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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>A C T S.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XIX.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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We left Paul in his circuit visiting the churches
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+18:23"><I>ch.</I> xviii. 23</A>),
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but we have not forgotten, nor has he, the promise he made to his
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friends at Ephesus, to return to them, and make some stay there; now
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this chapter shows us his performance of that promise, his coming to
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Ephesus, and his continuance there two years; we are here told,
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I. How he laboured there in the word and doctrine, how he taught some
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weak believers that had gone no further than John's baptism
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:1-7">ver. 1-7</A>),
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how he taught three months in the synagogue of the Jews
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:8">ver. 8</A>),
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and, when he was driven thence, how he taught the Gentiles a long time
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in a public school
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:9,10">ver. 9, 10</A>),
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and how he confirmed his doctrine by miracles,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:11,12">ver. 11, 12</A>.
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II. What was the fruit of his labour, particularly among the
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conjurors, the worst of sinners: some were confounded, that did but
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make use of his name
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:13-17">ver. 13-17</A>),
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but others were converted, that received and embraced his doctrine,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:18-20">ver. 18-20</A>.
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III. What projects he had of further usefulness
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:21,22">ver. 21, 22</A>),
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and what trouble at length he met with at Ephesus from the
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silversmiths, which forced him thence to pursue the measures he had
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laid; how a mob was raised by Demetrius to cry up Diana
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:23-34">ver. 23-34</A>),
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and how it was suppressed and dispersed by the town-clerk,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:35-41">ver. 35-41</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="Ac19_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac19_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac19_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac19_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac19_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac19_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Paul at Ephesus.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul
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having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and
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finding certain disciples,
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2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye
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believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard
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whether there be any Holy Ghost.
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3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And
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they said, Unto John's baptism.
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4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of
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repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on
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him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
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5 When they heard <I>this,</I> they were baptized in the name of the
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Lord Jesus.
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6 And when Paul had laid <I>his</I> hands upon them, the Holy Ghost
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came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
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7 And all the men were about twelve.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Ephesus was a city of great note in Asia, famous for a temple built
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there to Diana, which was one of the wonders of the world: thither
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<I>Paul came to preach the gospel while Apollos was at Corinth</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>);
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while he was watering there, Paul was planting here, and grudged not
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that Apollos entered into his labours and was building upon his
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foundation, but rejoiced in it, and went on in the new work that was
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cut out for him at Ephesus with the more cheerfulness and satisfaction,
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because he knew that such an able minister of the New Testament as
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Apollos was now at Corinth, carrying on the good work there. Though
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there were those that made him the head of a party against Paul
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+1:12">1 Cor. i. 12</A>),
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yet Paul had no jealousy of him, nor any way disliked the affection the
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people had for him. Paul having gone through the country of Galatia and
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Phrygia, having <I>passed through the upper coasts,</I> Pontus and
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Bithynia, that lay north, at length <I>came to Ephesus,</I> where he
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had left Aquila and Priscilla, and there found them. At his first
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coming, he met with some disciples there, who professed faith in Christ
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as the true Messiah, but were as yet in the first and lowest form in
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the school of Christ, under his usher John the Baptist. They were in
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number <I>about twelve</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>);
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they were much of the standing that Apollos was of when he came to
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Ephesus (for he <I>knew only the baptism of John,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+18:25"><I>ch.</I> xviii. 25</A>),
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but they had not opportunity of being acquainted with Aquila and
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Priscilla, or had not been so long in Ephesus or were not so willing to
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receive instruction as Apollos was, otherwise they might have had the
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way of God expounded to them more perfectly, as Apollos had. Observe
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here,</P>
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<P>
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I. How Paul catechised them. He was told, probably by Aquila and
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Priscilla, that they were believers, that they did own Christ, and had
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given up their names to him; now Paul hereupon takes them under
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examination.</P>
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<P>
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1. They did believe in the Son of God; but Paul enquires whether they
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had <I>received the Holy Ghost,</I>--whether they believed in the
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spirit, whose operations on the minds of men, for conviction,
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conversion, and comfort, were revealed some time after the doctrine of
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Jesus being the Christ,--whether they had been acquainted with, and had
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admitted, this revelation? This was not all; extraordinary gifts of the
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Holy Ghost were conferred upon the apostles and other disciples
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presently after Christ's ascension, which was frequently repeated upon
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occasion; had they participated in these gifts? "<I>Have you received
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the Holy Ghost since you believed?</I> Have you had that seal of the
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truth of Christ's doctrine in yourselves?" We are not now to expect any
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such extraordinary gifts as they had then. The canon of the New
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Testament being long since completed and ratified, we depend upon that
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as the most sure word of prophecy. But there are graces of the Spirit
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given to all believers, which are as earnests to them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:22,5:5,Eph+1:13,14">2 Cor. i. 22; v. 5; Eph. i. 13, 14</A>.
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Now it concerns us all who profess the Christian faith seriously to
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enquire whether we have received the Holy Ghost or not. The Holy Ghost
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is promised to all believers, to all petitioners
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+11:13">Luke xi. 13</A>);
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but many are deceived in this matter, thinking they have received the
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Holy Ghost when really they have not. As there are pretenders to the
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gifts of the Holy Ghost, so there are to his graces and comforts; we
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should therefore strictly examine ourselves, Have we received the Holy
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Ghost since we believed? The tree will be known by its fruits. Do we
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bring forth the fruits of the Spirit? Are we led by the Spirit? Do we
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walk in the Spirit? Are we under the government of the Spirit?</P>
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<P>
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2. They owned their ignorance in this matter: "<I>Whether there be a
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Holy Ghost</I> is more than we know. That there is a promise of the
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Holy Ghost we know from the scriptures of the Old Testament, and that
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this promise will be fulfilled in its season we doubt not; but so much
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have we been out of the way of intelligence in this matter that we have
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not so much as heard whether the Holy Ghost be indeed yet given as a
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spirit of prophecy." They knew (as Dr. Lightfoot observes) that,
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according to the tradition of their nation, after the death of Ezra,
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Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, <I>the Holy Ghost departed from Israel,
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and went up;</I> and they professed that they had never heard of his
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return. They spoke as if they expected it, and wondered they did not
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hear of it, and were ready to welcome the notice of it. The gospel
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light, like that of the morning, shone more and more, gradually; not
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only clearer and clearer, in the discovery of truths not before heard
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of, but further and further, in the discovery of them to persons that
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had not before heard of them.</P>
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<P>
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3. Paul enquired how they came to be baptized, if they knew nothing of
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the Holy Ghost; for, if they were baptized by any of Christ's
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ministers, they were instructed concerning the Holy Ghost, and were
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baptized in his name. "Know you not that Jesus being glorified,
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consequently the Holy Ghost is given? <I>unto what then were you
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baptized?</I> This is strange and unaccountable. What! baptized, and
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yet know nothing of the Holy Ghost? Surely your baptism was a nullity,
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if you know nothing of the Holy Ghost; for it is the receiving of the
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Holy Ghost that is signified and sealed by that washing of
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regeneration. Ignorance of the Holy Ghost is as inconsistent with a
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sincere profession of Christianity as ignorance of Christ is." Applying
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it to ourselves, it intimates that those are baptized to no purpose,
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and have received the grace of God therein in vain, that do not receive
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and submit to the Holy Ghost. It is also an enquiry we should often
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make, not only to whose honour we were born, but into whose service we
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were baptized, that we may study to answer the ends both of our birth
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and of our baptism. Let us often consider unto what we were baptized,
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that we may live up to our baptism.</P>
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<P>
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4. They own that they were baptized <I>unto John's
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baptism</I>--<B><I>eis to Ioannou baptisma</I></B> that is, as I take
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it, they were baptized in the name of John, not by John himself (he was
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far enough from any such thought), but by some weak, well-meaning
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disciple of his, that ignorantly kept up his name as the head of a
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party, retaining the spirit and notion of those disciples of his that
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were jealous of the growth of Christ's interest, and complained to him
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of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+3:26">John iii. 26</A>.
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Some one or more of these, that found themselves much edified by John's
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baptism of <I>repentance for the remission of sins,</I> not thinking
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that the kingdom of heaven, which he spoke of as at hand, was so very
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near as it proved, ran away with that notion, rested in what they had,
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and thought they could not do better than to persuade others to do so
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too; and so, ignorantly, in a blind zeal for John's doctrine, they
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baptized here and there one in John's name, or, as it is here
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expressed, <I>unto John's baptism,</I> looking no further themselves,
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nor directing those that they baptized any further.</P>
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<P>
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5. Paul explains to them the true intent and meaning of John's baptism,
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as principally referring to Jesus Christ, and so rectifies the mistake
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of those who had baptized them into the baptism of John, and had not
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directed them to look any further, but to rest in that. Those that have
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been left in ignorance, or led into error, by any infelicities of their
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education, should not therefore be despised nor rejected by those who
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are more knowing and orthodox, but should be compassionately
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instructed, and better taught, as these disciples were by Paul.
