THEN CAME HE - That is, Paul in company with Silas. Luke does not give us the history of Barnabas, but confines his narrative to the journey of Paul. TO DERBE AND LYSTRA - See the notes on Acts 14:6. AND BEHOLD, A CERTAIN DISCIPLE NAMED TIMOTHEUS - It was to this disciple that Paul afterward addre... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH - That is, Timothy. The connection requires us to understand this of him. Of the character of his father nothing is known. WAS WELL REPORTED OF - Was esteemed highly as a young man of piety and promise. Compare the notes on Acts 6:3. Compare 1 Timothy 5:10. Timothy had been religiously educat... [ Continue Reading ]
HIM WOULD PAUL HAVE ... - This was an instance of Paul’s selecting young men of piety for the holy ministry. It shows: (1) That he was disposed to look up and call forth the talent in the church that might be usefully employed. It is quite evident that Timothy would not have thought of this had it... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS THEY WENT THROUGH THE CITIES - The cities of Syria, Cilicia, etc. THEY DELIVERED THEM - Paul and Silas delivered to the Christians in those cities. THE DECREES - τὰ δόγματα ta dogmata. The decrees in regard to the four things specified in Acts 15:20, Acts 15:29. The word translated “decree... [ Continue Reading ]
ESTABLISHED IN THE FAITH - Confirmed in the belief of the gospel The effect of the wise and conciliatory measure was to increase and strengthen the churches.... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGHOUT PHRYGIA - This was the largest province of Asia Minor. It had Bithynia north; Pisidia and Lycia south; Galatia and Cappadocia east; and Lydia and Mysia west. AND THE REGION OF GALATIA - This province was directly east of Phrygia. The region was formerly conquered by the Gauls. They settl... [ Continue Reading ]
MYSIA - This was a province of Asia Minor, having Propontis on the north, Bithynia on the east, Lydia on the south, and the Aegean Sea on the west. THEY ASSAYED - They endeavored; they attempted. INTO BITHYNIA - A province of Asia Minor lying east of Mysia.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAME DOWN TO TROAS - This was a city of Phrygia or Mysia, on the Hellespont, between Troy north, and Assos south. Sometimes the name Troas or Troad, is used to denote the whole country of the Trojans, the province where the ancient city of Troy had stood. This region was much celebrated in the early... [ Continue Reading ]
AND A VISION - See the notes on Acts 9:10. THERE STOOD A MAN - etc. The appearance of a man who was known to be of Macedonia, probably by his dress and language. Whether this was in a dream, or whether it was a representation made to the senses while awake, it is impossible to tell. The will of God... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ENDEAVORED - This is the first instance in which Luke refers to himself as being in company with Paul. It is hence probable that he joined Paul and Silas about this time, and it is evident that he attended Paul in his travels, as recorded throughout the remainder of the Acts . ASSUREDLY GATHERIN... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOSING FROM TROAS - Setting sail from this place. TO SAMOTHRACIA - This was an island in the Aegean Sea not far from Thrace. It was populated by inhabitants from Samos and from Thrace, and hence called Samothracia. It was about 20 miles in circumference, and was an asylum for fugitives and crimina... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FROM THENCE TO PHILIPPI - The former name of this city was Dathos. It was repaired and adorned by Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, and after him was called Philippi. It was famous for having been the place where several battles were fought during the civil wars of the Romans, and, amon... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ON THE SABBATH - There is no doubt that in this city there were Jews; In the time of the apostles they were scattered extensively throughout the known world. BY A RIVER SIDE - What river this was is not known. It is known, however, that the Jews were accustomed to provide water, or to build the... [ Continue Reading ]
A SELLER OF PURPLE - Purple was a most valuable color, obtained usually from shellfish. It was chiefly worn by princes and by the rich, and the traffic in it might be very profitable. Compare the Isaiah 1:18 note; Luke 16:19 note. THE CITY OF THYATIRA - This was a city of Lydia, in Asia Minor, now... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN SHE WAS BAPTIZED - Apparently without any delay. Compare Acts 2:41; Acts 8:38. It was usual to be baptized immediately on believing. AND HER HOUSEHOLD - Greek: her house ὁ οἶκος ἀυτῆς ho oikos autēs, her family. No mention is made of their having believed, and the case is one that af... [ Continue Reading ]
AS WE WENT TO PRAYER - Greek: as we were going to the proseuche, ‘the place of prayer, Acts 16:13. Whether this was on the same day in which the conversion of Lydia occurred, or at another time, is not mentioned by the historian. A CERTAIN DAMSEL - A maid, a young woman. POSSESSED WITH A SPIRIT OF... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SAME FOLLOWED PAUL ... - Why she did this, or under what presence, the sacred writer has not informed us. It may have been: * That as she prophesied for gain, she supposed that Paul and Silas would reward her if she publicly proclaimed that they were the servants of God. Or, * Because she wa... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT PAUL, BEING GRIEVED - Being molested, troubled, offended. Paul was grieved, probably: * Because her presence was troublesome to him; * Because it might be said that he was in alliance with her, and that his pretensions were just like hers; * Because what she did was for the sake of gain, a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOPE OF THEIR GAINS WAS GONE - It was this that troubled and enraged them. Instead of regarding the act as proof of divine power, they were intent only on their profits. Their indignation furnishes a remarkable illustration of the fixedness with which people will regard wealth; of the fact that... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BROUGHT THEM TO THE MAGISTRATES - To the military rulers στρατηγοῖς stratēgois or praetors. Philippi was a Roman colony, and it is probable that the officers of the army exercised the double function of civil and military rulers. DO EXCEEDINGLY TROUBLE OUR CITY - In what way they did it they s... