The Vow

Acts 18:18

“18 After staying there [Corinth] for a considerable time, Paul said farewell to the believers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was under a vow.” 

The Nazarite vow could be taken for a limited period or for a longer period of time.  Samson was born a Nazarite and was faced with living as a Nazarite for all of his life (which he never did).  

The vow included no strong drink, no going near or touching dead bodies, and no hair cuts.  The Nazarite vow was taken when a person wanted to draw closer to God; when added focus on the tasks at hand was needed; or in a time of trouble or concern.

In Corinth, Paul took the Nazarite vow, maybe for the period of time he was there, which would have been a year and six months. This meant that the work there required extra focus, extra dedication, and an extraordinary sense of God’s presence.

In founding the Christian church in Corinth, Paul called on God’s help in a special way, a way that recalled his Jewish heritage.

Paul used various methods, and practices to communicate the gospel message (see 1Corinthians 9:19-23), changing from one practice to another, depending on the place, the time, or the person.

I do all these things, Paul said “so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share its blessings.” (1Cor.9:22-23).

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)