Acts 19:1-7
Acts 19:1-7. PAUL RETURNING TO EPHESUS FINDS THERE SOME DISCIPLES OF JOHN THE BAPTIST... [ Continue Reading ]
Acts 19:1-7. PAUL RETURNING TO EPHESUS FINDS THERE SOME DISCIPLES OF JOHN THE BAPTIST... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕὙΡΕΙ͂Ν for εὑρών with אAB. _Vulg_. supports this having ‘veniret … et inveniret.’ 1. ἘΝ ΤΩ͂Ι ΤῸΝ ἈΠΟΛΛῺ ΕἾΝΑΙ ἘΝ ΚΟΡΊΝΘΩΙ, _while Apollos was in Corinth_. The digression concerning Apollos being ended, the history now returns to St Paul. Apollos found, no doubt, that Corinth was the most effective... [ Continue Reading ]
εἶπον omitted with אABDE. _Vulg_. has ‘dixerunt.’ 2. ΕἸ ΠΝΕΥ͂ΜΑ ἍΓΙΟΝ ἘΛΑΒΕΤΕ ΠΙΣΤΕΎΣΑΝΤΕΣ; _did ye receive the Holy Ghost when ye believed?_ On the use of εἰ as simply the mark of an interrogation cf. Acts 1:6. The position of these disciples is difficult to understand. St Paul addresses them as... [ Continue Reading ]
πρὸς αὐτούς omitted with אAE. Not represented in _Vulg_. 3. ΕἸΣ ΤΊ ΟΥ̓͂Ν ἘΒΑΠΤΊΣΘΗΤΕ; _into what then were ye baptized?_ The phrase, derived from the language of Christ (Matthew 28:19), was βαπτίζειν εἰς τὸ ὄνομα. Hence the form of this question and of the answer, εἰς τὸ Ἰωάννου βάπτσμα, which mean... [ Continue Reading ]
Χριστὸν omitted with אABE. Not represented in _Vulg_. 4. ΕἾΠΕΝ ΔῈ ΠΑΥ͂ΛΟΣ, ἸΩΆΝΝΗΣ ἘΒΆΠΤΙΣΕΝ ΒΆΠΤΙΣΜΑ ΜΕΤΑΝΟΊΑΣ, _and Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance_. Such was John’s description of his own baptism (Matthew 3:11), but after the day of Pentecost the language of the Christian... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΚΟΎΣΑΝΤΕΣ ΔΈ, _and when they heard_. What they heard was not the mere statement that Jesus was the Messiah; but all the arguments with which St Paul demonstrated that this was so, and proved that in Him the Scriptures were fulfilled. The conviction need not have been sudden, though its description... [ Continue Reading ]
ἮΛΘΕΝ ΤῸ ΠΝΕΥ͂ΜΑ Τ. Ἅ. ἘΠ' ΑΥ̓ΤΟΎΣ, _the Holy Ghost came upon them_. The gift of the Holy Ghost to these disciples appears to have been a special provision of the Spirit for the great work which was to change Ephesus, from the city wholly devoted to the goddess Diana, into the centre of Christian li... [ Continue Reading ]
ἮΣΑΝ ΔῈ ΟἹ ΠΆΝΤΕΣ ἌΝΔΡΕΣ ὩΣΕῚ ΔΏΔΕΚΑ, _and they were in all about twelve men_. A new band or Apostles. The verse has been the cause of much remark. Why the inspired historian should speak with an ‘about,’ has been asked by some. With that we are not concerned, only to observe that the Spirit has no... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕἸΣΕΛΘῺΝ ΔῈ ΕἸΣ ΤΉΝ ΣΥΝΑΓΩΓΉΝ, _and having entered into the synagogue_. As the incident of John’s disciples is mentioned before anything else, it seems likely that St Paul found them among the few Christian brethren in Ephesus, and began his teaching of them before he commenced his visits to the syn... [ Continue Reading ]
