Acts 268 5 5 And when Silas come from Macedo And as soon as Silas and Timothy, whom he had expected at Athens, came from Macedonia and Timotheus were to him at Corinth, Paul farther animated by nia, Paul was pressthe presence of his brethren, and the accounts ed in spirit, and testhey brought him of the happy consequences tified to the Jews, of his labours at Thessalonica and elsewhere, that Jesus was Christ. was borne away by an unusual impulse in [his] spirit, and zealously persisting in his work, openly testified to the Jews, and by the strongest arguments endeavoured to convince them that Jesus was undoubtedly the true Messiah, whom they pretended impatiently to expect. 6 But when, instead of receiving a testimony so 6 And when they warmly urged, and supported with the most opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he demonstrative proofs, they obstinately and per- shook his raiment, versely set themselves in opposition to the doctrine he taught, and even blasphemed that glorious name on which he was pressing them to fix their dependance; he shook his garment, to used to signify the attempt, without deter- seems to have been from this journey that mining the success. It is generally taken for granted, that these Greeks were a kind of proselytes; but we have before hinted, how possible it was, that Gentiles might out of curiosity attend such extraordinary preachers in Jewish synagogues, though they did not commonly worship there, which would especially take place in this instance, considering the miracles which Paul wrought at Corinth, to which he so often refers in the two epistles which he afterwards wrote to that church. Compare 1 Cor. i. 6, 7; ii. 4, 5; xii. 4-11; xiv. 2 Cor. xi. 5; xii. 12, 13. e As soon as Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia.] Silas and Timothy had been left at Berea, when Paul came from thence, and had directions sent them, as soon as he arrived at Athens, quickly to follow him; (chap. xvii. 14, 15;) which Timothy accordingly did, and was sent back again by Paul to Thessalonica to confirm the faith of his dear converts there, of whom he had brought so good an account; (1 Thess. iii. 2, 5, 6.) And it Timothy now returned with Silas, having probably joined him before he left Macedonia. This account of the matter seems more probable, than that of Mr. Cradock and some others, who suppose that both Silas and Timothy came from Berea to Paul at Athens, and that, after Timothy had been sent to Thessalonica, and brought the good tidings referred to, both he and Silas were sent from Athens to Macedonia, and were appointed to meet Paul at Corinth, which seems multiplying journies without proof or necessity. Was borne away by an unusual impulse in [his] spirit.] Heinsius and some others think, that the phrase ouvido a veuμale means, he was borne away by an extraor dinary impulse of the Spirit of God, the agency of which in this matter I readily acknowledge, but apprehend the phrase here used rather refers to the effect that agency produced. Compare ver. 25; chap. xix. 21; Rom. xii. 11; for the expression; and, for the effect, Jer. xx. 8, 9; Amos iii. 8. The Jews rejecting Paul, he turns to the Gentiles. your own heads; I am unto the Gentiles. 269 Acts and said unto them, signify, that from that time he was determined SECT. Your blood be upon he would have no more to do with them, or any xli. clean : from thing belonging to them; and also to intimate, henceforth I will go that God would soon shake them off, as un- xviii. worthy to be numbered among his people; and 6 upon this he solemnly said to them, Let the guilt of your blood be upon your own head, and there let it rest I am pure from it, and declare unto you, that by this wilful impenitence and unbelief you are your own murderers. (Compare Ezek. xxxiii. 2-9.) And as God and man can witness that I have done all in my power to prevent so sad an event, I now desist from any farther attempts of this kind; and from henceforth, while I continue in this city, I will go and preach to the Gentiles, who will readily receive that gospel which you so ungratefully reject. into a certain man's g 7 And he departed And going out from thence, he went into the 7 thence, and entered house of one whose name was called Fustus; house, named Jus- who was a worshipper of the true God, though tus, one that wor- not a complete Jew by profession, and whose shipped God, whose house was adjoining to the synagogue; and there house joined hard he taught. to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, But though he did not succeed to his wish in 8 the chief ruler of the what he delivered to the Jews, yet his labours synagogue, believed on the Lord, with among them were not entirely ineffectual; and all his house and it was particularly remarkable, that Crispus the many of the Corin- ruler of the synagogue believed in the Lord with thians hearing, be- all his house: (Compare 1 Cor. i. 14.) And malieved, and were ny also of the Corinthians, hearing not only the report of his conversion, but the discourse of the apostle, found the conviction which it produced so powerful, that they believed; and in token of their full resolution to adhere to the gospel, whatever extremities might arise, were baptized, and thereby entered into the Christian church, and settled in it. baptized. 