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(1.) He owns that John's baptism was a very good thing, as far as it
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went: <I>John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance.</I> By
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this baptism he required people to be sorry for their sins, and to
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confess them and turn from them; and to bring any to this is a great
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point gained. But,
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(2.) He shows them that John's baptism had a further reference, and he
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never designed that those he baptized should rest there, but told them
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that they should believe on him who should come after him, that is, on
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Christ Jesus,--that his baptism of repentance was designed only to
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prepare the way of the Lord, and to dispose them to receive and
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entertain Christ, whom he left them big with expectations of; nay, whom
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he directed them to: <I>Behold the Lamb of God.</I> "John was a great
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and good man; but he was only the harbinger,--Christ is the Prince. His
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baptism was the porch which you were to pass through, not the house you
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were to rest in; and therefore it was all wrong for you to be baptized
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into the baptism of John."</P>
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<P>
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6. When they were thus shown the error they were led into, they
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thankfully accepted the discovery, and <I>were baptized in the name of
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the Lord Jesus,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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As for Apollos, of whom it was said
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+18:25"><I>ch.</I> xviii. 25</A>)
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that he <I>knew the baptism of John</I>--that he rightly understood the
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meaning of it when he was baptized with it, though he knew that
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<I>only</I>--yet, when he understood the way of God more perfectly, he
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was no again baptized, any more than Christ's first disciples that had
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been baptized with John's baptism and knew it referred to the Messiah
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at the door (and, with an eye to this, submitted to it), were baptized
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again. But to these disciples, who received it only with an eye to John
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and looked no further, as if he were their saviour, it was such a
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fundamental error as was as fatal to it as it would have been for any
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to be baptized in the name of Paul
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+1:13">1 Cor. i. 13</A>);
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and therefore, when they came to understand things better, they desired
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to be <I>baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus,</I> and were so: not
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by Paul himself, as we have reason to think, but by some of those who
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attended him. It does not therefore follow hence that there was not an
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agreement between John's baptism and Christ's, or that they were not
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for substance the same; much less does it follow that those who have
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been once baptized <I>in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy
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Ghost</I> (which is the appointed form of Christ's baptism), may be
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again baptized in the same name; for those that were baptized <I>in the
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name of the Lord Jesus</I> had never been so baptized before.</P>
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<P>
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II. How Paul conferred the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost upon
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them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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1. Paul solemnly <I>prayed to God</I> to give them those gifts,
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signified by his <I>laying his hands on them,</I> which was a gesture
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used in blessing by the patriarchs, especially in conveying the great
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trust of the promise, as
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+48:14">Gen. xlviii. 14</A>.
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The Spirit being the great promise of the New Testament, the apostles
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conveyed it by the imposition of hands: "The Lord bless thee with that
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blessing, that blessing of blessings,"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+44:3">Isa. xliv. 3</A>.
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2. God granted the thing he prayed for: <I>The Holy Ghost came upon
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them</I> in a surprising overpowering manner, and <I>they spoke with
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tongues and prophesied,</I> as the apostles did and the first Gentile
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converts,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+10:44"><I>ch.</I> x. 44</A>.
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This was intended to introduce the gospel at Ephesus, and to awaken in
|
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the minds of men an expectation of some great things from it; and some
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think that it was further designed to qualify these twelve men for the
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work of the ministry, and that these twelve were the elders of Ephesus,
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to whom Paul committed the care and government of that church. They had
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the Spirit of prophesy, that they might understand the mysteries of the
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kingdom of God themselves, and the gift of tongues, that they might
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preach them to every nation and language. Oh, what a wonderful change
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was here made on a sudden in these men! those that but just now had
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<I>not so much as heard that there was any Holy Ghost</I> are now
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themselves filled with the Holy Ghost; for the Spirit, like the wind,
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blows where and when he listeth.</P>
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<A NAME="Ac19_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac19_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac19_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac19_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac19_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Paul at Ephesus.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
|
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<FONT SIZE=+1>8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the
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space of three months, disputing and persuading the things
|
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concerning the kingdom of God.
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9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake
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evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and
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separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one
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Tyrannus.
|
|
10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all
|
|
they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both
|
|
Jews and Greeks.
|
|
11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
|
|
12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick
|
|
handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and
|
|
the evil spirits went out of them.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Paul is here very busy at Ephesus to do good.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He begins, as usual, in the Jews' synagogue, and makes the first
|
|
offer of the gospel to them, that he might gather in the <I>lost sheep
|
|
of the house of Israel,</I> who were now scattered upon the mountains.
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Where he preached to them: in their synagogue
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
as Christ used to do. He went and joined them in their
|
|
synagogue-worship, to take off their prejudices against him, and to
|
|
ingratiate himself with them, while there was any hope of winning upon
|
|
them. Thus he would bear his testimony to public worship on sabbath
|
|
days. Where there were no Christian assemblies yet formed, he
|
|
frequented the Jewish assemblies, while the Jews were not as yet wholly
|
|
cast off. Paul went into the synagogue, because there he had them
|
|
together, and had them, it might be hoped, in a good frame.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. What he preached to them: <I>The things concerning the kingdom of
|
|
God</I> among men, the great things which concerned God's dominion over
|
|
all men and favour to them, and men's subjection to God and happiness
|
|
in God. He showed them their obligations to God and interest in him, as
|
|
the Creator, by which the kingdom of God was set up,--the violation of
|
|
those obligations, and the forfeiture of that interest, by sin, by
|
|
which the kingdom of God was pulled down,--and the renewing of those
|
|
obligations and the restoration of man to that interest again, by the
|
|
Redeemer, whereby the kingdom of God was again set up. Or, more
|
|
particularly, <I>the things concerning the kingdom of the Messiah,</I>
|
|
which the Jews were in expectation of, and promised themselves great
|
|
matters from; he opened the scriptures which spoke concerning this,
|
|
gave them a right notion of this kingdom, and showeth them their
|
|
mistakes about it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. How he preached to them.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He preached argumentatively: he disputed; gave reasons,
|
|
scripture-reasons, for what he preached, and answered objections, for
|
|
the convincing of men's judgments and consciences, that they might not
|
|
only believe, but might see cause to believe. He preached
|
|
<B><I>dialegomenos</I></B>--<I>dialogue-wise;</I> he put questions to
|
|
them and received their answers, gave them leave to put questions to
|
|
him and answered them.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He preached affectionately: he persuaded; he used not only logical
|
|
arguments, to enforce what he said upon their understandings, but
|
|
rhetorical motives, to impress what he said upon their affections,
|
|
showing them that the things he preached concerning the kingdom of God
|
|
were things concerning themselves, which they were nearly concerned in,
|
|
and therefore ought to concern themselves about,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:11">2 Cor. v. 11</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>We persuade men.</I> Paul was a moving preacher, and was a master of
|
|
the art of persuasion.
|
|
|
|
(3.) He preached undauntedly, and with a holy resolution: he spoke
|
|
boldly, as one that had not the least doubt of the things he spoke of,
|
|
nor the least distrust of him he spoke from, nor the least dread of
|
|
those he spoke to.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. How long he preached to them: <I>For the space of three months,</I>
|
|
which was a competent time allowed them to consider of it; in that time
|
|
among them that belonged to the election of grace were called in, and
|
|
the rest were left inexcusable. Thus long Paul preached the gospel
|
|
<I>with much contention</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+2:2">1 Thess. ii. 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
yet he <I>did not fail, nor was discouraged.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. What success his preaching had among them.
|
|
|
|
(1.) There were some that were persuaded to believe in Christ; some
|
|
think this is intimated in the word <I>persuading</I>--he prevailed
|
|
with them. But,
|
|
|
|
(2.) Many continued in their infidelity, and were confirmed in their
|
|
prejudices against Christianity. When Paul called on them before, and
|
|
preached only some general things to them, they courted his stay among
|
|
them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+18:20"><I>ch.</I> xviii. 20</A>);
|
|
|
|
but now that he settled among them, and his word came more closely to
|
|
their consciences, they were soon weary of him.
|
|
|
|
[1.] They had an invincible aversion to the gospel of Christ
|
|
themselves: they were <I>hardened, and believed not;</I> they were
|
|
resolved they would not believe, though the truth shone in their faces
|
|
with ever such a convincing light and evidence. Therefore they believed
|
|
not, because they were hardened.
