After leaving Corinth, Paul's next scene of labor was Ephesus. He was on his way to Jerusalem to attend an approaching festival, and his stay at Ephesus was necessarily brief. He reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue, and so favorable was the impression made upon them that they entreated him to continue his labors among them. His plan to visit Jerusalem prevented him from tarrying then, but he promised to return to them, "if God will." Aquila and Priscilla had accompanied him to Ephesus, and he left them there to carry on the work that he had begun.

Dette kapitel er bygget op over Apg 18,18-28

Da Paulus havde forladt Korint, blev Efesus hans næste arbejdsmark. Han var på vej til Jerusalem for at overvære en forestående højtid, og hans ophold i Efesus kunne derfor kun blive af kort varighed. Han diskuterede med jøderne i synagogen og gjorde et så gunstigt indtryk på dem, at de bønfaldt ham om at fortsætte sit arbejde blandt dem. Hans plan om at besøge Jerusalem hindrede ham i at tøve hos dem dengang, men han lovede at vende tilbage til dem, "om Gud vil!" Akvila og Priskilla havde ledsaget ham til Efesus, og han overlod det til dem her at videreføre det arbejde, som han havde påbegyndt.