Acts 19:8
New International Version
Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.

New Living Translation
Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God.

English Standard Version
And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.

Berean Literal Bible
And having entered into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them concerning the kingdom of God.

King James Bible
And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

New King James Version
And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.

New American Standard Bible
And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, having discussions and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

NASB 1995
And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

NASB 1977
And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

Legacy Standard Bible
And after he entered the synagogue, he continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

Amplified Bible
And he went into the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and arguing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

Christian Standard Bible
Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, arguing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then he entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, engaging in discussion and trying to persuade them about the things of the kingdom of God.

American Standard Version
And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Contemporary English Version
For three months Paul went to the synagogue and talked bravely with the people about God's kingdom. He tried to win them over,

English Revised Version
And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
For three months Paul would go into the synagogue and speak boldly. He had discussions with people to convince them about the kingdom of God.

Good News Translation
Paul went into the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly with the people, holding discussions with them and trying to convince them about the Kingdom of God.

International Standard Version
He went into the synagogue and spoke there boldly for three months, holding discussions and persuading those who heard him about the kingdom of God.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.

NET Bible
So Paul entered the synagogue and spoke out fearlessly for three months, addressing and convincing them about the kingdom of God.

New Heart English Bible
He entered into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning the Kingdom of God.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Weymouth New Testament
Afterwards he went into the synagogue. There for three months he continued to preach fearlessly, explaining in words which carried conviction the truths which concern the Kingdom of God.

World English Bible
He entered into the synagogue and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning God’s Kingdom.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And having gone into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading the things concerning the Kingdom of God,

Berean Literal Bible
And having entered into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them concerning the kingdom of God.

Young's Literal Translation
And having gone into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading the things concerning the reign of God,

Smith's Literal Translation
And having come into the synagogue, he spake freely, discoursing for three months, and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And entering into the synagogue, he spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and exhorting concerning the kingdom of God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, upon entering the synagogue, he was speaking faithfully for three months, disputing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

New American Bible
He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the kingdom of God.

New Revised Standard Version
He entered the synagogue and for three months spoke out boldly, and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Paul entered into the synagogue, and spoke openly for a period of three months, persuading the people concerning the kingdom of God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And Paulus was entering the synagogue and he was speaking publicly three months and persuading concerning The Kingdom of God.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he entered the synagogue, and spoke boldly, reasoning, and persuading them for three months, with respect to the things of the kingdom of God.

Godbey New Testament
And having come into the synagogue, he preached boldly three months, expounding and persuading them as to the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Haweis New Testament
And entering into the synagogue, he spake boldly during three months, reasoning and persuading the things that concern the kingdom of God.

Mace New Testament
At length Paul went to the synagogue, where he spoke with great freedom, and for three months he conferr'd with them to persuade them of the truth of the evangelical kingdom.

Weymouth New Testament
Afterwards he went into the synagogue. There for three months he continued to preach fearlessly, explaining in words which carried conviction the truths which concern the Kingdom of God.

Worrell New Testament
And, entering into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the Kingdom of God.

Worsley New Testament
and spake boldly, disputing with them for the space of three months, and persuading them of the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul Ministers in Ephesus
7There were about twelve men in all. 8Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.…

Cross References
Acts 18:4
Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.

Acts 17:2-3
As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, / explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared.

Acts 28:23
So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

Acts 13:5
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. And John was with them as their helper.

Acts 14:1
At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue, where they spoke so well that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.

Acts 9:20
Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.”

Acts 17:17
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day.

Acts 19:9
But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

Acts 13:14-16
And from Perga, they traveled inland to Pisidian Antioch, where they entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and sat down. / After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.” / Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who fear God, listen to me!

Acts 18:19
When they reached Ephesus, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue there and reasoned with the Jews.

Acts 13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 14:3
So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who affirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

Acts 28:31
Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 4:16-21
Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read, / the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it was written: / “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, ...

Mark 1:21
Then Jesus and His companions went to Capernaum, and right away Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.


Treasury of Scripture

And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

went.

Acts 13:14,46
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down…

Acts 14:1
And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

Acts 26:22,23
Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: …

disputing.

Acts 19:9
But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

Acts 1:3
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Acts 9:20-22
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God…

Jump to Previous
Afterwards Arguing Boldly Carried Continued Conviction Disputing Entered Entering Explaining Fear Fearlessly Kingdom Months Paul Period Persuading Pleading Preach Preaching Reasoning Reign Space Speaking Synagogue Teaching Three Truths Words
Jump to Next
Afterwards Arguing Boldly Carried Continued Conviction Disputing Entered Entering Explaining Fear Fearlessly Kingdom Months Paul Period Persuading Pleading Preach Preaching Reasoning Reign Space Speaking Synagogue Teaching Three Truths Words
Acts 19
1. The Holy Spirit is given by Paul's hands.
8. The Jews blaspheme his doctrine, which is confirmed by miracles.
13. The Jewish exorcists,
16. are beaten by a man who had an evil spirit.
19. Conjuring books are burnt.
21. Demetrius, for love of gain, raises an uproar against Paul;
35. which is appeased by the town clerk.