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TEACH CUSTOMS - The word “customs” here ἔθη ethē refers to “religious rites or forms of worship.” See the notes on Acts 6:14. They meant to charge the apostles with introducing a new religion which was unauthorized by the Roman laws. This was a cunning and artful accusation. It is perfectly e... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE MULTITUDE ... - It is evident that this was done in a popular tumult, and without even the form of law. Of this Paul afterward justly complained, as it was a violation of the privileges of a Roman citizen, and contrary to the laws. See the notes on Acts 16:37. It was one instance in which pe... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY HAD LAID MANY STRIPES ON THEM - The Jews were by law prohibited from inflicting more than 40 stripes, and usually inflicted but 39, 2 Corinthians 11:24. But there was no such law among the Romans. They were unrestricted in regard to the number of lashes, and probably inflicted many mor... [ Continue Reading ]
THRUST THEM INTO THE INNER PRISON - Into the most retired and secure part of the prison. The cells in the interior of the prison would be regarded as more safe, being doubtless more protected, and the difficulty of escape would be greater. AND MADE THEIR FEET FAST IN THE STOCKS - Greek: and made the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AT MIDNIGHT - Probably their painful posture, and the sufferings of their recent scourging, prevented their. sleeping. Yet, though they had no repose, they had a quiet conscience, and the supports of religion. PRAYED - Though they had suffered much, yet they had reason to apprehend more. They s... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SUDDENLY - While they were praying and singing. A GREAT EARTHQUAKE - Matthew 28:2. An earthquake, in such circumstances, was regarded as a symbol of the presence of God, and as an answer to prayer. See the notes on Acts 4:31. The design of this was, doubtless, to furnish them proof of the prese... [ Continue Reading ]
WOULD HAVE KILLED HIMSELF - This was done in the midst of agitation and alarm. He supposed that the prisoners had fled. He presumed that their escape would be charged on him. It was customary to hold a jailor responsible for the safe keeping of prisoners, and to subject him to the punishment due the... [ Continue Reading ]
DO THYSELF NO HARM - This is the solemn command of religion in his case, and in all others. It enjoins upon people to do themselves no harm by self-murder, whether by the sword, the pistol, the halter; by intemperance, by lust, or by dissipation. In all cases, Christianity seeks the true welfare of... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE CALLED FOR A LIGHT - Greek: lights, in the plural. Probably several torches were brought by his attendants. AND CAME TREMBLING - Alarmed at the earthquake; amazed that the prisoners were still there; confounded at the calmness of Paul and Silas and overwhelmed at the proof of the presence o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BROUGHT THEM OUT - From the prison. SIRS - Greek: κύριοι kurioi, lords - an address of respect; a title usually given to masters or owners of slaves. WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? - Never was a more important question asked than this. It is clear that by the question he did not refer to any dan... [ Continue Reading ]
BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST - This was a simple, a plain, and an effectual direction. They did not direct him to use the means of grace, to pray, or to continue to seek for salvation. They did not advise him to delay, or to wait for the mercy of God. They told him to believe at once; to commit... [ Continue Reading ]
TO ALL THAT WERE IN HIS HOUSE - Old and young. They instructed them in the doctrines of religion, and doubtless in the nature of the ordinances of the gospel, and then baptized the entire family.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE TOOK THEM - To a convenient place for washing. It is evident from this that, though the apostles had the gift of miracles, they did not exercise it in regard to their own sufferings or to heal their own wounds. They restored others to health, not themselves. AND WASHED THEIR STRIPES - The wou... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SET MEAT BEFORE THEM - Food. Greek: “he placed a table.” The word “meat” formerly meant “food” of all kinds. AND REJOICED - This was the effect of believing. Religion produces joy. See the notes on Acts 8:8. He was free from danger and alarm; he had evidence that his sins were forgiven, and that... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN IT WAS DAY ... - It is evident from the narrative that it was not contemplated at first to release them so soon, Acts 16:22. But it is not known what produced this change of purpose in the magistrates. It is probable, however, that they had been brought to reflection, somewhat as the jailor... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HAVE BEATEN US OPENLY UNCONDEMNED - There are three aggravating circumstances mentioned, of which Paul complains: (1) That they had been beaten contrary to the Roman laws. (2) That it had been public; the disgrace had been in the presence of the people, and the reparation ought to be as publi... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY FEARED WHEN THEY HEARD ... - They were apprehensive of punishment for having imprisoned them in violation of the laws of the empire. To punish unjustly a Roman citizen was deemed an offence to the majesty of the Roman people, and was severely punished by the laws. Dionysius Hal. (_Ant. Rom._, i... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY CAME AND BESOUGHT THEM - A most humiliating act for Roman magistrates, but in this case it was unavoidable. The apostles had them completely in their power, and could easily effect their disgrace and ruin. Probably they besought them by declaring them innocent; by affirming that they were i... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY COMFORTED THEM - They exhorted them, and encouraged them to persevere, notwithstanding the opposition and persecution which they might meet with. AND DEPARTED - That is, Paul and Silas departed. It would appear probable that Luke and Timothy remained in Philippi, or, at least, did not attend Pa... [ Continue Reading ]