PAUL PREACHES TO THE JEWS FIRST AND AFTERWARDS TO THE GENTILES. THE WORD OF GOD PREVAILS MIGHTILY... [ Continue Reading ]
τινός omitted with אAB. _Vulg_. has ‘cujusdam.’ 9. ὩΣ ΔΈ ΤΙΝΕΣ ἘΣΚΛΗΡΎΝΟΝΤΟ ΚΑῚ ἨΠΕΊΘΟΥΝ, _but when divers were hardened, and believed not_, that is, refused the persuasion spoken of in the previous verse. The same two verbs are found together in Sir 30:11 of the training of a son, θλάσον τὰς πλευρ... [ Continue Reading ]
Ἰησοῦ omitted after ΚΥΡΊΟΥ with אABDE. Not represented in Vulg. 10. ἘΠῚ ἜΤΗ ΔΎΟ, _by the space of two years_. Speaking to the Ephesian elders at Miletus the Apostle says he ceased not to admonish the Church there for ‘_three_ years.’ The two statements need not be conflicting. To the two years ment... [ Continue Reading ]
ΔΥΝΆΜΕΙΣ ΤΕ ΟΥ̓ ΤᾺΣ ΤΥΧΟΎΣΑΣ Ὁ ΘΕῸΣ ἘΠΟΊΕΙ ΔΙᾺ ΤΩ͂Ν ΧΕΙΡΩ͂Ν ΠΑΎΛΟΥ, _and God wrought special_ (or _no common_) _powers by the hands of Paul_. The language of the historian is noteworthy. God works, Paul is the instrument. (Cp. the mighty hand of Moses, Deuteronomy 34:12.) The imperfect tense of the... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΚΠΟΡΕΎΕΣΘΑΙ for ἐξέρχεσαι�' αὐτῶν with אABDE. _Vulg_. has ‘egrediebantur’ only. 12. ὭΣΤΕ ΚΑῚ … ἈΠΟΦΈΡΕΣΘΑΙ�, _so that from his body there were carried away unto the sick_. St Luke is careful to intimate that the Apostle did not of himself adopt or recommend these methods, but the faith of the conve... [ Continue Reading ]
ὉΡΚΊΖΩ with אABDE. _Vulg_. ‘abjuro.’ 13. ἘΠΕΧΕΊΡΗΣΑΝ ΔΈ ΤΙΝΕΣ ΚΑῚ ΤΩ͂Ν ΠΕΡΙΕΡΧΟΜΈΝΩΝ ἸΟΥΔΑΊΩΝ ἘΞΟΡΚΙΣΤΩ͂Ν, _and certain also of the Jews that went about as exorcists took upon them_. In addition to the real, though ignorant, faith of the converts alluded to in Acts 19:12, some impostors, who had no... [ Continue Reading ]
ΥἹΟῚ after ἘΠΤᾺ and omitting οἱ with אABE. _Vulg_. has ‘septem filii qui hoc faciebant.’ 14. ἮΣΑΝ ΔΈ ΤΙΝΕΣ … ἈΡΧΙΕΡΈΩΣ ἙΠΤᾺ ΥἹΟΊ, _and there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest_. We cannot tell why the title ‘chief priest’ is given to Sceva, but it is not improbable that the name wa... [ Continue Reading ]
ΑΥ̓ΤΟΊΣ added after ΕἾΠΕΝ with אABD. _Vulg_. has ‘eis.’ 15. ἈΠΟΚΡΙΘῈΝ ΔῈ ΤῸ ΠΝΕΥ͂ΜΑ ΤῸ ΠΟΝΗΡῸΝ ΕἾΠΕΝ ΑΥ̓ΤΟΙ͂Σ, _and the evil spirit answered and said to them_. They had taken upon them to use the name of Jesus, but the result was far contrary to their wishes and intentions. ‘Evil spirit’ is used fo... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΜΦΟΤΈΡΩΝ for αὐτῶν with אABD. _Vulg_. ‘amborum.’ 16. ἘΦΑΛΌΜΕΝΟΣ, _leaping upon_, with the power, more than natural, so often displayed by madmen. ΚΑΤΑΚΥΡΙΕΎΣΑΣ�, _having gained the mastery over both of them_. Here the reading ἀμφοτέρων preserves for us the information that on the occasion here sp... