And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, Ver. 1. _And Saul yet breathing_] As a tired wolf, that wearied with worrying the flock, lies panting for breath. _See Trapp on "_ Act 8:3 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. Ver. 2. _Letters to Damascus_] The high priest, it seems, then had power at Damascus, and elsewhere out of Judea, to bind and beat hi... [ Continue Reading ]
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: Ver. 3. _And as he journeyed_] So Petrus Paulus Vergerius, the pope's nuncio, _dum confutationem Evangelicorum meditatur, fit Evangelicus; _ moved, perhaps, by the fearful example also of Fran... [ Continue Reading ]
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Ver. 4. _Fell to the earth_] Christ unhorsed him, but did not destroy him. He is not such a monarch as loves to get authority by sternness, as Rehoboam, but by gentleness. And though gone to heaven, ye... [ Continue Reading ]
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: _it is_ hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Ver. 5. _To kick against the pricks_] A metaphor from oxen pushing back upon the goad, when they are pricked therewith, as Beza showeth out of Aeschilus.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord _said_ unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Ver. 6. _It shall be told thee_] Christ teacheth him not immediately, but sendeth him to a preacher; so to grace his own... [ Continue Reading ]
And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Ver. 7. _Hearing a voice_] Not Christ's voice, but Saul's only, Acts 22:9 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought _him_ into Damascus. Ver. 8. _He saw no man_] This bodily blindness was a means to open the eyes of his mind, as Gehazi's leprosy cured his soul.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. Ver. 9. _And he was three days_] In this three days' darkness, some gather by computation of time, that he was now rapped up into the third heaven, and heard those wordless words, ρηματα αρρητα, 2 Corinthians 12:4, after that he ha... [ Continue Reading ]
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I _am here_, Lord. Ver. 10. _And there was a certain_] See here the necessity and use of the ministry: "If there be a messenger with a man, an interpreter, one among a th... [ Continue Reading ]
And the Lord _said_ unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for _one_ called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, Ver. 11. _The street called Straight_] God's people are so dear to him, that their walls are ever before him,Isaiah 49:1... [ Continue Reading ]
And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting _his_ hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Ver. 12. _And hath seen in a vision_] It is not certain whether these be Christ's own words, or St Luke's; neither is it much material.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: Ver. 13. _Then Ananias answered_] The best have their unnecessary fears, and think they have reason on their side; but convinced, they soon subscribe to God. _Veniat, veniat verbum... [ Continue Reading ]
And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. Ver. 14. _And here he hath authority_] Therefore he was more than 20 years old (as Ambrose and Theodoret make him to be) at his first conversion. For here he hath authority committed unto him, not incident to so ve... [ Continue Reading ]
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: Ver. 15. _A chosen vessel to bear_] In matters of holiness we are rather patients than agents, that we may ascribe all to God's grace; therefore he... [ Continue Reading ]
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Ver. 16. _How great things he must suffer_] Opposition is (as Calvin wrote to the French king) _Evangelii genius, _ the evil angel that dogs the gospel. And _praedicare, _ said Luther, _nihil aliud est quam derivare in se furor... [ Continue Reading ]
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, _even_ Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Ver. 17. _Putting his hands_] Part... [ Continue Reading ]
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. Ver. 18. _There fell from his eyes_] God also at the same time tore the covering, rent the veil that was spread over the eyes of his understanding,Isaiah 24:7. See "The Blin... [ Continue Reading ]
And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. Ver. 19. _With the disciples_] For as he desired to cleave perpetually to the head, so to join himself to his members, to incorporate with the Church.... [ Continue Reading ]
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. Ver. 20. _And straightway he preached_] He conferred not with flesh and blood, Galatians 1:16, but fell presently to work, and followed it close, as afraid to be taken with his task undone. Chrysostom saith of Paul, th... [ Continue Reading ]
But all that heard _him_ were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? Ver. 21. _Is not this he?_] It is, and it is not: it is not _Ille ego qui quondam, _ but... [ Continue Reading ]
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. Ver. 22. _Proving that this, &c._] Συμβιβαζων. Proving it by comparing Scripture with Scripture, by laying one place to another, as joiners fit all the parts of their work tog... [ Continue Reading ]
