And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled _their_ ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. 1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen... [ Continue Reading ]
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Ver. 2. _As they ministered_] λειτουργαυντων. The Greek Scholiast hath it, κηρυττοντων, "as they preached," which is the chief office of a minister, and his high... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid _their_ hands on them, they sent _them_ away. Ver. 3. _Laid their hands on them_] So separating and consecrating them to the work, as they did of old the beast for sacrifice, by laying their hands thereon.... [ Continue Reading ]
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. Ver. 4. _Sailed to Cyprus_] This island was anciently for its wealth called Macaria, that is, The Blessed. The people therein generally lived so at ease and pleasure, that thereof the island... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to _their_ minister. Ver. 5. _At Salamis_] A city of Cyprus, at the east side of it, over against Syria.... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name _was_ Barjesus: Ver. 6. _Whose name was Barjesus_] The son of Jesus; so he had called himself, as if of nearest alliance to our Saviour. The Syriac hath it Barshuma, the son of nam... [ Continue Reading ]
Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. Ver. 7. _Which was with the deputy_] The greater opposites to the truth have been ever the greatest courtiers. The Arians in their age. And of them the Jes... [ Continue Reading ]
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Ver. 8. _But Elymas_] Elymais is a part of Persia, the proper country of the magicians given to devilish arts. The devil daily commits the sin against the Holy Ghost, by op... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Saul, (who also _is called_ Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, Ver. 9. _Who also is called Paul_] Here Saul is first called Paul, for memory (it is probable) of the first spoils he brought into the Church, not the head, but the heart of this Sergius Paulus. The popes likew... [ Continue Reading ]
And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, _thou_ child of the devil, _thou_ enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? Ver. 10. _O full of all subtilty and all mischief_] Gr. ραδιουργια, maleficiency, thou that by long dealing hast gotten a dexte... [ Continue Reading ]
And now, behold, the hand of the Lord _is_ upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Ver. 11. _Not seeing the sun_] A philosopher being asked whether it were n... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. Ver. 12. _Being astonished, &c._] The word worketh not kindly till it be received with admiration.... [ Continue Reading ]
Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. Ver. 13. _John departing from_] Being weary of the work, he showed them a slippery trick. Many will do something for God that will suffer little or nothing for him.... [ Continue Reading ]
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. Ver. 14. _They sat down_] Bullinger's note here is very good. _Non importune nec impudenter se ingerunt Paulus et Barnabas, nec more Anabaptistarum clamitant, Audite ver... [ Continue Reading ]
And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, _Ye_ men _and_ brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. Ver. 15. _And after the reading_] In the synagogues, the Scripture was first read, and then opened and applied; s... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with _his_ hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. Ver. 16. _And ye that fear God_] This is the proper character of an Israelite indeed.... [ Continue Reading ]
The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it. Ver. 17. _Chose our fathers_] Separating them by a wonderful separation, as the Hebrew word signifieth, Exodus 33:16 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. Ver. 18. _Suffered he their manners_] ετροποφορησεν, As a mother bears with her child's frowardness; or as a husband bears with his wife's crossness, which yet he liketh not, _Uxoris vitium, aut tollendum nut tolerandum,... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot. Ver. 19. _And when he had destroyed seven nations_] Who had "filled the land from one end to another with their uncleanness," Ezra 9:11; so that God was forced to sweep it with the besom of destruc... [ Continue Reading ]
And after that he gave _unto them_ judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. Ver. 20. _About the space, &c._] It was not all out so long; therefore he saith, "about the space," ωσει; thereby teaching us in doubtful things to deliver ourselves doubtfully, and... [ Continue Reading ]
And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. Ver. 21. _By the space of forty years_] Taking into the account the days of Samuel's government.... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the _son_ of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Ver. 22. _Fulfil all my will_] Gr. θεληματα "all my wills," to note the universali... [ Continue Reading ]
Of this man's seed hath God according to _his_ promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: Ver. 23. _A Saviour, Jesus_] The Greek word here rendered Saviour is so emphatic, that other tongues can hardly find a fit word to express it, as Cicero noteth. _Sotera inscriptum vidi Syracusis. Hoc quantum... [ Continue Reading ]
When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. Ver. 24. _The baptism of repentance_] _See Trapp no "_ Luk 3:3 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not _he_. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of _his_ feet I am not worthy to loose. Ver. 25. _John fulfilled his course_] From this word (δρομον) rendered "course," the dromedary hath his name, who is marvell... [ Continue Reading ]
Men _and_ brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. Ver. 26. _The word of this salvation_] Salvation is potentially in the word, as the harvest is in the seed.... [ Continue Reading ]
