_While Apollos was at Corinth_ Preaching with considerable success, Acts 18:27; _Paul, having passed through the upper coasts _ Of the Lesser Asia, namely, Galatia and Phrygia; _came to Ephesus_ According to his promise, Acts 18:19; Acts 18:21, with a purpose of making some stay there. Ephesus, at t... [ Continue Reading ]
Having found _certain disciples_ Who had been formerly baptized by John the Baptist, and since imperfectly instructed in Christianity, _he said, Have ye received the Holy Ghost?_ The extraordinary gifts, as well as the sanctifying graces of the Holy Spirit; _since ye believed_ These disciples were c... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he went into the synagogue_ As he used to do in other places; _and spake boldly_ Greek, επαρρησιαζετο, _he spake with freedom and confidence; for the space of three months, disputing_ Greek, διαλεγομενος, _reasoning_, or _discoursing; and persuading_, &c. That is, reasoning in proof of the thin... [ Continue Reading ]
_And God_ To add the greater efficacy and success to this important doctrine; _wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul_ Who, as he abode longer at Ephesus than at any other city we read of, so he wrought more and greater miracles than in any other. _So that from his body were brought unto the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists_ Dr. Whitby, and several other critics, have produced many passages from Irenæus, Origen, Epiphanius, and Josephus, to prove that several of the Jews, about this time, pretended to a power of casting out devils, particularly by some arts or charms derive... [ Continue Reading ]
_And this_ Acknowledgment of the divine authority of Jesus and Paul, made in the absence of both; or this fact, concerning the possessed man, thus prevailing against the sons of Sceva; _was known to all the Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus_ And became, doubtless, the common subject of conversatio... [ Continue Reading ]
_After these things_, &c. After the extraordinary cures performed, and conversions made, at Ephesus, which have been mentioned above, Paul, being much concerned about the spiritual welfare of his former converts, and very solicitous to promote the progress of the gospel; _purposed in spirit_ διελθων... [ Continue Reading ]
_The same time there arose no small stir_ Ταραχος ουκ ολιγος, _no small tumult, about that way_ The way of worshipping God, and securing a happy immortality, which Paul taught. _For Demetrius, a silversmith_ A man of considerable influence; _who made silver shrines for Diana_ Greek, ναους αργυρους Α... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when they heard, &c., they were full of wrath_ The inflammatory speech of Demetrius, addressed to the superstition and avarice of the multitude, immediately produced the desired effect; the craftsmen, and all who were employed about the temple, were exasperated to the highest degree: and, enrag... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Paul would have entered in to the people_ Being above all fear, to plead the cause of his companions, and prove they were not gods which were made with hands; _the disciples suffered him not_ Because, if he had gone in, there would have been no possibility of restraining the multitude. _And ce... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they_ Namely, the artificers and workmen; _drew_ Greek, προεβιβασαν, _thrust forward; Alexander_ Probably some well- known Christian whom they saw in the crowd; _the Jews_ Whom he had offended by embracing the gospel; _pushing him forward_ To expose him to the enraged multitude, as one who was... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when the town-clerk_ Greek, ο γραμματευς, _the scribe;_ probably the proconsul's secretary, to whom the direction of the affairs of the city was committed; _had appeased the people_ So far as to produce a degree of silence, the rioters, by their violent outcries so long continued, having spent... [ Continue Reading ]