And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: Ver. 23. _And after many days_] _a_ _sc._ After three years. So long he had to settle, ere God called him forth to suffer. The skilful armourer trieth not an ordinary piece with musket shot. The wise lapidary brings not his... [ Continue Reading ]
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Ver. 24. _But their laying await_] Some friend likely had advertised him, as a senator of Hala did Brentins, when some had conspired his death, _Fuge, fuge, Brenti, cito, citius, citissime._ Flee speedil... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the disciples took him by night, and let _him_ down by the wall in a basket. Ver. 25. _Let him down, &c._] It is not unlawful then to fly in some cases. Tertullian was too rigid in condemning all kinds of flight, in time of persecution; God hath not set us as standing marks, or butts, to be sh... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. Ver. 26. _They were all afraid of him_] Openheartedness is an argument of folly, _Fide, diffide._ Our Saviour would not lightly commit himself... [ Continue Reading ]
But Barnabas took him, and brought _him_ to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. Ver. 27. _And how he had preached boldly_] _See Trapp on "_ Act 9:21 _"_ _See Trapp o... [ Continue Reading ]
And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. Ver. 28. _And he was with them_] _sc._ With Peter and James, Galatians 1:18,19. For the other apostles were then absent, about their Lord's business.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Ver. 29. _And he spake boldly_] The soul, by the witness of the Spirit, finds increase of spiritual mettle, and is steeled against opposition. _ Disputed against the Grecians_] Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Which_ when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. Ver. 30. _To Tarsus_] His own country, that he might there break the bread of life where he first drew the breath of life, as Bishop Jewel desired to do. Physician, heal thyself, that is, thine own nati... [ Continue Reading ]
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. Ver. 31. _Then had the churches rest_] As when Paul was converted, the Churches rested; so, much more, when sin and... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all _quarters_, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. Ver. 32. _As Peter passed through all quarters_] Being notably active for Christ, according as it was charged upon him, Luke 22:32; "When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren... [ Continue Reading ]
And there he found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. Ver. 33. _Had kept his bed eight years_] A long while surely; but what was this to an eternity of extremity in hell? Oh, take heed, and be forewarned to flee from that wrath to come. And mea... [ Continue Reading ]
And Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. Ver. 34. _And Peter said_] After he had prayed for him, likely. It is the prayer of faith that healeth the sick. Thus Epaphroditus was given in as an answer to St Paul's prayer, and Mi... [ Continue Reading ]
And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. Ver. 35. _And Saron_] Alias Assaron, the same perhaps with Acheron or Ekron, counted by the very heathens the devil's house; for there Beelzebub, the prince of devils, was worshipped, 2 Kings 1:3. _a_ a _Flectere si nequeo supe... [ Continue Reading ]
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. Ver. 36. _Full of good works and alms-deeds_] For there are other good works besides almsdeeds, though many Papists, and some as silly, h... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid _her_ in an upper chamber. Ver. 37. _When they had washed_] This they did to show their hope of a joyful resurrection. The heathens also, though their lives and hopes ended together, yet they washed... [ Continue Reading ]
And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring _him_ that he would not delay to come to them. Ver. 38. _They sent unto him_] As loth to lose so useful a member, so dearly missed among them. Some when they die are no m... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. Ver. 39. _They brought him_] Love is officious, and thinks not too much of any labo... [ Continue Reading ]
But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning _him_ to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. Ver. 40. _Put them all forth_] That he might pray with more privacy and freedom. For he knew well that the prayer of faith cou... [ Continue Reading ]
And he gave her _his_ hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. Ver. 41. _Presented her alive_] To her own loss for a little while; but so God might be glorified and the Church gratified, she was well contented.... [ Continue Reading ]
And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. Ver. 42. _And many believed_] So when Lazarus was raised, John 11:45. _See Trapp on "_ Joh 11:45 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner. Ver. 43. _With one Simon a tanner_] Of mean rank and despicable, but religious and hospitable. Of such, and not of great ones, consisted this Church of Christ at Joppa. The poor are gospellized, ευαγγελιζονται, Matthew... [ Continue Reading ]