Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text highlights Crispus, a leader in the synagogue, believing with his whole household. This wasn't just a personal decision, but a whole family's radical embrace of Jesus, demonstrating the transformative power of faith that could even win over the established religious leadership.
Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul has been preaching in Corinth, facing opposition from the Jewish community, and has now moved his teaching to the house of a Gentile convert next door to the synagogue. This shift leads to a significant breakthrough as Crispus, a prominent leader of the synagogue, believes along with his whole household, drawing many other Corinthians to faith and baptism. The conversion of such a respected figure demonstrates the growing impact of the Gospel in this influential city, even as opposition continues.
Imagine a top leader, someone deeply invested in the existing system, suddenly embracing a completely new way of life. What does that say about the power of the message they encountered?
Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, held a position of significant authority and respect within the Jewish community. His role involved presiding over assemblies, interpreting law, and maintaining order. His conversion to belief in the Lord Jesus wasn't just a personal decision; it was a dramatic shift from the established religious structure to a new, radical movement.
This wasn't a casual choice. The commentaries highlight that his conversion, along with his entire household, would have been a major event, likely causing considerable consternation among the Jewish leadership. It demonstrated that the gospel's appeal transcended social strata, reaching even those in positions of power and influence.
One person's transformation can spark a wildfire! What happens when a respected leader's 'yes' to God leads others to say 'yes' too?
Crispus's conversion wasn't an isolated incident. The verse tells us that 'many of the Corinthians hearing believed.' This implies that the news of Crispus's belief, and perhaps the message Paul was proclaiming, created a ripple effect.
The term 'hearing' suggests that people were exposed to the gospel, whether by hearing directly from Paul, hearing about Crispus's transformation, or both. This exposure, coupled with the power of the Holy Spirit, led to widespread belief and baptism. It’s a powerful reminder that genuine faith is often contagious and that the gospel has the capacity to transform an entire community, even one as notoriously 'voluptuous and wicked' as Corinth.
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Understand the original words
pisteuō · Greek Verb
To place trust or confidence in God or Christ; to accept the Gospel message as true. It involves an active reliance upon Jesus for salvation.
ebaptizonto · Greek Verb
A physical act of immersion in water as an outward sign of an inward transformation and identification with Christ. It symbolizes death to the old life and resurrection to new life in Him.
c. AD 50— this verse
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul arrives in Corinth, a major Roman city and the capital of Achaia, and begins preaching in the local synagogue.
c. AD 50-52
Founding of the Corinthian Church
During his extended stay, Paul establishes a significant Christian community in Corinth, facing opposition from some Jews but winning many converts, both Jews and Gentiles.
c. AD 55
Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians
Though not directly mentioned in Acts, Paul writes his first letter to the church in Corinth to address divisions and theological issues, referencing early converts like Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas.
This passage directly refers to Crispus, highlighting him as one of the few individuals Paul personally baptized, emphasizing the significance of his conversion and the impact it had.
Acts 16:15This verse shows another instance of an entire household believing and being baptized upon hearing the Gospel, paralleling the conversion of Crispus's family.
Romans 16:23This passage mentions Gaius, who likely was one of the many Corinthians converted in Acts 18:8, and identifies him as a host to Paul, showing the deep roots of the Corinthian church.
Acts 11:14This verse speaks of salvation coming to Cornelius's whole household, mirroring the impact of the Gospel extending to the entire household of Crispus in Corinth.
ellicottActs 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."
(8) And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord. —The article does not necessarily show that there was only one ruler—commonly, as at the Pisidian Antioch ( Acts 13:15 ), there were more—but that this Crispus was thus distinguished from others of the same name. The office was one which gave its holder an hon…
pooleActs 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."
The chief ruler: there were several rulers in a synagogue, which we find frequent mention of, as Matthew 9:18 Mark 5:22 . Their office and place was, to advise and give order about the affairs of the synagogue, that all things might be performed according to their prescribed rules. Many of the Corinthians believed; amongst whom are…
The text highlights Crispus, a leader in the synagogue, believing with his whole household. This wasn't just a personal decision, but a whole family's radical embrace of Jesus, demonstrating the transformative power of faith that could even win over the established religious leadership.
Paul has been preaching in Corinth, facing opposition from the Jewish community, and has now moved his teaching to the house of a Gentile convert next door to the synagogue. This shift leads to a significant breakthrough as Crispus, a prominent leader of the synagogue, believes along with his whole household, drawing many other Corinthians to faith and baptism. The conversion of such a respected figure demonstrates the growing impact of the Gospel in this influential city, even as opposition continues.
Paul has been preaching in Corinth, facing opposition from the Jewish community, and has now moved his teaching to the house of a Gentile convert next door to the synagogue. This shift leads to a significant breakthrough as Crispus, a prominent leader of the synagogue, believes along with his whole household, drawing many other Corinthians to faith and baptism. The conversion of such a respected figure demonstrates the growing impact of the Gospel in this influential city, even as opposition continues.
"Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized." — The text highlights Crispus, a leader in the synagogue, believing with his whole household. This wasn't just a personal decision, but a whole family's radical embrace of Jesus, demonstrating the tran…
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Last reviewed October 2026