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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/18-19.htm" title="Acts 18:19">◄</a> Acts 18:20 <a href="/acts/18-21.htm" title="Acts 18:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/acts/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/acts/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/acts/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They asked him to stay longer, but he declined.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/acts/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/acts/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they asked him to stay for a while longer, he declined.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now of them asking <i>him</i> to remain for a longer time, he did not consent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/acts/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />When they desired <i>him</i> to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/acts/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />When they asked <i>him</i> to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/acts/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/acts/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/acts/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And when they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/acts/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/acts/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he refused;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/acts/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he declined,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/acts/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And though they asked him to stay for a longer time, he declined, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/acts/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when they asked him to abide a longer time, he consented not;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/acts/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They asked him to stay longer, but he refused. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/acts/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when they asked him to abide a longer time, he consented not;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/acts/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The Jews asked him to stay longer, but he refused.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/acts/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The people asked him to stay longer, but he would not consent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/acts/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They asked him to stay longer, but he refused. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/acts/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they asked him to stay with them for a while longer, he declined.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/acts/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When they asked him to stay longer, he would not consent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/acts/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When they asked him to stay a longer time, he declined;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/acts/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />When they asked him to remain longer he did not consent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/acts/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When they asked him to stay with them a longer time, he declined; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/acts/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they having requested [him] to remain a longer time with them, he did not consent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now of them asking <i>him</i> to remain for a longer time, he did not consent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/acts/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they having requested him to remain a longer time with them, he did not consent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/acts/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they asking to remain with them for more time, he acquiesced not;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/acts/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when they desired him, that he would tarry a longer time, he consented not; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/acts/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then, although they were asking him to remain for a longer time, he would not agree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/acts/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Although they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/acts/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When they asked him to stay longer, he declined;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/acts/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />When they wanted him to tarry a longer time with them, he consented not;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/18.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And they were asking him to tarry with them, and he did not consent,<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/acts/18.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And though they besought him to remain with them a longer time, he did not consent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/acts/18.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And they asking him to remain a longer time, he did not consent;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/acts/18.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But when they were importunate with him to prolong his stay among them, he consented not;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/acts/18.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />who desired him to stay longer with them, but he would not consent to it: for,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />When they asked him to remain longer he did not consent,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/acts/18.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And, though they asked him to remain a longer time with them, he consented not;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/acts/18.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Though when they desired him to stay longer with them, he did not consent: but took his leave of them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/acts/18-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=6103" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/acts/18.htm">Paul Returns to Antioch</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>When they reached Ephesus, Paul parted ways with Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue there and reasoned with the Jews. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">When</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">they</a> <a href="/greek/2065.htm" title="2065: erōtōntōn (V-PPA-GMP) -- Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request.">asked him</a> <a href="/greek/3306.htm" title="3306: meinai (V-ANA) -- To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.">to stay</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">for</a> <a href="/greek/4119.htm" title="4119: pleiona (Adj-AMS-C) -- Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.">a while longer,</a> <a href="/greek/5550.htm" title="5550: chronon (N-AMS) -- A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay."></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1962.htm" title="1962: epeneusen (V-AIA-3S) -- To nod to, assent to, consent. From epi and neuo; to nod at, i.e. to assent.">he declined.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">21</span>But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/19-8.htm">Acts 19:8-10</a></span><br />Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. / But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. / This continued for two years, so that everyone who lived in the province of Asia, Jews and Greeks alike, heard the word of the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-2.htm">Acts 17:2-3</a></span><br />As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, / explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-42.htm">Acts 13:42-44</a></span><br />As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people urged them to continue this message on the next Sabbath. / After the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. / On the following Sabbath, nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/14-1.htm">Acts 14:1-3</a></span><br />At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue, where they spoke so well that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. / But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. / So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who affirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-13.htm">Acts 16:13-15</a></span><br />On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there. / Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. / And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/28-23.htm">Acts 28:23-24</a></span><br />So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. / Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-20.htm">Acts 9:20-22</a></span><br />Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.” / All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” / But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-17.htm">Acts 17:17</a></span><br />So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-14.htm">Acts 13:14-16</a></span><br />And from Perga, they traveled inland to Pisidian Antioch, where they entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and sat down. / After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.” / Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who fear God, listen to me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/19-33.htm">Acts 19:33-34</a></span><br />The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward to explain himself, and he motioned for silence so he could make his defense to the people. / But when they realized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-10.htm">Acts 17:10-12</a></span><br />As soon as night had fallen, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went into the Jewish synagogue. / Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. / As a result, many of them believed, along with quite a few prominent Greek women and men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/14-19.htm">Acts 14:19-20</a></span><br />Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, presuming he was dead. / But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. And the next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-5.htm">Acts 13:5</a></span><br />When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. And John was with them as their helper.