And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, Ver. 1. _While Apollos was at Corinth_] A mercy of God to the Church, that in Paul's absence they should be so well provided of a preacher.... [ Continue Reading ]
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. Ver. 2. _Have ye received the Holy Ghost_] That is, the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost in prophecy, tongues, &c., asActs 19:6 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Ver. 3. _Unto John's baptism_] That is, unto John's doctrine sealed by baptism. This Paul shows to be nothing so, Acts 19:4. Whence Piscator collecteth that they were baptized by some of John's disciples int... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. Ver. 4. _John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance_] That is, he taught the doctrine of repentance: _See Trap... [ Continue Reading ]
When they heard _this_, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Ver. 5. _They were baptized_] That is, say some, they were re-baptized, because baptized before in a wrong name. Therefore Paul first catechiseth them, Acts 19:4. Others say that it was rather their renewing to their baptism... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Paul had laid _his_ hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Ver. 6. _And prophesied_] By a divine and evident inspiration they expounded the writings of the prophets, and also foretold future events.... [ Continue Reading ]
And all the men were about twelve. Ver. 7. _And all the men were about twelve_] These twelve, being the firstfruits of this Church, were endued with extraordinary gifts to be for elders and rulers there: for these gifts were not common to all believers, as Beza well noteth.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. Ver. 8. _The things concerning the kingdom of God_] The subject matter of his discourse were faith, righteousness, life eternal. Of these things he disp... [ Continue Reading ]
But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. Ver. 9. _But when divers were hardened_] Hardness of heart is either natural or habitual: and this aga... [ Continue Reading ]
And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. Ver. 10. _So that all they that dwelt in Asia_] Which now (according to the notation of its name) became אשיה _Esh-jah, _ the fire of God: not from the fire whi... [ Continue Reading ]
And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: Ver. 11. _And God wrought special miracles_] _Virtutes non vulgares, _ not common power, yet ordinary in the infancy of the Church, but now not to be expected. Manna ceased when they came to Canaan; as if it would say, Ye need no miracles now y... [ Continue Reading ]
So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. Ver. 12. _Handkerchiefs or aprons_] Which having been touched by Paul's body, became sovereign (by a miracle) to cure diseases and cast out devils.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. Ver. 13. _Exorcists_] But of these (having no call from God, but unwarrantably emulating Paul, and yet using good wor... [ Continue Reading ]
And there were seven sons of _one_ Sceva, a Jew, _and_ chief of the priests, which did so. Ver. 14. _Seven sons of one Sceva_] All fathers, but especially ministers, should use all utmost care that their children be well educated and instructed; and not think it sufficient to say of them as Pope Pa... [ Continue Reading ]
And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? Ver. 15. _Jesus I know, and Paul_] Jesus had destroyed his works, and Paul had felt his fingers, 2 Corinthians 12:7, and yet thrown him out of his trenches, 2 Corinthians 10:4 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Ver. 16. _So that they fled out, &c._] _Non omnia possumus omnes._ Albeit the eagle in the fable did bear away a lamb in her talons with full... [ Continue Reading ]
And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. Ver. 17. _And fear fell on them all_] _See Trapp on "_ Act 5:5 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Ver. 18. _Confessed and showed their deeds_] With detestation, being moved thereto by the fear of God's judgments. This they did publicly, not in the priest's ear, as Papists, nor out of a brain sick humour, as the Anabaptists at S... [ Continue Reading ]
Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all _men_ : and they counted the price of them, and found _it_ fifty thousand _pieces_ of silver. Ver. 19. _Which used curious arts_] The Ephesians were much addicted to the black art. Whence that ancient... [ Continue Reading ]
So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. Ver. 20. _So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed_] Happy it is for a people or person, when the word falls upon their spirits in the power of it, and subdues them; when the peace of God ruleth in their hearts, βραβευετω _, _ Col 3:15 and every... [ Continue Reading ]
