And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto _him_ the disciples, and embraced _them_, and departed for to go into Macedonia. Ver. 1. _Into Macedonia_] Great Alexander's country, called at this day Albany, and is subject to the Turk.... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, Ver. 2. _Into Greece_] _sc._ To Corinth, whence he wrote the Epistle to the Romans.... [ Continue Reading ]
And _there_ abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. Ver. 3. _And there abode three_] Gr. ποιησας, "Was doing there," he was in continual action. Life consists in action; so doth spiritual life, Isaiah 38:1... [ Continue Reading ]
And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. Ver. 4. _Sopater of Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus, &c._] These all were the very "glory of Jesus Christ," 2 Corinthians... [ Continue Reading ]
These going before tarried for us at Troas. Ver. 5. _Tarried for us at Troas_] _See Trapp on "_ Act 16:8 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. Ver. 6. _In five days_] Let them that please read here Ptolemy's first table of Asia, where they shall have this whole voyage of St Paul daintily described.... [ Continue Reading ]
And upon the first _day_ of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. Ver. 7. _Continued his speech till midnight_] _Media nocte vigilabant, ut eos condemnent qui media die dormiunt, _... [ Continue Reading ]
And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. Ver. 8. _And there were many lights_] Night meetings are lawful, and, in some cases, needful; though carnal men will calumniate, and muse as they use. Caligula thought there was not a chaste man upon earth, because... [ Continue Reading ]
And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. Ver. 9. _Being fallen into a deep sleep_] Woe to many today, when God shall once send out... [ Continue Reading ]
And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing _him_ said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. Ver. 10. _His life is in him_] After that Paul prayed for him, life returned; or else because he knew it should return, he speaks of it as a done thing.... [ Continue Reading ]
When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. Ver. 11. _And eaten_] After the celebration of the Lord's supper, followed the use of daily food. _Animantis cuiusque vita est in fuga, _ saith the philosopher; so... [ Continue Reading ]
And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. Ver. 12. _And were not a little comforted_] Not so much for the young man's recovery, as for the love of God sealed up unto them therein: this was the kernel, the other but the shell.... [ Continue Reading ]
And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. Ver. 13. _Assos_] A chief city of Mysia, called also Apollonia, on the Asiatic shore. _ To go on foot_] Haply for his health's sake, or for more convenience of... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. Ver. 14-15. _Mytilene_] An island of the Cyclades, now called Meteline. See what great difficulties these good men devoured for the glory of God and good of his people. The love of Christ constrained them (_amor addidit alas_)... [ Continue Reading ]
And we sailed thence, and came the next _day_ over against Chios; and the next _day_ we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next _day_ we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible... [ Continue Reading ]
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. Ver. 17. _From Miletus_] A city of Asia, lower than Ephesus.... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Ver. 18. _Ye know_] This the apostle speaketh, not out of vain glory or desire of popular applause, but partly for their imitation (all things... [ Continue Reading ]
Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: Ver. 19. _Serving the Lord, &c._] Here is a mirror for ministers.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And_ how I kept back nothing that was profitable _unto you_, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Ver. 20. _With many tears_] He went weeping from house to house, beseeching them to be reconciled to God, persuading them, as knowing the terror of the Lord, 2... [ Continue Reading ]
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Ver. 21. _Testifying_] Not barely preaching, but vehemently pressing (as matters of greatest importance). _ Repentance towards God_] Not a desperate repentance (as was that of Judas)... [ Continue Reading ]
And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Ver. 22. _I go bound in the spirit_] Paul's spirit did not hang loose, but it was girt up in a resolution to go through with the work, whatsoever came of it. The Spirit hems us about, compre... [ Continue Reading ]
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. Ver. 23. _Bonds and afflictions abide me_] Let no faithful minister dream of a delicacy, or think by any discretion to prevent affliction, but be ready, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, to suffer hardsh... [ Continue Reading ]
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Ver. 24. _Neither count I my life dear_] _Singula prope verba spirant martyriu... [ Continue Reading ]
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Ver. 25. _Shall see my face no more_] viz. In the flesh, and upon earth. But in heaven we shall see and say, ιδου ο Παυλος και ο Πετρος (as Chrysostom thinks) Lo, that is Paul, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I _am_ pure from the blood of all _men_. Ver. 26. _I take you to record_] Happy is that man that can be acquitted by himself private, in public by others, in both by God. _ I am pure from the blood of all men_] The apostle hath an eye here (doubtless)... [ Continue Reading ]
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Ver. 27. _All the counsel of God_] _sc._ that concerneth you to know, to your eternal salvation by Christ alone. See Luke 7:30, _See Trapp on "_ Luk 7:30 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Ver. 28. _Hath made you overseers_] επισκοπους. But many are _Aposcopi_ rather than _Episcopi, _ saith Espensaeus;... [ Continue Reading ]
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Ver. 29. _Shall grievous wolves enter_] Or fat wolves; for Βαρυς in Greek comes of בריא in Hebrew, which signifies fat, as some etymologists have observed; a fit epithet for seducers, which fat... [ Continue Reading ]
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Ver. 30. _To draw away disciples_] αποσπαν, to tear them limb from limb by a violent avulsion and distraction, compelling them by their persuasions to embrace those distorted doctrines, διεστραμμεν... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. Ver. 31. _Night and day with tears_] Good men weep easily, saith the Greek poet; _a_ and the better any is, the more inclined to weeping; as David than Jonathan, 1 Samuel 20:41.... [ Continue Reading ]
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Ver. 32. _Able to build_] As being God's arm, and mighty instruments of his power, 1 Corinthians 1:18; Romans 1:16 .... [ Continue Reading ]
I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Ver. 33. _I have coveted no man's, &c._] _Non opes, non gloriam, non voluptates quaesivi, &c. Hanc conscientiam aufero quocunque discedo, _ said Melancthon. (Melch. Adam.)... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. Ver. 34. _These hands have ministered_] More shame for them to suffer it. _Sed rara ingeniorum praemia, rara item et merces, _ saith one; and _Nescio quomodo bonae mentis soror est pauperta... [ Continue Reading ]
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Ver. 35. _It is more blessed_] Epicurus could say, του ευ πασχειν το ευ ποιειν καλλιον και ηδιον, that to do good w... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. Ver. 36. _And prayed with them all_] _O verum valedicendi morem Christianis dignum, _ saith one. Now it's no use parting without potting and healthing. _Quae turpissima_ κυκλοσποσια, _Principum derisio, a parasitis traxit origi... [ Continue Reading ]
And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, Ver. 37. _And they all wept sore_] _Expletur lachrymis egeriturque dolor._ It was noted and noticed by the very heathens that there were no people under heaven so loving one to another as the primitive Christians: _animo animaque inte... [ Continue Reading ]
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship. Ver. 38. _Sorrowing most_] They are out, then, _qui ferream et immanem constantiam exigunt a fidelibus, _ who exact of Christians a stoic apathy or insensibleness to cr... [ Continue Reading ]