For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled _them_ in condemning _him_. Ver. 27. _Read every sabbath_] Many live in places of great knowledge, and yet remain grossly ignorant,... [ Continue Reading ]
And though they found no cause of death _in him_, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. Ver. 28. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 27:22 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took _him_ down from the tree, and laid _him_ in a sepulchre. Ver. 29. _And when they had fulfilled_] Though no thank to them, no excuse to their wickedness. _Divinum consilium dum devitatur, impletur._ But whereas all is fulfilled that... [ Continue Reading ]
But God raised him from the dead: Ver. 30. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 28:6 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. Ver. 31. _Who are his witnesses to the people_] Of our Saviour's resurrection there were many witnesses, both living (as the angels, the women, the soldiers, the apostles, thos... [ Continue Reading ]
And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, Ver. 32. _And we declare unto you glad tidings_] Even the sum of all the good news in the world, and that which should swallow up all discontents. The old Church had επαγγελιαν, the promise only; but we now... [ Continue Reading ]
God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. Ver. 33. _In the second Psalm_] Erasmus testifieth, that some ancient copies here have it, "in the first Psalm;" eith... [ Continue Reading ]
And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, _now_ no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Ver. 34. _To return to corruption_] That is, to the grave, that house of corruption; which yet the Hebrews call _Beth chajim, _ the house of... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore he saith also in another _psalm_, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Ver. 35. _See Trapp on "_ Act 2:31 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: Ver. 36. _After he had served_] _Martinus decumbens, Domino, dixit, si adhuc populo tuo sum necessarius, non recuso laborem._ Lord, serve thyself upon me, and then... [ Continue Reading ]
But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Ver. 37. _Saw no corruption_] No consumption of the flesh, much less of the bones too, καταφθοραν; only he saw φθοραν, a separation of soul and body for a season, διαφθοραν; though neither soul nor body was at all by death sundered from the Deity. B... [ Continue Reading ]
Be it known unto you therefore, men _and_ brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: Ver. 38. _Be it known unto you therefore_] _q.d._ It is a shame for any not to take knowledge of this which is so fundamental. Of other things a man may be ignorant without danger... [ Continue Reading ]
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Ver. 39. _And by him all that believe are justified_] This saying of St Paul is the more to be heeded, saith an interpreter, because it is the very basis, foundation, and state of Ch... [ Continue Reading ]
Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Ver. 40. _Beware therefore lest_] Ministers must mix law and gospel together in their discourses. Sour and sweet make the best sauce.... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. Ver. 41. _Behold, ye despisers_] These the Scripture makes to be the worst sort of men; those that jeer when they should fear, and despise what t... [ Continue Reading ]
And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. Ver. 42. _The Gentiles besought_] Where a powerful ministry is settled, there some souls are to be converted. A master that sets up a light hath some work to be done... [ Continue Reading ]
Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. Ver. 43. _To continue in the grace_] The end is better than the beginning, saith Solomon. _Non quaeruntur in Christia... [ Continue Reading ]
And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. Ver. 44. _And the next sabbath day_] The apostles had been busy with them on the foregoing week days, the better to prepare them to hear with profit on the sabbath, that queen of days, as the Hebrews call it.... [ Continue Reading ]
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Ver. 45. _Contradicting and blaspheming_] Intemperate tongues cause God many times to take away the word.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Ver. 46. _But seeing ye put it from you_] Gr. απωεθισθε. Ye shove a... [ Continue Reading ]
For so hath the Lord commanded us, _saying_, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. Ver. 47. _I have set thee_] This, spoken at first to Christ, is here applied to his messengers and ministers, who are labourers together with... [ Continue Reading ]
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Ver. 48. _Glorified in the word_] That is, received it into their hearts (as some copies read this text, εδεξαντο), suffering it to indwell richly in them (as... [ Continue Reading ]
And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. Ver. 49. _And the word of the Lord_] It ran and was glorified, as the apostle hath it. So fitly is it compared to leaven, for its spreading property, Matthew 13:33. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 13:33 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. Ver. 50. _The devout and honourable women_] _Satan per costam tanquam per scalam ad cor ascendit._ (Gregory.) The devil br... [ Continue Reading ]
But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. Ver. 51. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 10:14 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. Ver. 52. _With joy, and with the Holy Ghost_] There must needs be music in the Spirit's temple, and at that continual feast: its deserts are the assurance of heaven, as Father Latimer phraseth it. 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Proverbs 15:15 .... [ Continue Reading ]