Acts 19:9

"But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus"Some were hardened" "Grew stubborn" (Mof). This was. voluntary action upon their part (Hebrews 3:8; Hebrews 3:13). The gospel message does not have the same effect on everyone. Paul persuaded, but all were not convinced, in fact some became worse, not better. Years ago. heard someone comment that. person is never the same after they come into contact with the gospel message. They are either. better person for hearing it--for they become. less honest person if they reject it. Various things about the gospel message "harden" people: The assertion that one is. sinner (Romans 3:23). The command to repent and humble oneself before God (Acts 17:30), the obedience that God demands (James 1:22), the unselfish lifestyle that is expected (1 Peter 2:3). "And disobedient" Notice how the condition of the heart cannot be disguised forever (Matthew 15:18). Disobedience to the will of God does not come from an open mind, rather it comes from. heart that is not honest enough to open up itself to the real truth, and not just the truth that self wants to accept. "Speaking evil" "Now these Jews are aggressive opponents of Paul and seek to injure his influence with the crowd" (Robertson p. 314). "Of the Way" Compare with Acts 9:2. "Before the multitude" Notice how one cannot reject the gospel and yet at the same time remain neutral concerning it. Here is. warning that we all need to heed. If you reject the gospel message, then you are just naturally going to do something that opposes the will of God and His cause. Also note how unbelievers are never content to keep their unbelief to themselves.

Unfortunately those who fall away from the faith or become spiritually weak also usually end up "speaking evil" of the Way. They start complaining to others that the Church is failing them, or that the Church is not friendly enough. The example of. person who departs from Christ, speaks louder than anything else, because their example says to the world, "Christianity cannot help you with your problems". The person who stops serving God is saying with their actions, "Don't even waste your time in investigating the claims of Jesus Christ, for it didn't work for me".

Acts 19:9 "He departed from them" Further preaching to such people would have been. waste of time (Matthew 7:6). "Separated the disciples" Jews who were Christians did not have any spiritual ties or fellowship with those Jews who refused to accept Christ. Paul did not believe in what has been called "unity in diversity" or "ecumenism". "Reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus" This man's name is pronounced "tigh RAN uhs". 'Was either. teacher of rhetoric and philosophy or. Jewish rabbi who taught the law in his private synagogue" (Nelsons p. 1077). "One assumes that he was. philosopher or educator of some kind, who lectured during the cool hours of the morning, but was prepared to rent (or freely offer) his school room or lecture hall. Since tyrannos means. despot or tyrant, "one wonders idly if this was the name his parents gave him or the name his pupils gave him!" (Stott pp. 305-306). According to Bruce, "public activity ceased in the cities of Ionia for several hours at 11 A.M., and more people would be asleep at. P.M. than at. A.M" (p. 389). This was due to the oppressive heat during the hours of about 11 a.m. to. p.m. Thus, Paul, after spending the morning hours in making tents (Acts 20:34), "devoted the hours of burden and heat to his more important and more exhausting business, and must have infected his hearers with his own energy and zeal, so that they were willing to sacrifice their siesta for the sake of listening to Paul" (Bruce p. 389). This example of Paul and these new Christians should put to shame professed Christians who cannot get out of. warm and cozy bed on the Sunday and come to. warm and comfortable building to increase their knowledge and worship the God they claim to love more than everything else.