THE UPROAR - The tumult excited, by Demetrius and the workmen. After it had been quieted by the town-clerk, Acts 19:40. EMBRACED THEM - Saluted them; gave them parting expressions of kindness. Compare the Luke 7:45 note; Romans 16:16 note; 1 Corinthians 16:20 note; 2 Corinthians 13:12 note; 1 Thessa... [ Continue Reading ]
OVER THOSE PARTS - The parts of country in and near Macedonia. He probably went to Macedonia by Troas, where he expected to find Titus 2 Corinthians 2:12; but, not finding him there, he went by himself to Philippi, Thessalonica, etc., and then returned to Greece proper. INTO GREECE - Into Greece pro... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE ABODE - Why he remained here is unknown. It is probable that while in Greece he wrote the Epistle to the Romans. Compare Romans 15:25. AND WHEN THE JEWS LAID WAIT FOR HIM - There was a design formed against him by the Jews, which they sought to execute. Why they formed this purpose the hi... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE ACCOMPANIED HIM - It was usual for some of the disciples to attend the apostles in their journeys. INTO ASIA - It is not meant that they attended him from Greece through Macedonia, but that they went with him to Asia, having gone before him, and joined him at Troas. SOPATER OF BEREA - Pe... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE GOING BEFORE - Going before Paul and Luke. Dr. Doddridge supposes that only Tychicus and Trophimus went before the others. Perhaps the Greek most naturally demands this interpretation. TARRIED FOR US - The word “us,” here, shows that Luke had again joined Paul as his companion. In Acts 16:12... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THE DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD - After the seven days of the Passover, during which they ate only unleavened bread. See Exodus 12. IN FIVE DAYS - They crossed the Aegean Sea. Paul, when he crossed it on a former occasion, did it in two days Acts 16:11; but the navigation of the sea is uncertain... [ Continue Reading ]
AND UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK - Showing thus that this day was then observed by Christians as holy time. Compare 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10. TO BREAK BREAD - Evidently to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Compare Acts 2:46. So the Syriac understands it, by translating it, “to break the euc... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE WERE MANY LIGHTS - Why this circumstance is mentioned is not apparent. It, however, meets one of the slanders of the early enemies of Christianity, that the Christians in their assemblies were accustomed to extinguish all the lights, and to commit every kind of abomination. Perhaps the men... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE SAT IN A WINDOW - The window was left open, probably to avoid the malice of their enemies, who might be disposed otherwise to charge them with holding their assemblies in darkness for purposes of iniquity. The window was probably a mere opening in the wall to let in light, as glass was not... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FELL ON HIM ... - Probably stretching himself on him as Elisha did on the Shunammite’s son, 2 Kings 4:33. It was an act of tenderness and compassion, evincing a strong desire to restore him to life. TROUBLE NOT YOURSELVES - They would doubtless be thrown into great consternation by such an even... [ Continue Reading ]
COME UP AGAIN - To the upper room, Acts 20:8. AND HAD BROKEN BREAD, AND EATEN - Had taken refreshment. As this is spoken of Paul only, it is evidently distinguished from the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT A LITTLE COMFORTED - By the fact that he was alive; perhaps also strengthened by the evidence that a miracle had been performed.... [ Continue Reading ]
SAILED UNTO ASSOS - There were several cities of this name. One was in Lycia; one in the territory of Eolis; one in Mysia; one in Lydia; and another in Epirus. The latter is the one intended here. It was between Troas and Mitylene. The distance to it from Troas by land was about 20 miles, while the... [ Continue Reading ]
CAME TO MITYLENE - This was the capital of the island of Lesbos. It was distinguished by the beauty of its situation, and the splendor and magnificence of its edifices. The island on which it stood, Lesbos, was one of the largest in the Aegean Sea, and the seventh in the Mediterranean. It is a few m... [ Continue Reading ]
OVER AGAINST CHIOS - Opposite to. Into the neighborhood of; or near to it. Chios, called also Coos, is an island in the Archipelago, between Lesbos and Samos. It is on the coast of Asia Minor, and is now called Scio. It will long be remembered as the seat of a dreadful massacre of almost all its inh... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SAIL BY EPHESUS - The word “by” in our translation is ambiguous. We say to go by a place, meaning either to take it in our way and to go to it, or to go past it. Here it means the latter. He intended to sail past Ephesus without going to it. FOR HE HASTED ... - Had he gone to Ephesus, he would p... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SENT TO EPHESUS - Perhaps a distance of twenty or thirty miles. THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH - Who had been appointed while he was there to take charge of the church. See the notes on Acts 15:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY WERE COME TO HIM - The discourse which follows is one of the most tender, affectionate, and eloquent which is anywhere to be found. It is strikingly descriptive of the apostle’s manner of life while with them; evinces his deep concern for their welfare; is full of tender and kind admon... [ Continue Reading ]
SERVING THE LORD - In the discharge of the appropriate duties of his apostolic office, and in private life. To discharge aright our duties in any vocation is serving the Lord. Religion is often represented in the Bible as a service rendered to the Lord. WITH ALL HUMILITY - Without arrogance, pride,... [ Continue Reading ]
