Acts 19:1
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Original Language Analysis
Ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
Ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
1 of 21
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλον
Paul
G3972
Παῦλον
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
10 of 21
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μέρη
coasts
G3313
μέρη
coasts
Strong's:
G3313
Word #:
14 of 21
a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application)
ἐλθεῖν
came
G2064
ἐλθεῖν
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
15 of 21
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
16 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Acts 18:1After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;1 Corinthians 16:12As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.1 Corinthians 1:12Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
Historical Context
Ephesus (circa AD 53-54) was Asia Minor's largest city, a commercial center with perhaps 250,000 residents. These 'disciples' likely learned from Apollos before Priscilla and Aquila instructed him more fully (Acts 18:24-26), explaining their partial knowledge of Christian truth.
Questions for Reflection
- How might incomplete teaching create 'disciples' who lack essential elements of Christian faith?
- What does Paul's careful questioning teach about pastoral responsibility to ensure sound doctrine?
Analysis & Commentary
Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus—After ministering in the highland regions of Asia Minor, Paul reached Ephesus, the capital of proconsular Asia and hub of pagan worship centered on Artemis's temple. Finding certain disciples (μαθητάς τινας) introduces a puzzling group who knew of Jesus but lacked full apostolic instruction. Their incomplete discipleship (lacking Holy Spirit knowledge, v. 2) demonstrates that true Christianity requires more than secondhand information—it demands encounter with Christ through Spirit baptism. This episode shows Paul's thoroughness in ensuring doctrinal completeness, not merely numerical growth.