ACTS CHAPTER 20 ACTS 20:1 Paul goeth to Macedonia, and having passed over divers countries cometh to Troas. ACTS 20:7 Where, as he preached long, Eutychus falleth out of a window, and is taken up dead: Paul restoreth him to life. ACTS 20:13 He continueth his travels. ACTS 20:17 At Miletus he calleth... [ Continue Reading ]
MUCH EXHORTATION; which after so great a stir and opposition against them, the disciples could not but stand in great need of, that they might not be offended at the cross of Christ: and also mingling consolations with his exhortations, as the word indifferently signifies, as the case would well bea... [ Continue Reading ]
THE JEWS LAID WAIT FOR HIM; some have thought that their laying in wait might be to rob him of the collections which he carried with him for the saints at Jerusalem; but most likely it was rather to take away his life, whom they hated for his zeal and diligence in the gospel. HE PURPOSED TO RETURN;... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE ACCOMPANIED HIM INTO ASIA; their names are set down, as being men called and known at that time in the churches, and that what they did for this holy apostle might be remembered in all ages. SOPATER; who is called also _Sosipater,_ ROMANS 16:21. It is added in some copies, that he was the son... [ Continue Reading ]
US; whereby it appears, that St. Luke was one of them that accompanied St. Paul, though neither here nor elsewhere doth he express his own name. TROAS; either the city of Troy, or the country thereabout so called.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM PHILIPPI; where they embarked, and sailed on the river first, then on the sea. AFTER THE DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD; though St. Paul would not have the Gentile converts to be burdened with the ceremonial law, yet, that he might not offend the Jews, for a while he complied with their rites, ACTS 1... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK; this was the day which the Lord had made, it being called from his resurrection, which was on this day, _the Lord's day,_ REVELATION 1:10. On this day the disciples met, and Christ honoured them with his presence, 1 THESSALONIANS 20:19,26. And when he was ascended, this da... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WERE MANY LIGHTS; there being many present; and it being in the night, because of the persecution that the Christians met with. Lest they should be reproached for doing any thing indecently, they by this means exposed themselves, and all that was done amongst them, to the common view and notic... [ Continue Reading ]
PREACHING; discoursing and arguing; for it does not seem to have been a continued speech, by the word here used. FELL DOWN FROM THE THIRD LOFT; this fall is thought by some to have been caused by Satan, (through God's permission), that he might the more disturb Paul, and hinder, or put an end to, hi... [ Continue Reading ]
FELL ON HIM; as Elijah on the widow of Zarephath's dead son, 1 KINGS 17:21, and Elisha on the Shunammite's son, 2 KINGS 4:34. HIS LIFE IS IN HIM; not but that he had been really dead, as ACTS 19:9, but that upon the apostle's prayer (which is to be understood, though it is not here expressed) God ha... [ Continue Reading ]
HAD BROKEN BREAD; either in the eucharist, as in ACTS 20:7, or in taking his ordinary refection and breakfast. TALKED A LONG WHILE, EVEN TILL BREAK OF DAY; this was of long continuance, and speaks the patience and zeal of Christians in those times, and will rise up in judgment against a careless and... [ Continue Reading ]
They rejoiced not only that the young man was restored to life, but that by this means the gospel was attested to, and many confirmed in the belief of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
ASSOS; a city in Mysia, called also Apollonia, not far from Troas either by water or land. MINDING HIMSELF TO GO AFOOT; Paul's going on foot might be the rather, that so he might have the better opportunity to scatter the seed of the gospel as he went, going through towns and villages, and conversin... [ Continue Reading ]
An island, as also a city in it so called, in the Aegean Sea. Some think the island is called Lesbos, in which this Mitylene is.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHIOS; a noted island betwixt Lesbos and Samos in the Aegean Sea. SAMOS; in Ionia; for there are several other islands of this name. TROGYLLIUM; a promontory not far from Samos. MILETUS; a sea town upon the continent or firm land of Ionia.... [ Continue Reading ]
EPHESUS was not so far from Miletus; but lest he should hinder his journey, he would not go thither. IF IT WERE POSSIBLE FOR HIM; or, as ACTS 18:21, if the Lord would; for his endeavour should not be wanting. TO BE AT JERUSALEM THE DAY OF PENTECOST; not that he placed any religion in the observing t... [ Continue Reading ]
The governors and pastors of it; ELDERS being here a title not respecting their age, but their place; and they might be the twelve spoken of in ACTS 19:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
ASIA; strictly and properly so called; or that part of the Lesser Asia whose metropolis was Ephesus. AFTER WHAT MANNER I HAVE BEEN WITH YOU AT ALL SEASONS; a singular form for a good man to use, if he must of necessity leave his charge or flock, when his conscience does not accuse him. St. Paul spak... [ Continue Reading ]
SERVING THE LORD; in his apostleship or public ministry; of which, if any ever could, he might have gloried; yet in this office he clothes himself WITH HUMILITY, as the most becoming garment for a minister of Jesus Christ: though so high, yet so low. We need not cry, (as one did, though ironically),... [ Continue Reading ]