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤΟΥ͂ΤΟ ΔῈ ἘΓΈΝΕΤΟ ΓΝΩΣΤΌΝ, _and this became known_. The sentence refers to a gradual spreading of the story. We may be sure that ‘the sons of Sceva’ said as little about it as they could help. ΠΑ͂ΣΙΝ ἸΟΥΔΑΊΟΙΣ ΤΕ ΚΑῚ ἝΛΛΗΣΙΝ ΤΟΙ͂Σ ΚΑΤΟΙΚΟΥ͂ΣΙΝ ΤῊΝ ἜΦΕΣΟΝ, _to all both Jews and Greeks that dwelt at... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΟΛΛΟΊ ΤΕ ΤΩ͂Ν ΠΕΠΙΣΤΕΥΚΌΤΩΝ, _and many of those who had believed_, i.e. who had made a profession of their faith. Clearly it was as yet only an imperfect belief. But the N.T. charity often names those ‘saints’ who are only on the way to become so. ἬΡΧΟΝΤΟ ἘΞΟΜΟΛΟΓΟΎΜΕΝΟΙ, _came and confessed_, i.e... [ Continue Reading ]
ἹΚΑΝΟῚ ΔῈ ΤΩ͂Ν ΤᾺ ΠΕΡΊΕΡΓΑ ΠΡΑΞΆΝΤΩΝ, _and not a few_ (so R.V. to make a distinction from the πολλοί of Acts 19:18) _of them which used curious arts_. The τὰ περίεργα were magic, jugglery and all such practices as make pretence to supernatural agency. The word is used of magic arts both in classical... [ Continue Reading ]
ΟὝΤΩΣ ΚΑΤᾺ ΚΡΆΤΟΣ, _so mightily_. The phrase is common in classical Greek in the sense of ‘with all one’s power and might.’... [ Continue Reading ]
ὩΣ ΔῈ ἘΠΛΗΡΏΘΗ ΤΑΥ͂ΤΑ, _and after these things were ended_. The foundations of the Ephesian Church seemed fully laid, when sacrifices of such a kind had been made by the converts, and so St Paul feels that he may leave the seed sown in good hope that it will grow. ἜΘΕΤΟ Ὁ ΠΑΥ͂ΛΟΣ ἘΝ ΤΩ͂Ι ΠΝΕΎΜΑΤΙ,... [ Continue Reading ]
21, 22. ST PAUL’S PLANS FOR HIS JOURNEY FROM EPHESUS... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΠΟΣΤΕΊΛΑΣ ΔῈ ΕἸΣ ΤῊΝ ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΊΑΝ, _so having sent unto Macedonia_. No doubt to make arrangements that the contributions of the Churches might be in readiness, and that there should be no gatherings when Paul himself came, as he says to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 16:2). ΔΙΑΚΟΝΟΎΝΤΩΝ, _of them th... [ Continue Reading ]
ΚΑΤᾺ ΤῸΝ ΚΑΙΡῸΝ ἘΚΕΙ͂ΝΟΝ, _about that time_. This is better than A.V. ‘the same time,’ and there is some gain in accuracy of rendering of these connecting phrases. The literal rendering allows of the lapse of some period between the action of the converts in burning their magic books, and the uproar... [ Continue Reading ]
HEATHEN OUTBREAK AGAINST ST PAUL AND HIS TEACHING... [ Continue Reading ]
ΟΥ̓Κ ὈΛΊΓΗΝ ἘΡΓΑΣΊΑΝ with אABD. _Vulg_. ‘non modicum quæstum.’ 24. ἈΡΓΥΡΟΚΌΠΟΣ is found in LXX. Judges 17:4; Jeremiah 6:29. ΝΑΟῪΣ�, _silver shrines of Diana_. These appear to have been little models either of the temple or of the shrine in which the image was preserved. We may be quite sure that t... [ Continue Reading ]