|
|
|
|
[2.] They did their utmost to raise and keep up in others an aversion
|
|
to the gospel; they not only entered not into the kingdom of God
|
|
themselves, but neither did they suffer those that were entering to go
|
|
in; for <I>they spoke evil of that way before the multitude,</I> to
|
|
prejudice them against it. Though they could not show any manner of
|
|
evil in it, yet they said all manner of evil concerning it. These
|
|
sinners, like the angels that sinned, became Satans, adversaries and
|
|
devils, false accusers.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. When he had carried the matter as far as it would go in the
|
|
synagogue of the Jews, and found that their opposition grew more
|
|
obstinate, he left the synagogue, because he could not safely, or
|
|
rather because he could not comfortably and successfully, continue in
|
|
communion with them. Though their worship was such as he could join in,
|
|
and they had not silenced him, nor forbidden him to preach among them,
|
|
yet they drove him from them by their railing at those things which he
|
|
spoke <I>concerning the kingdom of God:</I> they hated to be reformed,
|
|
hated to be instructed, and therefore <I>he departed from them.</I>
|
|
Here we are sure there was a separation and no schism; for there was a
|
|
just cause for it and a clear call to it. Now observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. When Paul departed from the Jews he took the disciples with him, and
|
|
<I>separated them, to save them from that untoward generation</I>
|
|
(according to the charge Peter gave to his new converts,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:40"><I>ch.</I> ii. 40</A>);
|
|
|
|
lest they should be infected with the poisonous tongues of those
|
|
blasphemers, he separated those who believed, to be the foundation of a
|
|
Christian church, now that they were a competent number to be
|
|
incorporated, that others might attend with them upon the preaching of
|
|
the gospel, and might, upon their believing, be added to them. When
|
|
Paul departed there needed no more to separate the disciples; let him
|
|
go where he will, they will follow him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. When Paul separated from the synagogue he set up a meeting of his
|
|
own, he <I>disputed daily in the school of one Tyrannus.</I> He left
|
|
the synagogue of the Jews, that he might go on with the more freedom in
|
|
his work; still he disputed for Christ and Christianity, and was ready
|
|
to answer all opponents whatsoever in defence of them; and he had by
|
|
this separation a double advantage.
|
|
|
|
(1.) That now his opportunities were more frequent. In the synagogue he
|
|
could only preach every sabbath day
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+13:42"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 42</A>),
|
|
|
|
but now he disputed daily, he set up a lecture every day, and thus
|
|
redeemed time: those whose business would not permit them to come one
|
|
day might come another day; and those were welcome who <I>watched daily
|
|
at these gates of wisdom, and waited daily at the posts of her
|
|
doors.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) That now they were more open. To the synagogue of the Jews none
|
|
might come, nor could come, but Jews or proselytes; Gentiles were
|
|
excluded; but, when he set up a meeting in the school of Tyrannus, both
|
|
Jews and Greeks attended his ministry,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus, as he describes this gate of opportunity at Ephesus
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+16:8,9">1 Cor. xvi. 8, 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>a wide door and an effectual</I> was <I>opened to him,</I> though
|
|
<I>there were many adversaries.</I> Some think this school of Tyrannus
|
|
was a divinity-school of the Jews, and such a one they commonly had in
|
|
their great cities besides their synagogue; they called it
|
|
<I>Bethmidrash, the house of enquiry,</I> or of <I>repetition;</I> and
|
|
they went to that on the sabbath day, after they had been in the
|
|
synagogue. They go <I>from strength to strength,</I> from the <I>house
|
|
of the sanctuary to the house of doctrine.</I> If this was such a
|
|
school, it shows that though Paul left the synagogue he left it
|
|
gradually, and still kept as near it as he could, as he had done,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+18:7"><I>ch.</I> xviii. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
But others think it was a philosophy-school of the Gentiles, belonging
|
|
to one Tyrannus, or a retiring place (for so the word
|
|
<B><I>schole</I></B> sometimes signifies) belonging to a principal man
|
|
or governor of the city; some convenient place it was, which Paul and
|
|
the disciples had the use of, either for love or money.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. Here he continued his labours for <I>two years,</I> read his
|
|
lectures and disputed daily. These two years commence from the end of
|
|
the <I>three months</I> which he spent in the synagogue
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>);
|
|
|
|
after they were ended, he continued for some time in the country about,
|
|
preaching; therefore he might justly reckon it in all three years, as
|
|
he does,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:31"><I>ch.</I> xx. 31</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. The gospel hereby spread far and near
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>All those that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus;</I>
|
|
not only all that dwelt in Ephesus, but all that dwelt in that large
|
|
province called <I>Asia,</I> of which Ephesus was the head
|
|
city--<I>Asia the Less</I> it was called. There was great resort to
|
|
Ephesus from all parts of the country, for law, traffic, religion, and
|
|
education, which gave Paul an opportunity of sending the report of the
|
|
gospel to all the towns and villages of that country. They all heard
|
|
the <I>word of the Lord Jesus.</I> The gospel is Christ's word, it is a
|
|
word concerning Christ. This they heard, or at least heard of it. Some
|
|
of all sects, some out of all parts both in city and country, embraced
|
|
this gospel, and entertained it, and by them it was communicated to
|
|
others; and so they all <I>heard the word of the Lord Jesus,</I> or
|
|
might have heard it. Probably Paul sometimes made excursions himself
|
|
into the country, to preach the gospel, or sent his missionaries or
|
|
assistants that attended him, and thus the word of the Lord was
|
|
<I>heard throughout that region.</I> Now <I>those that sat in darkness
|
|
saw a great light.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. God confirmed Paul's doctrine by miracles, which awakened people's
|
|
enquiries after it, fixed their affection to it, and engaged their
|
|
belief of it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:11,12"><I>v.</I> 11, 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
I wonder we have not read of any miracle wrought by Paul since the
|
|
casting of the evil spirit out of the damsel at Philippi; why did he
|
|
not work miracles at Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens? Or, if he did,
|
|
why are they not recorded? Was the success of the gospel, without
|
|
miracles in the kingdom of nature, itself such a miracle in the kingdom
|
|
of grace, and the divine power which went along with it such a proof of
|
|
its divine original, that there needed no other? It is certain that at
|
|
Corinth he wrought many miracles, though Luke has recorded none, for he
|
|
tells them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+12:12">2 Cor. xii. 12</A>)
|
|
|
|
that the signs of his apostleship were among them, <I>in wonders and
|
|
mighty deeds.</I> But here at Ephesus we have a general account of the
|
|
proofs of this kind which he gave his divine mission.
|
|
|
|
1. They were <I>special miracles</I>--<B><I>Dynameis ou
|
|
tychousas.</I></B> God exerted powers that were not according to the
|
|
common course of nature: <I>Virtutes non vulgares.</I> Things were done
|
|
which could by no means be ascribed either to chance or second causes.
|
|
Or, they were not only (as all miracles are) <I>out of the common
|
|
road,</I> but they were even uncommon miracles, such miracles as had
|
|
not been wrought by the hands of any other of the apostles. The
|
|
opposers of the gospel were so prejudiced that any miracles would not
|
|
serve their turn; therefore God wrought <I>virtutes non quaslibet</I>
|
|
(so they render it), <I>something above the common road of
|
|
miracles.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. It was not Paul that wrought them (<I>What is Paul, and what is
|
|
Apollos?</I>) but it was God that <I>wrought them by the hand of
|
|
Paul.</I> He was but the instrument, God was the principal agent.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. He not only cured the sick that were brought to him, or to whom he
|
|
was brought, but <I>from his body were brought to the sick
|
|
handkerchiefs or aprons;</I> they got Paul's handkerchiefs, or his
|
|
aprons, that is, say some, the aprons he wore when he worked at his
|
|
trade, and the application of them to the sick cured them immediately.
|
|
Or, they brought the sick people's handkerchiefs, or their girdles, or
|
|
caps, or head-dresses, and laid them for awhile to Paul's body, and
|
|
then took them to the sick. The former is more probable. Now was
|
|
fulfilled that word of Christ to his disciples, <I>Greater works than
|
|
these shall you do.</I> We read of one that was cured by the touch of
|
|
Christ's garment when it was upon him, and he perceived that <I>virtue
|
|
went out of him;</I> but here were people cured by Paul's garments when
|
|
they were taken from him. Christ gave his apostles power <I>against
|
|
unclean spirits and against all manner of sickness</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:1">Matt. x. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
and accordingly we find here that those to whom Paul sent relief had it
|
|
in both those cases: <I>for the diseases departed from them</I> and the
|
|
<I>evil spirits went out of them,</I> which were both significant of
|
|
the great design and blessed effect of the gospel, and the healing of
|
|
spiritual disease, and freeing the souls of men from the power and
|
|
dominion of Satan.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ac19_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac19_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac19_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac19_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac19_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac19_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac19_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac19_20"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Disgrace of the Exorcists.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them
|
|
to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord
|
|
Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
|
|
14 And there were seven sons of <I>one</I> Sceva, a Jew, <I>and</I> chief
|
|
of the priests, which did so.
