Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 19:20
So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
20. So mightily grew the word of God, &c.] The oldest Greek texts have “the word of the Lord ” (adopted by R. V.), The full sense of the words rendered “mightily” is “with overpowering force and strength, which nothing could resist.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
So mightily grew the word of God – So powerfully. It had such efficacy and power in this wicked city. That power must have been mighty which would thus make them willing not only to cease to practice imposition, but to give up all hopes of future gains, and to destroy their property. On this instructive narrative we may remark:
(1) That religion has power to break the hold of sinners on unjust and dishonest means of living.
(2) That those who have been engaged in an unchristian and dishonorable practice will abandon it when they become Christians.
(3) That their abhorrence of their former course will be, and ought to be, expressed as publicly as was the offence.
(4) That the evil practice will be abandoned at any sacrifice, however great. The question will be, what is right; not what will it cost. Property, in the view of a converted man, is nothing when compared with a good conscience.
(5) This conduct of those who had used curious arts shows us what ought to be done by those who have been engaged in any evil course of life and who are then converted. If what they did when they were converted was right – and who can doubt it? – it settles a great principle on which young converts should act. If a man has been engaged in the slave-trade, he will abandon it, and his duty will not be to sell his ship to one who he knows will continue the traffic. His property should be withdrawn from the business publicly, either by being destroyed, or by being converted to a useful purpose. If a man has been a distiller of ardent spirits as a drink, his duty will be to forsake his evil course. Nor will it be his duty to sell his distillery to one who will continue the business, but to withdraw his property from it publicly, either by destroying it, or converting it to some useful purpose. If a man has been engaged in the traffic in ardent spirits, his duty is not to sell his stock to those who will continue the sale of the poison, but to withdraw it from public use – converting it to some useful purpose, if he can; if not, by destroying it. All that has ever been said by money-loving distillers, or venders of ardent spirits, about the loss which they would sustain by abandoning the business, might have been said by these practitioners of curious arts in Ephesus. And if the excuses of rumselling people are valid, their conduct was folly; and they should either have continued the business of practicing curious arts after they were converted, or should have sold their books to those who would have continued it. For assuredly it was not worse to practice jugglery and fortune-telling than it is to destroy the bodies and souls of people by the traffic in ardent spirits. And yet, how few people there are in Christian lands who practice on the principle of these honest, but comparatively unenlightened men at Ephesus.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Act 19:20
So mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed.
The growing and prevailing gospel
1. This is a despatch from the seat of war announcing a glorious victory for the royal arms.
2. Past triumphs of the gospel may be use:! as encouragements.
3. We, too, shall see the Word of God grow and prevail, for–
(1) The gospel is the same as ever.
(2) The human race is unchanged at heart.
(3) The sins to be overcome are the same.
(4) The Holy Spirit is just as mighty to convince and renew.
4. The trophies of victory may be expected to be the same. Men, magic, books, and the love of money shall all be subdued. Let us turn aside to see–
I. The Word of God planted. Planted it was, or it could not have grown. The work proceeded in the following fashion:
1. Certain disciples were further enlightened, aroused, and led to seek a higher degree of grace. This was an admirable beginning, and revivals thus commenced are usually lasting.
2. These became obedient to an ordinance which had been overlooked (Act 19:5), and also received the Holy Ghost, of whom they had heard nothing: two great helps to revival.
3. A bold ministry proclaimed and defended the truth.
4. Opposition was aroused. This is always a needful sign. God is not at work long without the devil working also.
5. Deceitful counterfeiting commenced, and was speedily ended in the most remarkable manner.
6. Paul preached, pleaded, made the gospel to sound forth, and on departing could say, I am pure from the blood of all men. Read this and the following chapter, and see how three years were well spent in planting the Church at Ephesus.
II. The Word of God growing. The measure of it was seen–
1. In a Church formed with many suitable elders.
2. In a neighbourhood fully aware of the presence of the gospel among them, for it touched them practically; so much so, that important trades were affected.
3. In a people converted, and openly confessing their conversion.
4. In a general respect paid to the faith. Even those who did not obey it yet yielded it homage and owned its power. Here we see Pauls work and Gods work. Paul laboured diligently in planting, and God made it to grow: yet it was all of God. Is the Word of God growing among us? If not, why not? It is a living seed, and should grow. It is a living seed, and will grow unless we hinder it.
