Acts 18:9
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Lord speaks to Paul not just to encourage him, but to correct a very human tendency to fear and withdraw when facing intense opposition. The command "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent" reveals that even the great apostle Paul experienced moments of doubt and felt the temptation to cease his work when facing hostility and apparent setbacks.
Just after facing strong opposition and blasphemy from the Jews in Corinth, Paul decides to leave their synagogue and preach elsewhere, taking his converts with him. Despite this shift and likely facing discouragement from the resistance he's encountered, the Lord appears to Paul in a vision, encouraging him not to fear but to continue speaking boldly because God is with him and has many people in that city. Paul then stays in Corinth for a significant time, teaching God's word.
Even the mighty Apostle Paul battled fear and discouragement. You're not alone if you feel this way.
It's easy to look at figures like Paul and imagine them as fearless super-apostles. But the text here, and Paul's own later words, reveal a different reality.
Paul's Human Struggle
The Lord speaks to Paul in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid.” This isn't a generic platitude; it's a direct response to Paul's inner state. The scholars point out that Paul was likely feeling overwhelmed by the intellectual and cultural sophistication of Corinth, the opposition he faced, and perhaps even the slow progress of the gospel there. He was a man with human emotions, susceptible to doubt and depression.
A Divine Reassurance
This vision wasn't just a pep talk. It was a divine intervention, assuring Paul that his fears, while real, were not the ultimate reality. God's presence and purpose were far greater than his anxieties. This reminds us that feeling fear doesn't disqualify us from serving God; rather, it opens the door for His strength to be made perfect in our weakness.
God's command to Paul wasn't just to speak, but to never stop speaking. What does this relentless call mean for us?
The Lord’s message to Paul has two powerful commands, intricately linked:
Speak Boldly
Paul is told, 'go on speaking.' This isn't about casual conversation; it's about proclaiming the gospel. Despite opposition and discouragement, Paul's primary calling was to share God's message.
Never Be Silent
The second part, 'and do not be silent,' amplifies the first. It emphasizes persistence. It’s not enough to speak occasionally; the mandate is to continue, to persevere, to not let fear or difficulty cause him to cease his ministry. This echoes the prophets like Jeremiah, who were called to speak God's word even when it was difficult or unpopular.
Understand the original words
horama · Greek Noun
A supernatural revelation from God to a human being, conveying divine guidance, warning, or comfort. It is a way God communicates His will directly.
phobou · Greek Verb
A fundamental command given by God to His servants to overcome the natural human reaction of terror in the face of opposition or danger. It implies that trust in God's presence should override human fear.
Paul's vision in Corinth wasn't just a divine pep talk; it was a strategic intervention addressing real fear born from opposition and the daunting task of reaching a complex, Hellenistic city. It highlights that even apostles faced moments of doubt, and God's direct encouragement was crucial for perseverance.
c. AD 49-50
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul begins a significant ministry in Corinth, a major Roman city known for its trade and diverse population. He initially focuses on the Jewish community, as was his custom.
c. AD 50
Jewish Opposition and Departure
When the Jews in Corinth vehemently oppose and blaspheme Paul's message, he shakes out his garments as a sign of judgment and declares he will turn to the Gentiles. He moves his teaching to the house of Justus, a Gentile worshipper of God.
c. AD 50-51— this verse
Vision of Encouragement
Amidst likely discouragement from the opposition and the challenges of ministry in a Gentile-dominated city, the Lord appears to Paul in a night vision. He reassures Paul not to fear, to continue speaking boldly, and promises his protection and success.
c. AD 51-52
Extended Ministry in Corinth
Following the Lord's encouragement, Paul remains in Corinth for about a year and a half, teaching the word of God and establishing the church there. This period likely included further outreach to both Jews and Gentiles in the surrounding region of Achaia.
Similar to Elijah's discouragement in the wilderness, Paul experiences profound weariness and fear, needing a divine encounter to be reminded of his calling.
Jeremiah 1:6-8The prophet Jeremiah expresses fear and inadequacy about his mission, but God reassures him with His presence and power, just as Paul is encouraged.
2 Timothy 1:7This passage highlights that believers are given a spirit of power, love, and self-control, not fear, directly echoing the encouragement Paul receives not to be afraid.
Matthew 28:20Jesus' promise to be with His disciples always provides a foundational assurance that parallels the Lord's specific promise to Paul, 'I am with you.'
Romans 8:31This declaration, 'If God is for us, who can be against us?', powerfully reflects the reassurance Paul is given that no one will be able to harm him because of God's presence and purpose.
ellicottActs 18:9: "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:"
(9) Then spake the Lord to Paul. —We note the recurrence of these visions at each great crisis of the Apostle’s life. He had seen the Lord at his conversion ( Acts 9:4-6 ), he had heard the same voice and seen the same form in his trance in the Temple at Jerusalem ( Acts 22:17 ). Now he saw and heard them once more. “In visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men,” he…
barnesActs 18:9: "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:"
By a vision - Compare the notes on Acts 9:10 ; Acts 16:9 . Be not afraid - Perhaps Paul might have been intimidated by the learning, refinement, and splendor of Corinth; perhaps embarrassed in view of his duty of addressing the rich, the polite, and the great. To this he may allude in 1 Corinthians 2:3; "And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling." In such…
The Lord speaks to Paul not just to encourage him, but to correct a very human tendency to fear and withdraw when facing intense opposition. The command "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent" reveals that even the great apostle Paul experienced moments of doubt and felt the temptation to cease his work when facing hostility and apparent setbacks.
Just after facing strong opposition and blasphemy from the Jews in Corinth, Paul decides to leave their synagogue and preach elsewhere, taking his converts with him. Despite this shift and likely facing discouragement from the resistance he's encountered, the Lord appears to Paul in a vision, encouraging him not to fear but to continue speaking boldly because God is with him and has many people in that city. Paul then stays in Corinth for a significant time, teaching God's word.
Just after facing strong opposition and blasphemy from the Jews in Corinth, Paul decides to leave their synagogue and preach elsewhere, taking his converts with him. Despite this shift and likely facing discouragement from the resistance he's encountered, the Lord appears to Paul in a vision, encouraging him not to fear but to continue speaking boldly because God is with him and has many people in that city. Paul then stays in Corinth for a significant time, teaching God's word.
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The Reason Why
The context in Acts 18 reveals why this command is so crucial. Paul had just faced intense opposition from the Jews. The temptation would be to withdraw and keep quiet for safety. But God’s plan was for Paul to continue his work, assured of God's presence and the fact that many in Corinth were His people, waiting to hear the message.
c. AD 52
Paul Departs Corinth for Ephesus
Paul eventually leaves Corinth, sailing to Ephesus with Priscilla and Aquila. He leaves behind a strong church and the foundation for his future letters to the Corinthians.
"And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent," — The Lord speaks to Paul not just to encourage him, but to correct a very human tendency to fear and withdraw when facing intense opposition. The command "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do n…
