Devine Scripture

Acts 18:27

What does Acts 18:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 18:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 18:27 means

Intending to cross into Achaia, Apollos receives encouragement and a letter of commendation from the brethren. When he arrives, he greatly helps those who had believed through grace. The church recognizes, affirms, and sends a refined teacher, and his ministry blesses established believers, not merely seekers. “Through grace” highlights that faith is God’s gift; Apollos’s help strengthens grace-born lives. Formal commendation fosters trust across churches, guarding unity and doctrine. The verse portrays healthy cooperation: a gifted man, humbly taught, is now fruitfully deployed with the church’s blessing, building up the saints in another region.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when he was minded to pass over into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them much that had believed through grace;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when he was minded to pass over into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them much that had believed through grace;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when he had a desire to go over into Achaia, the brothers gave him help, and sent letters to the disciples requesting them to take him in among them: and when he had come, he gave much help to those who had faith through grace:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he being minded to go through into Achaia, the brethren wrote to the disciples, having exhorted them to receive him, who having come, did help them much who have believed through the grace,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And whereas he was desirous to go to Achaia, the brethren exhorting wrote to the disciples to receive him. Who, when he was come, helped them much who had believed.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when he purposed to go into Achaia, the brethren wrote to the disciples engaging them to receive him, who, being come, contributed much to those who believed through grace.

Context

Following private instruction, Apollos is launched to wider service. Verse 27 moves him from Ephesus to Achaia—where Corinth is located—linking back to the chapter’s opening scene. The commendation letter connects churches and maintains doctrinal continuity. The final verse will specify his ministry’s character in public debate, demonstrating from Scripture that Jesus is the Christ.

v.26and 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.

v.27This passage

v.28for he powerfully confuted the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • James 1:16

    Be not deceived, my beloved brethren.

  • Philippians 1:25

    And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith;

  • 1 Corinthians 3:6

    I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:1

    Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? or need we, as do some, epistles of commendation to you or from you?

  • 1 Corinthians 16:3

    And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem:

  • 1 Corinthians 15:10

    But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

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