− 1.Luke showeth here that the Church of Ephesus was not only confirmed and increased by Paul’s return, but also that there was a miracle wrought there, because the visible graces of the Spirit were given to certain rude and new disciples. Furthermore, it is not known whether they were inhabitants... [ Continue Reading ]
− 2._Whether they had received the Holy Ghost. _The end of the history doth show that Paul doth not speak in this place of the Spirit of regeneration, but of the special gifts which God gave to divers at the beginning of the gospel, for the common edifying of the Church. But now upon this interrogat... [ Continue Reading ]
− 4._John truly _Paul’s admonition tended to this end, that these men being convict of their ignorance might desire to go forward. He saith that John preached of Christ who was to come. Therefore he sent out his disciples, − (354) that running in the course they might go towards Christ who was not a... [ Continue Reading ]
− 5._When they heard these things. _Because the men of old had conceived an opinion that the baptism of John and of Christ were diverse, it was no inconvenient − (356) thing for them to be baptized again, who were only prepared with the baptism of John. But that that diversity was falsely and wicked... [ Continue Reading ]
− 8._Going into the synagogue. _By this we gather that Paul began with the company of the godly, who had already given their names to Christ. Secondly, that he came into the synagogue, that he might gather together into one body of the Church the rest of the Jews who knew not Christ as yet, or at le... [ Continue Reading ]
− 9._Seeing their hearts were hardened. _We do not read that Paul was heard so patiently and so favorably by the Jews at any place as at Ephesus at his first coming. For whereas others raising tumults did drive him away, he was requested by these to tarry longer. Now, after that he had endeavored,... [ Continue Reading ]
− 10._All which dwelt. _Luke doth not mean that the men of Asia came thither to hear Paul; but that the smell [savor] of his preaching went throughout all Asia, and that the seed was sown far and wide; so that his labor was fruitful not only to one city, but also to places which were far off; and t... [ Continue Reading ]
− 11._No small miracles. _He calleth miracles _virtutes _or _powers, _after the common custom of the Scripture, which were testimonies of the extraordinary power of God. And showeth that Paul’s apostleship was set forth with these ensigns, that his doctrine might have the greater authority. For it i... [ Continue Reading ]
− 13.To the end it may more plainly appear that the apostleship of Paul was confirmed by those miracles whereof mention was made of late, Luke doth now teach that when certain did falsely pretend the name of Christ, such abuse was most sharply punished. Whereby we gather that such miracles were wro... [ Continue Reading ]
− 16._The man running upon them. _That is attributed to the man which the devil did by him. For he had not been able to do such an act of himself, as to put to flight seven strong young men being wounded and naked. And to set down for a certainty how the devil doth dwell in men, we cannot, save onl... [ Continue Reading ]
− 17._There came fear. _The fruit of that vengeance which God brought upon those who did wickedly abuse the name of Christ is this, in that they were all touched with reverence, lest they should contemn that doctrine, whose revenger the Lord hath showed by an evident token and testimony he would be,... [ Continue Reading ]
− 18._Many which believed. _Luke bringeth forth one token of that fear whereof he spake. For they did indeed declare that they were thoroughly touched and moved with the fear of God, who, of their own accord, did confess the faults and offenses of their former life, lest, through their dissimulation... [ Continue Reading ]
− 19._Who used curious crafts. _Luke doth not only speak of magical jugglings, but of frivolous and vain studies, whereof the more part of men is for the most part too desirous. For he useth the word, περιεργα, under which the Grecians comprehend whatsoever things have in themselves no sound commodi... [ Continue Reading ]
− 20._Grew mightily _[ _lions. _] The word κατα κρατος doth signify that the word increased not a little, (or that these proceedings were not common) as if he should say, that in those increasings appeared rare efficacy, and such as was greater than it used commonly to be. The word _grew _do I refe... [ Continue Reading ]
− 21._He purposed in spirit. _His meaning is, that Paul purposed to take his journey through the instinct and motion of the Spirit; that we may know that all his whole life was framed according to God’s will and pleasure. And therefore hath he the Spirit to be the governor of his actions, because he... [ Continue Reading ]
− 23._Tumult about that way. _Concerning this word _way, _let the readers understand thus much, that it is here taken for that which the Latins call _sect; _the Greek philosophers call it _heresies _or _heresy. _But because in the Church of God, where the unity of faith ought to reign, there is noth... [ Continue Reading ]
− 25._By this craft. _Demetrius doth in this place filthily betray his malice. It is lawful for a man, in some measure, to provide for his private profit; but to trouble common [the public] peace for a man’s own gain, to overthrow − (388) equity and right, to give over a man’s self to do violence an... [ Continue Reading ]
− 27._Not only this part. _This is first disorderly handled in − (389) that Demetrius is careful for religion after other things; − (390) because nothing is more absurd than to prefer the belly before the goddess; but even this is also vain, in that he pretendeth that the worship of Diana is in haza... [ Continue Reading ]
− 29.Luke setteth down in this place the nature of the people, as if it were depainted in a table. − (395) Like as if a thousand houses should be set on fire at a sudden, so all the city was on an uproar in one moment; and when such a tempest is once raised, it is not easily stayed. And forasmuch as... [ Continue Reading ]
− 30._And when Paul would. _We may see that Paul’s constancy was coupled with modesty. When as he might well have kept himself out of sight, of his own accord was he prepared to put himself in hazard. And yet he doth not refuse to follow their counsel, who knew the state of matters better than he.... [ Continue Reading ]
− 33._They drew out Alexander. _It is to be thought that the Jews did not send forth this Alexander to plead the common cause of the nation, but that they were desirous to bring him before the people that he might be murdered. Nevertheless, the name Jew made him to be so hated, that they did outrage... [ Continue Reading ]
− 34._Great is Diana of the Ephesians. _This was a clamorous confession, but without any soundness; neither did it proceed from the faith of the heart. For whence came that great divinity of Diana whereof they spake, save only because like mad men they furiously defend that error which they had onc... [ Continue Reading ]
− 35.Luke showeth in this place that the tumult was so appeased, that yet, notwithstanding, superstition prevailed with the mad people, and the truth of God was not heard. For the town-clerk, as politic men use to do, counteth it sufficient for him if he can by any means appease the outrageous multi... [ Continue Reading ]
− 37._Men which are neither church-robbers. _He doth both truly and well deny that they be church-robbers; but he doth shortly after falsely define the kind of church-robbery to speak blasphemously against Diana. For seeing that all superstition is profane and polluted, it followeth that those be sa... [ Continue Reading ]