_Now when they_, &c. It appears by Luke's phraseology here, that he was left at Philippi; for here he ceases to speak of himself as one of Paul's company, saying, not when WE, but _when they had passed_, &c. Nor does he resume his former manner of writing until Acts 20:5. It is therefore more than p... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Paul, as his manner was_ Of doing all things, as far as might be, in a regular way; _went in unto them_ Entered their assembly; _and three sabbath days reasoned with them_ If any reader wishes to know more particularly the manner of the apostle's reasoning with the Jews, and the proofs which he... [ Continue Reading ]
_And some of them believed_ Notwithstanding Paul's arguments were all taken out of the Scriptures, his discourse did not make such an impression on the Jews as might have been expected; for only a few of them believed, _and consorted with_ or adhered to, _Paul and Silas. Of the_ religious proselytes... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the Jews which believed not_, &c. Although many Jews at Thessalonica received and heartily embraced the truth, there were many who rejected it, and that, as it afterward appeared, with much malignity of heart. For the great success which Paul had in converting the idolatrous Gentiles, raised th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they troubled the people and the rulers_ As the charge was formed in such a manner that their neglecting it might render them obnoxious to the Romans, both the multitude and the magistrates of the city were alarmed _when they heard these things._ They were not willing, however, to proceed to ex... [ Continue Reading ]
_These were more noble_, &c. Greek, ευγενεστεροι, _more ingenuous_, or _generous;_ of a more excellent disposition, more open to conviction, as being less blinded by prejudice. To be teachable in the things of God, is true nobleness and generosity of soul. _Than those in Thessalonica_ The unbelievin... [ Continue Reading ]
_They that conducted Paul brought him_ By land, εως, _as far as Athens_ That celebrated, unequalled seat of learning among the Greeks. It is true, Athens had now passed the zenith of its political splendour, and had been declining in power and glory ever since the Romans, after conquering Greece, fi... [ Continue Reading ]
_While he waited for them at Athens_ Namely, for Silas and Timothy; _his spirit was stirred in him_ Greek, παρωξυνετο, _was disquieted, vexed_, filled with grief and indignation; _when he saw the city_ (a city which was thought to be more enlightened than any other, and in which learning and arts we... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics encountered him_ Greek, συνεβαλλον αυτω, _opposed themselves to him._ The Epicureans entirely denied a providence, and held the world to be the effect of mere chance; asserting sensual pleasure to be man's chief good, and that the soul a... [ Continue Reading ]
_And_ The crowd increasing to a greater number than could conveniently hear him, in the place where they then were; _they took and brought him unto Areopagus_ Or, _the hill of Mars_, dedicated to Mars, the heathen god of war, the place where the Athenians held their supreme court of judicature, of w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Paul stood_ (Greek, σταθεις, _standing_, or _being placed_, rather, probably on some eminence) _in the midst of Mars hill_ An ample theatre! _said, Ye men of Athens_ Giving them a lecture of natural divinity, with admirable wisdom, acuteness, fulness, and courtesy. They inquire after new thing... [ Continue Reading ]
_As I passed by_ Or, _passed along_ the streets of your city; _and beheld your devotions_ Greek, τα σεβασματα υμων, _the objects of your worship, I found an altar with this inscription_, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD Because Paul here tells the Athenians, that the true God was he whom they ignorantly worshippe... [ Continue Reading ]
_God that made the world_ Thus is demonstrated, even to reason, the one, true, good God; absolutely different from the creatures, from every part of the visible creation. _Seeing he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands_ God hath no need of temples to dwell in, seeing... [ Continue Reading ]
_That they should seek_, &c. As if he had said, This most wise and free government of the nations of men, God carries on through all ages for this purpose, _that they_ may be led to _seek the Lord_ That is, to seek the knowledge, fear, and love of him; to seek his favour, his Spirit, and communion w... [ Continue Reading ]
_For as much then as we are the offspring of God We_, with all the powers and faculties of our rational nature, and since these bear but a very imperfect and distant resemblance of those original, consummate, and infinite glories which shine forth in him; _we ought not_ surely _to think_ A tender ex... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the times of this ignorance_ What! Does he object ignorance to the learned and knowing Athenians? Yes, and they acknowledged it by this very altar; _God winked at_ Greek, υπεριδων, _having_ overlooked, bearing with it, as if he did not take notice of it: that is, in his great long-suffering, he... [ Continue Reading ]
_So Paul departed from among them_ Leaving his hearers divided in their judgment, and the generality of them in that deplorable state of ignorance, folly, and superstition, in which he found them; being himself astonished, no doubt, that men who professed wisdom were so little able to discern truth.... [ Continue Reading ]