_After the uproar, Paul called unto him the disciples_ To comfort and encourage them; _and departed_ From Ephesus, after the long abode he had made there; _to go into Macedonia_ To visit the churches at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. This, however, does not necessarily imply his immediate depart... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when he had gone over those parts_ Zealously pursuing everywhere the work in which he was engaged; _and had given much exhortation_ To the Christians whom he found there, or _had exhorted them with much discourse; he came into Greece_ That part of it which lay between Macedonia and Achaia. In g... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there_ Namely, in Greece; he _abode three months_ Meeting, it seems, with business there as he often did in other places, which detained him longer than he expected. During this time, he received from the churches of Achaia the money which they had collected for the saints in Judea, agreeably t... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea_, &c. The several persons mentioned in this verse are thought by some to have been joined with Paul as _messengers of the churches_, in carrying their contributions to the poor brethren at Jerusalem. We know but few particulars of most of them. _... [ Continue Reading ]
_And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples_ As was usual with them on that day; _came together_ From different parts; _to break bread_ That is, to celebrate the Lord's supper. It is well known the primitive Christians administered the eucharist every Lord's day, and as that was the most... [ Continue Reading ]
_And we went before to ship_ Namely, those that were to go with Paul; _and sailed unto Assos_ A city to the south of Troas; _there intending to take in Paul_ Who went thither _on foot_ The place being much nearer by land than by sea; and in order that, being alone for a while, he might employ himsel... [ Continue Reading ]
_And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus_ Though Paul's concern to be at Jerusalem by the feast of pentecost, prevented his going in person to visit the Christians at Ephesus, yet, as he was now only about ten miles distant from that city, and was desirous to know the state of the church there, and to c... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said, Ye know_, &c. Happy is that minister who can thus appeal to the consciences of his hearers; _from the first day that I came into Asia_ From the first time of my appearing among you; _after what manner I have been with you_ How I have conducted myself toward God, toward you, and toward... [ Continue Reading ]
_How I kept back nothing that was profitable_ Nothing that was calculated to instruct, renew, or comfort you to render you wise and good, holy and happy; Greek, ουδεν υπεστειλαμην των συμφεροντων, του μη αναγγειλαι υμιν και διδαξαι, _I have withheld nothing_, or _none, of the things advantageous to... [ Continue Reading ]
_And behold I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem_ Strongly impelled by the Spirit which intimates my duty to me in such a manner, that I can neither omit nor delay it. I am, therefore, fully resolved to proceed, being well assured that it is by a divine direction and influence that I am so, and n... [ Continue Reading ]
_I know that ye all_ Though you may have letters from me; _shall see my face no more_ He wisely observes this, that what follows might make the deeper impression. It is probable the apostle had received some particular revelation, that if he should ever return to these parts of Asia again, (as from... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take heed therefore_ I now devolve my care upon you; first, _to yourselves_ That you thoroughly understand all the doctrines, experience all the graces, enjoy all the blessing, and practise all the duties of genuine Christianity; and that you fully understand and faithfully execute every part of yo... [ Continue Reading ]
_For I know this_ As if he had said, Wonder not that I give you this charge in so strict a manner; for, besides the weighty reasons for it which I have already intimated, I know, _that after my departure_ From the churches in these parts, or my removal out of this life, notwithstanding all I have do... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore watch_ With all diligence and care; take heed yourselves, and warn others to take heed; _and remember, that by the space of three years_, (for so long had he been preaching at Ephesus and the parts adjacent,) _I ceased not to warn every one_ To whom I had access; _night and day with tears... [ Continue Reading ]
_And now, brethren_ Since the providence of God is calling me away, and appointing me other scenes of labour or suffering; _I commend you to God_ To his watchful providence and grace, for guidance, protection, support, preservation, and the supply of all your wants, ghostly and bodily; _and to the w... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have coveted no man's silver_, &c. Here the apostle begins another branch of his farewell discourse, in terms like those of old Samuel, taking his leave of the children of Israel, 1 Samuel 12:8. As if he had said, I have a testimony in my own conscience and in yours, that I have not directed my m... [ Continue Reading ]
_When he had thus spoken, he kneeled down_ The posture generally used by the apostles and first Christians in prayer, as it had been also by our Lord himself, and by holy men of old; see the margin. And it is a posture peculiarly proper, as being expressive of humility before God, of reverence for h... [ Continue Reading ]