ΟὛΣ ΣΥΝΑΘΡΟΊΣΑΣ ΚΑῚ ΤΟῪΣ ΠΕΡῚ ΤᾺ ΤΟΙΑΥ͂ΤΑ ἙΡΓΆΤΑΣ, _whom having gathered together along with the workmen of like occupation_. His own special branch of the craft was the carving and engraving of these shrines, as we learn from the word ἀργυροκόπος. But before the work reached the higher stage, the m... [ Continue Reading ]
ΚΑῚ ΘΕΩΡΕΙ͂ΤΕ ΚΑῚ�, _and ye see and hear_. Of what had happened in Ephesus they were eyewitnesses, while the falling-off in the demand for their wares would be brought to their knowledge from all sides. The Christian preaching and preachers did not confine themselves to Ephesus. ΟΥ̓ ΜΌΝΟΝ ἘΦΈΣΟΥ�,... [ Continue Reading ]
ΟΥ̓ ΜΌΝΟΝ ΔῈ ΤΟΥ͂ΤΟ ΚΙΝΔΥΝΕΎΕΙ ἩΜΙ͂Ν ΤῸ ΜΈΡΟΣ ΕἸΣ�, _and not only is this our craft in danger to be set at nought_, τὸ μέρος = the portion or share which we make by our trade. ἀπελεμός seems to be found only here. The simpler form ἐλεγμός, in the sense of _rebuke_, is not uncommon in the LXX. On th... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΚΟΎΣΑΝΤΕΣ ΔῈ Κ.Τ.Λ., _and when they heard this they became filled with wrath_, &c. Demetrius had appealed to them in such wise as to excite them more by each fresh argument. Their self-interest first, and their pride and superstition afterwards.... [ Continue Reading ]
ὅλη omitted with אAB. _Vulg_. does not represent it. 29. ΚΑῚ ἘΠΛΉΣΘΗ Ἡ ΠΌΛΙΣ ΤΗ͂Σ ΣΥΓΧΎΣΕΩΣ, _and the city was filled with the confusion_. The city was not so directly interested in the gains of the silversmiths, but equally with them was proud of the glory and magnificence which Ephesus had, as th... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΑΎΛΟΥ ΔῈ ΒΟΥΛΟΜΈΝΟΥ ΕἸΣΕΛΘΕΙ͂Ν ΕἸΣ ΤῸΝ ΔΗ͂ΜΟΝ, _and when Paul was minded to enter in unto the people_. Through a strength not his own, the Apostle, feeble in frame though he seems to have been, waxed bold in danger where an opportunity appeared to be offered of testifying unto Christ. ΟΥ̓Κ ΕἼΩΝ ΑΥ... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤΙΝῈΣ ΔῈ ΚΑῚ ΤΩ͂Ν ἈΣΙΑΡΧΩ͂Ν, ὌΝΤΕΣ ΑΥ̓ΤΩ͂Ι ΦΊΛΟΙ, _and certain also of the chief officers of Asia, being his friends_. The Ἀσιαρχαί were officers in the various cities of proconsular Asia, appointed to preside over the games and religious festivals. In Ephesus these men would be of much importance,... [ Continue Reading ]
ἌΛΛΟΙ ΜῈΝ ΟΥ̓͂Ν ἌΛΛΟ ΤΙ ἜΚΡΑΖΟΝ, _some therefore cried one thing and some another_. As the craftsmen had not secured Paul, against whom Demetrius had directed their rage, there was no central object to arrest the general attention. Hence no settled cry was raised. ἮΝ ΓᾺΡ Ἡ ἘΚΚΛΗΣΊΑ ΣΥΓΚΕΧΥΜΈΝΗ, _fo... [ Continue Reading ]