Then Paul went into the synagogue
Paul's custom was to begin his ministry in a new city by visiting the local synagogue. This was a strategic approach, as synagogues were centers of Jewish worship and learning, and Paul, being a Pharisee and well-versed in the Scriptures, could engage with the Jewish audience on common ground. This practice is consistent with his statement in Romans 1:16, where he expresses his commitment to preach "first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." The synagogue in Ephesus, where this event takes place, was a significant location due to Ephesus's status as a major city in Asia Minor, known for its diverse population and religious pluralism.

and spoke boldly there for three months
Paul's boldness in speaking is a recurring theme in Acts, reflecting the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31). His ability to speak boldly for an extended period indicates both his commitment and the initial receptivity of the audience. The duration of three months suggests a significant opportunity for teaching and discussion, allowing Paul to lay a strong foundation for the believers in Ephesus. This period of bold proclamation is reminiscent of the prophets in the Old Testament, who spoke with authority and conviction.

arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God
Paul's message centered on the kingdom of God, a theme that is central to Jesus' own teaching (Mark 1:15). The kingdom of God refers to God's sovereign rule and the fulfillment of His promises through Jesus Christ. Paul's persuasive arguments would have included the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and the implications of these events for both Jews and Gentiles. His approach was likely apologetic, addressing objections and misconceptions about Jesus as the Messiah. This method of reasoning is similar to his approach in other cities, such as Thessalonica (Acts 17:2-3), where he reasoned from the Scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle and missionary who is central to the spread of Christianity in the first century. Known for his boldness and dedication to preaching the Gospel.

2. Synagogue
A Jewish place of worship and community gathering. In the context of Acts, synagogues were often the first places Paul visited to preach the Gospel to the Jews.

3. Ephesus
A major city in the Roman province of Asia, known for its large population and the Temple of Artemis. It was a significant center for early Christian evangelism.

4. The Kingdom of God
A central theme in Jesus' teaching, referring to God's sovereign rule and the spiritual realm where His will is fulfilled.

5. Three Months
The duration of Paul's ministry in the synagogue, indicating a significant period of teaching and engagement with the Jewish community.
Teaching Points
Boldness in Proclaiming the Gospel
Paul’s example encourages believers to speak boldly about their faith, even in challenging environments.

The Importance of Reasoned Argument
Engaging others with reasoned and persuasive arguments can be an effective way to share the Gospel.

Perseverance in Ministry
Paul’s three-month commitment in the synagogue demonstrates the importance of perseverance and patience in ministry efforts.

Focus on the Kingdom of God
Understanding and teaching about the kingdom of God should be central to Christian ministry, as it was in Paul’s preaching.

Engagement with Different Cultures
Paul’s ministry in Ephesus shows the importance of engaging with diverse cultures and communities to spread the Gospel.(8) Spake boldly for the space of three months.--We pause for a moment to think of the amount of work of all kinds implied in this short record. The daily labour as a tent-maker went on as before (Acts 20:34), probably still in partnership with Aquila and Priscilla. The Sabbaths saw him evening and morning in the synagogue preaching, as he had done elsewhere, that Jesus was the Christ, and setting forth the nature of His work and the laws of His kingdom.

Verse 8. - Entered for went, A.V.; reasoning for disputing, A.V. (διαλεγόμενος, as ver. 9 and Acts 17:2, 17; Acts 18:4, 19, etc.); as to the things for the things, A.V. This last is a needless change, since πείθειν properly governs an accusative of the things persuaded or taught, and it is a right English use of "to persuade" to apply it to the thing inculcated. For the use of the phrase "the kingdom of God" as a compendious description of Christian doctrine, see Acts 1:3; Acts 8:12; Acts 20:25; Acts 28:23. St. Luke uses the phrase very frequently (Luke 6:20; Luke 8:10; Luke 9:27, 60, 62; Luke 10:11; Luke 11:20; Luke 13:20, 28; Luke 16:16; Luke 17:20; Luke 21:31, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

[Paul] went
Εἰσελθὼν (Eiselthōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

synagogue
συναγωγὴν (synagōgēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4864: From sunago; an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish 'synagogue'; by analogy, a Christian church.

[and] spoke boldly [there]
ἐπαρρησιάζετο (eparrēsiazeto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3955: To speak freely, boldly; To be confident.

for
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

three
τρεῖς (treis)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5140: Three. Or neuter tria a primary number; 'three'.

months,
μῆνας (mēnas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3376: A (lunar) month. A primary word; a month.

arguing
διαλεγόμενος (dialegomenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1256: To converse, address, preach, lecture; I argue, reason. Middle voice from dia and lego; to say thoroughly, i.e. Discuss.

persuasively
πείθων (peithōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3982: A primary verb; to convince; by analogy, to pacify or conciliate; reflexively or passively, to assent, to rely.

about
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

kingdom
βασιλείας (basileias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

of God.
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


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