Paul or Aquila?

[Pastor_Bob]

Acts 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. (KJV)

There seems to be some differences of opinion as to whether the individual referred to as shaving his head as the result of a vow is the Apostle Paul or the man named Aquila.

If Aquila, one could make the argument that he did so before he was saved. If Paul, then he would seem to be softening his previous stand against legalism (Acts 15). He not only vowed a vow, but it appears that Paul was very dogmatic about leaving Corinth to attend a feast in Jerusalem (18:21).

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Acts 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. (KJV)

There seems to be some differences of opinion as to whether the individual referred to as shaving his head as the result of a vow is the Apostle Paul or the man named Aquila.

Who is the subject of the first sentence, Paul, or his companions? This is the beginning of a five-verse paragraph, and throughout the rest of the passage, "he" is the predominant pronoun. One, since Paul is the subject of the first sentence of a paragraph and "he" would not referred to a married couple -- which is how Priscilla and Aquila are introduced secondarily, and remain so -- and two, given that Dr. Luke is primarily recounting Paul's ministry here, it is obvious the reference is to Paul. The way the KJV renders it does make it unclear, I suppose, but it is quite clear in other versions. The one with the vow is Paul.

 

[Pastor_Bob]

This passage has resurfaced in our Life of Paul class. Why do you feel that Paul was so adamant about attending the feast in Jerusalem? Could it be that he saw it as an evangelistic opportunity?

 

[agedman]

Did not the days of purification require shaved heads?

Paul, being a Jew, and desiring to present himself respectfully to Jews, would have shaved his head.

Imo, it really hasn't much to do with legalism as it was getting an opportunity to witness without offense.

Sort of like one not eating garlic and onions or not taking a bath after working up a sweat before going out witnessing about Christ.

 

[kyredneck]

Why do you feel that Paul was so adamant about attending the feast in Jerusalem? Could it be that he saw it as an evangelistic opportunity?

He was warned not to go:

3 And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed unto Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
4 And having found the disciples, we tarried there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem.
10 And as we tarried there some days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
11 And coming to us, and taking Paul`s girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
12 And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Acts 21