. When He cast out demons, people saw the kingdom of God (Matthew 12:28). When people listened to Jesus' offer of salvation and didn't let the world deafen them, they experienced the kingdom of God (Mark 4:1–9). Those who understood the kingdom of God included repentant tax collectors and prostitutes (Matthew 21:31), those who sacrificed to follow God (Mark 9:47), and trusting children (Mark 10:14–15). The kingdom of God includes the end of the Law and the offer of salvation through the work of Christ (Luke 16:16). Those who have put their faith in Christ belong to the kingdom of God (Philippians 3:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17–21). They strive to obey God as a response to His grace, not a way to earn salvation (Philippians 2:12–13).

Acts 19:8–10 gives a quick synopsis of Paul's ministry in Ephesus. He is in the middle of his third missionary journey. Paul, Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos have already shared Jesus' story with the Jews (Acts 18:19–21, 24–26). Now, Paul spends three months in the synagogue, explaining what Jesus taught about the kingdom of God. When he meets resistance, he moves to a lecture hall for two years. People from all over southwestern modern-day Turkey hear the good news of Jesus before Paul moves on.

Acts 19 recounts Paul's three-year visit in Ephesus. He starts by revealing how Jesus of Nazareth has brought to life the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit validates Paul's message by healing those struck with physical ailments and demon possession. Amazed by Paul's authority over evil spirits, so many magicians turn to Christ that the craftsmen who make idols fear for their livelihoods. They nearly incite a riot before the town clerk settles them down. Paul realizes his time in Ephesus has ended, and he travels to Macedonia (Acts 20:1).

Acts 19 is the meat of Paul's third missionary voyage. He has already revisited the churches in central modern-day Turkey (Acts 18:23). Now he returns to Ephesus for a three-year stay. After firmly establishing the church there, rescuing many from pagan magic and the worship of Artemis, he returns to Macedonia and Greece. A threat on his life sends him back up to Macedonia and across to Troas. He meets briefly with the Ephesian elders to tell them they will not meet again (Acts 20). When he returns to Jerusalem, he is arrested and, eventually, taken to Rome.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.