Bible Commentary

And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. 22. Cesarea ] (See Act 8:40.) This was the home of Philip the Evangelist, and we may suppose that St Paul would make the success of his distant mission known to his fellow-labourer. He made the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 18:22”

But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. 21. but bade them farewell ] This is the same verb as in Act 18:18, and should be rendered in the same way. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 18:21”

When they desired [him] to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; 20. And when they desired ( asked) him to tarry a longer time with them ] The oldest texts omit the last two words. The verb is one most frequently rendered “to ask.” We need not suppose that more impression had been … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 18:20”

And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 19. And he [ they ] came to Ephesus ] The oldest authorities have the plural number here. Ephesus was the famous city, capital of Ionia, and afterwards the scene of a large period … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 18:19”

And Paul [after this] tarried [there] yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn [his] head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. 18 23. Paul leaves Corinth to go into Syria, halting a short time at Cenchrea … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 18:18”

Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat [him] before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things. 17. Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue ] The conjunction is too strongly rendered in the A.V. The oldest MSS. omit “the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 18:17”

And he drove them from the judgment seat. 16. And he drave them from the judgment seat ] The description given by St Luke makes it probable that the seat of Gallio was in some open public place, where all might come and bring their plaints. The proconsul would be attended by his lictors and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 18:16”

But if it be a question of words and names, and [of] your law, look ye [to it]; for I will be no judge of such [matters.] 15. But if they are questions about words and names ] The oldest authorities give the plural “questions,” and there would no doubt have been many points brought … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 18:15”

And when Paul was now about to open [his] mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O [ye] Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 14. And ( But) when Paul was now about to open his mouth ] There is nothing in the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 18:14”

saying, This [fellow] persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 13. contrary to the law ] i.e. the Jewish law. Their religion was one of those allowed throughout the Roman Empire, and their hope is to induce the proconsul to protect the Jewish law by Roman law. But the majesty of Roman power … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 18:13”