− 1.Luke doth now begin to declare what were the proceedings of Paul after that Barnabas and he were separate. And first he showeth, that he took to his company at Lystra Timothy to be his companion. But, to the end we may know that Paul did nothing rashly, or without good consideration, Luke saith... [ Continue Reading ]
− 3._He circumcised him, because of the Jews. _Luke doth plainly express that Timothy was not circumcised, because it was necessary it should be so, or because the religion of that sign did continue as yet, but that Paul might avoid an offense. Therefore there was respect had of men, whereas the ma... [ Continue Reading ]
− 4._They delivered them the decrees to keep. _In these words Luke doth signify unto us how desirous Paul was of peace. The best and strongest bond to keep and foster peace among the churches, was to keep that which was set down by the apostles. When Paul taketh great pains about that, he taketh gre... [ Continue Reading ]
− 5._The churches were confirmed. _By this we gather, that that which Luke setteth down, or rather touched concerning the decrees of the apostles, was, as it were, put in by the way, being not much appertinent unto the matter. − (176) For he commendeth a far other fruit of Paul’s doctrine, when he s... [ Continue Reading ]
− 6._When they had gone throughout. _Luke showeth here how diligent and careful Paul and his companions were in the office of teaching; for he saith that they journeyed through divers regions of the Lesser Asia that they might preach the gospel. But he reciteth one thing which is worth remembering,... [ Continue Reading ]
− 9._A vision by night. _The Lord would not that Paul should stay any longer in Asia; because he would draw him into Macedonia. And Luke expresseth the manner of the drawing, that a man of Macedonia appeared to him by night. Where we must note that the Lord did not always observe the same manner of... [ Continue Reading ]
− 10._Being fully persuaded. _Hence we gather, that is was not bare vision, but that it was also confirmed by the testimony of the Spirit. For Satan doth oftentimes abuse ghosts and visures [masks] to deceive withal, that he may mock and cozen the unbelievers. Whereby it cometh to pass, that the bar... [ Continue Reading ]
− 11.This history doth, as it were in a glass, show how sharply the Lord did exercise the faith and patience of his, by bringing them in great straits which they could not have overcome unless they had been endued with singular constancy; for the entrance of Paul into Macedonia is reported to be suc... [ Continue Reading ]
− 13._In the day of the Sabbaths. _No doubt the Jews sought some place which was solitary and by the way, when they were disposed to pray, because their religion was then everywhere most odious. And God, by their example, meant to teach us what great account we ought to make of the profession of fai... [ Continue Reading ]
− 14._A woman named Lydia. _If they had been heard of a few women, yet this had been to enter in, as it were, by a strait chink; but now whereas one only heareth attentively and with fruit, might it not have seemed that the way was stopt before Christ? − (184) But afterward there sprung a noble Chur... [ Continue Reading ]
− 15._When she was baptized. _Hereby it appeareth how effectually God wrought in Lydia even in a short moment. For it is not to be doubted but that she received and embraced the faith of Christ sincerely, and gave him her name, before Paul would admit her unto baptism. This was a token of mere readi... [ Continue Reading ]
− 16.Luke prosecuteth the increase of the Church; for though he do not straightway in a word express that thing, yet is it easily gathered out of the text, that many were brought into the faith, or at least that the Church was somewhat augmented, and Paul did not frequent the assemblies in time of... [ Continue Reading ]
− 18._Paul took it grievously. _It may be that at the first Paul neglected, and did not greatly regard the crying of the maid, because he hoped that there would be no account made thereof, and had rather that it should vanish away of itself. But the continual repetition doth at length make him weary... [ Continue Reading ]
− 19._But when her masters. _The same devil who of late did flatter Paul by the mouth of the maid, doth now drive her masters into fury, that they may put him to death; so that, having changed his coat, he doth now play a tragedy, who could not speed well before by his fair speech and flattery. And... [ Continue Reading ]
− 20._These men trouble our city. _This accusation was craftily composed to burden the servants of Christ. For on the one side they pretend the name of the Romans, than which nothing was more favorable; on the other, they purchase hatred, and bring them in contempt, by naming the Jews, which name wa... [ Continue Reading ]
− 21._Ordinances which. _They lean to a prejudice, lest the cause should come to be disputed; as the Papists deal with us at this day, this was decreed in a General Council; it is a more ancient and common opinion, than that is may be called in question; custom hath long time approved this; this ha... [ Continue Reading ]
− 22._The multitude came together. _When Luke declareth that there was great encourses of the people made, after that a few men of no reputation, to wit, such as did juggle and cozen to get gain, and whose filthiness was well known, had made some stir; he reacheth with what fury the world rageth aga... [ Continue Reading ]
− 23._That he should keep them safe. _Whereas the magistrates command that Paul and Silas should be kept so diligently, it was done to this end, that they might know more of the matter. For they had already beaten them with rods to appease the tumult. And this is that which I said of late, that the... [ Continue Reading ]
− 26._There was an earthquake. _The Lord, in showing this visible sign, meant chiefly to provide for his servants, that they might more manifestly know that they prayers were heard; yet he had respect also of the rest. He could have loosed the fetters of Paul and Silas without an earthquake, and als... [ Continue Reading ]
− 27._When the keeper of the prison was awaked. _He would have slain himself that he might prevent punishment; for it had been a foolish answer to have said that the doors were opened of their own accord. But this question may be asked, Seeing that Paul seeth that they might have some hope to escape... [ Continue Reading ]
− 29._Being astonished, he fell down. _This keeper was no less brought under with fear to show obedience to God than with the miracle prepared. − (215) Hereby it appeareth what a good thing it is for men to be thrown down from their pride, that they may learn to submit themselves to God. He was har... [ Continue Reading ]
− 30._Sirs, what must I do? _He doth so ask counsel, that he showeth therewith that he will be obedient. By this we see that he was thoroughly − (219) touched, so that he was ready to do what they should command him, whom not many hours before he had bound uncourteously. The wicked oftentimes when t... [ Continue Reading ]
− 31._Believe in the Lord Jesus. _This is but a short, and, to look to, a cold and hungry definition of salvation, and yet it is perfect to believe in Christ. For Christ alone hath all the parts of blessedness and eternal life included in him, which he offereth to us by the gospel; and by faith we r... [ Continue Reading ]
− 33._He was baptized, and all his household. _Luke doth again commend the godly zeal of the keeper, that he did consecrate all his whole house to the Lord; wherein doth also appear the grace of God, in that he brought all his whole family unto a godly consent. And we must also note the notable exc... [ Continue Reading ]
− 34._He rejoiceth that he believed. _The external profession of faith was before commended in the jailer; now the inward fruit thereof is described. When he did lodge the apostles, − (225) and was not afraid of punishment, but did courteously entertain them in his own house, otherwise than he was e... [ Continue Reading ]
− 35._When it was day. _The question is, how it came to pass that the judges did so suddenly change their purpose? The day before they had commanded that Paul and Silas should be bound with fetters, as if they meant to punish them cruelly, now they let them go free. At least, if they had heard them... [ Continue Reading ]
− 38._They were afraid, because they were Romans. _They are not once moved with the other point, because they had handled innocents cruelly without discretion; − (234) and yet that was the greater reproach. But because they did not fear that any man would punish them, they were not moved with God’s... [ Continue Reading ]
− 40._When they saw, etc. _They were desired to part presently; yet it became them to regard the brethren, lest the tender seed of the gospel should perish, and undoubtedly they would have tarried longer if they had been suffered, but the prayers and requests of the magistrates were imperious and a... [ Continue Reading ]