|
|
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and
|
|
Paul I know; but who are ye?
|
|
16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and
|
|
overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out
|
|
of that house naked and wounded.
|
|
17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling
|
|
at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord
|
|
Jesus was magnified.
|
|
18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their
|
|
deeds.
|
|
19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their
|
|
books together, and burned them before all <I>men:</I> and they
|
|
counted the price of them, and found <I>it</I> fifty thousand <I>pieces</I>
|
|
of silver.
|
|
20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The preachers of the gospel were sent forth to carry on a war against
|
|
Satan, and therein Christ went forth <I>conquering and to conquer.</I>
|
|
The casting of evil spirits out of those that were possessed was one
|
|
instance of Christ's victory over Satan; but, to show in how many ways
|
|
Christ triumphed over that great enemy, we have here in these verses
|
|
two remarkable instances of the conquest of Satan, not only in those
|
|
that were violently possessed by him, but in those that were
|
|
voluntarily devoted to him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Here is the confusion of some of Satan's servants, some <I>vagabond
|
|
Jews,</I> that were <I>exorcists,</I> who made use of Christ's name
|
|
profanely and wickedly in their diabolical enchantments, but were made
|
|
to pay dearly for their presumption. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The general character of those who were guilty of this presumption.
|
|
They were Jews, but <I>vagabond</I> Jews, were of the Jewish nation and
|
|
religion, but went about from town to town to get money by conjuring.
|
|
They strolled about to tell people their fortunes, and pretended by
|
|
spells and charms to cure diseases, and bring people to themselves that
|
|
were melancholy or distracted. They called themselves exorcists,
|
|
because in doing their tricks they used forms of adjuration, by such
|
|
and such commanding names. The superstitious Jews, to put a reputation
|
|
upon these magic arts, wickedly attributed the invention of them to
|
|
Solomon. So Josephus (<I>Antiq.</I> 8. 45-46) says that Solomon composed
|
|
charms by which diseases were cured, and devils driven out so as never
|
|
to return; and that these operations continued common among the Jews to
|
|
his time. And Christ seems to refer to this
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+12:27">Matt. xii. 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>By whom do your children cast them out?</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. A particular account of some at Ephesus that led this course of life
|
|
and came thither in their travels; they were <I>seven sons of one
|
|
Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is sad to see the house of Jacob thus degenerated, much more the
|
|
house of Aaron, the family that was in a peculiar manner consecrated to
|
|
God; it is truly sad to see any of that race in league with Satan.
|
|
Their father was a chief of the priests, head of one of the twenty-four
|
|
courses of priests. One would think the temple would find both
|
|
employment and encouragement enough for the sons of a chief priest, if
|
|
they had been twice as many. But probably it was a vain, rambling,
|
|
rakish humour that led them to turn mountebanks, and wander all the
|
|
world over to cure mad folks.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The profaneness they were guilty of: <I>They took upon them to call
|
|
over evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus;</I> not as those who had
|
|
a veneration for Christ and a confidence in his name, as we read of
|
|
some who cast out devils in Christ's name and yet did not follow with
|
|
his disciples
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:49">Luke ix. 49</A>),
|
|
|
|
whom he would not have to be discouraged; but as those who were willing
|
|
to try all methods to carry on their wicked trade, and, it should seem,
|
|
had this design:--If the evil spirits should yield to an adjuration in
|
|
the name of Jesus by those that did not believe in him, they would say
|
|
it was no confirmation of his doctrine to those that did; for it was
|
|
all one whether they believed it or no. If they should not yield to
|
|
it, they would say the name of Christ was not so powerful as the other
|
|
names they used, to which the devils had often by collusion yielded.
|
|
They said, <I>We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches;</I> not, "whom
|
|
we believe in, or depend upon, or have any authority from," but <I>whom
|
|
Paul preaches;</I> as if they had said, "We will try what that name
|
|
will do." The exorcists in the Romish church, who pretend to cast the
|
|
devil out of melancholy people by spells and charms which they
|
|
understand not, and which, not having any divine warrant, cannot be
|
|
used in faith, are the followers of these vagabond Jews.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. The confusion they were put to in their impious operations. Let them
|
|
not be deceived, God is not mocked, nor shall the glorious name of
|
|
Jesus be prostituted to such a vile purpose as this; <I>what communion
|
|
hath Christ with Belial?</I>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The evil spirit gave them a sharp reply
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?</I> I know that
|
|
Jesus has conquered principalities and powers, and that Paul has
|
|
authority in his name to cast out devils; but what power have you to
|
|
command us in his name, or who gave you any such power? What have you
|
|
to do to declare the power of Jesus, or to take his covenant and
|
|
commands into your mouths, seeing you hate his instructions?"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+50:16,17">Ps. l. 16, 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
This was extorted out of the mouth of the evil spirit by the power of
|
|
God, to gain honour to the gospel, and to put those to shame that made
|
|
a bad use of Christ's name. Antichristian powers and factions pretend
|
|
a mighty zeal for Jesus and Paul, and to have authority from them; but,
|
|
when the matter comes to be looked into, it is a mere worldly secular
|
|
interest that is to be thus supported; nay, it is an enmity to true
|
|
religion: <I>Jesus we know, and Paul we know; but who are you?</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>The man in whom the evil spirit was</I> gave them a warm
|
|
reception, fell foul upon them, <I>leaped upon them</I> in the height
|
|
of his frenzy and rage, <I>overcame them</I> and all their
|
|
enchantments, <I>prevailed against them,</I> and was every way too hard
|
|
for them; so that <I>they fled out of the house,</I> not only
|
|
<I>naked,</I> but <I>wounded;</I> their clothes pulled off their backs,
|
|
and their heads broken. This is written for a warning to all those who
|
|
name the name of Christ, but do not depart from iniquity. The same
|
|
enemy that overcomes them with his temptations will overcome them with
|
|
his terrors; and their adjuring him in Christ's name to let them alone
|
|
will be no security to them. If we resist the devil by a true and
|
|
lively faith in Christ, he will flee from us; but if we think to resist
|
|
him by the bare using of Christ's name, or any part of his word, as a
|
|
spell or charm, he will prevail against us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. The general notice that was taken of this, and the good impression
|
|
it made upon many
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>This was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at
|
|
Ephesus.</I> It was the common talk of the town; and the effect of it
|
|
was,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That men were terrified: <I>fear fell on them all.</I> In this
|
|
instance they saw the malice of the devil whom they served, and the
|
|
power of Christ whom they opposed; and both were awful considerations.
