Bible Strands
Acts 18:26
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Apollos addresses a synagogue congregation after previously teaching about Jesus while knowing only John’s baptism. Priscilla and Aquila listen to his public proclamation and intervene privately.
The words — παρρησιάζεσθαι (parrēsiazesthai) literally means “to speak boldly” or “to speak openly.” ἀκούσαντες (akousantes) translates as “having heard,” marking the moment the couple discerns his teaching.
The thread — Bold public proclamation appears in Acts 14:3, where Paul and Barnabas speak boldly for the Lord. The correction of incomplete teaching parallels Acts 18:25, where Apollos’s prior instruction is noted, while 1 Corinthians 12:21 illustrates the necessity of mutual correction within the body.
Why it lands — It requires readers to recognize that public proclamation and private correction operate together in the transmission of faith. It demands a willingness to both teach openly and accept precise instruction when one’s understanding is incomplete.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
Cross-references
- Acts 14:3 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.
- Acts 18:25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
- 1 Corinthians 12:21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.”
- Ephesians 6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,
- Hebrews 6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,
- Proverbs 1:5 let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel
- Proverbs 9:9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
- Proverbs 22:17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge—
- Proverbs 25:12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
- Isaiah 58:1 “Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.