Acts 9:31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 9:23-31

Luke here makes no mention of Paul's journey into Arabia, which he tells us himself was immediately after his conversion, Gal. 1:16, 17. As soon as God had revealed his Son in him, that he might preach him, he went not up to Jerusalem, to receive instructions from the apostles (as any other convert would have done, that was designed for the ministry), but he went to Arabia, where there was new ground to break up, and where he would have opportunity of teaching, but not learning; thence he... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 9:26-31

9:26-31 When he arrived in Jerusalem he tried to make contact with the disciples. They were all afraid of him because they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and told them the story of how, upon the road, he had seen the Lord and that he had spoken with him, and that in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. He went in and out with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 9:31

Then had the churches rest ,.... Meaning not spiritual rest in Christ; this they had before, even in tribulation, but rest from persecution; not so much because of the conversion of Saul, the great persecutor of them, for his conversion had been three years before; but rather because of his removal to other parts, the sight of whose person, and especially his ministry, had afresh stirred up the Jews to wrath and fury. The Alexandrian copy, and some others, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 9:31

Then had the Churches rest - Instead of ἱα εκκλησιαι , the Churches, ABC, several others, the Syriac, Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, and Vulgate, have ἡεκκλησια , the Church. Every assembly of God's people was a Church; the aggregate of these assemblies was The Church. The word ειρηνην , which we translate rest, and which literally signifies peace, evidently means, in this place, prosperity; and in this sense both it and the Hebrew שלום shalom are repeatedly used. But what was the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 9:31

Verse 31 31.Then the Churches. Luke’s meaning is, that the enemies of the gospel were greatly provoked by Paul’s presence. For why was there such peace made suddenly by his departure, save only because the very sight of him did provoke the fury of the enemies? And yet this is no reproach to him, as if he had been, as it were, some trumpet in war; but Luke doth rather commend him for this, because he made the wicked run mad, only with the smell of him when he was near them. For Christ meant so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:1-31

The Ethiopian changes his skin. Of all the remarkable events in the history of human psychology, probably the most remarkable is the conversion of St. Paul, the memory of which is continually celebrated in the Church on the 25th of January. It may be viewed— I. AS AN EVIDENCE OF THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY . St. Paul lived. He preached the gospel with astonishing vigor and success. Numerous Churches were founded by him in Asia and Europe. These are facts as certain as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:31

So the Church … had peace, being edified for then had the Churches rest, … and were edified, A.V. and T.R.; was multiplied for were multiplied, A.V. and T.R. It is thought that the attention of the Jews to the progress of the faith of Jesus Christ was diverted at this time, and their active hostility stayed, by the still greater danger to the Jews' religion which arose from Caligula's intention of placing a statue to himself as a god in the holy of holies. Thus did God's gracious... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:31

The opportunity and obligation of the Church. I. THAT A TIME OF TRANQUILLITY MAY BE AND SHOULD BE A PERIOD OF PROGRESS . "The Churches had rest …. and were edified, were multiplied." The time of rest is too often one of inglorious repose, of unworthy indulgence, or even fatal luxury and corruption. But when the molesting hand of persecution is taken away, it is possible for the Church to put forth all its strength—to enter on a path of unflagging activity, of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:31

Edification. " Then had the Churches rest," etc. (of. Revised Version). The events of the past had been exciting, stimulating activity, spreading the Word. But excitement cheeks growth in character. Wonderful appointment of Providence—the leader of the persecution becoming the chief example of Christian activity. I. THE RIGHT USE OF A TIME OF PEACE AND REST . 1. The cultivation of brotherly intercourse. The Churches (or the Church) throughout Judaea, Samaria,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:31

History a sermon. The simplest matters of fact are sometimes weighted with impression and charged with instruction. And in like manner, the simplest-told history sometimes preaches the most suggestive of sermons. Notice three things in this briefly described episode of history. I. THE REST WHICH THE CHURCH HAD . 1. It was a rest from the actual sufferings of persecution. 2. It was a rest from the constant and tearing anxieties involved in the fear of persecution.... read more

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