Acts 19:21

21. After… ended In the present two verses Luke states Paul’s new mapping out of his future mission.

When he started last from Antioch, (Acts 18:23,) his plan was, after an orderly revisitation of his Galatian and Phrygian Churches, to fulfil his promise (Acts 18:21) to perform a full ministry at Ephesus. For more than two years has he now discharged that ministry, and the most stupendous superstition of the world is trembling before him. Yet he realizes that his present mission here of laying sure foundations for a future growth is nearly accomplished, and he begins to forecast his future. A great definite object now rises up before his mind. He will circuit around through his European Churches back to Jerusalem, and then ROME.

Purposed ”By the phrase purposed in spirit we must doubtless understand neither a direct intimation of the Spirit, such as he had received during his first residence in this region, (Acts 16:7,) nor yet an ordinary act of human deliberation and decision; but rather an act of the inner life, in which the energy of the Divine Spirit and of the spirit of Paul cooperated together in one common purpose.” Baumgarten. (See our note on Luke 1:3.)

Go to Jerusalem By this phrase Luke implies that the circuit through Europe was subsidiary, and his aiming at Jerusalem was the main object.

How was this? Luke does not inform us, and we must learn Paul’s mind in this from Paul himself.

The later Church at Jerusalem, under the terrible pressure of the hostile temple and haughty priesthood, was always half Judaized and quite pauperized. (See note on Acts 11:29.) Toward the apostle of the Gentiles their face was repulsive. (See note on Acts 15:12.) Toward them, in return, St. Paul looked with deep pity for their narrowness, yet with reverence for their position as the mother Church, and with a strong desire at once to relieve their necessities and win their hearts both to himself and to Christ, the Divine Incarnate. (See note on Acts 12:19.) With these views he organized a system of extensive money contributions from all his Gentile Churches, with which in hand he purposed, attended by the chosen delegates of the Churches, to revisit the Jerusalem Church.