GOD’S WORD FOR YOU
ACTS 18:18
18 Paul stayed on in Corinth a long time with the brothers. When he said good-bye, he put out to sea for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken.
Luke describes Paul “putting out to sea for Syria” rather than just sailing to Syria because there would be several stops along the way. We still talk this way when we travel and need to change busses or planes, or even change ships as Paul probably did. Aquila and his wife Priscilla were only going as far as Ephesus; perhaps the idea was already in their minds that Paul would go to Jerusalem but then proceed to Ephesus to rejoin them.
Sometimes we notice that the names of Aquila and Priscilla have his name first, and other times her name comes first. Luke always seems to have a reason for this. In general, the woman’s name is placed first when she is more important in the sentence or the context, such as when we hear about “Mary and Joseph” when she has delivered the baby Jesus (Luke 2:16), but Joseph comes first when the family is traveling (Luke 2:22; 2:39). When Paul mentions Aquila and Priscilla in his letters, the husband’s name is usually first (Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19), but when they are working as a team, her name usually comes first, perhaps because she was a more prominent speaker or had a higher social position than her husband. In their final mention in the Bible, Priscilla’s name is once again first in Paul’s final greeting (2 Timothy 4:19). Perhaps there isn’t much to make from this word-order, but it’s always worth noting even the smallest detail in the Word of God.
One detail here that might escape some readers is the business of “his” haircut in Cenchrea. For a Jew (or an early Christian), getting a haircut was the sign of either beginning or ending a vow. The laws governing such vows, called Nazirite Vows, are briefly given in Numbers 6:1-22, and the treatment of his hair comes in Numbers 6:5 and again in 6:18-20. The shoulder of a ram was also required, as well as a specific cake and wafer of bread (6:19). Usually a vow like this was only for a certain period of time, although we think of men like Samson, Samuel and John the Baptist as being life-long Nazirites. Whose vow was at an end? The grammar of the sentence suggests that Aquila was the one, but the overall context of the chapter leads us to suspect that it was Paul. We might like more information, but we must be content with the text as it is.
I was asked recently if the beard I’m growing is part of such a vow, but the answer is no. Otherwise I would abstain from wine (I still take communion) and I would not cut my hair (which I still do) and I would not be able to approach a dead body, and even today I will attend a family who has lost their mother and whose funeral will be in a few days. A vow is made for a very special dedication of service to God. In a vow, we solemnly promise to do a task to God’s glory. It is not proper to take such a vow lightly. Vows like this do not break the Second Commandment, but actually keep it by invoking the name of the Lord to his glory and in his service. Under the Second Commandment, God permits us to use his name to swear an oath under certain conditions: Taking a public office or an office in the church, such as when a President is sworn in or a pastor is ordained; taking a vow when we are confirmed as young adult members of the church, prepared to receive the sacrament; taking a vow to tell the truth in a courtroom; taking a vow to defend the country in the military forces; and of course taking a vow to be faithful and love our spouse when we get married. It is a sin to break any of these vows, but it is especially abhorrent to violate a vow to God to do his work and remain faithful to his word. Why is this especially sinful? Because breaking it will lead many others into sin, as when a false teacher peddles his lies for the sake of money or fame just to tell people what they want to hear rather than be true to the holy Word of God. “The LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name” (Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11).
Luther summarizes simply: “Since we are forbidden to use the holy name in support of falsehood or wickedness, it follows that we are commanded to use it in the service of truth and all that is good– for example, when we swear properly where it is necessary and required” (Large Catechism, Second Commandment, para. 64).
Use the name of God to proclaim what God has done for us. If you must, take a vow and then keep it. If you vow to serve your country, do it to the best of your ability. If you vow to be true to the doctrine you have learned in your catechism, don’t set aside your catechism, but keep reviewing and studying it. It you vow to serve the Lord as a pastor or teacher, pray for God’s help in keeping that vow, and study his word every single day, without fail, until your loving Savior closes your eyes in death. If you vow to love your wife or husband, then love them. If there are days when they frustrate or annoy you, or make you sad, remember your vow and the joy you felt when you took the vow together, and then show your love; showing it will remind them, too, of their vow and the love you share, and your marriage will be stronger, dearer, and more tender, with each delightful passing day. God says: “Fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me” (Psalm 50:14-15). Your Lord will not fail to help you when you ask for his help. He will enable you to keep your vows with joy, with love, with honor, and to his glory.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith
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Pastor Smith serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Ulm, Minnesota
God’s Word for You – Acts 18:18 The Second Commandment in Cenchrea