_PAUL GOETH TO MACEDONIA: HE CELEBRATETH THE LORD'S SUPPER, AND PREACHETH. EUTYCHUS, BEING KILLED BY A FALL, IS RAISED TO LIFE. AT MILETUS HE CALLETH THE ELDERS TOGETHER, TELLETH THEM WHAT SHALL BEFAL TO HIMSELF, COMMITTETH GOD'S FLOCK TO THEM, WARNETH THEM OF FALSE TEACHERS, COMMENDETH THEM TO GOD,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE ABODE THREE MONTHS.— It seems that St. Paul met with sacred business here and in other places, which detained him longer than he expected... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE ACCOMPANIED HIM—SOPATER, &C.— The several persons mentioned in this verse are thought by some to have been joined with St. Paul, as messengers of the churches, in carrying their contributions to the poor brethren at Jerusalem. Compare 1 Corinthians 16:3 and 2 Corinthians 8:19. We know but few... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE WE ABODE SEVEN DAYS.— St. Paul might choose to do this so much the rather, as he had declined such great views of service as were open to him when he passed through it before, in his way to Macedonia, 2 Corinthians 2:12. Perhaps he might now lodge at the house of Carpus; but it seems to have b... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DISCIPLES CAME TOGETHER TO BREAK BREAD,— That is, to celebrate the eucharist. It is strange, that Barclay, in his _Apology,_ (prop. 13: sect. 8.) should argue from Acts 20:11 that this was only a common meal, and not the Lord's supper. It is well known, that the primitive Christians administered... [ Continue Reading ]
IN A WINDOW— The word θυρις, plainly signifies _an open window,_ with a sort of wooden casement, a little door, which was set open that the room might not be over-heated with so much company and so many _lamps._ It is well known, that the ancients had not yet_glass_ in their windows; norindeed are t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND PAUL—FELL ON HIM,— This expression probably signifies that St. Paul threw himself on the body, as Elijah and Elisha did on those whom they intended to raise by the power of God, 1 Kings 17:21. 2 Kings 4:34. The word Συμπεριλαβων, may either signify his _embracing him_ at the same time, or his _l... [ Continue Reading ]
ASSOS, &C.— _Assos_ was a principal town on the sea-coast of Asia, in Mysia. _Mitylene,_ (Acts 20:14.) was a celebrated sea-port in the island of Lesbos. _Chios_ (Acts 20:15.) was an island between Lesbos and Samos, famous for producing some of the finest Grecian wines. _Samos_ was a celebrated isla... [ Continue Reading ]
IF IT WERE POSSIBLE—TO BE AT JERUSALEM— This was, that he might have an opportunity of meeting a greater number of people from Judea and other parts, the days being then longer than at any other feast. In consequence of this, some journeys might perhaps be saved, and many prejudices against St. Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
TESTIFYING BOTH TO THE JEWS, &C.— The word rendered _testifying_ sometimes means to prove a thing by testimony (ch. Acts 2:40 Acts 8:25.); and sometimes, from a conviction ofits truth and importance, to urge it with great earnestness; 1 Timothy 5:21. 2 Timothy 2:14. It is plain that we are to take i... [ Continue Reading ]
I GO BOUND IN THE SPIRIT— "Under the strong impulse of the Spirit of God upon my mind; intimating my duty to me in such a manner, that I can neither omit nor delay it, but am firmly resolved to proceed to Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME— _But I make no account of any of these things._ It adds great beauty to this and all the other passages of scripture, in which the apostles express their contempt of the world, that they were not uttered by persons, like Seneca and Antoninus, in the full affluence o... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW THAT YE ALL, &C.— It appears evident that the apostle had received some particular revelation, that if he should even return to these parts of Asia again (as from Philemon 1:22 it seems likely he might), yet that he should not have an opportunityof calling at Ephesus, or of seeingthe minister... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE NOT SHUNNED TO DECLARE UNTO YOU— The proper import of the word υποστελλω, here rendered _shun,_ in such a connection, is to disguise any important truth, or, at least, to decline the open publication of it, for fear of displeasing those to whom it ought to be declared. _"I have not declined t... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH MADE YOU OVERSEERS, &C.— 'Επισκοπους, _Inspectors,_ or _bishops._ The expression _over which the Holy Ghost hath made,_ &c. applied to men who had been regularly set apart to the ministerial office, shews how absurd it is for any to reject the ministry in general, under a pretence that they hav... [ Continue Reading ]
GRIEVOUS WOLVES— Some, thinking that the word βαρεις properly alludes to the _strength_ of these animals, would render it _oppressive;_ but there seems no reason to depart from our version. Their eager and overbearing temper made them, no doubt, _grievous_ to the Christian church, though destitute o... [ Continue Reading ]
TO WARN EVERY ONE NIGHT AND DAY WITH TEARS.— If this expression be taken in any other than a general sense for _incessantly,_ or _without intermission,_ it may probably intimate that the Christians sometimes assembled at nights, either about the time of the tumult, to avoid offence, or because many... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH IS ABLE— _Who is able:_ for _God_ is evidently the last _person_ mentioned in the Greek, _of the grace of him_ [αυτου] _who is able:_ though the _gospel_ may be said to be _able to edify men,_ yet it seems harsh to say, that doctrines or writings _can give us an inheritance._... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SUPPORT THE WEAK, &C.— _To assist the infirm,_ The word ασθενουντων has exactly this signification; and, as Raphelius has shewn, may express either _sickness_ or _poverty;_ yet here undoubtedly it signifies such poor persons as were disabled by some means or other from maintaining themselves by t... [ Continue Reading ]