After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. Ver. 21. _Purposed in the spirit_] _i.e._ By the instinct of the Holy Spirit, his counsellor and conduct, by whom a... [ Continue Reading ]
So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. Ver. 22. _In Asia_] _i.e._ At Ephesus, the chief city of Asia the Less. _See Trapp on "_ Act 19:10 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. Ver. 23. _No small stir_] Covetousness, as itself is idolatry, so it upholds idolatry. (as here) under a pretext of piety. _Deos quisqus sibi utiles cudit, _ saith Epictetus. _Ubi utilitas, ibi pietas, _ saith another. The Papists are soun... [ Continue Reading ]
For a certain _man_ named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Ver. 24. _Which made silver shrines_] Gr. temples, _Templa portatilia, _ small portable temples, resembling that greater temple of Diana; as now the _Agnus Dei_ (lamb o... [ Continue Reading ]
Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Ver. 25. _By this craft we have our wealth_] And wealth is the wordling's god, which he prizeth, as Micah did his idol; and can as hardly forego it. What a cursing made Micah'... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: Ver. 26. _They be no gods_] The town clerk then told a loud lie, Acts 19:5. Politicians think they may l... [ Continue Reading ]
So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. Ver. 27. _This our craft_] Whereof they had the patent, the monopoly, το μερος... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they heard _these sayings_, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great _is_ Diana of the Ephesians. Ver. 28. _They were full of wrath_] The Greek word θυμος signifieth the heating or heaving of the blood by the apprehension of the injury offered; hot and fiery anger, such as was... [ Continue Reading ]
And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. Ver. 29. _And the whole city was filled with confusion_] _See Trapp on "_ Act 17:1 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. Ver. 30. _The disciples suffered him not_] _i.e._ They persuaded him otherwise, and prevailed. It is best, if a man can so order his affairs, as not to need the counsel of others. And the next best is to rest in go... [ Continue Reading ]
And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring _him_ that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. Ver. 31. _Certain of the chief of Asia_] Not rulers, but priests, saith Beza, whose office was to set forth stage players in honour of the gods. These, thoug... [ Continue Reading ]
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. Ver. 32. _Knew not wherefore, &c._] No more do the most of our common hearers. They follow the drove, and believe as the Church believeth. They will say, th... [ Continue Reading ]
And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. Ver. 33. _And they drew Alexander_] The coppersmith, who was here near to martyrdom, yet afterwards made shipwreck of the faith, 1 Timot... [ Continue Reading ]
But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great _is_ Diana of the Ephesians. Ver. 34. _That he was a Jew_] The Jews were generally hated of the Gentiles, and especially after their return from the Babylonish captivity, because they cried down a... [ Continue Reading ]
And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, _Ye_ men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the _image_ which fell down from Jupiter? Ver. 35. _Great goddess Diana_] Who yet, as great as she w... [ Continue Reading ]
Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. Ver. 36. _Ye ought to be quiet_] Or, sedate, composed, kept within compass, "to do nothing rashly or headlongly:" _Temeritas enim comitem_ την μετανοιαν εχει .... [ Continue Reading ]
For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. Ver. 37. _Blasphemers of your goddess_] This was false: but this politician held it lawful to redeem peace with a lie. Not so St Paul, who knew that after his departure from Ephesus gri... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. Ver. 38,39. As the town clerk here quieted the tumultuating people, so ought we to compose unruly passions. Say to them, 1. Ye ought to... [ Continue Reading ]
But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. Ver. 39. _In a lawful assembly_] Such as this could not be. _Cum boni, cum probi coeunt, non est factio dicenda sed curia: ut e contrario, illis nomen factionis accommodandum est, qui in odium bonorum... [ Continue Reading ]
For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. Ver. 40. _For we are in danger_] Danger we all desire to decline, whether it be of life, limb, estate, &c., but venture our souls daily to the danger of damnat... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. Ver. 41. _Dismissed the assembly_] And so Demetrius was deceived. See here the power of civil prudence and flexanimous eloquence. (See Cic. de Oratore, i.)... [ Continue Reading ]