Definition: And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Acts 18:19. It's a really important moment in the story of early Christianity! Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, Paul was visiting Ephesus – a city in Turkey – and he started having conversations with the Jewish people there. Let’s unpack that a little more: “He came to Ephesus…” - This tells us Paul was traveling and making stops along his journey. “…and left them there:” – This means Paul wasn't staying in Ephesus for long. He was on a journey and needed to move on. "...but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.” - This is the key part! Paul actually went into a religious gathering , a synagogue (a place of prayer and worship), and started talking to the Jewish people who were there. So, what was he doing? He wasn’t just passing through; he was actively engaging with them. He wasn't trying to force his beliefs on anyone. Instead, he wanted to share his message – that God’s love is universal and everyone should know Jesus. Why was this important? This shows that Paul understood that people weren’t always ready to hear his ideas immediately. He needed to build relationships and present the truth in a way that would resonate with them. It's about showing love and understanding, not just lecturing! In short, it’s a story of Paul’s outreach – he wasn’t just visiting; he was actively connecting with people and sharing his faith. --- Would you like me to: Explain a specific aspect of this verse in more detail? Give you some context about the time period? Offer a related story or example from the Bible?