III. The Word of God prevailing. Growth arouses opposition; but where the Word grows with inward vitality it prevails over outward opposition. The particular proof of prevalence here given is the burning of magical books.
1. Paul does not appear to have dwelt continually upon the evil habit of using magical arts; but gospel light showed the guilt of witchcraft, and Providence cast contempt on it.
2. The sin being exposed, it was confessed by those who had been guilty of it, and by those who had commenced its study.
3. Being confessed, it was renounced altogether, and, though there was no command to that effect, yet in a voluntary zeal of indignation the books were burned. This was right because–
(1) If sold, they would do harm.
(2) They were so detestable that they deserved burning.
(3) Their public burning lighted up a testimony.
4. Their destruction involved expense, which was willingly incurred, and that expense gave weight to the testimony.
Conclusion:
1. No other proof of power in our ministry will equal that which is seen in its practical effect upon our hearers lives.
2. Will you who attend our preaching see to it that you purge yourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit? (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The conditions of growth
The phrase of the text, or its equivalent, is found five times in the Acts, and in connection with circumstances which throw considerable light on the laws of Church increase.
I. The baptism of the Spirit (Act 2:47). The power of the Holy Ghost is the fundamental condition. Without this there can be no life, and therefore no growth. This is the supreme ministerial qualification, and is essential for the conviction and conversion of hearers, and for the constant quickening of the Church.
II. The purification of the Church (Act 5:14). All the gifts that were poured into the Church treasury might have been vitiated by the presence of Ananias and Sapphira. Achans presence troubled Israel, and Jonahs the mariners, so the Church sometimes suffers through its neglect of discipline. Better to brave the anger of the rich and influential than that the Word of God should be bound.
III. Full consecration to ministerial work (Act 6:7). We can well believe how the apostles were hampered by undertaking all the minute details of Church administration, and how a progressive impulse would be given when laymen were found work to do. Would that congregations would see how growth is necessarily hindered when ministers are overburdened. Whatever interferes with pulpit efficiency assuredly interferes with the progress of the work of God. A thoughtful and cooperative laity is much to be desired.
IV. Provident interpositions favourable to the Church (chap. 12:24). Peter was miraculously delivered from prison and Herod as miraculously removed. When hindrances are taken away, and gospel agencies liberated, no wonder the Word of God grows and multiplies. Providence often interposes now in the opening of hitherto closed doors, and in the liberation of men and money for the work. Yet how often are these interpositions allowed to pass by unheeded! What are our commercial supremacy and colonial extension, the progress of the cause of liberty and toleration on the Continent, the results of travel and enterprise, etc., but so many providential interferences in favour of the gospel?
V. Daring aggression. It was a bold thing to attack Ephesus at all, but encouraged by the capture of an outpost, the apostle marched on the very citadel. Here, as almost everywhere, courage was justified by success. Cautious timidity is the very worst policy with such a resolute foe as the devil, and such a scornful foe as the world. From the time of Paul downwards the Churchs victories have been won by men who did not know what impossibility meant, but who, trusting in God, feared nothing and expected everything. Conclusion: These conditions of growth were all fulfilled here.
