◄ Acts 18:21 ►
But as he left, he said, "I will come back to you if God is willing." And he set sail from Ephesus.
Study Bible
But as he left, he said,

This phrase indicates a departure, suggesting a transition in Paul's missionary journey. Paul had been in Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor known for its temple to Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. His departure signifies the end of a significant period of ministry in this influential city. The context of Acts 18 shows that Paul had been reasoning in the synagogue, which was his custom, engaging both Jews and Greeks in discussions about Jesus as the Messiah.

Act 20:36-38 When Paul had said this, he knelt down with all of them…
Act 20:1 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples.…
Luk 24:50-51 When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany,…

“I will come back to you if God is willing.”

Paul's statement reflects a deep reliance on God's sovereignty and a recognition of divine providence. This echoes James 4:15, where believers are encouraged to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." It underscores the biblical principle that human plans are subject to God's will. Paul's intention to return also highlights his commitment to the believers in Ephesus, showing pastoral care and a desire to continue teaching and strengthening the church there.

1Co 4:19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing,…
Jas 4:15 If the Lord is willing, we will live and do…
Rom 1:10 in my prayers at all times, asking that now at last……

And he set sail from Ephesus.

Ephesus was a key port city, making it a strategic location for travel and trade in the Roman Empire. Paul's departure by sea indicates the interconnectedness of the ancient world and the use of maritime routes for missionary work. This journey is part of Paul's second missionary journey, which is detailed in Acts 15:36-18:22. The act of setting sail also symbolizes the spread of the Gospel beyond the confines of one city, as Paul continues to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) by taking the message of Christ to new regions.

Act 20:16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time…
Act 20:13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos,…
Act 13:13 After setting sail from Paphos, Paul and his companions…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who is central to this passage. He is on his missionary journey, spreading the Gospel and establishing churches.

2. Ephesus
A significant city in Asia Minor where Paul briefly ministered. It was known for its temple to Artemis and was a major center of commerce and culture.

3. Departure
The event of Paul leaving Ephesus, indicating his commitment to continue his missionary work elsewhere, but with a promise to return if it is God's will.
Teaching Points
Submission to God's Will
Paul’s statement, "if God is willing," reflects a heart of submission to God's sovereignty. As believers, we should always seek to align our plans with God's will, acknowledging His ultimate authority over our lives.

Faithful Commitment
Despite leaving Ephesus, Paul’s promise to return if God wills shows his commitment to the believers there. We should strive to be faithful in our commitments, trusting God to guide our paths.

Flexibility in Ministry
Paul’s willingness to change his plans based on God’s leading teaches us the importance of being flexible in our ministry and personal lives, ready to adapt as God directs.

Trust in God's Timing
By leaving Ephesus with the intention to return, Paul demonstrates trust in God’s timing. We should learn to trust that God’s timing is perfect, even when it requires patience and waiting.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Paul's statement "if God is willing" challenge or affirm your current approach to making plans in your life?

2. In what ways can you practice submission to God's will in your daily decisions, and how can this be reflected in your prayer life?

3. Reflect on a time when you had to change your plans due to unforeseen circumstances. How did you see God's hand at work in that situation?

4. How can Paul's commitment to return to Ephesus inspire you to maintain relationships and commitments in your own life?

5. Consider the role of flexibility in your spiritual journey. How can you cultivate a heart that is open to God's leading, even when it means altering your course?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 4:13-15
This passage emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God's will in our plans, similar to Paul's statement about returning to Ephesus if God wills.

1 Corinthians 4:19
Paul again expresses his intention to visit the Corinthians if the Lord wills, showing a consistent theme in his ministry of submitting to God's sovereignty.

Proverbs 16:9
This verse highlights that while humans plan their course, it is the Lord who establishes their steps, reflecting Paul's reliance on God's will for his travels.
Sermons
Recognition of the Divine Will in Human AffairsW. H. Davison.Acts 18:21
The Duty of Observing the Sacrament of the Lord's SupperJ. Johnston.Acts 18:21
Return Of-Paul to AntiochE. Johnson Acts 18:18-22
Apostolic EarnestnessD. Thomas, D. D.Acts 18:18-23
Apostolic PrinciplesJ. W. Burn.Acts 18:18-23
Ministerial LabourK. Gerok.Acts 18:18-23
Paul's VowDean Plumptre.Acts 18:18-23
Preparing for LabourJ. Parker, D. D.Acts 18:18-23
RetrospectR.A. Radford Acts 18:18-23
The Strength Which is of ManW. Clarkson Acts 18:18-23
People
Apollos, Aquila, Claudius, Corinthians, Crispus, Gallio, John, Justus, Paul, Priscilla, Silas, Sosthenes, Timotheus, Timothy, Titus
Places
Achaia, Alexandria, Athens, Caesarea, Cenchreae, Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, Italy, Macedonia, Phrygia, Pontus, Rome, Syria, Syrian Antioch
Topics
Bade, Behoveth, Ephesus, Farewell, Feast, God's, Jerusalem, Leave, Lets, Promise, Return, Sail, Sailed, Saying, Ship, Taking, Willing, Wills
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 18:21

