C. The extension of the church to the Aegean shores 16:6-19:20The missionary outreach narrated in this section of the book took place in major cities along the Aegean coastline that major Roman roads connected. read more
This time God gave positive direction to Paul, and Luke recorded that He did it in a vision (cf. Acts 9:10; Acts 10:3; Acts 10:17; Acts 10:19; Acts 11:5; Acts 12:9; Acts 13:4)."Paul could have recognized the man in his dream as a Macedonian from what he said; but it has been conjectured that the man might have been Luke himself, who indicates his presence at this point by changing the narrative from ’they’ to ’we’ in the following verse. If this were so, it would suggest that Luke, a Macedonian... read more
St. Paul in Europe1. Timotheus] was probably of Lystra, not Derbe. His mother Eunice was perhaps a widow, and she, together with his grandmother Lois, educated the lad in the religion of Israel, though he was not circumcised (see 2 Timothy 1:6). The whole family had been converted at St. Paul’s first visit. 3. See Preface to Acts 15. 4, 5. Here we have evidence that the decrees of the Council were actually promulgated in the Galatian Churches, and that they were well received.6-40. Journey into... read more
(9) There stood a man of Macedonia.—The term is probably used in its later sense as applied to the Roman province, which included Macedonia, properly so called, Illyricum, Epirus, and Thessaly, the province of Achaia including, in like manner, the whole of Southern Greece. The vision which St. Paul looked on explained to him all the varied promptings and drawings-back of his journey. This was the door that was to be opened to him. The faith of Christ was to pass from Asia to Europe, and the... read more
The Baffling of the Spirit Acts 16:7 Paul was on his second missionary journey when he was hindered thus by the Spirit of his Lord. He had made up his mind to go northward to Bithynia, when somehow he was Divinely checked. How the door was thus shut on him we are not told: it is one of the wise reticences of Scripture. Perhaps he was warned by some prophetic voice, or visited by irresistible conviction. On the other hand, if one prefer it so, we may think of the pressure of circumstance or... read more
Chapter 11APOSTOLIC QUARRELS AND THE SECOND TOUR.Acts 15:36; Acts 15:39; Acts 16:6; Acts 16:8-9THE second missionary tour of St. Paul now claims our attention, specially because it involves the first proclamation of Christianity by an apostle within the boundaries of Europe. The course of the narrative up to this will show that any Christian effort in Europe by an apostle, St. Peter or any one else prior to St. Paul’s work, was almost impossible. To the Twelve and to men like-minded with them,... read more
CHAPTER 16 1. In Derbe and Lystra again. Timotheus (Acts 16:1-5 ). 2. The Preaching forbidden in Asia (Acts 16:6-8 ). 3. The Vision of the Man from Macedonia (Acts 16:9-12 ). 4. The Gospel in Europe (Acts 16:13-40 ). Read in connection with the first verses of this chapter 1 Timothy 1:18 ; 1Ti 4:14 ; 2 Timothy 1:5-6 ; 2 Timothy 3:15 . The circumcision of Timothy, the offspring of a mixed marriage, was not demanded by the law. Paul in circumcising Timothy manifested his liberty; he acted... read more
16:9 {5} And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.(5) They are the ministers of the Gospel by whom he helps those who are likely to perish. read more
Coming to Derbe and Lystra, where he and Barnabas had been persecuted before, Paul was favorably impressed with the young man, Timothy, who had evidently been converted through Paul on his first visit (Cf. 1 Timothy 1:2). Though of a timid nature (2 Timothy 1:6-8), he was evidently considered by Paul as a dependable worker, having a good report of the brethren. This is always an important matter if one is concerned about doing the work of the Lord. But Paul also considered the consciences of... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 16:6-10
1. The call to Macedonia 16:6-10Luke recorded Paul’s vision of the Macedonian man to explain God’s initiative in encouraging Paul and his companions to carry the gospel farther west into what is now Europe.". . . this section [Acts 6:6-10] makes it overwhelmingly clear that Paul’s progress was directed by God in a variety of ways, so that the missionaries were led into new areas of work." [Note: Marshall, The Acts . . ., p. 261.] "His [Luke’s] subject is the rapid extension of Christianity... read more