Then (1) came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple
was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a
(a) Jewess, and believed; but his father [was] a Greek:
(1) Paul himself does not receive Timothy into the ministry without
sufficient testimony, and permission... [ Continue Reading ]
Which was (b) well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and
Iconium.
(b) Both for his godliness and honesty.... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised
him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew
all that his father was a Greek.
(2) Timothy is circumcised, not simply for any necessity, but in
respect of the time only, in order to win the Jews.... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the (c)
decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders
which were at Jerusalem.
(3) Charity is to be observed in things indifferent so that regard is
had both of the weak, and of the peace of the Church.
(c) These dec... [ Continue Reading ]
(4) Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of
Galatia, and were (d) forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word
in Asia,
(4) God appoints certain and determinate times to open and set forth
his truth, so that both the election and the calling may proceed of
grace.
(d) He does... [ Continue Reading ]
(5) And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of
Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help
us.
(5) They are the ministers of the Gospel by whom he helps those who
are likely to perish.... [ Continue Reading ]
(6) And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go
into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to
preach the gospel unto them.
(6) The Saints did not easily believe every vision.... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where
(e) prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the
women which resorted [thither].
(7) God begins his kingdom in Macedonia by the conversion of a woman,
and so shows that there is no exception of persons in the G... [ Continue Reading ]
(8) And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city
of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard [us]: whose heart the Lord
opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
(8) The Lord opens the heart to hear the word which is preached.... [ Continue Reading ]
(9) And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought [us],
saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my
house, and abide [there]. And she constrained us.
(9) An example of a godly housewife.... [ Continue Reading ]
(10) And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel
possessed with a spirit of (f) divination met us, which brought her
masters much gain by soothsaying:
(10) Satan transforms himself into an angel of light, and covets to
enter by undermining, but Paul openly stops him, and casts him o... [ Continue Reading ]
And this did she (g) many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and
said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come
out of her. And he came out the same hour.
(g) Paul made no haste to do this miracle, for he did all things only
as he was led by the Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
(11) And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone,
they caught Paul and Silas, and drew [them] into the marketplace unto
the rulers,
(11) Covetousness of evil gain and of profit is an occasion for
persecuting the truth. In the meanwhile, God sparing Timothy, calls
Paul and Silas a... [ Continue Reading ]
(12) And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being
Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
(12) Covetousness pretends a desire for common peace and godliness.... [ Continue Reading ]
(13) And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive,
neither to observe, being Romans.
(13) It is an argument of the devil to use the authority of ancestors,
though not distinguishing exactly which ancestors.... [ Continue Reading ]
(14) And the multitude rose up together against them: and the
magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat [them].
(14) An example of evil magistrates, to obey the fury and rage of the
people.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison,
and made their feet (h) fast in the stocks.
(h) Because he wanted to be more sure that they did not escape, he set
them fast in the stocks.... [ Continue Reading ]
(15) And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God:
and the prisoners heard them.
(15) The prayers of the godly do shake both heaven and earth.... [ Continue Reading ]
(16) And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing
the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed
himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
(16) The merciful Lord, as often as he desires, draws men to life even
through the midst of death, and wher... [ Continue Reading ]
(17) But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for
we are all here.
(17) In means which are especially extraordinary, we should not move
our foot forward, unless God goes before us.... [ Continue Reading ]
(18) And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed [their]
stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
(18) God with the very same hand wounds and heals when it pleases him.... [ Continue Reading ]
(19) And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying,
Let those men go.
(19) Shame and confusion is in due time the reward of wicked and
unjust magistrates.... [ Continue Reading ]
(20) But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned,
being Romans, and have cast [us] into prison; and now do they thrust
us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us
out.
(20) We must not render injury for injury, and yet nonetheless it is
lawful for us to... [ Continue Reading ]
(21) And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they
feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
(21) The wicked are not moved with the fear of God, but with the fear
of men: and by that means also God provides for his, when it is
needed.... [ Continue Reading ]
(22) And they went out of the prison, and entered into [the house of]
Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and
departed.
(22) We may avoid dangers in such a way that we never neglect our
duty.... [ Continue Reading ]