In Acts 18, Paul visits Corinth and Ephesus, where he continues to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. He is again opposed and insulted by some Jews in Corinth and was ready to dust off his sandals and move on to Ephesus. But, then the Lord spoke to him in a vision, "Do not fear, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will harm you because many people in this city belong to me". That must have been quite the timely encouragement that Paul needed, for he stayed in Corinth another 18 months teaching the word of God. Then Paul left Corinth for a short stay in Ephesus, debating again with the Jews in their synagogue. He told them when it was time for him to move on, "I will return again , God willing". This phrase, "God willing" is a favorite phrase of mine that appears a few times in scripture. Someone once said that one sure way to make God laugh is to tell Him your plans for the future. At the end of Acts 18, a man named Apollos is introduced. He is described as an "eloquent speaker who knew the scriptures well". It also says that Apollos "talked with great enthusiasm and accuracy about Jesus", though he apparently was only familiar with the teachings of John the Baptist. When he was confronted with the knowledge of Jesus' life, crucifixion, and resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit, he humbly listened and learned. This eloquent orator and scholar did not hesitate to become the student in order to explain the ways of God more completely and accurately. Acts 18 ends by characterizing Apollos as having "proved to be a great benefit to those who, by God's grace, had believed".

Pride is a side-thorn for many of us who desire complete knowledge and ability to speak eloquently. I pray that the desires and motivations of my heart would be purely for God's glory and his purposes; and, if God willing , He would allow me to "speak with great enthusiasm and accuracy" for the benefit of those he has gracefully called to Himself.