9 Then spake the At this time Paul, conscious of many imper- 9 fections attending his person and address, was discouraged in a view of the learning, polite 8 Into the house of one called Justus.] It has been supposed, that Paul was denied the use and liberty of the synagogue by Sosthenes, who, when Crispus was expelled, was made governor of it. (Fleming's Christology, Vol. II p. 28.) But Paul himself so solemnly broke off all farther treaty with the Jews in a public way, that we need seek no other reason for his choosing some other place for discoursing to the people, who might desire his instructions. Accordingly he taught here; but I see no proof at all of his quitting his lodgings with Aquila, and therefore no need of inquiring (as some have done,) what was his reason for doing it. 270 He is encouraged in his work by a vision of Christ. SECT. ness, and grandeur, of many Gentile inhabitants Lord to Paul in the xli. of the city to whom he was to speak, so that night by a vision, Be not afraid,but speak, he was, as he himself expresses it, among and hold not thy sviii. them in weakness, and in fear, and in much peace; Acts 9 trembling" (1 Cor. ii. 3;) and these alarms were much increased by the violent assaults which had lately been made upon him in other places through which he had passed, and the contempt with which he had generally been treated. But the Lord Jesus Christ interposed in a very gracious manner, and said to Paul by a vision in the night, Fear not to go on with thy work even here, but speak my gospel boldly and courageously, and do not keep silence under any present discouragement, or future appre10 hension: For I myself, by my powerful and 10 For I am with gracious presence am continually with thee, and thee, and no man will engage for it, that no man shall fall upon hurt thee: for I thee to injure thee here; for I have much people have much people in in this city, and am determined by my grace this city. to make thy ministry successful among many, 11 12 by whom thou art ready to apprehend it will be shall set on thee to And encouraged by this assurance, in the fi- 11 And he continudelity and security of which he firmly confided, ed there a year and Paul did, as it were, pitch his tent at Corinth, six months, teaching the word of God and sat down [there] for a year and six months; among them. teaching the word of God among them with all freedom, though with deep humility, and maintaining himself by the work of his own hands. And by the divine blessing on his diligent and 12 And when Galli pious labours, which he so generously gave them, a most flourishing church was planted at b I have much people in this city.] I cannot think with Limborch and Dr. Benson, (Hist. Vol. II. p. 210,) that virtuous and welldisposed Heathens, as such, are here called the people of Christ, or have the character elsewhere of his sheep, (John x. 16, 26,) but rather, that the expression takes in all who should, according to the gracious purposes of Christ, be converted to Christianity, whatever their tempers then were, even not excepting those very vicious, ill disposed, corrupt persons, whose character in their unregenerate state is described in such strong terms, 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10, 11, where the apostle speaks of what they were, before they were converted. iSat down there a year and six months.] During this time he wrote his First Epistle to the Thessalonians, (1 Thess. iii. 1—6, compared with Acts xviii. 5,) which seems to have been the earliest of those which oc cur in the New Testament, and quickly after it, his Second. Lord Barrington also thinks, that from hence he wrote his Epistie to the Galatians, which seems probable, as he refers there to his having been but lately among them, (Gal. i 6; iii 1, 3; iv. 15;) and yet hints nothing of his having been there more than once; so that it seems to refer to the journey mentioned Acts xvi. 6, ( Miscell. Sacr. Abstract, p 31,) and to have been before that mentioned in the 234 verse of this chapter. Paul is seized by the Jews, and accused before Gallio. made insurrection 271 xli. was the deputy of Corinth, "the members of which were filled SECT. Achaia, the Jews with all knowledge and utterance, and came with one accord a- behind in no spiritual gifts, for the variety of Acts gainst Paul, and which they were signally remarkable." (Com- xviii. brought him to the pare 1 Cor. i. 5, 7.) But so glorious a progress 12 judgment seat, of the gospel here could not fail of exciting the opposition of its enemies; and accordingly, when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, during the residence that he made at Corinth, the Jews, being now resolved to bear no longer, made an assault upon Paul with one consent, and brought 13 Saying, This him before the tribunal of that magistrate, Say- 13 fellow persuadething, in the most clamorous and furious manner, men to worship God This turbulent fellow is the author of unsuffercontrary to the law. able mischiefs here, and all over the country, for he persuadeth men to worship God in a man. ner directly contrary to that which the law requires and appoints; and so would introduce corruptions in religion, and to the utmost of