Completion of the Second Missionary Journey

Unlike at Thessalonica and Berea, Paul didn't leave Corinth under compulsion. In those cities, persecution had driven him out, but he remained at Corinth for 18 months, finally departing only because of the conviction that it was time to return to Antioch in Syria. It wasn't that opposition was any less at Corinth; Paul's resolve to continue on in that city was the result of Jesus' appearance and encouragement. He was to remain until the work was done; the Lord had determined to gather a people for Himself in Corinth. But the day finally came to depart, and Paul headed for Antioch with Priscilla and Aquila, only to leave them at Ephesus as he continued his journey to Syria. Luke didn't give a reason for this decision because it is irrelevant; what matters is that the Spirit had a purpose in this circumstance, which Luke would soon reveal.