1. The baptism of the Spirit (verse 6).
2. The purification of the Church (verse 9).
3. Full ministerial devotion (Act 20:18-20).
4. Providential interpositions–Johns disciples; the school of Tyrannus. (J. W. Burn.)
Growth of the Word of God
A most remarkable example of the value of free distribution of the Word of God has recently reached my ears. A well-known evangelical minister of Christ lately made a tour in Canada. Arriving at an out-of-the-way village, he found a lively assembly of French Christians, who were walking in the love of God and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. They had their church and school house, and, moreover, a college for the training of the young. At their head was a venerable minister of ninety, his white hair flowing over his shoulders, quite a patriarch in appearance. Surprised to find a flourishing Church in such a place, the visitor inquired by what instrumentality such a work had been brought about. The aged pastor went to his closet and produced a small French Testament, literally worn out. This, said he, was the commencement of the work. More than half a century ago, a lady passing through this place presented me with this little Testament. I was a Roman Catholic, but the perusal of this book, so freely given to me, was the means, through the Holy Spirits enlightenment, of my regeneration. I was the first convert. I lent it to others, thence followed another conversion, and another, until our number has reached three hundred. For years the priest persecuted me, and at length offered a large sum of money if I would give up the Bible, but when he found all his efforts unavailing he desisted; and now we are a happy united community, with our church, our schools, and our college. Here, then, is an instance of the importance of giving away the Word of God and gospel tracts. Owing to the gift of a small Testament, costing a few pence, one soul was snatched as a brand from the burning, and other converts were gathered in, resulting in a precious work of grace in a remote quarter of Canada. (Cheyne Brady.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 20. So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed.] The Codex Bezae reads this verse thus: “So mightily grew the word of the Lord, and prevailed; and the faith of God increased and multiplied.” It is probable that it was about this time that St. Paul had that conflict which he mentions, 1Co 15:32: If I after the manner of men, have fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, &c. See the note there. It means some severe trials not here mentioned, unless we may suppose him to refer to the ferocious insurrection headed by Demetrius, mentioned at the end of this chapter. See Clarke on Ac 19:38
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The increase which the seed of the word had made was very remarkable; or it is a great instance of the power of Gods word, when it makes men willing to part with their beloved and accustomed sins, and not to stand upon saving or gaining; as Isa 55:11.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
18-20. many that believed came andconfessed . . . their deedsthe dupes of magicians, &c.,acknowledging how shamefully they had been deluded, and how deeplythey had allowed themselves to be implicated in such practices.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed. Over conjuring books, conjurers themselves, yea, even the devils; the power of God going along with it, many were converted; which is meant by the increase of it, and were delivered from the power of darkness, out of the hands of Satan, and translated into the kingdom of Christ. Beza’s ancient copy reads, the “faith” of God; and the Syriac version, “faith in God”.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Mightily ( ). According to strength. Only here in N.T., common military term in Thucydides. Such proof of a change counted.
Grew and prevailed ( ). Imperfect actives, kept growing and gaining strength. It was a day of triumph for Christ in Ephesus, this city of vast wealth and superstition. Ephesus for centuries will be one of the centres of Christian power. Timothy will come here and John the Apostle and Polycarp and Irenaeus.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “So mightily,” (houtos kata kratos) “Thus by might,” or by mighty influence of this event, witness or testimony of this event, Rom 8:28.
2) “Grew the word of God,” (tou kuriou ho logos euksane) “The word of the Lord increased in influence,” thru the mission work of Paul and the church, Act 6:7; Act 12:20-24.
3) “And prevailed.” (kai ischuen) “And it was strong,” existed with a strong influence and respect. Paul later wrote of “a great and effectual open door that was opened here at Ephesus” and that there were “many adversaries,” 1Co 16:8-9. He had at this later, more mature state of his ministry, come to accept opposition as a thing, a challenge, to be accepted with gratitude, even as our Lord advised His early new covenant church, in His inaugural address, in the sermon on the mount, Mat 5:11-12: Joh 15:20: Php_3:19; 2Ti 3:12; 2Ti 4:7-8.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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20. Grew mightily [ lions. ] The word κατα κρατος doth signify that the word increased not a little, (or that these proceedings were not common) as if he should say, that in those increasings appeared rare efficacy, and such as was greater than it used commonly to be. The word grew do I refer unto the number of men, as if he should have said, that the Church was increased, new disciples being gathered together dally, because doctrine is spread abroad. And I interpret that, that the word was confirmed in every one thus, to wit, that they did profit in the obedience of the gospel and in godliness more and more, and that their faith took deeper root. −
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(20) So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.The verbs imply a continuous growth. The better MSS. give, the word of the Lord.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
20. Grew the word As all these dark superstitions flowed from the one great Ephesian idolatry, so their exposure disgraced the system, and wrought a sense in men’s minds of the true divinity of Christianity.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.’
Thus was the mighty working of the word revealed. The word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed, and this in contrast to the word of Satan which was doomed to the fire. But while applying to what had just happened this also applies to the whole section from Act 12:25. God’s word had gone forth and had accomplished its purposes in both Asia Minor and Europe and was triumphant.
From this point on the narrative takes on a new perspective. It concentrates on Paul’s set determination to make a journey to Jerusalem, which will then result in his journey under restraint, to Rome, although we are still assured that God was active through it.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 19:20 . So (so much) with power (par force) grew (in external diffusion, Act 6:7 , Act 12:24 ) and displayed itself powerful (in the production of great effects) the doctrine of the Lord .