     1115   God, purpose of
     1130   God, sovereignty
     1175   God, will of
     5517   seafaring
     8125   guidance, promise

Acts 18:18-23

     5108   Paul, life of

Library
'Constrained by the Word'
'And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified.'--ACTS xviii. 5. The Revised Version, in concurrence with most recent authorities, reads, instead of 'pressed in the spirit,' 'constrained by the word.' One of these alterations depends on a diversity of reading, the other on a difference of translation. The one introduces a significant difference of meaning; the other is rather a change of expression. The word rendered here 'pressed,' and by the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Paul at Corinth
'After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2. And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tent-makers. 4. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5. And when Silas and Timotheus …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Gallio
'And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong: or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15. But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.'--ACTS xviii. 14, 15. There is something very touching in the immortality of fame which comes to the men who for a moment pass across the Gospel story, like shooting stars kindled for an instant as they …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Civil Trial
In the chapter before last we saw the Sanhedrim pass a death sentence on Jesus. Gladly would they have carried it out in the Jewish fashion--by stoning. But, as was then explained, it was not in their power: their Roman masters, while conceding to the native courts the power of trying and punishing minor offences, reserved to themselves the prerogative of life and death; and a case in which a capital sentence had been passed in a Jewish court had to go before the representative of Rome in the country, …
James Stalker—The Trial and Death of Jesus Christ

The Old Faiths and the New
SECOND GROUP OF EPISTLES GALATIANS. FIRST AND SECOND CORINTHIANS. ROMANS. PROBLEMS OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY The new faith in Christ made large claims for itself. It marked an advance upon Judaism and maintained that in Christ was fulfilled all the promises made by the prophets of the coming of the Jewish Messiah. It radically antagonized the heathen religions. It had a double task to win men out of Judaism and heathenism. Only by a careful study of these great doctrinal Epistles, and the …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

Third Missionary Journey
Scripture, Acts 18:23-21:17 [Illustration: Outline map illustrating the third missionary journey of Paul and the voyage to Italy.] …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

There Also is Said at what Work the Apostle Wrought. ...
22. There also is said at what work the Apostle wrought. "After these things," it says, "he departed from Athens and came to Corinth; and having found a certain Jew, by name Aquila, of Pontus by birth, lately come from Italy, and Priscilla his wife, because that Claudius had ordered all Jews to depart from Rome, he came unto them, and because he was of the same craft he abode with them, doing work: for they were tent-makers." [2549] This if they shall essay to interpret allegorically, they show what …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Jewish Homes
It may be safely asserted, that the grand distinction, which divided all mankind into Jews and Gentiles, was not only religious, but also social. However near the cities of the heathen to those of Israel, however frequent and close the intercourse between the two parties, no one could have entered a Jewish town or village without feeling, so to speak, in quite another world. The aspect of the streets, the building and arrangement of the houses, the municipal and religious rule, the manners and customs …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children.
(Bethlehem and Road Thence to Egypt, b.c. 4.) ^A Matt. II. 13-18. ^a 13 Now when they were departed [The text favors the idea that the arrival and departure of the magi and the departure of Joseph for Egypt, all occurred in one night. If so, the people of Bethlehem knew nothing of these matters], behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise [this command calls for immediate departure] and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt [This land was ever the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Kingdom Conquering the World
Acts Page Paul's Epistles Page Outline for Study of Epistles Page I Thessalonians Page I Corinthians Page Romans Page Philippians Page II Timothy Page The General Epistles Page Questions on the Book of James Page Studies in I and II Peter Page I John Page THE ACTS I. Author: 1. Name. 2. Number of …
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible

Sources and Literature on St. Paul and his Work.
I. Sources. 1. The authentic sources: The Epistles of Paul, and the Acts of the Apostles 9:1-30 and 13 to 28. Of the Epistles of Paul the four most important Galatians, Romans, two Corinthians--are universally acknowledged as genuine even by the most exacting critics; the Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians are admitted by nearly all critics; the Pastoral Epistles, especially First Timothy, and Titus, are more or less disputed, but even they bear the stamp of Paul's genius. On the coincidences …
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Jewish views on Trade, Tradesmen, and Trades' Guilds
We read in the Mishnah (Kidd. iv. 14) as follows: "Rabbi Meir said: Let a man always teach his son a cleanly and a light trade; and let him pray to Him whose are wealth and riches; for there is no trade which has not both poverty and riches, and neither does poverty come from the trade nor yet riches, but everything according to one's deserving (merit). Rabbi Simeon, the son of Eleazer, said: Hast thou all thy life long seen a beast or a bird which has a trade? Still they are nourished, and that …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

King Herod's Enrollment
THE first enrollment in Syria was made in the year 8-7 BC., but a consideration of the situation in Syria and Palestine about that time will show that the enrollment in Herod's kingdom was probably delayed for some time later. Herod occupied a delicate and difficult position on the throne of Judea. On the one hand he had to comply with what was required of him by the Imperial policy; he was governing for the Romans a part of the empire, and he was bound to spread western customs and language and …
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem?