|
|
They saw that the name of Christ was not to be trifled with, nor his
|
|
religion compounded with pagan superstitions.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That God was glorified; <I>the name of the Lord Jesus,</I> by
|
|
which his faithful servants cast out devils and cured diseases, without
|
|
any resistance, <I>was the more magnified;</I> for now it appeared to
|
|
be a name above every name.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Here is the conversion of others of Satan's servants, with the
|
|
evidences of their conversion.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Those that had been guilty of wicked practices confessed them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Many that had believed and were baptized, but had not then been so
|
|
particular as they might have been in the confession of their sins,
|
|
were so terrified with these instances of the magnifying of the name of
|
|
Jesus Christ that they came to Paul, or some of the other ministers
|
|
that were with him, and confessed what evil lives they had led, and
|
|
what a great deal of secret wickedness their own consciences charged
|
|
them with, which the world knew not of--secret frauds and secret
|
|
filthiness; <I>they showed their deeds,</I> took shame to themselves
|
|
and gave glory to God and warning to others. These confessions were not
|
|
extorted from them, but were voluntary, for the ease of their
|
|
consciences, upon which the late miracles had struck a terror. Note,
|
|
Where there is true contrition for sin there will be an ingenuous
|
|
confession of sin to God in every prayer, and to man whom we have
|
|
offended when the case requires it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Those that had conversed with wicked books burnt them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Many also of those who used curious arts,</I> <B><I>ta
|
|
perierga</I></B>--<I>impertinent things; multa nihil ad se pertinentia
|
|
satagentes--busy bodies</I> (so the word is used,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+3:11,1Ti+5:13">2 Thess. iii. 11; 1 Tim. v. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
that traded in the study of magic and divination, in books of judicial
|
|
astrology, casting nativities, telling fortunes, raising and laying
|
|
spirits, interpreting dreams, predicting future events, and the like,
|
|
to which some think are to be added <I>plays, romances, love-books, and
|
|
unchaste and immodest poems--histrionica, amatoria,
|
|
saltatoria.</I>--Stres. These, having their consciences more awakened
|
|
than ever to see the evil of those practices in which these books
|
|
instructed them, <I>brought their books together, and burnt them before
|
|
all men.</I> Ephesus was notorious for the use of these curious arts;
|
|
hence spells and charms were called <I>Literæ Ephesiæ.</I>
|
|
Here people furnished themselves with all those sorts of books, and,
|
|
probably, had tutors to instruct them in those <I>black</I> arts. It
|
|
was therefore much for the honour of Christ and his gospel to have such
|
|
a noble testimony borne against those <I>curious</I> arts, in a place
|
|
where they were so much in vogue. It is taken for granted that they
|
|
were convinced of the evil of these curious arts, and resolved to deal
|
|
in them no longer; but they did not think this enough unless they burnt
|
|
their books.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Thus they showed a holy indignation at the sins they had been
|
|
guilty of; as the idolaters, when they were brought to repentance, said
|
|
to their idols, <I>Get you hence</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+30:22">Isa. xxx. 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
and cast even those of silver and gold <I>to the moles and to the
|
|
bats,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+2:20">Isa. ii. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
They thus took a pious revenge on those things that had been the
|
|
instruments of sin to them, and proclaimed the force of their
|
|
convictions of the evil of it, and that those very things were now
|
|
detectable to them, as much as ever they had been delectable.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Thus they showed their resolution never to return to the use of
|
|
those arts, and the books which related to them, again. They were so
|
|
fully convinced of the evil and danger of them that they would not
|
|
throw the books by, within reach of a recall, upon supposition that it
|
|
was possible they might change their mind; but, being stedfastly
|
|
resolved never to make use of them, they burnt them.
|
|
|
|
(3.) Thus they put away a temptation to return to them again. Had they
|
|
kept the books by them, there was danger lest, when the heat of the
|
|
present conviction was over, they should have the curiosity to look
|
|
into them, and so be in danger of liking them and loving them again,
|
|
and therefore they burnt them. Note, Those that truly repent of sin
|
|
will keep themselves as far as possible from the occasions of it.
|
|
|
|
(4.) Thus they prevented their doing mischief to others. If Judas had
|
|
been by he would have said, "Sell them, and give the money to the
|
|
poor;" or, "Buy Bibles and good books with it." But then who could tell
|
|
into whose hands these dangerous books might fall, and what mischief
|
|
might be done by them? it was therefore the safest course to commit
|
|
them all to the flames. Those that are recovered from sin themselves
|
|
will do all they can to keep others from falling into it, and will be
|
|
much more afraid of laying an occasion of sin in the way of others.
|
|
|
|
(5.) Thus they showed a contempt of the wealth of this world; for the
|
|
price of the books was cast up, probably by those that persuaded them
|
|
not to burn them, and it was found to be <I>fifty thousand pieces of
|
|
silver,</I> which some compute to be fifteen hundred pounds of our
|
|
money. It is probable that the books were scarce, perhaps prohibited,
|
|
and therefore dear. Probably they had cost them so much; yet, being the
|
|
devil's books, though they had been so foolish as to buy them, they did
|
|
not think this would justify them in being so wicked as to sell them
|
|
again.
|
|
|
|
(6.) Thus they publicly testified their joy for their conversion from
|
|
these wicked practices, as Matthew did by the great feast he made when
|
|
Christ had called him from the receipt of custom. These converts
|
|
joined together in making this bonfire, and made it before all men.
|
|
They might have burnt the books privately, every one in his own house,
|
|
but they chose to do it together, by consent, and to do it at the high
|
|
cross (as we say), that Christ and his grace in them might be the more
|
|
magnified, and all about them the more edified.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Here is a general account of the progress and success of the
|
|
gospel in and about Ephesus
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed.</I> It is a blessed
|
|
sight to see the word of God growing and prevailing mightily, as it did
|
|
here.
|
|
|
|
1. To see it grow extensively, by the addition of many to the church.
|
|
When still more and more are wrought upon by the gospel, and wrought up
|
|
into a conformity to it, then it grows; when those that were least
|
|
likely to yield to it, and that had been most stiff in their opposition
|
|
to it, are captivated and brought into obedience to it, then it may be
|
|
said to <I>grow mightily.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. To see it prevail extensively, by the advancement in knowledge and
|
|
grace of those that are added to the church; when strong corruptions
|
|
are mortified, vicious habits changed, evil customs of long standing
|
|
broken off, and pleasant, gainful, fashionable sins are abandoned, then
|
|
it prevails mightily; and Christ in it goes on conquering and to
|
|
conquer.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ac19_21"> </A>
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|
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<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Tumult at Ephesus.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit,
|
|
when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to
|
|
Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
|
|
22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto
|
|
him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a
|
|
season.
|
|
23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
|
|
24 For a certain <I>man</I> named Demetrius, a silversmith, which
|
|
made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the
|
|
craftsmen;
|
|
25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation,
|
|
and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
|
|
26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but
|
|
almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned
|
|
away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made
|
|
with hands:
|
|
27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at
|
|
nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana
|
|
should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed,
|
|
whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
|
|
28 And when they heard <I>these sayings,</I> they were full of
|
|
wrath, and cried out, saying, Great <I>is</I> Diana of the Ephesians.
|
|
29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having
|
|
caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions
|
|
in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
|
|
30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the
|
|
disciples suffered him not.
|
|
31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends,
|
|
sent unto him, desiring <I>him</I> that he would not adventure himself
|
|
into the theatre.
|
|
32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the
|
|
assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they
|
|
were come together.
|
|
33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews
|
|
putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and
|
|
would have made his defence unto the people.
|
|
34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice
|
|
about the space of two hours cried out, Great <I>is</I> Diana of the
|
|
Ephesians.
|
|
35 And when the town clerk had appeased the people, he said,
|
|
<I>Ye</I> men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that
|
|
the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess
|
|
Diana, and of the <I>image</I> which fell down from Jupiter?
|
|
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye
|
|
ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
|
|
37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither
|
|
robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
|
|
38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with
|
|
him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there
|
|
are deputies: let them implead one another.
|
|
39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it
|
|
shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
|
|
40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's
|
|
uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of
|
|
this concourse.
|
|
41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Paul is here brought into some trouble at Ephesus, just when he is
|
|
forecasting to go thence, and to cut out work for himself elsewhere.
|
|
See here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. How he laid his purpose of going to other places,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:21,22"><I>v.</I> 21, 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
He was a man of vast designs for God, and was for making his influences
|
|
as widely diffusive as might be. Having spent above two years at
|
|
Ephesus,
|
|
|
|
(1.) He designed a visit to the churches of Macedonia and Achaia,
|
|
especially of Philippi and Corinth, the chief cities of those
|
|
provinces,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
There he had planted churches, and now is concerned to visit them. He
|
|
<I>purposed in the spirit,</I> either in his own spirit, not
|
|
communicating his purpose as yet, but keeping it to himself; or by the
|
|
direction of the Holy Spirit, who was his guide in all his motions, and
|
|
by whom he was led. He purposed to go and see how the work of God went
|
|
on in those places, that he might rectify what was amiss and encourage
|
|
what was good.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Thence he designed to go to Jerusalem, to visit the brethren
|
|
there, and give an account to them of the prospering of the good
|
|
pleasure of the Lord in his hand; and thence he intended to go to Rome,
|
|
to go and <I>see Rome;</I> not as if he designed only the gratifying of
|
|
his curiosity with the sight of that ancient famous city, but because
|
|
it was an expression people commonly used, that they would go and see
|
|
Rome, would look about them there, when that which he designed was to
|
|
see the Christians there, and to do them some service,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+1:11">Rom. i. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
The good people at Rome were the glory of the city which he longed for
|
|
a sight of. Dr. Lightfoot supposes that it was upon the death of the
|
|
emperor Claudius, who died the second year of Paul's being at Ephesus,
|
|
that Paul thought of going to Rome, because while he lived the Jews
|
|
were forbidden Rome,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+18:2"><I>ch.</I> xviii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
(3.) He sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, to give them notice of
|
|
the visit he intended them, and to get their collection ready for the
|
|
poor saints at Jerusalem. Soon after he wrote <I>the first epistle to
|
|
the Corinthians,</I> designing to follow it himself, as appears
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+4:17,19">1 Cor. iv. 17, 19</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>I have sent to you Timotheus; but I will myself come to you shortly,
|
|
if the Lord will.</I> For the present, he staid in Asia, in the country
|
|
about Ephesus, founding churches.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. How he was seconded in his purpose, and obliged to pursue it by the
|
|
troubles which at length he met with at Ephesus. It was strange that he
|
|
had been quiet there so long; yet it should seem he had met with
|
|
trouble there not recorded in this story, for in his epistle written at
|
|
this time he speaks of his having <I>fought with beasts at Ephesus</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+15:32">1 Cor. xv. 32</A>),
|
|
|
|
which seems to be meant of his being put to fight with wild beasts in
|
|
the theatre, according to the barbarous treatment they sometimes gave
|
|
the Christians. And he speaks of the trouble which came to them in
|
|
Asia, near Ephesus, when he <I>despaired of life,</I> and <I>received a
|
|
sentence of death within himself,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:8,9">2 Cor. i. 8, 9</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. But, in the trouble here related, he was worse frightened than
|
|
hurt. In general, <I>there arose no small stir about that way,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
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Some historians say that the famous impostor Apollonius Tyanæus,
|
|
who set up for a rival with Christ, and gave out himself, as Simon
|
|
Magus, to be <I>some great one,</I> was at Ephesus about this time that
|
|
Paul was there. But it seems the opposition he gave to the gospel was
|
|
so insignificant that St. Luke did not think it worth taking notice of.