I KEPT BACK NOTHING THAT WAS PROFITABLE UNTO YOU; useful in order to eternal life to be known or hoped for, or to be done; shunning no labour or danger; concealing nothing out of fear or hope of advantage. TAUGHT YOU PUBLICLY; in the public synagogues and schools. AND FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE; privately,... [ Continue Reading ]
TESTIFYING to all sorts and conditions of men, for there is no difference with God, that repentance would be accepted from them by God, and that he was ready to give repentance unto them, as ACTS 11:18; and that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was the true saving faith, there being no other name give... [ Continue Reading ]
BOUND IN THE SPIRIT; as powerfully persuaded by a Divine instinct, to undertake this journey, as if I were led or drawn to it by forcible means; being bound to obey God in all things, whom I take to be my God and Guide, my Sun and Shield: and I do not desire so much to act, as to be acted by him. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
1. Those that were endued with the Spirit of prophecy, in every city, foretold his sufferings; as ACTS 21:4,11. 2. He did suffer more or less in every city or place he came to; so great was the malice of the Jews against him.... [ Continue Reading ]
NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME; they cannot deter me from my duty. NEITHER COUNT I MY LIFE BEFORE DEAR UNTO MYSELF; I am so far from fearing bonds, that I would not fear death itself. He is said to account his life precious, or dear, that spares it; as 2 KINGS 1:13,14. MY COURSE; his general course of... [ Continue Reading ]
This is thought to have been spoken by St. Paul, as his present purpose and resolution only, as ROMANS 15:24. THE KINGDOM OF GOD; the gospel, by which his kingdom is set up in the minds and hearts of men.... [ Continue Reading ]
I TAKE YOU TO RECORD; I testify and affirm unto you; and I dare appeal unto yourselves concerning it. I AM PURE FROM THE BLOOD OF ALL MEN; from the guilt of destroying their souls; none of them have perished through my fault, having faithfully showed unto them the way of life, and earnestly persuade... [ Continue Reading ]
God's decree, to save all that believe in Christ; or the whole doctrine of Christianity, as it directs to a holy life; whatsoever God requires of any one in order to a blessed eternity. This is that which the Pharisees rejected, LUKE 7:30; and so do all wicked and ungodly men, who refuse to take God... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE HEED THEREFORE UNTO YOURSELVES; be mindful of your own salvation: for he that neglects his own, will not be careful of the salvation of another. THE HOLY GHOST HATH MADE YOU OVERSEERS; 1. By his choosing and nominating of them, which was then by a special instinct, or immediate warrant from th... [ Continue Reading ]
MY DEPARTING; either out of this country, or out of this life. GRIEVOUS WOLVES; so false teachers and persecutors are called, the one destroying the body, the other the soul. In this the metaphor is persisted in; the disciples of Christ being as sheep or lambs, their enemies are by our Saviour himse... [ Continue Reading ]
OF YOUR OWN SELVES SHALL MEN ARISE; whilst Paul yet lived, and was only departed from that place. Several seducers may be reckoned up, as Nicolas the deacon, (from whom it is thought the sect of the Nicolaitanes came, REVELATION 2:6), Hymenaeus, Alexander, Phygellus, and Hermogenes, 1 TIMOTHY 1:20 2... [ Continue Reading ]
OLBGrk; WATCH; take heed yourselves, and warn others to take heed. BY THE SPACE OF THREE YEARS; from St. Paul's first coming to Ephesus it was three years current, and now almost complete, ACTS 19:8,10 ACTS 20:3. WITH TEARS; a great, and no feigned payov; as Christ wept over Jerusalem, LUKE 19:41,... [ Continue Reading ]
I COMMEND YOU TO GOD; it being so hard a matter to escape so many snares and dangers, the apostle prays to God for them, who is able to keep them by his power, _through faith, unto salvation,_ 1 PETER 1:5; and it is in vain to look after any meaner defence. THE WORD OF HIS GRACE; the gospel, which l... [ Continue Reading ]
Having spoken of the heavenly inheritance, he tells them how willing he was to have his reward hereafter, and to waive receiving his wages here. In this, St. Paul imitates Moses, NUMBERS 16:15, and Samuel, 1 SAMUEL 12:3,5.... [ Continue Reading ]
St. Paul working hard (as they all knew) for a livelihood, ACTS 18:3 1 CORINTHIANS 4:12 1 THESSALONIANS 2:9; which he gives an account of, 2 THESSALONIANS 3:8, to have been done only that in such a juncture, they being poor, and the false teachers watching all advantages against him, he might not th... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SHOWED YOU ALL THINGS; as in ACTS 20:27. SO LABOURING; with more than ordinary pains and constancy. TO SUPPORT; that they do not fall; or, being fallen, that they may rise again. The word imports the stretching out of the hand to retain any that are going away, or to hold up any that are fall... [ Continue Reading ]
HE KNEELED DOWN; a posture of great humility, becoming prayer, and frequently used on such occasions, especially in a time of great trouble and distress. Although bodily exercise alone do not profit, 1 TIMOTHY 4:8, yet we may, and must on occasion, in prayer bow the knee, lift up the hand and eye;... [ Continue Reading ]
As they used to do their friends when they took their leave of them: see GENESIS 45:14,15.... [ Continue Reading ]
The loss of a faithful and painful minister is a public loss, and many are concerned in it; besides, they had found great benefit by his ministry, and could not but be sensible of their missing of it. Add to this, Paul's gracious and humble conversation, and the sense of many good offices done by hi... [ Continue Reading ]