his power would endeavour to subvert it. 14 And when Paul And when Paul would have opened his mouth, 14 was now about to o and was about to have spoken in his own depen his mouth, Gallio fence, Gallio would not give him the trouble of said unto the Jews, If it were a matter making an apology for what he did not look of wrong, or wicked upon to come within his cognizance; but prelewdness, Oye Jews, vented him, and said to the Jews, If it were an should bear with act of injustice, or any mischievous licentiousness, O ye Jews, with which you charged the person reason would that I you: you have now brought before me, it were but reasonable, as it is my office to guard the public peace, not only that I should bear with you in this prosecution, though managed indeed with some excess of eagerness, but also that on proper proof I should exert the power with which I am invested, to punish the offender in pro- 15 15 But if it be a portion to his crime. But if it be a question question of words concerning the propriety of words and names, When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia.] have been about eight years before this See note on chap. xiii. 8, p. 182. Dr. event,) it was restored to the senate, and Lardner justly observes, (Credib. Book I. so became proconsular. It is generally chap. i. 12, Vol. I. p. 55-57,) that thought this Gallio was elder brother to the this is also another instance of the exact famous L. Annæus Seneca, the moral phipropriety, with which St. Luke expresses losopher, who was preceptor to Nero, of himself; for though the province of which, as Mr. Biscoe shews, there is great Achaia, which comprehended all the rest probability; Boyle's Lect. chap, iii. §3, p. of Greece, had a more various fortune 57, 58. than that of Cyprus, and frequently ! A question concerning words and names.] changed its form of government, yet This wise and equitable magistrate, for A. D. 44, (which is generally supposed to such it appears by the ancient writers that 272 xli. Acts Gallio refuses to be judge of such matters. SECT. as whether the person whom he so highly ex- and names, and of tols should be called your Messiah or not, and your law, look ye to it; for I will be no whether God is to be worshipped in the way judge of such matxviii. required by the law, which is received among ters 15 you as divine; or what regard is due to any particular ceremony of it; see [to it] in your own way, and settle it how you will among yourselves; for I know the design of my office too well to interfere on such an occasion, and will be no judge of these matters which are so for16 eign to it. And with this wise and determinate 17 16 And he drave answer, to which he adhered notwithstanding them from the judgall their clamorous importunity, he drave them ment seat. away from the tribunal, and proceeded to other business. 17 Then all the of the synagogue, none of these things. And all the crowd of Greeks who were present, perceiving how little favour the Jews found Greeks took Sosthefrom the court in this tumultuous and vexatious nes, the chief ruler suit, in which they plainly saw that Paul was and beat him before insulted for the regard he had expressed for the judgment seat : them, laid hold on Sosthenes the ruler of the Jew- and Gallio cared for ish synagogue, whom they looked upon as the chief occasion of the prosecution, and beat him violently; and this was so near the place where the proconsul was sitting, that it might be said to be before the very tribunal, and under the judge's eyem But though this were certainly an irregular proceeding, Gallio did not concern himself to interpose at all in the affair; for perceiving no great mischief was like to follow, he was willing, by his connivance, to leave so troublesome a plaintiff as Sosthenes, to feel some he was, (see Grotius in loc. and Dr. Benson, Vol. II. p. 126,) seems to have heard the accusation which the Jews brought, and to have perceived by it, that the dispute was, whether Christ was to be called the Messiah, and whether the Mosaic law were to be imposed on all who worshipped the true God; and therefore (as the author I mentioned last well observes,) he had more honour and generosity, than to make Paul answer under the notion of a criminal, when by the Roman law the matter did not come within his cogniz. ance, and there was nothing criminal in the charge. It might be said to be before the very tribunal.] One cannot imagine, that Gallio so little understood the dignity of his office, as to suffer a person uncondemned to be scourged, or beaten with rods in his immediate presence. I apprehend therefore, that, as neither the word masow, nor gas, is used, but rul, whose signification is more general, the real case was, that just as Sosthenes came out of the court, which perhaps might be held in some open place, (sce John xviii. 28, 29, Vol. II. p. 531; and John xix. 13, with note k on that place, ibid. sect. 188,) the mob laid hold of him in a riotous manner, and beat him, probably with their fists; and, though the noise of this tumult, and some flying report of the assault on Sosthenes, might reach Gallio's ear, while he sat on the dispatch of some other business, he did not seem to take any notice of it for the reasons suggested in the paraphrase. |