What Does Acts 18:27 Mean in the King James?
And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Favor has already brought trust to life, and the person welcomed into the community adds strength to what is growing.
THE MEANING
Trust takes root through favor, and the people who already trust are strengthened by someone they welcome. Favor moves through the community: it opens the way for trust and takes form as practical help.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the belief that favor matters only at the first moment of belief: here, people already trusting are strengthened through another person’s contribution.
THE ROOT
χάρις
charis
GROWS FROM
χαρ-
char-
Favor or goodwill; this word family also carries a connection to joy and freely granting.
“grace” in this verse is charis. The Greek word family links χάρις (favor) with χαρά (joy) and χαρίζομαι (to grant freely or show favor). Here, trust comes through favor, and that favor moves outward as someone strengthens the community.
ALSO GROWS
chara: Joy
χαρά
This related word shows the family’s connection between favor and joy.
charizomai: Grant freely, show favor, or forgive
χαρίζομαι
This branch makes favor active: it is something given freely.
πεπιστευκόσι
pepisteukosi
GROWS FROM
πιστ-
pist-
Trust, rely on, or entrust oneself; the family also carries the sense of being trustworthy or steady.
“believed” in this verse is pepisteukosi. The Greek form describes people who have come to trust and remain among the trusting. The verse places that trust within favor, so Apollos strengthens a trust that is already alive.
ALSO GROWS
pistis: Trust
πίστις
This noun names the trust that the verse says has come through favor.
pistos: Trustworthy, steady
πιστός
This branch shows how the same root can describe the quality of what is trusted.
συνεβάλετο
synebaleto
GROWS FROM
βάλλω (ballō), with συν- (syn-, together)
βάλλω means throw or place; the compound συμβάλλω can mean bring together, contribute, or help.
The verb rendered “helped” carries the sense of bringing things together or contributing. Apollos’s aid does not replace the disciples’ trust; he adds to a community whose trust is already present.
ALSO GROWS
ballō: Throw or cast
βάλλω
This is the base verb in the compound, giving the image of something being put or brought into the mix.
symballō: Bring together, contribute, or help
συμβάλλω
This branch reveals the collaborative sense of Apollos’s help: he contributes to what is already growing.
THE PATTERN
Favor does not stop at belief; it moves through people and becomes growth, encouragement, and strength.
Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.THE THREAD
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.This verse uses the same Greek word, χάρις (charis), for favor. There, favor is visible in a community and moves someone to encourage others; here, trust comes through favor and Apollos’s contribution strengthens those who already trust.
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