Acts 18:21

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

So, he left them, saying, “I will come back to you if it is God’s will.” Then He sailed from Ephesus.

Cross References

1 Corinthians 4:19

But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wants me to. Then I will determine not [only] what these arrogant people are saying, but how much power they have.

James 4:15

Instead, you should be saying, “If it is what the Lord wants, we will live and do this or that.”

Hebrews 6:3

And we will do so [i.e., go on to more advanced teaching] if God allows us to.

Romans 15:32

And pray that I will [be able to] come to you joyfully, if it is God’s will, and have a refreshing visit with you.

Romans 1:10

I am always requesting that somehow, by God’s will, I may now eventually be able to visit you.

Acts 20:16

For Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus so he would not have to spend any time in [the province of] Asia, because he was hurrying to get to Jerusalem in time for the Day of Pentecost, if at all possible.

1 Peter 3:17

For, if it is God’s will that you should suffer, it is better [for you] that it be on account of doing right than doing wrong.

2 Corinthians 13:11

Finally, brothers, good-bye [or, “be glad”]. Be fully restored [spiritually]. Be comforted [or, “exhort one another”]. Think alike on things. Be at peace among yourselves. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

1 Corinthians 16:7

But I do not plan to see you yet, as I will [only] be passing through. For I am hoping to stay with you for some time [i.e., in the future], if the Lord permits.

Acts 21:14

And when he could not be dissuaded [from going to Jerusalem] we stopped [trying to convince him], saying, “Let the Lord's will be done in the matter.”

Acts 19:21

After these things happened Paul decided to travel through Macedonia and Achaia on his way to Jerusalem. He said, “Then, after I have been there I want to visit Rome also.”

Acts 15:29

Avoid [eating] things sacrificed to idols; avoid [drinking] blood; avoid [eating] things [that were] strangled [to death] and avoid sexual immorality. If you avoid [all] these things, you will be doing well. Goodbye.”

Luke 9:61

Then another person said [to Jesus], “Lord, I will become your follower, but first let me say goodbye to my family.” [Note: There was the likelihood that family members might try to dissuade him from his commitment to follow the Lord].

Matthew 26:39

And He went on ahead a short distance and fell face-down and prayed, “My Father, allow this cup [i.e., of suffering] to pass away from me if it is [at all] possible; nevertheless, let it not be what I want, but what You want [for me].”

Mark 6:46

And after He had left them He went up to a mountain to pray.

Acts 18:19

When they arrived at Ephesus, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila there. He then went into the [Jewish] synagogue and held discussions with the Jews.

Acts 18:20

When they asked him to stay [and continue the discussions] longer, he declined.

Acts 18:24

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria [Egypt] and an effective speaker, who was well-grounded in the [Old Testament] Scriptures, came to Ephesus.

Acts 19:1

Then, while Apollos was [still] at Corinth, Paul traveled through the [western] districts and came to Ephesus where he found some disciples.

Acts 19:17

When this incident became known to all of the Jews and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] who lived in Ephesus, they became fearful and the name of the Lord Jesus was regarded with honor.

Acts 21:29

(For the Jews had previously seen him on a city street with Trophimus, the Ephesian, whom they assumed Paul had taken into the Temple [with him]).

1 Corinthians 15:32

What benefit was it to me, from a human standpoint, if I fought wild animals in Ephesus, and [yet] the dead are not raised? [Note: This probably refers to Paul facing ferocious opposition from people there in Ephesus]. We should [just] eat and drink, for tomorrow we [may] die.

1 Corinthians 16:8

But I will wait [here] in Ephesus until the Day of Pentecost [Note: This was an annual Jewish festival, held at spring harvest time];

Ephesians 1:1

[This letter is from] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, according to God’s will, [and is being sent] to the saints [i.e., God’s holy people] at Ephesus [Note: This was a major city in the western province of Asia Minor, and is now a part of Turkey. The words “at Ephesus” are omitted in some manuscripts, suggesting it was a circular letter], and the faithful ones in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus [everywhere else (?)].

Revelation 1:11

saying, “Write down in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicia.” [Note: These seven congregations were all located in western Asia Minor].

Revelation 2:1

“Write [this] to the angel [i.e., the messenger] of the church at Ephesus [Note: These “messengers,” (verses 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14) are thought by some to be evangelists]: These things are the words of the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands: