Acts 18:18-22 – Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.
“Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken.” The Lord had gifted Paul to be without abuse in his time of ministering at Corinth (Acts 18:9-11). Paul was triumphant during trials because of his faith that the trials were of the will of God and that they brought about greater blessings than the trials brought hardship (Romans 5:2-4, Romans 8:18). Like the church grows under persecution, so we grow under trials. How odd that we feel as if something is askew when we face opposition since not having opposition was a rare luxury to Paul. Really, we ought to wonder if something is askey when we do not face opposition.
Paul sailed toward Syria. Most likely, his goal was always to head to Jerusalem. It is thought that he wanted to be in Jerusalem in time for a festival, probably Passover. Some find it odd that Luke seems to write that Paul was sailing to Syria, but instead ended up in Jerusalem. However the word “for” in “sailed for Syria” may also be translated “toward.” If understood that way then we see how he sailed toward Syria, then down to Caesarea and then to Jerusalem. There is some thought that Paul would, besides reporting to his supporting church at Syrian Antioch, he would also report to the Apostles and brothers in Jerusalem. Of course there is another possibility to consider, that Paul intended to go to Syria (Antioch) but then the Holy Spirit led him to Jerusalem (John 3:8). It wouldn’t be the first time that the Paul wanted to go one way but the Holy Spirit sent him another way (Acts 16:6-7).
Most think that Paul cut his hair because he was either ending or starting a Nazarite Vow. This was a voluntary vow that was usually in gratitude for blessings from the Lord that had already been received, or for blessings in the future. Numbers 6 reveals the Old Testament rules of a Nazarite Vow. It was not required of anyone to do take and perform the vow. Some are alarmed that Paul would take this Old Testament vow. However Numbers 6:1-2 states “The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the Lord as a Nazirite…” The Nazarite vow (taken by men and women) was not a mandatory vow. It was a vow of dedication and not for salvation. Christians have times of fasting and prayer, not to be saved, or more saved (no such thing), but rather as a time of dedication and seeking of understanding. Paul, a “Hebrew of Hebrews” (Philippians 3:5) was still a very Jewish man who had his Jewish religion fulfilled in finding Jesus Christ his Savior. It was not odd for him to take this vow.
It is possible that Paul was ending a Nazarite Vow? That has troubles in that the vows were usually ended in Jerusalem and the shaved hair presented to a priest to be ceremonially burned. During the vow the hair was not cut and at the end of the vow the hair that had grown was a symbol of their dedication time to the Lord and so, it being cut showed the end of the dedication time and was ceremonially burned by the priest. So it is likely that Paul would have wanted to end the vow and shave his head in Jerusalem.
It may seem more likely that he shaved his head as he was starting a vow and then the hair on his head at the end of the vow would all be hair from his time of dedication. Also, since the vow was often a time of gratitude for past blessings and, or, a prayer for future blessings, this would have been appropriate for Paul as He was ending his second missionary trip, but still intending on continuing ministering.
“They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined.” At Ephesus Paul took a different path than Priscilla and Aquila. They stayed there to continue ministering.
Paul did go to the synagogue to reason with the Jews. He found them willing to hear as they asked him to stay and wanted to hear more about what Paul was preaching. However, though blessed by the Ephesians, the Holy Spirit was leading him and so he could not stay. It is a lesson for us today. Even today sometimes we are being called elsewhere in the midst of a ministry being greatly blessed. In our time we see that happen, examples would be pastors such as Francis Chan and Charles Swindoll who both left thriving churches to move on as God lead them.
“But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will. Then he set sail from Ephesus. ” Then he set sail from Ephesus.” Tomorrow is promised to no one and our ability to be anywhere is not totally dependent upon us. James 4:13-15 “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”” Luke 12:13-21 – (20) ““But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’” Family, we ought not be so bold as to think we have any control of our life that God does not give us. Even our Free Will is a gift from Him. We ought to always honor God and His position above us by saying we will do it if God wills. It is great reminder who is our God and Lord to us and all.
“When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.” Paul landed and then went up to Jerusalem. It was said that when one goes to Jerusalem that one goes “up” to Jerusalem because it is on a mountaintop. I like to think it also means that we spiritually journey up to God’s Holy City, the city God has blessed and does bless. Antioch was north of Jerusalem. Yet Luke says that Paul later went down to Antioch. Usually when travelling to the north one thinks of travelling up. But when one is leaving Jerusalem to go anywhere else it is always going down. Selah (think about it).
Jerusalem is the City of Peace. It is where the Temple was and so it was where the Holy of Holies was and so it was where people went to offer sacrifices to God and to be right with Him. It is where Jesus offered up His body in payment for our sins. Now God does not dwell in buildings but in those who are washed clean by the blood (sacrifice) of Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:19). So let’s consider that since the Holy Spirit now dwells in us we have no need to travel to a city to be washed and blessed. However let us always be mindful that God still has His eyes on Jerusalem, that He is not done with it, and that the future of the entire world will be played out around Jerusalem. Pray for the Jews. Let’s honor God and witness to all that God is most high and in control as we say of the future “if the Lord wills.” God is good to us and He loves us, praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”