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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:8-20

(or Acts 19:20 ) . Triumphs of the gospel at Ephesus. Asiatic character of the superstitions prevalent Dark. degraded mysterious Amulets and charms. Magical words. Exorcism. Not merely among the lower classes, but throughout the city. A dead man said to have spoken from the funeral pile. A wrestler with magic scroll round his body always victorious. Magic an elaborate, abstruse, difficult science, contained in learned books, studied for many years. Notice, therefore— I. THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:9

Some for divers, A.V.; disobedient for believed not, A.V. ( ἡπείθουν , as Acts 14:2 ; Acts 17:5 , T.R.); speaking for but spake, A.V.; the Way for that way, A.V.; reasoning for disputing, A.V.; Tyrannus for one Tyrannus , A.V. Were hardened ; or, hardened themselves. Whether considered as active or middle, the hardening their minds against the reception of the truth was just as voluntary an action as that of one who shuts his eyes that he may not see the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:9

The first Christian congregation. St. Paul had before this taken a room near the synagogue at Corinth, but it seems that this case at Ephesus represents the first distinct effort to form a Christian congregation, with its own order and officers, as separate from the synagogue. Now St. Paul casts himself free of Judaism; the time had come for separation, and for arranging a distinctly Christian organization. The school of Tyrannus was a public hall for lecturing and discussion. Canon Farrar... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:9-10

The shelter awhile of young converts. We must be conscious, in reading this passage, of something approaching a new point of departure on the part of Paul. He was not the man hitherto to shrink from either the malice of the synagogue or the uproar of the market-hall. But there were reasons why, with so long a stay at Ephesus, the company of the disciples should be "separated, and some foreshadowing be now given, under the continued supervision of Paul, of what should come to be the form of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:10

For for by, A.V.; Lord for Lord Jesus, A.V. and T.R. Two years (see Acts 20:31 , note). Both Jews and Greeks . This mention of Jews is rather in favor of Tyrannus being a Jew; but not decisive. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:11

The call for special miracles. It should be carefully shown that Scripture miracles are never mere wonders, or displays of mere power. They are always signs, and always wrought for the sake of some immediate or prospective moral benefit. This may be affirmed, however singular the mere form of the miracle may be. The circumstances under which God sees fit to allow his servants to work miracles need careful examination and consideration. In connection with the text we find special... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:11-12

"Special miracles." Under ordinary circumstances this description of miracles wrought by God by the hands of Paul might be liable to the supposition is here that it is found. And when we look a moment beneath the surface we discover ample justification for the epithet applied to these miracles. Let us observe— I. IN WHAT THE SPECIALTY OF THESE MIRACLES CONSISTS . We are taught the answer in one verse. 1. They are wrought without the laying on of the hands of Paul,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:12

Insomuch for so, A.V.; unto the sick were carried away from his body for from his body were brought unto the sick, A.V.; went out for went out of them, A.V. and T.R. From his body ( χρωτός ) ; literally, the skin, but used here by St. Luke for the body, in accordance with the usage of medical writers "from Hippocrates to Galen" (Hobart). Handkerchiefs ; σουδάριον , the Latin word sudarium, properly a cloth for wiping off the sweat. It is one of those words, like ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 19:1

While Apollos was at Corinth - It is probable that he remained there a considerable time.Paul, having passed through the upper coasts - The upper, or more elevated regions of Asia Minor. The writer refers here particularly to the provinces of Phrygia and Galatia, Acts 18:23. These regions were called upper, because they were situated on the high table-land in the interior of Asia Minor, while Ephesus was in the low maritime regions, and called the low country.Came to Ephesus - Agreeably to his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 19:2

Have ye received the Holy Spirit? - Have ye received the extraordinary effusions and miraculous influences of the Holy Spirit? Paul would not doubt that, if they had “believed,” they had received the ordinary converting influences of the Holy Spirit - for it was one of his favorite doctrines that the Holy Spirit renews the heart. But, besides this, the miraculous influences of the Spirit were conferred on many societies of believers. The power of speaking with tongues, or of working miracles,... read more

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