|
|
The disturbance he gives an account of was of another nature: let us
|
|
view the particulars of it. Here is,</P>
|
|
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<P>
|
|
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1. A great complaint against Paul and the other preachers of the gospel
|
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for drawing people off from the worship of Diana, and so spoiling the
|
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trade of the silversmiths that worked for Diana's temple.</P>
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|
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|
<P>
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(1.) The complainant is Demetrius, a silversmith, a principal man, it
|
|
is likely, of the trade, and one that would be thought to understand
|
|
and consult the interests of it more than others of the company.
|
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Whether he worked in other sorts of plate or no we are not told; but
|
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the most advantageous branch of his trade was <I>making silver shrines
|
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for Diana,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
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Some think these were medals stamped with the effigies of Diana, or her
|
|
temple, or both; others think they were representations of the temple,
|
|
with the image of Diana in it in miniature, all of silver, but so small
|
|
that people might carry them about with them, as the papists do their
|
|
crucifixes. Those that came from far to pay their devotions at the
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temple of Ephesus, when they went home bought these little temples or
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|
shrines, to carry home with them, for the gratifying of the curiosity
|
|
of their friends, and to preserve in their own minds the idea of that
|
|
stately edifice. See how craftsmen, and crafty men too above the rank
|
|
of silversmiths, make an advantage to themselves of people's
|
|
superstition, and serve their worldly ends by it.</P>
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|
<P>
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(2.) The persons he appeals to are not the magistrates, but the mob; he
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called the <I>craftsmen</I> together, <I>with the workmen of like
|
|
occupation</I> (a company of mechanics, who had no sense of any thing
|
|
but their worldly interest), and these he endeavoured to incense
|
|
against Paul, who would be actuated as little by reason and as much by
|
|
fury as he could desire.</P>
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<P>
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(3.) His complaint and representation are very full.
|
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|
|
[1.] He lays it down for a principle that the art and mystery of making
|
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silver shrines for the worshippers of Diana was very necessary to be
|
|
supported and kept up
|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>):
|
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|
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"<I>You know that by this craft we have</I> not only our subsistence,
|
|
and our necessary food, but <I>our wealth.</I> We grow rich, and raise
|
|
estates. We live great, and have wherewithal to maintain our pleasures;
|
|
and therefore, whatever comes of it, we must not suffer this craft to
|
|
grow into contempt." Note, It is natural for men to be jealous for
|
|
that, whether right or wrong, by which they get their wealth; and many
|
|
have, for this reason alone, set themselves against the gospel of
|
|
Christ, because it calls men off from those crafts which are unlawful,
|
|
how much wealth soever is to be obtained by them.
|
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|
|
[2.] He charges it upon Paul that he had dissuaded men from worshipping
|
|
idols. The words, as they are laid in the indictment, are, that he had
|
|
asserted, <I>Those are no gods which are made with hands,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
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|
Could any truth be more plain and self-evident than this, or any
|
|
reasoning more cogent and convincing than that of the prophets, <I>The
|
|
workman made it, therefore it is not God?</I> The first and most
|
|
genuine notion we have of God is, that he had his being of himself, and
|
|
depends upon none; but that all things have their being from him, and
|
|
their dependence on him: and then it must follow that those are no gods
|
|
which are the creatures of men's fancy and the work of men's hands. Yet
|
|
this must be looked upon as an heretical and atheistical notion, and
|
|
Paul as a criminal for maintaining it; not that they could advance any
|
|
thing against this doctrine itself, but that the consequence of it was
|
|
that not only at Ephesus, the chief city, but almost throughout all
|
|
Asia, among the country people, who were their best customers, and whom
|
|
they thought they were surest of, he had <I>persuaded and turned away
|
|
much people</I> from the worship of Diana; so that there was not now
|
|
such a demand for the silver shrines as had been, nor were such good
|
|
rates given for them. There are those who will stickle for that which
|
|
is most grossly absurd and unreasonable, and which carries along with
|
|
it its own conviction of falsehood, as this does, <I>that those are
|
|
gods which are made with hands,</I> if it have but human laws, and
|
|
worldly interest and prescription, on its side.
|
|
|
|
[3.] He reminds them of the danger which their trade was in of going to
|
|
decay. Whatever touches this touches them in a sensible tender part:
|
|
"If this doctrine gains credit, we are all undone, and may even shut up
|
|
shop; <I>this our craft will be set at nought,</I> will be convicted,
|
|
and put into an ill name as superstition, and a cheat upon the world,
|
|
and every body will run it down. <I>This our part</I>" (so the word
|
|
is), "our interest or share of trade and commerce," <B><I>kindyneuei
|
|
hemin to meros,</I></B> "will not only come into danger of being lost,
|
|
but it will bring us into danger, and we shall become not only beggars,
|
|
but malefactors."
|
|
|
|
[4.] He pretends a mighty zeal for Diana, and a jealousy for her
|
|
honour: <I>Not only this our craft is in danger;</I> if that were all,
|
|
he would not have you think that he would have spoken with so much
|
|
warmth, but all his care is lest <I>the temple of the great goddess
|
|
Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed;</I>
|
|
and he would not, for all the world, see the diminution of the honour
|
|
of that goddess, <I>whom all Asia and the world worship.</I> See what
|
|
the worship of Diana had to plead for itself, and what was the utmost
|
|
which the most zealous bigots for it had to say in its behalf.
|
|
<I>First,</I> That it had pomp on its side; the magnificence of the
|
|
temple was the thing that charmed them, the thing that chained them;
|
|
they could not bear the thoughts of any thing that tended to the
|
|
diminution, much less to the destruction, of that. <I>Secondly,</I>
|
|
That it had numbers on its side; <I>All Asia and the world worship</I>
|
|
it; and therefore it must needs be the right way of worship, let Paul
|
|
say what he will to the contrary. Thus, because <I>all the world
|
|
wonders after the beast,</I> therefore <I>the dragon, the devil, the
|
|
god of this world, gives him his power, and his seat, and great
|
|
authority,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+13:2,3">Rev. xiii. 2, 3</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The popular resentment of this complaint. The charge was managed by
|
|
a craftsman, and was framed to incense the common people, and it had
|
|
the desired effect; for on this occasion they showed,
|
|
|
|
(1.) A great displeasure against the gospel and the preachers of it.
|
|
<I>They were full of wrath</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>full of fury and indignation,</I> so the word signifies. The
|
|
craftsmen went stark mad when they were told that their trade and their
|
|
idol were both in danger.
