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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 16:6-15

In these verses we have, I. Paul's travels up and down to do good. 1. He and Silas his colleague went throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, where, it should seem, the gospel was already planted, but whether by Paul's hand or no is not mentioned; it is likely it was, for in his epistle to the Galatians he speaks of his preaching the gospel to them at the first, and how very acceptable he was among them, Gal. 4:13-15. And it appears by that epistle that the judaizing teachers had then... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 16:6-10

16:6-10 They went through the Phrygian and Galatian territory, but they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia. When they had gone through Mysia they tried to go into Bithynia.; and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do so. So they passed by Mysia and came down to Troas. During the night a vision appeared to Paul. A man from Macedonia stood and urged him, "Cross over into Macedonia and help us." When he saw the vision he immediately sought to go forth into... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:7

After they were come to Mysia ,.... Another country in Asia Minor. It is divided by Ptolomy F1 Geograph. l. 3. c. 9, 10. into two parts; superior Mysia is bounded by Dalmatia on the west, by Macedonia on the south, by part of Thrace on the east, and by part of the river Danube on the north; inferior Mysia is bounded on the west with part of the river Ciaber and the Danube, on the south with part of Thrace, on the north with the turn of the river Tyra, and on the east with the Euxine... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:7

After they were come to Mysia - They passed through Phrygia into Mysia, which lay between Bithynia on the north, Phrygia on the east, Aeolia on the south, and the Mediterranean on the west. But the Spirit suffered them not - God saw that that was not the most proper time to preach the word at Bithynia; as he willed them to go immediately to Macedonia, the people there being ripe for the word of life. Instead of το πνευμα , the Spirit merely, το πνευμα Ιησου , the Spirit of Jesus, is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:1-8

Paul and Timothy. In the intercourse of the great apostle with Timothy, and the history of the latter, we have an interesting episode. I. THE YOUNG DISCIPLE . His case shows: 1. The blessing of a pious mother. The mother's love gives force to all her lessons, sanctity to the curliest of life's recollections. "Knowing of whom thou hast learned them." 2. The blessing of Christian society. He enjoyed the testimony of the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. Not only the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6-10

The call of God and the appeal of man: a missionary sermon. Christian life, when it has any strength and vigor, is an expansive thing. It pushes out in all directions. It asks what it can do to extend the kingdom of God, what is the sphere in which it can best exercise its missionary zeal. It must be guided by two things— I. THE CALL OF GOD . Paul and Silas went whithersoever they were directed. They forebore to go to some places because the way was closed by the Divine hand ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6-10

A true epoch in the history of the gospel: advance from Asia to Europe. I. SUPERNATURAL GUIDANCE LED THE WAY . 1. The messengers naturally inclined to continue their work within narrower limits. Much against advancing West. Unknown region. Great demands in the more educated heathenism of Europe. Possibly the Jewish element was powerful in Asia, and therefore some religious basis to work upon. But all such considerations put aside when the mind of the Spirit manifested. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6-10

The leadings of the Holy Ghost. Apart from any doctrine of the personality and work of the Holy Spirit, there is a practical realization of his presence, and gracious working in us and by us, which is a source of continuous strength and comfort to the believer. It is this which we find illustrated in the passage now before us. The apostolic conception of the Holy Ghost has not been adequately studied apart from doctrinal theories. It is forgotten that the apostles were Jews, and that help... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6-12

The Spirit's course. It may be laid down as a canon, that the facts marking periods of special gifts and special inspiration and special "dispensations" point to principles available for other periods in the whole history of the Church and the world. What might otherwise seem among the driest historical or sometimes almost geographical statements are accordingly threaded together by an invisible bond of connection, which lends them abundant interest. And here, from the apparently bare... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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