Acts 18:8
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχισυνάγωγος
the chief ruler of the synagogue
G752
ἀρχισυνάγωγος
the chief ruler of the synagogue
Strong's:
G752
Word #:
4 of 20
director of the synagogue services
ἐπίστευον
believed
G4100
ἐπίστευον
believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
5 of 20
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
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίῳ
on the Lord
G2962
κυρίῳ
on the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
7 of 20
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
8 of 20
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
ὅλῳ
all
G3650
ὅλῳ
all
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
9 of 20
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἴκῳ
house
G3624
οἴκῳ
house
Strong's:
G3624
Word #:
11 of 20
a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 20
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πολλοὶ
many
G4183
πολλοὶ
many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
14 of 20
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Κορινθίων
of the Corinthians
G2881
Κορινθίων
of the Corinthians
Strong's:
G2881
Word #:
16 of 20
a corinthian, i.e., inhabitant of corinth
ἐπίστευον
believed
G4100
ἐπίστευον
believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
18 of 20
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
Historical Context
Crispus's conversion (1 Corinthians 1:14 confirms Paul baptized him) demonstrated that even religious leaders could respond to the gospel. His defection must have deeply affected the synagogue.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the conversion of a synagogue leader teach about God's sovereignty?
- How do household conversions reflect the social nature of early Christianity?
Analysis & Commentary
'Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house.' This synagogue leader's conversion was a major breakthrough. Household conversion patterns show the social dimension of early Christianity. 'Many of the Corinthians hearing believed' indicates broader response.