Acts 16:1
DERBE AND LYSTRA; chap Acts 14:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
DERBE AND LYSTRA; chap Acts 14:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
CIRCUMCISED HIM; this Paul did, not because it was needful to salvation, but to prevent the Jews from being prejudiced against Timothy as a preacher of the gospel. Christian wisdom will lead men to do, in some circumstances, what it will lead them to refuse to do under others. It is not enough that... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DECREES; the decision to which the apostles and brethren at Jerusalem had come. Chap Acts 15:29.... [ Continue Reading ]
PHRYGIA; this was the central and largest province in Asia Minor. GALATIA; a province east of Phrygia. ASIA; this word here, and in other places in the New Testament, refers to proconsular Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital.... [ Continue Reading ]
MYSIA; north-west of Phrygia. ASSAYED; attempted. BITHYNIA; a province east of Mysia, and north of Phrygia. THE SPIRIT; the Holy Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
TROAS; a city near the site of ancient Troy, on the north part of the Aegean sea, which separates Asia Minor from Europe.... [ Continue Reading ]
MACEDONIA; a country in the south-east of Europe.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE; from this it appears that Luke, the writer of this book, accompanied Paul. Compare chap Acts 20:5, etc. ASSUREDLY GATHERING; being convinced.... [ Continue Reading ]
SAMOTHRACIA; an island in the north part of the Aegean sea. NEAPOLIS; a seaport of Macedonia.... [ Continue Reading ]
PHILIPPI-A COLONY; inhabited by Roman citizens, and enjoying special privileges. This was the first introduction of the gospel into Europe.... [ Continue Reading ]
THYATIRA; a city of Lydia, a province in Asia Minor. WORSHIPPED GOD; was a proselyte to the Jewish religion. WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED; inclined to believe what Paul preached. Whenever men believe on Jesus Christ, and are disposed to obey him, it is evidence that the Lord has renewed their heart... [ Continue Reading ]
TO PRAYER; the place of prayer. SPIRIT OF DIVINATION; an evil spirit, under the influence of which she professed to divine, that is to reveal things beyond the reach of human knowledge. SOOTHSAYING; professing to foretell future events. Men are often more anxious to know their fortunes than their... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING GRIEVED; at her debased and wretched condition, and the evil she might occasion. IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST; this showed that the author of this miracle was not Paul, but Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
HOPE OF THEIR GAINS; the hope of making any more money in that wicked way. Under the influence of Satan, persons may pretend to foretell future events, and to exercise supernatural power; but when Christ delivers them from the snares of Satan, such pretensions will cease.... [ Continue Reading ]
Many are greatly troubled when Satan is prevented from helping them to make money; and earnestly contend that the prosecution of their wicked employment is essential to the public good.... [ Continue Reading ]
CUSTOMS-NOT LAWFUL; a new religion contrary to the Roman law.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE INNER PRISON; from which it would be most difficult to escape. STOCKS; wooden frames in which their feet were fastened.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is not in the power of the wicked to make the righteous unhappy, or prevent their rejoicing with exceeding joy.... [ Continue Reading ]
BANDS; chains, cords, or fetters by which they were confined.... [ Continue Reading ]
WOULD HAVE KILLED HIMSELF; to avoid the punishment of death, to which those were liable who allowed prisoners to escape. Compare chap Acts 12:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO BE SAVED; from sin, and the wrath of a justly offended God. To a convicted sinner, the most important of all things is salvation from sin and hell. To obtain it, he must do something; and the business of a minister is, to show him what he must do, set before him the motives, and look to the Holy... [ Continue Reading ]
THY HOUSE; thy family.... [ Continue Reading ]
SERGEANTS; the lictors who attended on the magistrates, and executed their commands.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING ROMANS; having a right to the privileges of Roman citizens, whom it was unlawful thus to scourge and imprison. LET THEM COME; this would be a public acknowledgment by the magistrates that they had done wrong. It is sometimes right and wise to claim the protection of civil law; to appeal from... [ Continue Reading ]
BESOUGHT THEM; to overlook the injustice which had been done them, and to depart.... [ Continue Reading ]
COMFORTED THEM; by recounting the goodness of God, and encouraging them to love and trust in him.... [ Continue Reading ]