|
|
|
|
(2.) A great jealousy for the honour of their goddess: <I>They cried
|
|
out, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians;</I> and we are resolved to stand
|
|
by her, and live and die in the defence of her. Are there any that
|
|
expose her to contempt, or threaten her destruction? Let us alone to
|
|
deal with them. Let Paul say ever so much to prove that those are no
|
|
gods which are made with hands, we will abide by it that, whatever
|
|
becomes of other gods and goddesses, <I>Great is Diana of the
|
|
Ephesians.</I> We must and will stand up for the religion of our
|
|
country, which we have received by tradition from our fathers." Thus
|
|
all people <I>walked every one in the name of his god,</I> and all
|
|
thought well of their own; much more should the servants of the true
|
|
God do so, who can say, <I>This God is our God for ever and ever.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) A great disorder among themselves
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The whole city was full of confusion</I>--the common and natural
|
|
effect of intemperate zeal for a false religion; it throws all into
|
|
confusion, dethrones reason, and enthrones passion; and men run
|
|
together, not only not knowing one another's minds, but not knowing
|
|
their own.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The proceedings of the mob under the power of these resentments, and
|
|
how far they were carried.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) They laid hands on some of Paul's companions, and hurried them
|
|
into the theatre
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>),
|
|
|
|
some think with design there to make them <I>fight with beasts,</I> as
|
|
Paul had sometimes done; or perhaps they intended only to abuse them,
|
|
and to make them a spectacle to the crowd. Those whom they seized were
|
|
<I>Gaius and Aristarchus,</I> of both of whom we read elsewhere.
|
|
<I>Gaius was of Derbe,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+20:4"><I>ch.</I> xx. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Aristarchus</I> is also there spoken of, and
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+4:10">Col. iv. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
They came with Paul <I>from Macedonia,</I> and this was their only
|
|
crime, that they were Paul's companions in travel, both in services and
|
|
sufferings.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>Paul,</I> who had escaped being seized by them, when he
|
|
perceived his friends in distress for his sake, <I>would have entered
|
|
in unto the people,</I> to sacrifice himself, if there were no other
|
|
remedy, rather than his friends should suffer upon his account; and it
|
|
was an evidence of a generous spirit, and that he loved his neighbour
|
|
as himself.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) He was persuaded from it by the kindness of his friends, who
|
|
overruled him.
|
|
|
|
[1.] <I>The disciples suffered him not,</I> for it better became him to
|
|
offer it than it would have become them to suffer it. They had reason
|
|
to say to Paul, as David's servants did to him, when he was for
|
|
exposing himself in a piece of public service, <I>Thou art worth ten
|
|
thousand of us,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+18:3">2 Sam. xviii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Others of his friends interposed, to prevent his throwing himself
|
|
thus into the mouth of danger. They would treat him much worse than
|
|
Gaius and Aristarchus, looking upon him as the ringleader of the party;
|
|
and therefore better let them bear the brunt of the storm than that he
|
|
should venture into it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
They were <I>certain of the chief of Asia, the princes of
|
|
Asia</I>--<B><I>Asiarchai.</I></B> The critics tell us they were the
|
|
chief of their priests; or, as others, the chief of their players.
|
|
Whether they were converts to the Christian faith (and some such there
|
|
were even of their priests and governors), or whether they were only
|
|
well-wishers to Paul, as an ingenuous good man, we are not told, only
|
|
that they were <I>Paul's friends.</I> Dr. Lightfoot suggests that they
|
|
kept up a respect and kindness for him ever since he fought with beasts
|
|
in their theatre, and were afraid he should be abused so again. Note,
|
|
It is a friendly part to take more care of the lives and comforts of
|
|
good men than they do themselves. It would be a very hazardous
|
|
adventure for Paul to go into the theatre; it was a thousand to one
|
|
that it would cost him his life; and therefore Paul was overruled by
|
|
his friends to obey the law of self-preservation, and has taught us to
|
|
keep out of the way of danger as long as we can without going out of
|
|
the way of duty. We may be called to lay down our lives, but not to
|
|
throw away our lives. It would better become Paul to venture into a
|
|
synagogue than into a theatre.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(4.) The mob was in a perfect confusion
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Some cried one thing and some another,</I> according as their
|
|
fancies and passions, and perhaps the reports they received, led them.
|
|
Some cried, Down with the Jews; others, Down with Paul; but <I>the
|
|
assembly was confused,</I> as not understanding one another's minds.
|
|
They contradicted one another, and were ready to fly in one another's
|
|
faces for it, but they did not understand their own; for the truth was
|
|
<I>the greater part knew not wherefore they had come together.</I> They
|
|
knew not what began the riot, nor who, much less what business they had
|
|
there; but, upon such occasions, the greatest part come only to enquire
|
|
what the matter is: they follow the cry, follow the crowd, increase
|
|
like a snow-ball, and where there are many there will be more.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(5.) The Jews would have interested themselves in this tumult (in other
|
|
places they had been the first movers of such riots) but now at Ephesus
|
|
they had not interest enough to raise the mob, and yet, when it was
|
|
raised, they had ill-will enough to set in with it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>They drew Alexander out of the multitude,</I> called him out to
|
|
speak on the behalf of the Jews against Paul and his companions: "You
|
|
have heard what Demetrius and the silversmiths have to say against
|
|
them, as enemies to their religion; give us leave now to tell you what
|
|
we have to say against him as an enemy to our religion." <I>The Jews
|
|
put him forward</I> to do this, encouraged him, and told him they would
|
|
stand by him and second him; and this they looked upon as necessary in
|
|
their own defence, and therefore what he designed to say is called his
|
|
apologizing to the people, not for himself in particular, but for the
|
|
Jews in general, whom the worshippers of Diana looked upon to be as
|
|
much their enemies as Paul was. Now they would have them know that they
|
|
were as much Paul's enemies as they were; and those who are thus
|
|
careful to distinguish themselves from the servants of Christ now, and
|
|
are afraid of being taken for them, shall have their doom accordingly
|
|
in the great day. <I>Alexander beckoned with the hand,</I> desiring to
|
|
be heard against Paul; for it had been strange if a persecution had
|
|
been carried on against the Christians and there were not Jews at one
|
|
end or the other of it: if they could not begin the mischief, they
|
|
would help it forward, and so make themselves partakers of other men's
|
|
sins. Some think this Alexander had been a Christian, but had
|
|
apostatized to Judaism, and therefore was drawn out as a proper person
|
|
to accuse Paul; and that he was the <I>Alexander the coppersmith</I>
|
|
that did Paul so much evil
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+4:14">2 Tim. iv. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
and whom he had <I>delivered unto Satan,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+1:20">1 Tim. i. 20</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(6.) This occasioned the prosecutors to drop the prosecution of Paul's
|
|
friends, and to turn it into acclamations in honour of their goddess
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>When they knew that he was a Jew,</I> and, as such, an enemy to the
|
|
worship of Diana (for the Jews had now an implacable hatred to idols
|
|
and idolatry), whatever he had to say for Paul or against him, they
|
|
were resolved not to hear him, and therefore set the mob a shouting,
|
|
"<I>Great is Diana of the Ephesians;</I> whoever runs her down, be he
|
|
Jew or Christian, we are resolved to cry her up. <I>She is Diana of the
|
|
Ephesians,</I> our Diana; and it is our honour and happiness to have
|
|
her temple with us; and she is great, a famous goddess, and universally
|
|
adored. There are other Dianas, but Diana of the Ephesians is beyond
|
|
them all, because her temple is more rich and magnificent than any of
|
|
theirs." This was all the cry for <I>two hours</I> together; and it was
|
|
thought a sufficient confutation of Paul's doctrine, <I>that those are
|
|
not gods which are made with hands.</I> Thus the most sacred truths are
|
|
often run down with nothing else but noise and clamour and popular
|
|
fury. It was said of old concerning idolaters that they were <I>mad
|
|
upon their idols;</I> and here is an instance of it. Diana made the
|
|
Ephesians great, for the town was enriched by the vast concourse of
|
|
people from all parts to Diana's temple there, and therefore they are
|
|
concerned by all means possible to keep up her sinking reputation with,
|
|
<I>Great is Diana of the Ephesians.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. The suppressing and dispersing of these rioters, by the prudence and
|
|
vigilance of <I>the town-clerk;</I> he is called,
|
|
<B><I>grammateus</I></B>--<I>the scribe,</I> or <I>secretary,</I> or
|
|
<I>recorder;</I> "the register of their games," the Olympic games (so
|
|
others), whose business it was to preserve the names of the victors and
|
|
the prizes they won. With much ado he, at length, stilled the noise, so
|
|
as to be heard, and then made a pacific speech to them, and gave us an
|
|
instance of that of Solomon, <I>The words of wise men are heard in
|
|
quiet more than the cry of him that rules among fools,</I> as Demetrius
|
|
did.