] See Valckenaer, p. 565; Bernhardy, p. 241; Bornemann, ad Xen. Cyr. i. 4. 23. The reference of to the power of Christ (Eph 1:19 ) has occasioned the order (Lachmann and Tischendorf, following A B *).
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
Ver. 20. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed ] Happy it is for a people or person, when the word falls upon their spirits in the power of it, and subdues them; when the peace of God ruleth in their hearts, , Col 3:15 and every high thought is so captivated to the obedience of Christ, that they can say, as Jdg 8:22 ; “Rule thou over us,” &c. “For thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
20. ] “Eo modo dicitur urbs , qu vi expugnatur , apud Plut. Apophth. p. 176. Hinc lucem mutuatur locus, Act 19:20 , ubi dicitur verbum Domini , per vim invalescere , quasi oppugnans et vi expugnans corda hominum.” Hermann on Viger, p. 632. So , , , . See Bernhardy, Syntax, p. 241, f.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 19:20 . : adverbial, so only here in N.T., cf. Jdg 4:3 , and Jos., Ant. , viii., 11, 3, in classical Greek, Xen., Cyr. , i., 4, 23, etc. . .: in contrast to the empty superstitions and vanities the continuous growth (imperfect) of the Church.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
mightily = according to strength (Greek. Kratos. App-172.)
grew. Greek. auxano. Compare Act 6:7; Act 12:24.
God. The texts read “the Lord”.
prevailed. Same word as in. Act 19:16. This verse is an example of the Figure of speech Epicrisis. App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
20. ] Eo modo dicitur urbs , qu vi expugnatur, apud Plut. Apophth. p. 176. Hinc lucem mutuatur locus, Act 19:20, ubi dicitur verbum Domini , per vim invalescere, quasi oppugnans et vi expugnans corda hominum. Hermann on Viger, p. 632. So , , , . See Bernhardy, Syntax, p. 241, f.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 19:20. , grew) in point of extent.-, prevailed) in regard to intensity.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Act 6:7, Act 12:24, Isa 55:11, 2Th 3:1
Reciprocal: Exo 7:12 – but Aaron’s Lev 13:52 – burn Lev 19:31 – General Psa 98:1 – his right Psa 110:3 – day Mar 4:31 – is less than Act 9:35 – all
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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Act 19:20. The word of God grew, because every genuine demonstration of repentance was attributed to the power of that word over the minds of men. The increase of the word means that the number of believers in the word was increased.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 19:20. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. Somewhere about this time Paul wrote his First Epistle to the Corinthians. It is more than probable that when he penned the words, For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries (1Co 16:9), the apostle was alluding to the events at Ephesus just related, and which led to the state of things the writer of the Acts summarised by So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 18
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
As a consequence of the repentance described in the preceding verses, the church became purer as well as larger (cf. Act 5:1-11). Luke gave us this sixth progress report to mark the end of another section of his book. The section we have just completed (Act 16:6 to Act 19:20) records the church’s extension in the Roman provinces around the Aegean Sea.
While in Ephesus Paul had considerable contact with the church in Corinth. He wrote that church a letter that he called his former letter in 1Co 5:9. Then sometime later he wrote 1 Corinthians, probably near the spring of A.D. 56. Timothy travelled from Corinth to Ephesus, then evidently went back to Corinth, and returned later to Ephesus (Act 18:5; 1Co 4:17; 1Co 16:10-11; Act 19:22). Following Timothy’s visit to Corinth Paul evidently made a so-called "painful visit" to Corinth (2Co 2:1; 2Co 12:14; 2Co 13:1-2) and returned to Ephesus. Then he wrote another "severe letter" to Corinth from Ephesus (2Co 2:3-4; 2Co 7:8-12; 2Co 12:18). These facts come to us through Paul’s two epistles to the Corinthians the first of which he wrote during the years he used Ephesus as his base of operations. He undoubtedly had other contacts with many other churches about which we know nothing. Luke’s purpose was not to give us a complete record of Paul’s ministry or the church’s growth as a whole. It was to document its advance to the heart of the Roman Empire (Act 1:8) and to show by repetition how Jesus Christ was building His church (Mat 16:18).
"Here is the climax of the account of Paul’s ministry as a free man; after this it is largely troubles, travels, and trials." [Note: Witherington, p. 583.]