So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow. Acts 18:18

Paul remained in Corinth for “a good while,” referring to the year and a half he spent there planting the Corinthian church. As mentioned previously, that was a long time for Paul, who usually was in a town for weeks or a few months. Why did he leave? Was it because of the social and civil unrest (v.17)? We cannot say since the Bible does not say.

We can say, because the Bible says, Paul headed back to Syria (Antioch) which was where his “sending church” was located. His two work and ministry mates, Priscilla and Aquila, went with him.

Then there is the curious sentence about Paul’s vow. What is that about? Let me answer by simply quoting from my favorite New Testament commentary:

“[Paul] had his hair cut in Cenchrea, for he was keeping a vow.” Paul followed the Jewish practice of making a Nazirite vow which stipulated that a person cut his hair at the conclusion of a specified period… Following this period, a sacrifice had to be offered in Jerusalem. After Paul had made his vow, he was obligated to travel to Jerusalem and offer his locks with the sacrifice. Paul made this vow to express his thanksgiving to God for protecting him in Corinth and for blessing his work. To the Jews, Paul remained a Jew even in keeping vows and bringing offerings to the temple. (1)

The takeaway: Though Paul vehemently opposed those who demanded that all Christians follow the Jewish law and traditions—as though they were necessary for salvation—let us learn (a) that unless those traditions oppose Christ and the gospel, and (b) as long as we neither trust in them, nor (c) demand others to observe them, it is not necessarily wrong for Christians to observe such traditions.

(1) Baker’s New Testament Commentary, Hendriksen and Kistemaker