ΣΥΝΕΒΊΒΑΣΑΝ with אABE. _Vulg_. ‘detraxerunt.’ 33. ἘΚ ΔῈ ΤΟΥ͂ ὌΧΛΟΥ ΣΥΝΕΒΊΒΑΣΑΝ ἈΛΈΞΑΝΔΡΟΝ, _and some of the multitude instructed Alexander_. What he seems to have been intended to do, was to explain on behalf of the Jews, that he and his fellow Jews had no more sympathy with St Paul than the heathe... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΠΙΓΝΌΝΤΕΣ with אABDEHLP. _Vulg_. seems to support _Text. recept_. 34. ἘΠΙΓΝΌΝΤΕΣ ΔΈ, _but when they perceived_. The Jews would everywhere be readily known, both by their features and by their garb. We can see from the way in which the mob took fire at the sight of a Jewish speaker, that the appreh... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΝΘΡΏΠΩΝ with אABE. _Vulg_. ‘hominum.’ θεᾶς omitted with אABDE. Not represented in _Vulg_. 35. ΚΑΤΑΣΤΕΊΛΑΣ, _having quieted_, i.e. reduced them to such a degree of order that he could make himself heard. The ‘appease’ of A.V. is too strong. They were hardly appeased even when his speech was done.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΝΑΝΤΙΡΡΉΤΩΝ ΟΥ̓͂Ν ὌΝΤΩΝ ΤΟΎΤΩΝ, _seeing then that these things cannot be gainsaid_. Even those who spoke against the worship as St Paul had done, could not dispute the facts just stated by the γραμματεύς about the devotion of the Ephesians to their goddess. ΔΈΟΝ ἘΣΤῚΝ ὙΜΑ͂Σ ΚΑΤΕΣΤΑΛΜΈΝΟΥΣ ὙΠΆΡΧΕΙΝ... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤΟῪΣ ἌΝΔΡΑΣ ΤΟΎΤΟΥΣ, _these men_, Gaius and Aristarchus. ἹΕΡΟΣΎΛΟΥΣ, _robbers of temples_. As the temple at Ephesus had a great treasure-chamber, the offence might not be unknown among them. All that was placed under the guardianship of the goddess would be for the time the property of the temple,... [ Continue Reading ]
ἜΧΟΥΣΙΝ ΠΡΌΣ ΤΙΝΑ ΛΌΓΟΝ, _have a matter against any man_, i.e. have any charge which they wish to bring. For the concerns in which the shrine-makers are interested must be such as the legal tribunals can take cognizance of. ἈΓΟΡΑΙ͂ΟΙ ἌΓΟΝΤΑΙ, _the law is open_. This is the general sense. With ἀγορα... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕἸ ΔΈ ΤΙ ΠΕΡῚ ἙΤΈΡΩΝ ἘΠΙΖΗΤΕΙ͂ΤΕ, _but if ye seek anything about other matters_. The ‘seeking’ alluded to is by a legal process. If the matter were of such a character as to come before the proconsul, there he was, ready to hear the cause. It was, as we might say, ‘assize time.’ But if the question... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΕΡῚ ΟὟ ΟΥ̓ with אABHLP. _Vulg_. has ‘de quo possumus.’ 40. ΚΑῚ ΓᾺΡ ΚΙΝΔΥΝΕΎΟΜΕΝ ἘΓΚΑΛΕΙ͂ΣΘΑΙ ΣΤΆΣΕΩΣ ΠΕΡῚ ΤΗ͂Σ ΣΉΜΕΡΟΝ, _for indeed we are in danger to be accused of a riot concerning this day_. ἐγκαλεῖν in the previous verse = to accuse, and this meaning should be preserved here. στάσις is the na... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΠΈΛΥΣΕΝ ΤῊΝ ἘΚΚΛΗΣΊΑΝ, _he dismissed the assembly_. This he could do in his official capacity. Probably the last argument which he used would have most weight with his audience. If such riotous conduct were reported at Rome it might lead to a curtailment of the privileges of their city. Chrysostom... [ Continue Reading ]