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+9:17">Eccl. ix. 17</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) He humours them with an acknowledgment that Diana was the
|
|
celebrated goddess of the Ephesians,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
They needed not to be so loud and strenuous in asserting a truth which
|
|
nobody denied, or could be ignorant of: Every one <I>knows that the
|
|
city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana;</I>
|
|
is <B><I>neokoros;</I></B> not only that the inhabitants were
|
|
worshippers of this goddess, but the city, as a corporation, was, by
|
|
its charter, entrusted with the worship of Diana, to take care of her
|
|
temple, and to accommodate those who came thither to do her homage.
|
|
Ephesus is <I>the æditua</I> (they say that is the most proper
|
|
word), or <I>the sacrist, of the great goddess Diana.</I> The city was
|
|
more the patroness and protectress of Diana than Diana was of the city.
|
|
Such great care did idolaters take for the keeping up of the worship of
|
|
gods made with hands, while the worship of the true and living God is
|
|
neglected, and few nations or cities glory in patronizing and
|
|
protecting that. The temple of Diana at Ephesus was a very rich and
|
|
sumptuous structure, but, it should seem, the <I>image</I> of Diana in
|
|
the temple, because they thought it sanctified the temple, was had in
|
|
greater veneration than the temple, for they persuaded the people that
|
|
it <I>fell down from Jupiter,</I> and therefore was none of the gods
|
|
that were made with men's hands. See how easily the credulity of
|
|
superstitious people is imposed upon by the fraud of designing men.
|
|
Because this image of Diana had been set up time out of mind, and
|
|
nobody could tell who made it, they made the people believe it fell
|
|
down from Jupiter. "Now <I>these things,</I>" says the town-clerk very
|
|
gravely (but whether seriously or no, and as one that did himself
|
|
believe them, may be questioned), "<I>cannot be spoken against;</I>
|
|
they have obtained such universal credit that you need not fear
|
|
contradiction, it can do you no prejudice." Some take it thus: "Seeing
|
|
the image of Diana fell down from Jupiter, as we all believe, then what
|
|
is said against gods made with hands does not at all affect us."</P>
|
|
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<P>
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(2.) He cautions them against all violent and tumultuous proceedings,
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which their religion did not need, nor could receive any real advantage
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from
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>):
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<I>You ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.</I> A very good
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|
rule this is to be observed at all times, both in private and public
|
|
affairs; not to be hasty and precipitate in our motions, but to
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|
deliberate and take time to consider: not to put ourselves or others
|
|
into a heat, but to be calm and composed, and always keep reason in the
|
|
throne and passion under check. This word should be ready to us, to
|
|
command the peace with, when we ourselves or those about us are growing
|
|
disorderly: <I>We ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly;</I> to
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|
do nothing in haste, which we may repent of at leisure.</P>
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|
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<P>
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|
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(3.) He wipes off the odium that had been cast upon Paul and his
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|
associates, and tells them, they were not the men that they were
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|
represented to them to be
|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>):
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"<I>You have brought hither these men,</I> and are ready to pull them
|
|
to pieces; but have you considered what is their transgression and what
|
|
is their offence? What can you prove upon them? They are not robbers of
|
|
churches, you cannot charge them with sacrilege, or the taking away of
|
|
any dedicated thing. They have offered no violence to Diana's temple or
|
|
the treasures of it; nor are they <I>blasphemers of your goddess;</I>
|
|
they have not given any opprobrious language to the worshippers of
|
|
Diana, nor spoken scurrilously of her or her temple. Why should you
|
|
prosecute those <I>with all this violence</I> who, though they are not
|
|
of your mind, yet do not inveigh with any bitterness against you? Since
|
|
they are calm, why should you be hot?" It was the idol in the heart
|
|
that they levelled all their force against, by reason and argument; if
|
|
they can but get that down, the idol in the temple will fall of course.
|
|
Those that preach against idolatrous churches have truth on their side,
|
|
and ought vigorously to maintain it and press it on men's consciences;
|
|
but let them not be robbers of those churches (<I>on the prey laid they
|
|
not their hand,</I>
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+9:15,16">Esth. ix. 15, 16</A>),
|
|
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nor blasphemers of those worships; with meekness instructing, not with
|
|
passion and foul language reproaching, those that oppose themselves;
|
|
for God's truth, as it needs not man's lie, so it needs not man's
|
|
intemperate heat. <I>The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of
|
|
God.</I></P>
|
|
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|
<P>
|
|
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|
(4.) He turns them over to the regular methods of the law, which ought
|
|
always to supersede popular tumults, and in civilized well-governed
|
|
nations will do so. A great mercy it is to live in a country where
|
|
provision is made for the keeping of the peace, and the administration
|
|
of public justice, and the appointing of a remedy for every wrong; and
|
|
herein we of this nation are as happy as any people.
|
|
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|
[1.] If the complaint be of a private injury, let them have recourse to
|
|
the judges and courts of justice, which are kept publicly at stated
|
|
times. If Demetrius and the company of the silversmiths, that have made
|
|
all this rout, find themselves aggrieved, or any privilege they are
|
|
legally entitled to infringed or entrenched upon, let them bring their
|
|
action, take out a process, and the matter shall be fairly tried, and
|
|
justice done: <I>The law is open, and there are deputies;</I> there is
|
|
a proconsul and his delegate, whose business it is to hear both sides,
|
|
and to determine according to equity; and in their determination all
|
|
parties must acquiesce, and not be their own judges, nor appeal to the
|
|
people. Note, <I>The law is good if a man use it lawfully,</I> as the
|
|
last remedy both for the discovery of a right disputed and the recovery
|
|
of a right denied.
|
|
|
|
[2.] If the complaint be of a public grievance, relating to the
|
|
constitution, it must be redressed, not by a confused rabble, but by a
|
|
convention of the states
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>If you enquire any thing concerning other matters,</I> that are of
|
|
common concern, <I>it shall be determined in a lawful assembly</I> of
|
|
the aldermen and common-council, called together in a regular way by
|
|
those in authority. Note, Private persons should not intermeddle in
|
|
public matters, so as to anticipate the counsels of those whose
|
|
business it is to take cognizance of them; we have enough to do to mind
|
|
our own business.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(5.) He makes them sensible of the danger they are in, and of the
|
|
premunire they have run themselves into by this riot
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:40"><I>v.</I> 40</A>):
|
|
|
|
"It is well if we be not <I>called in question for this day's
|
|
uproar,</I> if we be not complained of at the emperor's court, as a
|
|
factious and seditious city, and if a <I>quo warranto</I> be not
|
|
brought against us and our charter taken away; for <I>there is no cause
|
|
whereby we may give an account of this concourse,</I> we have nothing
|
|
to say in excuse of it. We cannot justify ourselves in breaking the
|
|
peace by saying that others broke it first, and we only acted
|
|
defensively; we have no colour for any such plea, and therefore let the
|
|
matter go no further, for it has gone too far already." Note, Most
|
|
people stand in awe of men's judgment more than of the judgment of God.
|
|
How well were it if we would thus still the tumult of our disorderly
|
|
appetites and passions, and check the violence of them, with the
|
|
consideration of the account we must shortly give to the Judge of
|
|
heaven and earth for all these disorders! <I>We are in danger to be
|
|
called in question for this day's uproar</I> in our hearts, in our
|
|
houses; and how shall we answer it, there being no cause, no just
|
|
cause, or no proportionable one, whereby we may give an account of this
|
|
concourse, and of this heat and violence? As we must repress the
|
|
inordinacy of our appetites, so also of our passions, with this, that
|
|
<I>for all these things God will bring us unto judgment</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+11:9">Eccl. xi. 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
and we are concerned to manage ourselves <I>as those that must give
|
|
account.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(6.) When he has thus shown them the absurdity of their riotous
|
|
meeting, and the bad consequences that might follow from it, he advises
|
|
them to separate with all speed
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+19:41"><I>v.</I> 41</A>):
|
|
|
|
he <I>dismissed the assembly,</I> ordered the crier perhaps to give
|
|
notice that all manner of persons should peaceably depart and go about
|
|
their own business, and they did so. See here,
|
|
|
|
[1.] How the overruling providence of God preserves the public peace,
|
|
by an unaccountable power over the spirits of men. Thus the world is
|
|
kept in some order, and men are restrained from being as the fishes of
|
|
the sea, where the greater devour the less. Considering what an
|
|
impetuous furious thing, what an ungovernable untameable wild beast the
|
|
mob is, when it is up, we shall see reason to acknowledge God's
|
|
goodness that we are not always under the tyranny of it. <I>He stills
|
|
the noise of the sea, noise of her waves, and</I> (which is no less an
|
|
instance of his almighty power) <I>the tumult of the people,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+65:7">Ps. lxv. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] See how many ways God has of protecting his people. Perhaps this
|
|
town-clerk was no friend at all to Paul, nor to the gospel he preached,
|
|
yet his human prudence is made to serve the divine purpose. <I>Many are
|
|
the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth them out of them
|
|
all.</I></P>
|
|
|
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