I KEPT BACK NOTHING ... - No doctrine, no admonition, no labor. Whatever he judged would promote their salvation, he faithfully and fearlessly delivered. A minister of the gospel must be the judge of what will be profitable to the people of his charge. His aim should be to promote their real welfare... [ Continue Reading ]
TESTIFYING - Bearing witness to the necessity of repentance toward God. Or teaching them the nature of repentance, and exhorting them to repent and believe. Perhaps the word “testifying” includes both ideas of giving evidence, and of urging with great earnestness and affection that repentance and fa... [ Continue Reading ]
BOUND IN THE SPIRIT - Strongly urged or constrained by the influences of the Holy Spirit on my mind. Not by any desire to see the place where my fathers worshipped, and not urged merely by reason, but by the convictions and mighty promptings of the Holy Spirit to do my duty in this case. The express... [ Continue Reading ]
SAVE THAT - Except that. This was all that he knew, that bonds and afflictions were to be his portion. THE HOLY GHOST WITNESSETH - Either by direct revelation to him, or by the predictions of inspired men whom Paul might meet. An instance of the latter mode occurs in Acts 21:11. It is probable that... [ Continue Reading ]
MOVE ME - Alarm me, or deter me from my purpose. Greek: “I make an account of none of them.” I do not regard them as of any moment, or as worth consideration in the great purpose to which I have devoted my life. NEITHER COUNT I MY LIFE - I do not consider my life as so valuable as to be retained by... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW THAT YE ALL - Perhaps this means simply, “I have no expectation of seeing you again; I have every reason to suppose that this is my final interview with you.” He expected to visit Ephesus no more. The journey to Jerusalem was dangerous. Trials and persecutions he knew awaited him. Besides, it... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE - In view of the past, of my ministry and labors among you, I appeal to your own selves to testify that I have been faithful. I TAKE YOU TO RECORD - Greek: I call you to witness. If any of you are lost; if you prove unfaithful to God, I appeal to yourselves that the fault is not mine. It... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR - This verse contains a reason for what had been said in the previous verse. It shows why Paul regarded himself as innocent if they should be lost. I HAVE NOT SHUNNED - I have not kept back; I have not been deterred by fear, by the desire of popularity, by the fact that the doctrines of the gos... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE HEED, THEREFORE - Attend to; be on your guard against the dangers which beset you, and seek to discharge your duty with fidelity. UNTO YOURSELVES - To your own piety, opinions, and mode of life. This is the first duty of a minister; for without this all his preaching will be vain. Compare Colos... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I KNOW THIS - By what he had seen in other places; by his knowledge of human nature, and of the dangers to which they were exposed; and by the guidance of inspiration. AFTER MY DEPARTURE - His presence had been the means of guarding the church, and preserving it from these dangers. Now that the... [ Continue Reading ]
ALSO OF YOUR OWN SELVES - From your own church; from those who profess to. be Christians. SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS - Crooked, perverted, distracting doctrines διεστραμμένα diestrammena. Compare the notes on Acts 13:10. They would proclaim doctrines tending to distract and divide the church. The mos... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE WATCH - Matthew 24:42. In view of the dangers which beset yourselves Acts 20:28, the danger from people not connected with the church Acts 20:29, and the danger which will arise from the love of power among yourselves Acts 20:30, be on your guard. Observe the approach of danger, and set yo... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW, BRETHREN - About to leave them, probably to see them no more, he committed them to the faithful care and keeping of God Amidst all the dangers of the church, when human strength fails or is withdrawn, we may commit that church to the safe keeping and tender care of God. I COMMEND YOU - I c... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE COVETED - I have not desired. I have not made it an object of my living among you to obtain your property. Thus, 2 Corinthians 12:14 he says, “I seek not yours, but you.” Paul had power to demand support in the, ministry as the reward of his labor, 1 Corinthians 9:13. Yet he did not choose to... [ Continue Reading ]
YEA, YE YOURSELVES KNOW - By your own acquaintance with my manner of life. In Corinth he had lived and labored with Apollos (note, Acts 18:3); and he refers elsewhere to the fact that he had supported himself, in part at least, by his own labor, 1Co 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8. We... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SHOWED YOU - I have taught you by instruction and example. I have not merely discoursed about it, but have showed you how to do it. ALL THINGS - Or, in respect to all things. In everything that respects preaching and the proper mode of life, I have for three years set you an example, illustr... [ Continue Reading ]
HE KNEELED DOWN - The usual attitude of prayer. It is the proper posture of a suppliant. It indicates reverence and humility; and is represented in the Scriptures as the usual attitude of devotion, 2 Chronicles 6:13; Daniel 6:10; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; Acts 9:40; Acts 21:5; Romans 11:4; Phi [ Continue Reading ]
WEPT SORE - Wept much. Greek: “There was a great weeping of all.” AND FELL ON PAUL’S NECK - Embraced him, as a token of tender affection. The same thing Joseph did when he met his aged father Jacob, Genesis 46:29. AND KISSED HIM - This was the common token of affection. See the Matthew 26:48 note;... [ Continue Reading ]
SORROWING MOST OF ALL ... - This was a most tender and affectionate parting scene. It can be more easily imagined than described. We may learn from it: (1) That the parting of ministers and people is a most solemn event, and should be one of much tenderness and affection. (2) The effect of true re... [ Continue Reading ]