Chapter 16:
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| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
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| Matthew Henry Concise
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Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 John Romans
Acts 16
Verse 3. He took and circumcised him because of the Jews - The
unbelieving Jews, to whom he designed he should preach. For
they would not have conversed with him at all, so long as he was
uncircumcised.
Verse
6. And having gone through Phrygia - And spoken there what was
sufficient, as well as in the region of Galatia, being forbid by the
Spirit (probably by an inward dictate) to speak as yet in the
proconsular Asia, the time for it not being come.
Verse
7. Coming to Mysia, and passing it by, as being a part of Asia,
they attempted to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit suffered them
not - Forbidding them as before. Sometimes a strong impression,
for which we are not able to give any account, is not altogether to
be despised.
Verse
9. A vision appeared to Paul by night - It was not a dream, though
it was by night. No other dream is mentioned in the New
Testament than that of Joseph and of Pilate's wife. A man of
Macedonia - Probably an angel clothed in the Macedonian habit,
or using the language of the country, and representing the
inhabitants of it. Help us - Against Satan, ignorance, and sin.
Verse
10. We sought to go into Macedonia - This is the first place in
which St. Luke intimates his attendance on the apostle. And here
he does it only in an oblique manner. Nor does he throughout the
history once mention his own name, or any one thing which he
did or said for the service of Christianity; though Paul speaks of
him in the most honourable terms, Colossians iv, 14; 2 Tim. iv,
11; and probably as the brother whose praise in the Gospel went
through all the Churches, 2 Cor. viii, 18. The same remark may be
made on the rest of the sacred historians, who every one of them
show the like amiable modesty.
Verse
11. We ran with a straight course - Which increased their
confidence that God had called them.
Verse
12. The first city - Neapolis was the first city they came to in that
part of Macedonia which was nearest to Asia: in that part which
was farthest from it, Philippi. The river Strymon ran between
them. Philippi was a Roman colony.
Verse
13. We went out of the gate - The Jews usually held their religious
assemblies (either by choice or constraint) at a distance from the
heathens: by a river side - Which was also convenient for
purifying themselves. Where prayer was wont to be made -
Though it does not appear there was any house built there. We
spake - At first in a familiar manner. Paul did not immediately
begin to preach.
Verse
14. A worshipper of God - Probably acquainted with the prophetic
writings whose heart the Lord opened - The Greek word properly
refers to the opening of the eyes: and the heart has its eyes, Eph. i,
18. These are closed by nature and to open them is the peculiar
work of God.
Verse
15. She was baptized and her family - Who can believe that in so
many families there was no infant? Or that the Jews, who were so
long accustomed to circumcise their children, would not now
devote them to God by baptism? She entreated us - The souls of
the faithful cleave to those by whom they were gained to God.
She constrained us - By her importunity. They did not
immediately comply, lest any should imagine they sought their
own profit by coming into Macedonia.
Verse
17. These men are - A great truth: but St. Paul did not need, nor
would accept, of such testimony.
Verse
19. The magistrates - The supreme magistrates of the city. In the
next verse they are called by a title which often signifies pretors.
These officers exercised both the military and civil authority.
Verse
20. Being Jews - A nation peculiarly despised by the Romans.
Verse
21. And teach customs which it is not lawful for us to receive -
The world has received all the rules and doctrines of all the
philosophers that ever were. But this is a property of Gospel truth:
it has something in it peculiarly intolerable to the world.
Verse
23. They laid many stripes upon them - Either they did not
immediately say they were Romans, or in the tumult it was not
regarded. Charging the jailer - Perhaps rather to quiet the people
than because they thought them criminal.
Verse
24. Secured their feet in the stocks - These were probably those
large pieces of wood, in use among the Romans, which not only
loaded the legs of the prisoner, but also kept them extended in a
very painful manner.
Verse
25. Paul and Silas sung a hymn to God - Notwithstanding
weariness, hunger stripes, and blood. And the prisoners heard - A
song to which they were not accustomed.
Verse
28. But Paul cried - As they were all then in the dark, it is not easy
to say, how Paul knew of the jailer's purpose; unless it were by
some immediate notice from God, which is by no means
incredible. With a loud voice - Through earnestness, and because
he was at some distance. Do thyself no harm - Although the
Christian faith opens the prospect into another life, yet it
absolutely forbids and effectually prevents a man's discharging
himself from this.
Verse
30. Sirs - He did not style them so the day before. What must I do
to be saved? - From the guilt I feel and the vengeance I fear?
Undoubtedly God then set his sins in array before him, and
convinced him in the clearest and strongest manner that the wrath
of God abode upon him.
Verse
31. Thou shalt be saved and thy household - If ye believe. They
did so, and were saved.
Verse
33. He washed their stripes - It should not be forgot, that the
apostles had not the power of working miraculous cures when
they pleased, either on themselves, or their dearest friends. Nor
was it expedient they should, since it would have frustrated many
wise designs of God, which were answered by their sufferings.
Verse
34. He set a table before them and rejoiced - Faith makes a man
joyful, prudent, liberal.
Verse
35. The pretors sent - Being probably terrified by the earthquake;
saying, Let those men go - How different from the charge given a
few hours before! And how great an ease of mind to the jailer!
Verse
37. They have beaten us publicly, being Roman - St. Paul does not
always plead this privilege. But in a country where they were
entire strangers, such treatment might have brought upon them a
suspicion of having been guilty of some uncommon crime, and so
have hindered the course of the Gospel.
Verse
40. When they had seen the brethren, they comforted them and
departed - Though many circumstances now invited their stay, yet
they wisely complied with the request of the magistrates, that they
might not seem to express any degree of obstinacy or revenge, or
give any suspicion of a design to stir up the people.
Chapter 16:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 John Romans
This version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible is a derivative of an electronic version, Copyright 1997, by Sulu D. Kelley. All rights reserved. Used by permission. It may not be modified or used commercially without permission of Wesleyan Heritage Publishing and Sulu Kelley. A special thanks to Mr. Kelley and Wesleyan Heritage Publishing for permission to create and post this version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible.
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