After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss is that Paul, even as the apostle to the Gentiles, was willing to embrace Jewish customs to reach his own people. He shaved his head in Cenchreae not because he was religiously obligated as a Gentile, but as a way to connect with Jewish believers and fulfill a vow that required completion at the Jerusalem Temple. This highlights his profound commitment to bridging divides and winning people to Christ.
After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After facing opposition from the Jews and gaining a period of peace in Corinth, Paul stays longer than initially planned before sailing for Syria. He travels with Priscilla and Aquila, and at the port of Cenchreae, Paul cuts his hair due to a vow he had taken, likely as a way to engage with Jewish customs and customs to win over more people to Christ.
Why would the Apostle to the Gentiles shave his head in a port town?
This passage highlights a fascinating aspect of Paul's ministry: his willingness to engage with Jewish customs, even while championing Gentile freedom in Christ.
Conforming to Jewish Practice
Motives for Conformity
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Who were these key figures accompanying Paul on this journey, and why are they mentioned?
The inclusion of Priscilla and Aquila isn't just a detail; it highlights their vital role alongside Paul.
A United Front
Why Mention Them?
Understand the original words
euchē · Greek Noun
A formal, often temporary commitment or oath made to God, typically involving abstinence from certain actions (like cutting hair) to signify dedication to the Lord.
The mention of Paul cutting his hair because of a vow, a practice deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, highlights his commitment to bridging the gap between Jewish and Gentile believers. Even as he preached a message of freedom in Christ, he often adapted to Jewish customs to win over his own people.
c. AD 50
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
Paul spends about 18 months in Corinth, establishing a significant church among both Jews and Gentiles.
c. AD 52
Gallio Becomes Proconsul of Achaia
The Jewish leaders bring Paul before Gallio, the Roman proconsul, hoping to have him punished. Gallio dismisses the charges, protecting Paul and the burgeoning church.
c. AD 52— this verse
Paul Departs Corinth
After Gallio's intervention, Paul stays longer in Corinth, finding a period of peace. He then decides to sail for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.
c. AD 52
Paul's Vow and Hair Cutting
At Cenchreae, a port of Corinth, Paul (or possibly Aquila) cuts his hair, fulfilling a vow. This suggests a connection to Jewish customs, possibly a Nazirite vow, to be completed at the Jerusalem temple.
c. AD 52
Arrival in Ephesus
Paul and his companions stop in Ephesus, where Paul leaves Priscilla and Aquila. He enters the synagogue and begins to preach.
c. AD 52-53
Paul Continues to Jerusalem
Paul intends to reach Jerusalem for a feast, likely Passover, and to complete his vow. He travels from Ephesus via Caesarea.
c. AD 53
Paul Arrives in Antioch
After saluting the church in Jerusalem, Paul returns to Antioch, the base for his missionary journeys.
This passage outlines the laws and practices of the Nazirite vow, which is the most detailed example of such a vow in the Old Testament and likely informs the practices Paul and Aquila followed.
Acts 21:23-24This passage describes Paul participating in a vow by providing for men who had taken a Nazirite vow and then shaving his head, showing a pattern of engaging with Jewish customs and vows for specific purposes.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23Paul explains his strategy of becoming 'all things to all people' to win them for Christ, which provides a theological framework for understanding why he might participate in Jewish customs like vows.
Galatians 2:10This verse mentions the apostles' agreement to remember the poor, suggesting Paul's journey to Jerusalem may have been connected to fulfilling a vow and carrying alms, as hinted by some commentators.
ellicottActs 18:18: "And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow."
(18) And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while. —Literally, tarried yet many days, the phrase probably covering a period of some months. The fact is noted as following on Gallio’s repression of the enmity of the Jews. The Apostle could stay and work on without mole…
bensonActs 18:18: "And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow."
Acts 18:18 . Paul after this — After these tumultuous proceedings, and the opposition that was raised against him at Corinth by the Jews; tarried there yet a good while — Greek, ημερας ικανας , many days, after the year and six months, mentioned Acts 18:11 , to confirm the…
What's easy to miss is that Paul, even as the apostle to the Gentiles, was willing to embrace Jewish customs to reach his own people. He shaved his head in Cenchreae not because he was religiously obligated as a Gentile, but as a way to connect with Jewish believers and fulfill a vow that required completion at the Jerusalem Temple. This highlights his profound commitment to bridging divides and winning people to Christ.
After facing opposition from the Jews and gaining a period of peace in Corinth, Paul stays longer than initially planned before sailing for Syria. He travels with Priscilla and Aquila, and at the port of Cenchreae, Paul cuts his hair due to a vow he had taken, likely as a way to engage with Jewish customs and customs to win over more people to Christ.
After facing opposition from the Jews and gaining a period of peace in Corinth, Paul stays longer than initially planned before sailing for Syria. He travels with Priscilla and Aquila, and at the port of Cenchreae, Paul cuts his hair due to a vow he had taken, likely as a way to engage with Jewish customs and customs to win over more people to Christ.
"After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow." — What's easy to miss is that Paul, even as the apostle to the Gentiles, was willing to embrace Jewish customs to reach his own people. He shaved his head in Cenchreae not because he was religiously ob…
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Last reviewed October 2026