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-4.htm">Acts 17:4-5</a></span><br />Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women. / The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/19-9.htm">Acts 19:9</a></span><br />But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;</p><p class="hdg">he.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/20-16.htm">Acts 20:16</a></b></br> For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/21-13.htm">Acts 21:13,14</a></b></br> Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/1-37.htm">Mark 1:37,38</a></b></br> And when they had found him, they said unto him, All <i>men</i> seek for thee… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/16-15.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/acts/18-12.htm">Consent</a> <a href="/luke/23-51.htm">Consented</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-8.htm">Declined</a> <a href="/acts/16-39.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/acts/18-9.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/acts/13-18.htm">Period</a> <a href="/acts/10-48.htm">Requested</a> <a href="/acts/17-21.htm">Spend</a> <a href="/acts/10-48.htm">Tarry</a> <a href="/acts/18-18.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/20-23.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/acts/23-21.htm">Consent</a> <a href="/exodus/2-21.htm">Consented</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-19.htm">Declined</a> <a href="/acts/25-3.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/acts/20-9.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/acts/19-8.htm">Period</a> <a href="/acts/25-3.htm">Requested</a> <a href="/acts/20-16.htm">Spend</a> <a href="/acts/28-14.htm">Tarry</a> <a href="/acts/18-23.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/18-1.htm">Paul labors with his hands, and preaches at Corinth to the Gentiles.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/18-9.htm">The Lord encourages him in a vision.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/18-12.htm">He is accused before Gallio the deputy, but is dismissed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/18-18.htm">Afterwards passing from city to city, he strengthens the disciples.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/18-24.htm">Apollos, being instructed by Aquila and Priscilla, preaches Christ boldly.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>When they asked him to stay for a while longer</b><br>This phrase occurs during Paul's second missionary journey. Paul had arrived in Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor known for its temple to Artemis, a center of pagan worship. The request for Paul to stay indicates the interest and openness of the Ephesian Jews to his teachings. This is significant as it contrasts with the resistance he often faced in other cities. The request also highlights the early church's desire for apostolic teaching and guidance, reflecting the hunger for spiritual truth and leadership in the nascent Christian communities.<p><b>he declined</b><br>Paul's decision to decline the invitation to stay longer in Ephesus may seem surprising given the positive reception. However, it reflects his commitment to his mission and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Paul was likely aware of the need to return to Jerusalem for a feast, as suggested by <a href="/acts/18-21.htm">Acts 18:21</a>, showing his dedication to maintaining connections with the Jewish roots of Christianity. This decision also underscores the importance of following divine guidance over human requests, a theme seen throughout Paul's ministry. His eventual return to Ephesus, where he would spend significant time, indicates that his initial departure was part of a larger divine plan.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a></b><br>The apostle who is central to this passage. He is on his missionary journey, spreading the Gospel and establishing churches.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephesus.htm">Ephesus</a></b><br>A significant city in the Roman province of Asia, known for its temple to Artemis. It was a major center for early Christianity and the location where Paul was asked to stay longer.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jews_in_ephesus.htm">The Jews in Ephesus</a></b><br>The group that requested Paul to remain with them. They were likely interested in learning more about the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_ministry.htm">Discernment in Ministry</a></b><br>Paul’s decision to decline the request to stay longer in Ephesus highlights the importance of discerning God’s will in ministry. Even when opportunities seem promising, it is crucial to seek God’s guidance and timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prioritizing_god's_mission.htm">Prioritizing God’s Mission</a></b><br>Paul’s journey was guided by a clear sense of mission. Believers today should prioritize God’s calling over personal or external expectations, ensuring that their actions align with His purpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in guiding believers’ decisions. Paul’s actions remind us to remain sensitive to the Spirit’s leading, even when it means making difficult choices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/commitment_to_the_gospel.htm">Commitment to the Gospel</a></b><br>Paul’s commitment to spreading the Gospel, even when it meant moving on from a place where he was welcomed, serves as a model for unwavering dedication to God’s work.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">When they desired him to tarry longer</span> time with them.--This was, obviously, a hopeful sign, the earnest of the fruitful labours that followed. Nowhere, among the churches that he founded, does St. Paul seem to have found so great a receptivity for spiritual truth. While he looked on the Corinthians as being children requiring to be fed with milk (<a href="/1_corinthians/3-2.htm" title="I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for till now you were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able.">1Corinthians 3:2</a>), he saw in the Ephesians those to whom he did not shun to declare "the whole counsel of God" (<a href="/acts/20-27.htm" title="For I have not shunned to declare to you all the counsel of God.">Acts 20:27</a>), to whom he could, at a later date, appeal as able to measure his knowledge of the mystery of the gospel (<a href="/ephesians/3-4.htm" title="Whereby, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)">Ephesians 3:4</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - And <span class="accented">when they asked</span> for <span class="accented">when they desired</span>, A.V.; <span class="accented">abide a</span> for <span class="accented">tarry</span>, A.V.; <span class="accented">time</span> for <span class="accented">time with them</span>, A.V. <span class="cmt_word">He consented not</span>; <span class="greek">οὐκ ἐπένευσεν</span>, only here in the New Testament, but found in <a href="/proverbs/26-20.htm">Proverbs 26:20</a>; 2 Macc. 4:10, etc., and frequently in medical writers; literally, <span class="accented">to bend the head forward</span> by the proper muscles (Hobart). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/acts/18-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">[When]</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῶν</span> <span class="translit">(autōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">asked [him]</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐρωτώντων</span> <span class="translit">(erōtōntōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2065.htm">Strong's 2065: </a> </span><span class="str2">Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to stay</span><br /><span class="grk">μεῖναι</span> <span class="translit">(meinai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> </span><span class="str2">To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπὶ</span> <span class="translit">(epi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> </span><span class="str2">On, to, against, on the basis of, at. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">a while longer,</span><br /><span class="grk">πλείονα</span> <span class="translit">(pleiona)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular - Comparative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4119.htm">Strong's 4119: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he declined.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπένευσεν</span> <span class="translit">(epeneusen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1962.htm">Strong's 1962: </a> </span><span class="str2">To nod to, assent to, consent. From epi and neuo; to nod at, i.e. to assent.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/18-20.htm">Acts 18:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/acts/18-20.htm">Acts 18:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/acts/18-20.htm">Acts 18:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/acts/18-20.htm">Acts 18:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/acts/18-20.htm">Acts 18:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/18-20.htm">Acts 18:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/18-20.htm">Acts 18:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/18-20.htm">Acts 18:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/acts/18-20.htm">Acts 18:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/acts/18-20.htm">Acts 18:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/acts/18-20.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 18:20 When they asked him to stay (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/18-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 18:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 18:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/18-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 18:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 18:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>