And when for after, A.V. and T.R.; come over against ( κατὰ ) for come to, A.V.; and the Spirit of Jesus for but the Spirit, A.V. and T.R. But the phrase, "the Spirit of Jesus," occurs nowhere in the New Testament, and is on that account very improbable here, though there is considerable manuscript authority for it. It is accepted by Meyer dud Alford and Wordsworth, following Griesbach, Lachmann, Tischendorf, etc. read more
Passing … they came for they passing … came, A.V. They would have gone north to Bithynia, where, we know from 1 Peter 1:1 , there were many Jews. But the Spirit ordered them westwards, to the seacoast of Troas, that they might be ready to sail for Macedonia. In like manner Abraham went out not knowing whither he went ( Hebrews 11:8 ). Truly the footsteps of God's providence are not known! read more
There was a man … standing, beseeching him, and saying for there stood a man … and prayed him, saying, A.V. Thus was ushered in the most momentous event in the history of Europe, the going forth of the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem to enlighten the nations of the West, and bring them into the fold of Jesus Christ. Paul saw dud heard this in a vision in the night. It is net called a dream (Bengel), but was like the vision seen by Ananias ( Acts 9:10 ), and those seen by Paul ( Acts... read more
The cry of a perishing world after Christ. "And a vision," etc. I. HUMANITY WITHOUT THE GOSPEL . The Macedonian life representative. 1. The social failure of Rome. The corrupt state of society. The loss of liberty. The lack of real advancement. Help required in every department of men's lives. 2. The intellectual failure of Greece. Contradictions of philosophy. Neglect of the poor and ignorant. Follies of heathenism. Worship of human nature itself. Awful vices by... read more
The journey to -Macedonia: the happy beginning. The transplantation of the gospel into Europe was a great epoch. We see the seed-corn of the kingdom germinating and growing from small beginnings. I. THE PROVIDENTIAL INDICATIONS . It came, as on many occasions to prophets and men called and sent of God, in a vision of the night. The Macedonian appears and cries, "Cross into Macedonia, and come to our aid!" From the 'Confessions' of St. Patrick, the evangelist of Ireland, a dream... read more
When for after, A.V.; straightway for immediately, A.V.; sought for endeavor ed, A.V. ; go forth for go, A.V.; concluding fur assuredly gathering, A.V. ; God for the Lord, A.V. and T.R. Concluding ; συμβιβάζοντες , only here in the sense of "concluding or "gathering." In Acts 9:22 it is "proving." In Ephesians 4:16 and Colossians 2:2 it means to "join together." In classical Greek to "bring together" in the sense of" reconciling," sometimes of" agreeing" to a... read more
Setting sail therefore for therefore loosing, A.V.; made for came with, A.V. ( εὐθυδρόμεω , elsewhere only in Acts 21:1 ); Samothrace for Samothracia, A.V.; day following for next day, A.V. In the New Testament this latter phrase only occurs in the Acts. read more
The opened heart; or, the power of Divine gentleness. Promptly obedient to the heavenly vision, Paul and Silas went "with a straight course to Samothracia," and by Neapolis to Philippi. There, eagerly awaiting a sacred opportunity, they "abode certain days." They availed themselves of the weekly gathering "at the river-side," where women, who everywhere are the most devout, were wont to meet for prayer. The whole narrative suggests the by-truths: 1. That we should instantly carry out... read more
(or Acts 16:14 ) The opened heart. "And a certain woman named Lydia," etc. Study of personal history specially helpful. A few broad strokes make up the picture. Fill in the outline from human nature and experience. Describe the circumstances. Philippi a local metropolis. In the midst of perishing heathenism a germ of spiritual life. Country market-place outside the gate. Devout women, Jewesses and proselytes. The Old Testament read there. Prayer offered. Without Christ they could not... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6-15
The call. The great difference between sacred and profane history is not so much that the events are different, or the human motives of the actors are different, or even that God's providence works differently, but that the secret springs of the will of God, directing, controlling, and overruling, are in sacred history laid bare to view by that Holy Spirit of God who knows the things of God. In ordinary life the servant of God believes that his steps are ordered of God, and that the... read more