Luke's Attitude Towards the Roman World
The reign of Augustus, as is well known, is enveloped in the deepest obscurity. While we are unusually well informed about the immediately preceding period of Roman history, and for part of the reign of his successor, Tiberius, we possess the elaborate and accurate, though in some respects strongly prejudiced account of Tacitus, the facts of Augustus's reign have to be pieced together from scanty, incomplete and disjointed authorities. Moreover, obscure events in a remote corner of the Roman world …
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem?

Paul's Journeys Acts 13:1-38:31
On this third journey he was already planning to go to Rome (Acts 19:21) and wrote an epistle to the Romans announcing his coming (Rom. 1:7, 15). +The Chief City+, in which Paul spent most of his time (Acts 19:1, 8, 10), between two and three years upon this journey, was Ephesus in Asia Minor. This city situated midway between the extreme points of his former missionary journeys was a place where Ephesus has been thus described: "It had been one of the early Greek colonies, later the capital …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Supremacy of Christ
THIRD GROUP OF EPISTLES COLOSSIANS. PHILEMON. EPHESIANS. PHILIPPIANS. THE QUESTION AT ISSUE +The Supremacy of Christ.+--These Epistles mark a new stage in the writings of Paul. The great question discussed in the second group of Epistles was in regard to the terms of salvation. The question now at issue (in Colossians, Ephesians, Philippian+The Reason for the Raising of this Question+ was the development of certain false religious beliefs among which were, "asceticism, the worship of angels, …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Future of Christ's Kingdom First Group of Epistles the First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians Introduction to the Epistles of Paul +Epistolary Writings. + --The
STUDY VII THE FUTURE OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM FIRST GROUP OF EPISTLES THE FIRST AND SECOND EPISTLES TO THE THESSALONIANS INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISTLES OF PAUL +Epistolary Writings.+--The New Testament is composed of twenty-seven books, twenty-one of which are Epistles. Of this latter number thirteen are ascribed to Paul. It is thus seen how largely the New Testament is made up of Epistles and how many of these are attributed to the Great Apostle. In the letters of men of great prominence and power of any …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Candour of the Writers of the New Testament.
I make this candour to consist in their putting down many passages, and noticing many circumstances, which no writer whatever was likely to have forged; and which no writer would have chosen to appear in his book who had been careful to present the story in the most unexceptionable form, or who had thought himself at liberty to carve and mould the particulars of that story according to his choice, or according to his judgment of the effect. A strong and well-known example of the fairness of the evangelists …
William Paley—Evidences of Christianity

Moreover, if Discourse must be Bestowed Upon Any...
21. Moreover, if discourse must be bestowed upon any, and this so take up the speaker that he have not time to work with his hands, are all in the monastery able to hold discourse unto brethren which come unto them from another kind of life, whether it be to expound the divine lessons, or concerning any questions which may be put, to reason in an wholesome manner? Then since not all have the ability, why upon this pretext do all want to have nothing else to do? Although even if all were able, they …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Here is the Sum of My Examination Before Justice Keelin, Justice Chester, Justice Blundale, Justice Beecher, Justice Snagg, Etc.
After I had lain in prison above seven weeks, the quarter-sessions were to be kept in Bedford, for the county thereof, unto which I was to be brought; and when my jailor had set me before those justices, there was a bill of indictment preferred against me. The extent thereof was as followeth: That John Bunyan, of the town of Bedford, labourer, being a person of such and such conditions, he hath (since such a time) devilishly and perniciously abstained from coming to church to hear Divine service, …
John Bunyan—Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

The Epistle to the Hebrews.
I. Commentaries on Hebrews by Chrysostom (d. 407, hermeneia, in 34 Homilies publ. after his death by an Antioch. presbyter, Constantinus); Theodoret (d. 457); Oecumenius (10th cent.); Theophylact (11th cent.); Thomas Aquinas (d. 1274); Erasmus (d. 1536, Annotationes in N. T., with his Greek Test., 1516 and often, and Paraphrasis in N. T., 1522 and often); Card. Cajetanus (Epistolae Pauli, etc., 1531); Calvin (d. 1564, Com. in omnes P. Ep. atque etiam in Ep. ad Hebraeos, 1539 and often, also Halle, …
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

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