Acts 18:27
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:
Original Language Analysis
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
5 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προτρεψάμενοι
exhorting
G4389
προτρεψάμενοι
exhorting
Strong's:
G4389
Word #:
8 of 24
to turn forward for oneself, i.e., encourage
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφοὶ
the brethren
G80
ἀδελφοὶ
the brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
10 of 24
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ἔγραψαν
wrote
G1125
ἔγραψαν
wrote
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
11 of 24
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποδέξασθαι
to receive
G588
ἀποδέξασθαι
to receive
Strong's:
G588
Word #:
14 of 24
to take fully, i.e., welcome (persons), approve (things)
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὃς
who
G3739
ὃς
who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
16 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
παραγενόμενος
when he was come
G3854
παραγενόμενος
when he was come
Strong's:
G3854
Word #:
17 of 24
to become near, i.e., approach (have arrived); by implication, to appear publicly
συνεβάλετο
helped them
G4820
συνεβάλετο
helped them
Strong's:
G4820
Word #:
18 of 24
to combine, i.e., (in speaking) to converse, consult, dispute, (mentally) to consider, (by implication) to aid, (personally) to join, attack
πολὺ
much
G4183
πολὺ
much
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
19 of 24
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πεπιστευκόσιν
which had believed
G4100
πεπιστευκόσιν
which had believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
21 of 24
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
διὰ
through
G1223
διὰ
through
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
22 of 24
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
Historical Context
Letters of recommendation (see 2 Corinthians 3:1, Romans 16:1) connected scattered churches and vouched for traveling workers. Apollos's Corinthian ministry later created some factionalism (1 Corinthians 1:12).
Questions for Reflection
- How do letters of commendation facilitate ministry across church networks?
- What does 'helped them much' teach about building on others' foundations?
Analysis & Commentary
'When he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him.' Church letters of commendation facilitated itinerant ministry. 'He helped them much which had believed through grace' - Apollos's ministry complemented Paul's foundation-laying.